I’ve been a fan of ATK for several years and love the equipment reviews. After my divorce in 2012 and learning to fend for myself, ATK has taught me a lot and most important for me was good kitchen equipment. Your evaluations and reviews are always top shelf and have led me to one time purchases for my lifetime. Thanks for all you do, and keep that great enterprise alive! You have my support and my attention!!! -Bud
I've been cooking for 45 years and have learned a lot from ATK. Two pieces of kitchen equipment that made a big difference in my cooking was the ATK recommended ThermoWorks MK4 Instant read thermometer and the OXO kitchen timer. (Look for the equipment review videos.)Those two have gotten dishes, especially fish, cooked to perfection, and multiple dishes from being forgotten about.
I used to just run and buy the expensive stuff. Some of it was great. Some of it collects dust in the attic. ATK is who I trust to help me differentiate between the worst, and the worth it.
The one critique I have with AT's dismissal of smaller cookware is that if you are cooking for 1 and live in a small NYC studio, they may be just perfect.
I have had Tramontina Clad cookware for decades and it was less than half the price of the All Clad and for me works as well as any other. However I would recommend a single person watch the offerings at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Home goods - and do not forget flea markets. I picked up a 12" Calphalon Tri=ply skillet once - although pretty dirty- for $5 - a steal and after a good washing it shines like new@@reginakrystyn
Hey,it depends how often do you cook but you can manage it with a 10 inch skillet and a 2/3 qt saucepan or saucier,not too small but not too big materials i think stainless steel is the way to go but if you prefer nonstick get the skillet in nonstick,theres no point getting a saucepan in nonstick,ill reccomend all clad d3 10 inch skillet and the 3 qt saucepan
I was one of the four original District Customer Service Trainers for a major big box housewares retailer for ten years, teaching product knowledge to the sales staff, and I can attest in both my professional and personal opinion, All-Clad is the best cookware! Their sets are a great value especially for newlyweds or beginner cooks. It makes a great place to start a collection while you grow your cooking skills and build confidence. To this day, 25 years later, I use every piece that came in my original set. I love their utensils as well.
I bought the 12 piece tramontina set last yr during the holidays for less than $200. Best value tri-ply set you can get. All the pans are oversize and great for meal prepping.
I picked up the stainless steel kit from Misen and I think the only piece I haven't used so far (though only about three pieces are in heavy duty rotation) is the pan shown at 0:57. Still, it's a fantastic set that I'm glad I picked up. The pans I replaced with it always ended up with burned food on the bottoms, which hasn't been a problem with these, and I love how the longer handles never seem to heat up all the way out where you hold them, while the ones I replaced had plastic over a metal handle that you could feel just from the heat after about 5 minutes on the stove top. Comes with an 10 and 12 in skillet, and an 8QT stock pot, though I think I use the 6QT rondeau more than any other piece (been making a lot of cassoulet, which it's just the right size for).
Still using my all clad set 12 years later. Best investment. Added a Staub Dutch oven and brassier 10 years ago, perfect. And recently a Lecreset 24 cm (short of 10 inch) non stick pan for making Tortilla de patatas (but great for frying up eggs too) with my Zwilling JA Hinckels knives, they’ll out live me.
Been using my Kirkland stainless set for years and I've no complaints. It came with a large saute pan, large saucepan, and huge stockpot + several other pieces. I haven't seen a set styled like that one for years but if I had to invest in cookware again I'd buy Kirkland because best of all,.....no warped bottoms.
@@plainjane1812 Oh no!! I did go looking and ended up on a "deals" kinda forum. One of the members emailed them and they said no plans to bring it back anytime soon. I'm going to have to take real good care of the set I have. I know Tramontina has good cookware for a good price but haven't tried their stainless line......and thanks for the heads-up on Kirkland.
@@floief Actually you have tried Tramontina - because they made the kirkland cookware you have. I too bought a Kirkland set years ago and the whole set cost less than a All Clad Saute pan and looks brand new. Hint - if you ever get it bad on the bottom - try Oven cleaning spray overnight. The Steel can handle it nicely.
I have a set of Cuisinart cook wear that I received as a gift about 5 years ago. They are really great. They still look like they are brand new, and they get used every single day.
I’m loving this good info!! I am done with nonstick cookware “sets” which last 6-9 months. I realize now that nonstick CANT be used for searing because they can’t handle high heat. Yay....
Say what you want, but a nice big T-Fal skillet takes a lot of abuse! It gets the job done and you don't have to feel bad if it gets beat up. Just go buy another one.
They don't tell you things like you probably don't need clad for a sauce pan, stock pot, etc. I've got 3 clad pans and they're all frying pans. They also seemed to miss that stock pots are supposed to be narrow (less evaporation), and who the hell still uses them when a cheap stove top pressure cooker will pay for itself making stock and other things? -Also another thing you don't need in clad (disk bottom Presto is great and cheap). So the Tramontina frying pan can be found for ~$40 last I knew. -The only piece I'd recommend.
