Cookware Reviews

I have used All-Clad since the early 1980's and consider it the very best, and best for the money, too, as it lasts forever, the company will simply replace any that you complain about (the LTD black surface wore off some after 15 years, which is why I switched to the stainless steel outside and inside and some copper outside versions (Copper Chef, by All-Clad Co.) and they sent a new one!). I have boiled over milk on high and it never scorched! The bottom of the pan was not even tan, much less any burned milk! That was a first for any pan for me! The Olympic Cooking Team uses these pans, by the way. And they look good on a rack, too.

I am very pleased with my set of All-Clad stainless cookware. The construction is superior to any other set I have ever owned. One of the nice things about the cookware is how cool the handles stay after being on the burner for an extended period of time. I was really surprised by that. I figured that since the handles were stainless steel they would get really hot but that is not the case. I have also found that the cookware heats up much more evenly than my old cookware. That really does help to reduce cooking time. While it may seem a bit pricey, this set should last many years if taken care of. My Mom always told me to buy the best quality item that I could and it will save money in the long run. She was right.....as usual. :-) If you love to cook you will enjoy this set.

All Clad is rightly praised for its great look, feel, and durability, and this stainless steel set is a beauty. But if you've never cooked with stainless before, here are few points to ponder:

First: don't throw away that old teflon yet. If you want to fry an egg for breakfast and not spend a lot of time scraping and cursing that you didn't have the pan at the right temperature, that teflon will come in handy. Lesson learned: the steel surface of All Clad pans heats differently from other pans, and is simply not designed to be "non-stick."

Second: this cookware leaps from the box glossy and dazzling. Yet I tend to scratch things. A lot. The mirror finish will not last in the average chef's kitchen. (This does not, of course, degrade the cookware's functionality.)

Finally, this set is Hard To Clean, no matter what. The instructions caution against using steel wool on the interior. I recommend that owners with average to low patience remove all steel wool from their homes.

An option: All Clad makes a sister set called the Master Chef Two. One of the pans is non-stick and the exteriors are a very attractive brushed aluminum, not meant to shine at all. Happy cooking!!

For a good even heat, excellent quality of workmanship, and a dependable name, I can't think of anything better than All-Clad. For years, I used cheap cookware store non-stick skillets and hand-me-down pots and pans my mother used when she first got married. What a difference it makes.

Most cookware is way too thin, which leaves you with hotspots. For years, I would make up for this by using a cast iron "defuser" to even out the heat and keep the direct flame off the bottom of the pan. I don't have to do this any more. With the triple-layering, you get even heating, regardless of whether it's the middle of the pan or the outer edge.

Personally, I like the stainless. MC2 wasn't around when I bought mine, and I might have chosen that because of the low-maintanace exterior, but I'm not regretting it either. I don't have to be worrying about scratching through the coating with it and it cleans up easy enough with a little water and even less elbow grease.

Cooking will always be a chore, even if you enjoy the act in itself, if you never invest in good cookware and good knives. This is the first step on at least one of those. You might also wish to add a double-boiler, the steamer insert and a 1 qt. saucier; and maybe a larger stock pot (12 qt. if you can afford it), but this really lets you hit the ground running.

This is my second set of All Clad. When I installed a Viking gas cooktop a year ago, I discovered why all the pros use All Clad....my thick-bottomed, thin-walled cookware couldn't take the heat and food burned on the sides rather than the bottom. My darling husband gave me a full set of MC2 and from that point on I was hooked. I have added several pieces via Amazon's great buys, both MC2 and stainless which I love. Mind you, my previous cookware was all non-stick so this was a challenge but once I figured out the proper way to cook I've had no problem with anything sticking and I hardly ever use any fat besides cooking sprays. It's so simple: preheat the cookware! It only takes a minute on medium heat then you can spray the pan and add your food and nothing sticks. Cleanup is a breeze and the stuff is so gorgeous I bought a stainless rack to display it. If you are serious about cooking, buy this set. It's a fantastic deal and it will last a lifetime. I'm betting some of you will even go on to buy a pro-type cooktop or stove after you start using All Clad. It's really true that the right cookware makes all the difference and this is the right stuff!

I actually don't have an ALL CLAD bran asparagus pan, but do own one from a comparable vender. I thought the pan itself is great. Great for cooking corn, noodles, and even broccoli etc.. I, also thought it was a great reasonable gift idea. Caution with gas stove...if it boils over can extinguish flame.

USED THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT,I WAS TIRED OF OVERCOOKING ASPARAGUS.WORKED GREAT.IT IS MADE OF QUALITY STAINLESS.BASKET IS THE RIGHT SIZE FIGHTS NICELY INTO THE POT AND THE HANDLE MOVES OFF TO THE SIDE,IT LAYS DOWN.I BOILED EGGS ALSO,GREAT WAY TO BOIL 5-8 EGGS.I WAS VERY IMPRESSED.

Think about it. Over 28 dollars for a simple lid!. Intrinsically, there is nothing in the lid that could cost anywhere that much. The price you are looking at is a result of very calculated marketing.

In brief, they go for the high ground and try to convince every one that they have the best product going by pricing it higher than the closest competitor. Further they try to differientiate their product as much as possible and convince everyone that a lid is not a commodity item. Add a bit of snob appeal and there you have it!. Does it work? Yes, Good value? No.