If you’ve been reading All Clad cookware reviews and product descriptions, then you may have noticed the prices of their cookware sets.
In fact, you probably found them hard to miss, given how they’re just so darn high. Can any cookware set actually offer good value for money at these prices?
That’s a question that only you can decide in the end, but we have the background information you need to help make that determination.
For impatient: Click here to see our #1 All Clad Cookware Reviews right NOW on Amazon. It’s affordable and comes with Lifetime Warranty – 5-ply bonded construction, with free Prime shipping.
Best Of The Best
At a Glance | Editors Rating | |
 Overall Rating-4.8/5 All-clad 5 ply structure performs well and provides great cooking cores. Warp-free strength to make it a long-lasting and reliable option for your contemporary kitchen. Its polished stainless exterior prevents sticking to the surface and also preserves food taste.
| Value of Money - 4.8/5 Product Quality - 4.9/5 Durability - 4.8/5 Price Compare | |
Best Budget Pick
At a Glance | Editors Rating | |
 Overall Rating-4.7/5
| Value of Money - 4.8/5 Product Quality - 4.7/5 Durability - 4.7/5 Price Compare | |
What Other Options All Clad to Purchase?
All Clad History
To get a better sense of where All Clad comes from, you need to know a bit of its history. It all started with a tiny metallurgical company called Clad Metals, which was founded in 1967 by an actual metallurgist named John Ulam.
This is a professional who worked with alloys, mixing metals together with elements to produce new materials with certain traits.
Ulam wasn’t just a regular metallurgist, though. He was an innovator, and he amassed more than 50 different US patents for bonding metals such as stainless steel and aluminum.
He was good enough that the US Mint gave him a contract to produce coins such as half-dollars, quarters, and dimes. He was even part of the process during which the US converted from silver coins to the bonded layered metal coins used today.
Ulam had become so accomplished with his innovative bonding processes that in 1971 he established All-Clad Manufacturers.
His new company started making professional-grade bonded cookware for both expert chefs and passionate home cooks. More and more people realized the special properties of the All Clad cookware, which cemented the brand’s reputation.
All Clad cookware pots and pans are all still made in Pennsylvania, which means that quality control is still a top priority for the brand.
In fact, they’re all still handcrafted, as were the first cookware produced by All Clad. It’s this devotion to perfection that has kept the All Clad brand maintain its lofty place in the cookware industry, and devoted home cooks and perfectionist chefs still look for the brand today.
Different All Clad Cookware Reviews
To see exactly what you get with All Clad, here are some of their more popular offerings:
All Clad D3 Vs D5 Vs D7: Quick Summary
| Features | D3 | D5 | D7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonded layers | Steel, aluminum, steel | Steel, aluminum, steel, aluminum, steel | Steel, aluminum, steel, aluminum, steel, aluminum, steel |
| Construction Layers | 3 -ply construction with the aluminum core | 5-ply construction with the stainless-steel core | 7-ply construction with the stainless-steel core |
| Cooktop Compatible | Gas, electric, ceramic, and induction stoves compatible | All cooktops including induction | All kinds of stove tops including induction |
| Interior | Polished with Starburst Finish | Polished with Starburst Finish | Polished with Starburst Finish |
| Exterior | Polished | Polished or Brushed | Mirror |
| Heat Response | D3 heats faster | D5 heats more evenly | 2x more even in heating |
| Oven Safe | Up to 500 Degree F | Up to 350 Degere F | Up to 500 Degree F |
| Flared Rims | No | Yes | Yes |
| Usage | Oven, broiler and Dishwasher safe | Oven, broiler and Dishwasher safe | Oven, broiler and Dishwasher safe |
| Status | Good | Better | Best |
| Drip-Free Pouring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Energy Efficiency | Low | Medium | High |
1. All-Clad Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set, 8-Piece
Annoyingly, this actually just gives you 4 pans and 1 stock pot. Somehow, they think that the glass lids each count as a separate piece.