In 1971 I bought a large set of pans in Abraham and Strauss. The manufacturer was Belgique. It is now 2020 and they are still like new, and I do a LOT of cooking. I used to cook for 14 people on sundays. I’m only missing one piece because it “disappeared”
We have a set called Triplinox that we have had for over 30 years. They were made in France. Neither of us can recall how we got it! They come with removable handles that have held up to this day. If I ever have to buy another set it will be them!
Just caught a sale at Macy's for the All Clad. 9 pcs for $499 plus a discount which came up to $440. I then went back a few days later and got an 8" frying pan for $80. I figured that would round out my set. Can't wait to start using it! I had a cheap pot set for 15 years - they're warped, the handles are loose, and they burn very easily. So, I've earned it
All Clad has some amazing sales a couple times a year. Also a seconds sale. You can save a bundle. A bought a sauce pan for about half off. I’ve had most of mine for over 25 years and don’t expect needing to buy them again during my lifetime. That’s a good feeling.
Do they stack well? By that I mean can you turn the lid over inside the pot and stack other pots on top of it? I love when pots have that feature. You can fit so much in a little space
You can get some All-Clad on sale sometimes at Macy’s and even places like TJ Maxx. You might have to piecemeal the pans that way, but might get 40% off retail that way.
Yeah, Marshalls, Ross and TJ Maxx can usually give you good deals at random. But you have to be careful. Sometimes big name brands license their label on the sly to pass off overpriced trash to those who don't know any better. You can find All Clad and even Le Creuset in these places at great deals.
I just picked up an 8 qt nonstick AllClad for $60 and a 10" saute and 3 qt sauce pan (stainless) from All Clad for $55/ea at Home Goods. I watch Home Goods like a hawk because they're really consistent at having high dollar pans for super reasonable!
If you go to All Clad website, you can sign up for notices when they have sales. I buy their "seconds", which I find are nearly flawless, at a substantial discount.
I just got the All clad 5D stainless steel nonstick 12 inch skillet, love it. I also have All Clad 5D 3 quart sauce pan and 4 and 2 1/2 quart hard iodized nonstick sauce pans. I agree with them, best to buy the pans individually as you need them. They recommended the OXO Good Grips 12 inch skillet, but no stores here were selling it so bought the runner up All Clad skillet. I have to admit, if your going to make a beef or chicken stew, you can’t beat the Presto stainless steel pressure cooker. My parents used it for years to cook stews, potato’s and vegetables.
"You don't have to spend a ton of money because"... GoodWill, Salvation Army, and local consignment & thrift shops may have decent pans donated by adult children who dont understand the quality stuff Mom had accumulated during her lifetime.
Damn right! Other good thrift store finds are old borosilicate Pyrex baking dishes. Pyrex switched to inferior soda glass about 10 years ago and borosilicate glass bakeware is no longer readily available in retail stores. I also get all my stainless prep and mixing bowls from thrift stores. In fact, all my dishes and silverware is from Goodwill too! Nothing matches. I just buy cream-color stoneware and colorful dinner plates in vibrant colors and patterns. It's perfect for a clumsy guy like me. If I break or chip a dish, it's no big deal. Plus, it's ecologically-friendly!
Only if you get lucky. Pretty much every thrift store at this point has a small number of 'Regulars' who come in early and get all the good stuff, and re-sell it.
@@rwdplz1 As long as you take your time you'll eventually end up with all the pieces you'd want. eBay is also a good option. I've been working on getting an All Clad set and it only took a couple months to get all the essential bits, for hundreds less than buying new
My mom passed I gave away a 8in Revere Ware frying pan. Purchaseed 1951 and I should have grabbed it up. Have the 8 in saucepan for the last several years I see it for sale on Amazon 8-inch saucepan new Legacy $295. Why did Revere Ware quit Manufacturing??.
A True fact. Nothing can beat All Clad Brand I have 2 sets of all Clad D3 cookware and I will never go with anything else. This Cookware will last a life time. And well worth the purchase.
Wow, I didn't know they had done this testing segment. What a thorough evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses. Great job Lisa. I have a clad 3 quart saucepan by Farberware, and a clad 2 quart saucepan by Cuisinart. Both are excellent for my needs.
I have tried all of the pans you reviewed, but Demeyere's Industry line is by far the best pans I've ever used - but at $200-500 per pan they're are not that accessible, even though they'll last a lifetime.
