All-Clad is a high-quality, high-performing cookware brand that comes with a lifetime warranty. Though All-Clad products are on the expensive side, is it worth the investment? In this review, we’ll share the pros and cons of All-Clad so you can decide whether or not their products are worth a spot in your kitchen.
Overview: All-Clad Review
All-Clad Metal-crafters is a well-known pioneer of bonded cookware founded in 1971 in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, where they still operate today. It began when metallurgist and avid home Cook John Ulam combined his two passions for metals and cooking to create high-performing cookware that bonded together layers of stainless steel and aluminum. The result? High-quality cookware that lasts a lifetime. Perhaps the best-known and most popular American-made cookware, All-Clad’s stainless steel collections are all made in the United States out of locally-sourced materials. Their commitment to craftsmanship includes using time-tested methods versus automated processes to maintain a higher level of quality. They assure their customers that hands-on craftsmen work on each fully bonded piece of All-Clad cookware.
In addition to stainless cookware, they also make non stick, hard anodized and ceramic cookware, as well as knives, bakeware, kitchen electrics, tools and accessories. All-Clad cookware is top-of-the-line when it comes to quality and performance, and therefore it’s also top-of-the-range in regard to cost. However, All-Clad’s cookware and bakeware are backed by a lifetime warranty, and the value is worth the investment. Whether you’re looking for a complete set of cookware or a single frying pan, All-Clad is an excellent choice for both professional chefs and home cooks in search of premium cookware that is high performing and durable.
Ideal For:
- Both professional chefs and home cooks who can afford to invest in high quality performance cookware built to last
- Anyone looking for top-of-the-line, USA-made stainless steel, hard anodized, ceramic and nonstick cookware and bakeware, or who simply appreciates premium cookware with a nice aesthetic
- People who prefer domestic-made products will appreciate that every piece of fully-clad cookware is made in the USA
Considerations:
- The upfront cost of All-Clad is higher than most cookware brands, however it comes with an incredible value including a lifetime warranty on cookware & bakeware
- People looking for nonstick cookware should be aware that All-Clad’s nonstick pieces will not last forever like their stainless steel, but it is covered by a limited lifetime warranty
- While All-Clad cookware is relatively easy to clean and maintain, stainless steel must be heated properly to avoid food sticking to the pan, and harsh detergents should be avoided
All-Clad Report
We consolidated verified reviews from existing All-Clad customers – here’s how they rated the brands product categories
Stainless Cookware
Avg. Customer Rating
Non Stick Cookware
Avg. Customer Rating
Bakeware
Avg. Customer Rating
Kitchen Knives
Avg. Customer Rating
Noteworthy Awards & Accolades
With a long history of excellence and unmatched quality, All-Clad cookware sets have become the choice for professional chefs around the world, and it’s no wonder why. In 2022, CNET named the All-Clad D3 stainless collection as their favorite overall cookware set, and The New York Times named it as one of “The 3 Best Cookware Sets of 2022.” Additionally, Forbes chose the All-Clad D3 Stainless Nonstick Set as their overall winner in their 2022 review of the best nonstick cookware on the market. Also this year the Food Network named their Top Stainless Steel Cookware Set Picks with their Best Overall choice being the All-Clad D3 Cookware 10-Piece Set. Each item in the All-Clad D3 collection, which includes stainless pots and pans, as well as nonstick pans and cookware options, features three layers—two outer layers of durable stainless steel bonded to a heat-conducting aluminum core—allowing for even heat distribution for consistent results across the entire cooking surface.
D3 Stainless Cookware Set
Includes:
- 10″ Stainless Clad Frying Pan
- 8″ Stainless Clad Stainless Steel Sauté Pan
- 8″ Stainless Clad Stainless Steel Sauté Pan with Lid
- 10″ Stainless Clad Stainless Steel Sauté Pan with Lid
- 1.5 QT Stainless Clad Saucepan with Lid
- 3 QT Stainless Clad Saucepan with Lid
- 8 QT Stainless Clad Stock Pot with Lid
Stainless Steel Tea Kettle
Pricing + Affordability:
All-Clad cookware is top-of-the-line when it comes to quality and performance, and therefore it’s also top-of-the-range in regard to cost. At more than $100 a piece, All-Clad is a high-cost cookware brand; however, All-Clad’s cookware and bakeware are backed by a lifetime warranty, and the value is worth the investment. Whether you’re looking for a complete set of cookware or a single frying pan, All-Clad is an excellent choice for both professional chefs and home cooks in search of premium cookware that is high performing and durable. If you’re in the market for All-Clad, but can’t justify the price you can save by shopping during sales like Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, visiting the “Hot Deals” section of the All-Clad website, or subscribing to their newsletter for special offers.
