All-Clad Buying Guide: Choose The Best For Your Kitchen

All-Clad is a well-known brand of stainless steel cookware, with a reputation for performance and durability. The brand offers a range of products, from pots and pans to deep fryers and potato mashers, often with a polished stainless steel exterior and a higher price tag. With that in mind, which All-Clad is best?

The answer depends on what you're looking for. If you're after a non-stick skillet, the HA1 non-stick skillet is a reasonably-priced option. For saucepans, the D3 tri-ply 3-quart saucepan is a good choice, and the D3 range also includes a 1.5-quart option. The D3 tri-ply 3-quart stainless steel sauté pan is a great option for even heat distribution. If you're looking for a stockpot, the D3 12-quart covered stockpot is a sturdy, yet expensive, option.

All-Clad also offers a range of other kitchen products, including potato mashers, deep fryers, immersion blenders, mixing bowls, and roasting pans, so you can find a variety of products to suit your needs.

Tri-Ply vs. Five-Ply

Tri-ply and five-ply refer to the number of layers of metal used to create a pan. Tri-ply pans are constructed from three different layers of metal, typically with stainless steel outer layers bonded to a layer of aluminium or copper in the middle. Five-ply pans have five layers of metal, usually with a copper or aluminium core wrapped between two aluminium sheets, which are then sandwiched between stainless steel layers.

Ply matters because it affects the durability, heat conductivity, weight, and price of the pan. Five-ply pans are generally more durable, heat up more evenly, and retain heat better. However, they are also heavier and pricier than tri-ply pans.

The extra layers in five-ply pans make them more resistant to warping or denting. The additional metal also helps them heat up more quickly and evenly than tri-ply pans. The thicker construction of five-ply pans also means they retain heat better, which is important for searing meat.

On the other hand, tri-ply pans are slightly lighter and cheaper than five-ply pans. However, they are less durable and more prone to scratches and dents. They are also more likely to develop hot spots, where certain areas heat up faster than others, leading to uneven cooking.

When deciding between tri-ply and five-ply pans, consider your budget and how you plan to use the cookware. If you require excellent heat retention for searing meat or cooking delicate proteins and sauces, a five-ply pan is a better option. If you prioritising affordability and ease of use, a tri-ply pan may be more suitable.

Polished vs. Brushed Stainless Steel

When it comes to stainless steel pots and pans, All-Clad is one of the most recognisable names in the game. But with so many different products, it can be confusing to know which to choose.

Brushed Stainless Steel

Brushed stainless steel cookware is made from metal with a unidirectional satin finish. It is produced by polishing the metal with a 120-180 grit greaseless compound or a medium non-woven abrasive pad. Brushed metal cookware includes stainless steel, nickel, and aluminium.

Brushed stainless steel is popular because it is versatile, compatible with all cooktops, durable, and responsive to temperature changes. It can be used for a variety of cooking techniques, from searing and frying to sautéing and simmering sauces. It has high heat conductivity and even distribution. It won't flake, rust, scratch, chip, or stain, and top brands offer lifetime warranties. However, it may leach heavy metal into food if you cook acidic food in your brushed stainless steel pans for a long time.

Polished Stainless Steel

Polished stainless steel is a low carbon and iron-based steel product with other metals mixed in to reduce corrosion. It contains at least 10 percent chromium, and other metals like manganese, silicon, aluminium, nickel, and sulfur. The combination of these metals determines the grade of the polished stainless steel and gives the product a mirror finish.

Polished stainless steel is a good option for long-lasting, non-toxic, and durable cookware. It is ideal for boiling, baking, and sautéing. This cookware is suitable for small-batch baking as it can retain heat well and cooks food evenly. It is easy to clean and care for, making it a good option for students or those new to cooking.

Polished vs Brushed Stainless Steel: Which Is Better?

The choice between polished and brushed stainless steel comes down to personal preference. Brushed stainless steel has a dull, matte finish, while polished stainless steel is shiny. Both perform the same, so it is up to the individual to decide which finish they prefer.

All-Clad's Handles

All-Clad's cookware handles have a distinctive design, featuring an indent on the top that runs the length of the handle. While some people dislike this design, finding it uncomfortable, others appreciate the indent's functionality. It serves to prevent the handle from rotating in your palm as you pour and provides a natural place for your thumb, giving you added leverage when tossing, picking up, or moving the cookware.

That said, All-Clad has recognised that their handle design isn't for everyone and has made some changes to certain models, such as the graphite core G5 series, which features more rounded, user-friendly handles.

If you're considering purchasing an All-Clad pan but are concerned about the handle, you could try holding it in-store to see how it feels in your hand. It's worth noting that some people find the handles more comfortable to use when holding them from the bottom, rather than the top.

If you already own an All-Clad pan and find the handle uncomfortable, you could try using a towel or a silicone sleeve to cover the handle and provide some extra cushioning.

The Graphite Core Line

All-Clad's G5 Graphite Core Collection is a lightweight line of stainless steel pans that heat up quickly. The 12.5-inch skillet, which is also sold in 8-inch and 10-inch sizes, weighs just under three pounds, which is nearly two pounds lighter than the D3 12-inch skillet. The G5 graphite line also features a rounded handle that is more user-friendly than the classic All-Clad handle with an indent on the top. The graphite core line includes 17 products, plus two options for sets. The line is induction compatible and oven-safe up to 600°F.

One source states that the All-Clad D3 Stainless collection is the best value for its performance, price, and durability. However, they have been impressed with the new G5 graphite line and will continue long-term testing on the 12.5-inch skillet to gauge durability.

The Copper Core Line

• 5-ply bonded cookware set, 7-piece set
• 10-inch fry pan
• 12-inch fry pan
• 2-quart saucepan with lid
• 3-quart saucepan with lid
• 3-quart sauté pan with lid
• 8-quart stockpot with lid
• 12-quart covered stock pot

Frequently asked questions