The Standard in Multiple-Ply, All-Stainless Cookware
Having owned or used all sorts of cookware over the years, including Wearever (the original heavy aluminum stuff from 50-60 years ago), copper, cast iron (enamelled and not), Cuisinart, KitchenAid, Revereware, Farberware, Corning & Pyrex (glass), odd pieces from All-Clad's direct competitors, and a host of others, my wife and I can say with complete confidence that All-Clad is the best of the high-quality stainless steel, multi-ply, all-purpose cookware.
That's a lot of qualifiers for the All-Clad! ... But the qualifiers are important! We use the All-Clad pots every single day. We also regularly use a non-stick electric skillet and various non-stick frying pans, a lovely copper and ceramic double boiler, a 20 quart stainless ... Read More
Six years later ...
I bought this exact set six years ago from Amazon as a birthday present to myself (back when Amazon did birthday discounts) just starting out on my own after college. I had a limited income but knew that this was an investment so I saved and saved and waited for a good deal. I highly recommend it. I cook 80% vegetarian, 20% meat. I do have two Le Creuset French ovens and Lodge cast iron but the All-Clad are my favorite. I have bought and since thrown out several Calphalon nonstick pieces which were great while they lasted but did not last long. This is not peculiar to Calphalon; my roommate bought the 12" All-Clad nonstick frypan and had awful luck with it -- stay away from nonstick in general, I'd say. And, yes, we followed all the usual nonstick ... Read More
Over priced - worthless warranty
Not a terrible bad product, but way over priced for what you get. Not much of a warranty either. If you buy any All Clad products don't count on the warranty - it's there to convence you to buy the product not support it. I recommend looking at the Calphalon products. There waranty is bar none and the products are as good as All Clad if not better.
Best Value in Cookware
I use this cookware every day. It's my opinion that All-Clad is the best value for your cookware dollar, as you'll only buy cookware once. All-Clad has a lifetime warranty and I'd recommend that user/reviewer S. Flask have the unsatisfactory piece replaced.
Beyond the basics of durability, this cookware heats evenly and quickly on all cooking surfaces (I've used it on gas, electric, and glass tops). I love that I don't have to think about what my pots and pans are doing, I only have to think about what's going into them. The bottoms of my pots (I've had some for 14 years) have always stayed flat; they don't roll around on the cook top.
I love that the cookware is made in Pennsylvania (except for the lids) and I love that they ... Read More
a few things to consider
i've been using this set for over three years now, and have been very happy with it.
durability: no issues with handles coming loose, etc. almost all of the pans have remained even completely ding/dent free. my only complaint is that the bottom of one pan has domed slightly, so the pan does not lay completely flat on the burner, and heat distribution is affected. so while overall durability has been good, i'm knocking them down a point for this flaw.
cooking: these pans perform well. with the exception of the one mentioned above, all conduct heat evenly. no problem getting good crystalization of fats from meats, or browning vegetables in the oven. i think you definitely need a wider array of pans in your kitchen - a nonstick ... Read More