Product Performance
All-Clad stainless steel is bonded cookware, which means that each layer of metal has been chemically fused together for improved strength and performance. Unlike other manufacturers who only bond metal to the underside of the pan, All-Clad bonded metal extends from the base, all the way up to the sides of the pan providing superior and even heat distribution. The brand’s best-selling collection is D3, which offers three layers of fully clad materials.
Product Durability
All-Clad is known for using the highest quality materials, and when cared for properly their stainless steel cookware will perform well for a lifetime. All-Clad stainless steel is a great choice for cooking at high temps and is oven safe. Their nonstick line, however, like most nonstick cookware, is not as durable and will need to be replaced with normal use.
Product Ease of Use
When it comes to cooking with All-Clad stainless steel, the key is temperature control. Proper use includes making sure to heat your pan properly—you can check the temperature by adding a small amount of water to a hot pan. Oil should be added to a clad pan or clad pot after heating and food should be near room temperature before cooking as a large temperature differential is more likely to make food stick to the pan. When cooking larger pieces of protein like chicken, fish, or steak, you should wait until the food naturally releases from the pan to flip it. Clad stainless steel is lighter in weight compared to cast iron, however, there is a thickness to its design that keeps the product from denting or warping. While their stainless steel may not be as lightweight as non stick, they do offer some lightweight pieces in the All-Clad D3 collection.
All-Clad Metalcrafters offers many types of high-quality cookware products, ranging from fry pans and saucepans to steamers and stock pots in various materials, however, they are best known for their fully clad stainless steel, hence their name. Clad stainless steel is bonded cookware, which means that each layer of metal has been chemically fused together for improved strength and performance. All-Clad uses an aluminum core sandwiched between layers of stainless steel that are “clad” together and reach all the way from the bottom of the pan or put up to the rim for fast, even heating on any cooktop surface.
All of All-Clad’s Cookware Collections are oven safe. Their fully bonded stainless steel collections can be put in the oven or broiler for up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, while their non stick and ceramic collections can be put in the oven for up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Although some pieces of All-Clad are said to be dishwasher-safe, the brand recommends hand washing their cookware with mild soap or detergent and a sponge instead of the dishwasher to preserve both their performance and aesthetic. High heat and harsh detergents used in dishwashers can corrode and dry out the surface. For daily cleaning, warm, soapy water is sufficient. It’s recommended to clean your All-Clad cookware thoroughly after each and to avoid the use of steel wool or abrasive pads.
Shipping, Warranty, and Return Policies
If you are the original purchaser of an All-Clad cookware item from All-Clad or an authorized All-Clad retailer in the U.S. or Canada, that product is warranted by All-Clad Metalcrafters, LLC to be free from defects in material, construction, or workmanship for the lifetime of the product. If such a product should become defective, whether due to normal wear and tear or some other reason, All-Clad will repair or replace it at no charge. Because All-Clad cannot control the quality of its products sold by unauthorized sellers, this warranty does not cover cookware products purchased from unauthorized retailers.
“I’ve had 2 of these pans for about 20 years, they still look almost good as new. I finally decided to get the bigger set. i think these pans are great. you can put them in the oven since they’re all metal. you don’t have to worry about overheating them like you would with a nonstick, and creating noxious fumes. you don’t have to worry about the finish coming off, and buying a new one every few years. they are good heavy pans that distribute heat really well. there might be a bit of a learning curve if you’re used to just using nonstick, but really it’s not a big deal. use the brown bits in the pan for sauces and gravies. and they’re really not a lot of work to clean. And you can use metal utensils in them.
They are expensive, so look for sales. And keep a old nonstick around for eggs and stuff like that. they will last forever though, and you’ll never have to buy another set.”
Verified 5 Star Customer Review – Nov 2020
Customer Service
Unfortunately, All-Clad’s support does not seem to live up to the quality of its cookware products. We’ve experienced long wait times, unhelpful customer service chat bots and emails that were not returned. We’re mentioning this because if there happens to be an issue with the products you purchased from All-Clad, you might be out of luck trying to get in contact with them.
“Top notch quality pan and pot set!!! The customer service was amazing too I highly recommend the product and seller”
Verified 5 Star Customer Review – May 2020