More specifically, you get:
- 8-quart stockpot, with glass lid.
- 5-quart saucepan, with glass lid.
- 5-quart saucepan, with glass lid.
- 10-inch frying pan.
- 8-inch frying pan.
The hard-anodized aluminum construction is great for quick heating that’s evenly distributed, while the nonstick surface makes everything easier. The food doesn’t stick, so cooking and cleaning is less troublesome.
This is even dishwasher-safe, though some people don’t bother. A lot of the All Clad nonstick cookware reviews mention that using the dishwasher isn’t really necessary. That’s because with the non-stick surface, even a quick wipe seems enough to clean each one. You can also use hot water with a soft, soapy sponge. Others use dishwashing liquid and a wet paper towel.
The bases of these pots and pans have the bonded stainless steel that won’t warp, and it’s even compatible with induction. You can set this in the oven up to 500 degrees F, though you can’t include the glass lid inside.
At least the glass lids are securely fitted, to trap in the moisture and heat. You won’t let any of those escape, since you can just check through the lid to see the state of the food.
The 3 layers of nonstick coating is great, since it’s scratch-resistant and also PFOA-free. You also get the nicely shaped stainless-steel handles that come with the stainless-steel rivets.
2. All-Clad Copper Core 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set, 10-Piece- Silver
This is among the most expensive on this list, even with the 2 extra pieces. More specifically, your set includes:
- 8-quart covered stockpot.
- 3-quart covered sauté pan.
- 3-quart covered sauce pan.
- 2-quart covered sauce pan.
- 10-inch frying pan.
- 8-inch frying pan.
So how come so many of the All Clad copper core cookware reviews mention the price, and then admit that it’s worth every dollar?
Let’s start with the 5-ply bonded design. At the very center, you have the thick copper core, followed by the 2 layers of aluminum, and then finally the 2 layers of stainless steel.
The aluminum layers give you that quick heat you want with the even distribution. The heat spreads quickly throughout the cookware, from the base all the way to the edge of the rim.
But it’s the copper core that really makes this special. This gives the cookware the precise temperature control you need for certain dishes.
Finally, you have the 18/10 stainless steel interior. As noted earlier, this gives you the nonstick surface you want plus it doesn’t change the taste of the food. Also, it just looks great.
This is also easy to use, especially with the handles. These are permanently attached with the stainless-steel rivets. It also features a heat choke that minimizes the heat movement to the handles, so that you don’t need a pot holder to hold the handles. You get better control with the handle because of the bolster feature, and it’s shaped to let you hold these pans underhanded.
You can use these with all stovetops, including induction. Even the edges are flared, so you won’t drip when you pour the food.
3. All-Clad D3 Stainless Cookware Set, Pots and Pans, Tri-Ply Stainless Steel, 10-Piece
Again, you’re not exactly getting 10 pots and pans. Still, you’re getting quite a set:
- 8-quart stockpot with a lid.
- 3-quart sauté pan with a lid.
- 3-quart sauce pan with a lid.
- 2-quart sauce pan with a lid.
- 10-inch fry pan.
- 8-inch fry pan.
If this list looks familiar, that’s because it’s precisely the same pieces as the one listed on the Copper Core set that we’ve listed earlier. The difference is that you don’t get the copper core, which also means you save money.
This is the 3-ply set, meaning you have the aluminum core in the middle. The 18/10 stainless steel layer works as the setting for your food, so this layer doesn’t affect the taste of the food. At the bottom, you have the stainless steel that’s compatible with induction.
Plenty of All Clad stainless-steel cookware reviews offer gushing praise for this D3 set, as it offers a nice balance between price and performance. You get the professional cooking performance you want, as you’re able to stick the cookware in the oven or broiler with temperatures of up to 600 degrees.
Cleanup isn’t a problem either, as this is dishwasher-safe. If you find anything sticking on the cookware, you can just use a stainless-steel powder cleanser. Even a mixture of water and white vinegar will do.