If you can’t afford to splash out $600-$800 for everything at once and can only buy 1 or 2 All-Clad pans, get the 12 inch frying pan or 3qt sauté pan. They’re always on sale. The 3qt sauce pot is always on sale too. You can find deals on All-Clad from fall to Christmas. I recently bought a 7 piece All-Clad D3 set on sale at Macy’s for $299. It was very worth it. I have some a la cart pieces, so this new addition essentially completed my set. I recommend buying the smaller sets over time and making sure at least one has a stock pot included, which runs is $300 individually. P.S. Always check the label for “Made in the USA.” All the Chinese made All-Clad is terrible quality and not a deal. Might as well get something cheaper.
I’ve never really made sauce or custards in my sauce pan. But it’s way cheaper than the All-Clad stock pot. It’s very handy if you cook ramen, veggies that need boiling like peas, pasta or gnocchi for two, reheating leftover like chili or soups. I did get by for a year without one though. It really depends on what you cook most often. I was happy to replace my aluminum sauce pot that would boil off so fast that it was like a microwave.
My parents bought me a full set of Wolfgang Puck's cookware back in 2003 (1.5qt, 2qt, 3qt sauce pans; 8qt stock pot with fitting colander; thick 8" and 10" flared-edge skillets, and an impressively heavy high-sided 12-incher -- and every piece had a tight-fitting glass lid wreathed in milled steel that locked into the rim like a key. I still wonder how they could afford it. I *still* use every piece today except the 12" skillet because it pitted after 15 years of use -- and astonishingly, it was drippings from the leaky garbage disposal under the sink in my tiny first apartment that did the deed. A 12" flared-edge stainless T-fal and a lidded high-side Cook's Standard from Amazon have been my soldiers ever since. May they last nearly as long!
I inherited my mom's Revere Ware she bought in the 90's, she used them a lot, I've actually got a Revere Ware pot with lid that was my grandmothers too.
I bought the Tramantina set that was recommended by ATK many years ago. Would never know they were not All Clad and they were very affordable. Went back and bought a soup pot.
I love my All clad pots and pans. They are the best. However you can’t beat an old fashion cast iron skillet for browning and Le Creuset or Staub for Dutch ovens.
Yah.. Great review as usual.. I totally agree with the winners..But don't buy a set. You'll either find yourself with pans you don't need or just don't use because they don't fit the needs of most home cooks. Pay attention to the list of most used pans they list on their website.. it provides you with a diverse grouping of pans you'll find yourself using for years. I LOVE my AllClad pans thought a little steap in price they're really worth the money. You can collect them overtime. They last forever and preform amazingly..
I bought a Demeyere Atlantis set because I don’t want rivets that I can’t get clean on the inside of my pots & pans. I only ever cook for myself only, and would never need an 8 qt stock pot or 12” pan. So, buying a set was convenient and perfect for me. Though, were I to cook for three or more people, I would have bought the larger pots & pans piecemeal.
I have the All-Clad set, and while it's nice to cook with, I hate the long handles on some of the pots and the saute pans. They are awkward to grip, and it's easy to catch my sleeves on them because they stick out so far.
Many reviewers have noted this. I’m sort of surprised atk doesn’t dislike this “feature”. Having used AC, Made In, Tramontina, and Misen, I find AC to be my least favorite handle design. At this point in time, given that ACs patented design has expired, and the number of great alternatives, I’m not sure why anyone would pay the higher price for AC. It just isn’t that much better, if at all
Definitely gonna invest in these in the future, thanks! Right now as a student, I got the Ikea 365+ 5-piece cookware set for £60 and it does the job for most things I need it for! They works on most (all?) hobs and stove types, and though they're disk-bottomed pans they have a curved, minimal seam finish so it's not a pain to clean. 😬
Pan sets are like knife sets; you're either going to get some duds that suck or over pay for stuff. When it comes to d3 / tri-ply clad stuff; the main thing I'd recommend is a frying pan or two. I don't need that even heating for stock (or better a pressure cooker), and sauce pans. Also; disk bottom isn't bad if you're not pan flipping (and it's an otherwise good pan).
My cookware is cast iron. A 12” frypan, a 10” fry pan, a 12” Dutch Oven, and a 10” Dutch Oven. It does everything I need to do. I can fry an egg on cast iron and it won’t stick.
Here it is - the link was buried. The author is the same woman in the video: www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/1760-the-best-pans-add-ons-and-extras-to-build-your-own-cookware-set
Am I the only person who LOVES a good chefs pan or sautee pan?? I have the all clad set and my favorite pans are the giant stock pot and the sautee pan. The sautee pan is PERFECT for making risotto, one-pot-pasta and even like just rice and boiling potatoes. It's like a skillet but nicer for novice home cooks like myself who are messy and the extra sides make it easy so stuff doesn't fly off and burn the stove nor boils and isnt visible like at the bottom of a pot.
A Y My first “grown up” cookware purchase was a calphalon chefs pan and lid. Even though I now have all clad as well, that chefs pan is one of most used items I have.