4. All-Clad Brushed D5 Stainless Cookware Set, Pots and Pans, Professional Grade, 10-Piece
The difference between the D3 and the D5 is the number of layers used for the construction of the cookware.
This offers extra layers of stainless steel in the middle, to really make sure that the heat distributes evenly. Also, the extra stainless steel makes the cookware stronger and more resistant to warping.
You get the following pieces:
- 8-quart stockpot with a lid.
- 3-quart sauté pan with a lid.
- 3-quart sauce pan with a lid.
- 5-quart sauce pan with a lid.
- 10-inch fry pan.
- 8-inch fry pan.
You also get the same features and benefits, including induction-compatibility, flared pouring rims to prevent drips, and up to 600 degrees F in the oven or broiler.
5. All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Dishwash 8 and 10-Inch Fry Pan, 2-Piece
If you just want the fry pans, then of course you can get them as a set. You can set these in the oven with the temperature up to 500 degrees F.
These work with all stovetops (including induction), and they have the PFOA-free nonstick coating that’s also scratch-resistant.
Devotion to Quality
The All Clad brand is all about excellence and attention to detail. If this was the men’s suit industry, then All Clad would be a longstanding shop for bespoke shirts and suits in Savile Row.
Here are some features that make All Clad special:
Exacting Specs for Raw Materials
The All Clad brand recognizes the importance of premium raw materials, which is why they insist in specific details for their metal formulations. Their metallurgists check that the materials they use have the proper micro-structure and chemical composition.
Their metal formulations also don’t factor in ease of manufacturing. Their top priority is getting the optimal cooking performance from their cookware.
Quality Control
All Clad uses a manufacturing process that can be described as downright finicky. Every piece of their bonded cookware is inspected by hand, and they do this at each stage of their manufacturing process.
That means that no single piece can pass through all that stags without meeting their stringent quality requirements. They make sure that each bonded cookware that comes out of their factory in Pennsylvania is worthy to carry that special All Clad brand name and logo.
Environmental Concerns
Just because the All Clad brand is old doesn’t mean that they’re unable to adopt modern consumer concerns. Today, the brand is very much aware of how their consumers are concerned about the environment. That’s why they have the most rigorous environmental stands for their All Clad bonded cookware.
They just don’t waste anything. All Clad recovers just about every ounce of leftover material, and then recycles them. They even collect and recycle the metal dust they get as part of the sanding process.
Excellent Design Leads to Terrific Cooking Performance
When All Clad says that a pot or pan is made from copper, stainless steel, or aluminum, they don’t mean that the pot has a percentage made from that material. Instead, they use a pure core of the metal.
They put the metal (whether it’s copper, stainless steel, or aluminum) not just on the bottom of the pot or pan. You’ll find that same material all along the sides right up to the very top edge of the cookware.
This means you’ll get professional cooking results, because the uniformity of the material gives you even heat distribution.
When they use stainless steel in the interior, you know that the interior surface won’t react to the ingredients and affect the taste.
They specifically use 18/10 stainless steel. These numbers refer to the percentage of chromium (18%) and nickel (10%) This has enough chromium to bind the oxygen to the surface to prevent the iron from rust. The ample nickel content also boosts the stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion.
The pans come with long stick handles that are cast from solid stainless steel for durability. These are shaped ergonomically so you can hold them comfortably. They’re even designed to stay cool.
These pots and pans also use rivets using high-yield strength stainless steel. These have been treated to eliminate any trace amounts of iron that may lead to corrosion.
Are They Worth It?
You want the short answer? Then the answer is yes, at least for most of the people who get All Clad.
This all depends on 2 things, though.
- Are you that type of person who wants professional cooking results, with cookware that can last a lifetime?
- Can you afford it?
The point here is that you’re getting premium quality cookware, and you have to pay for that kind of quality. It’s a fact of life—there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
The good news is that if you’re getting any of these All Clad cookware sets, you’re getting professional cookware. Most of the All Clad cookware reviews agree that these are all top quality, and they do come with high prices!