@@srkh8966 I bought the 7 piece all clad set with the 8 in skillet, the 10 in skillet, and like the weird little saucepans, the chefs pan, and the giant pot. I basically just use the pot and the chefs pan but I got a deal at Costco so it was cheaper to get the whole thing and I gave the rest out for xmas! My favorite pan is still a three or 4 quart wide bottomed pot my great grandma gave my grandma who gave to my mom who gave it to me. It's a copper bottomed one and it heats up faster than my all clad (however it is v unhappy with the induction cooktop I put in so I just use it when I visit family who have gas)
All-Clad is definitely worth the investment. I got a great deal on the 10 piece a few years ago. It definitely depends on your individual needs but in hindsight I would have bought the 7 piece and added a 12” skillet and 4 quart saucepan separately. These aren’t included with either set so you’ll have to buy them separately anyway. In my opinion, those are all much more essential than an 8 inch fry pan (maybe used twice) or a 2 quart saucepan.
If on a budget, I recommend the Cuisinart Chef's Classic 14" Stainless Steel Stir Fry Pan with Cover for $36.99. If you can only afford one item, this is a work horse. You can use it as a stock pot, fry chicken or steak in it, fry eggs, potatoes, and even bake bread in it. You can get it at Target, Walmart, or Amazon. Oh, forget to emphasize that it's a wok! Perfect Asian dishes and plenty of space to stir fry.
I was a chef, and at home used All Clad pots. They are like using commercial cookware. They are pricey, but a great investment. I have mine almost 20 years and they are like brand new. Do not put them in the dishwasher, but treat them with care by hand washing.
I worked for the West Bend company and they made cookware at the plant I worked at which was for several different companies and was the type sold in large specialty stores and door to door. I loved the cookware we made and knew they was top quality products, but I could not afford them due to their prices. The cookware you showed and tested seem to be of the highest quality also and type I love, but the users are the ones who usually know and determine the life of it by how they cook and if they let food burn in the cookware.
I bought the Tramontina set over a year ago and they are indeed really good! It doesn't fit every need, but those gaps are mostly filled by my massive collection of skillets 😅 (4 cast iron, 2 non-stick, 1 carbon steel, plus the 2 that came in this set... I got rid of a couple in a recent move)
+1 Tramontina are a great value. They don’t seem to have as big a marketing machine as other new comers, so I take every opportunity I can to sing their praises. I wish there were more high quality reviews of them.
The size of pans you need is totally different depending on whether you're a single person, couple, or big family. A one-steak-size skillet is perfect for the single guy, useless for a family of 10
Another issue is the fact that lots of recipes are designed for pans of a standard size (12 inch skillets, 5 litre Dutch ovens, etc). So when you start including pans of weird sizes and shapes, that's when things go wrong. I bought a bundt pan once that claimed to be: "standard sized". I don't know what standard they were going by, because it was 8.5 inches in diameter, when most bundt cake recipes call for a 10 inch pan. My math skills weren't good enough to work out how to trim the recipe down accordingly, so I either ended up with wasted batter or a strange-shaped cake. It was crap. My point is, it's better to have pans that are bigger than what you need, vs pans that are smaller than average, as that means you won't have to trim recipes down into weird quantities to accommodate your cookware. Your cookware should work for you, not the other way around!
I have Revere Ware which I have had for over 25 years now of which I have lost several pieces because so-called friends have barrowed and never returned and what I do have left are still working hard for me.
I've had great luck buying cookware one piece at a time when they're heavily discounted. My favorites are All Clad D5 pieces, I've got a stock and a large saucepan. My other favs are my All Clad D3 sauce pan and 6qt saute pan which unlike ATK I find invaluable for cooking 4 breast/chops/burgers etc at a time and making stir frys.
@@whostheleadernina6473 I usually buy around the holidays and I'm not tied to any particular store as I look for "special" prices on individual pieces, which are heavily reduced then I wait for a store sale with a fixed percentage off of the entire category of goods (kitchenwares) and I use a coupon as well if I can find one. I've gotten pieces at Macy's, Bed Bath and Beyond (don't forget the coupon), Bloomingdales and even at a small, local kitchenwares store. Another strategy is to choose pan size based upon their biggest bang for the buck. For instance, I have 2 sauce pans that are both the same size rather than one being smaller which is typical. The smaller one was $90 more and I've been glad to have 2 larger ones more times than I can say. The last thing I bought was a Matfer Bourgeat carbon steel pan. The next size up was vastly more expensive and the ones below were either only slightly less or a little more. This one was the best deal because it's the most popular and the perfect size.
I would buy one pot and evaluate its properties to avoid having several that share a significant flaw such as difficult to wash glass and metal combination, exposed aluminum on the rim or lack of a pouring lip.
I use All Clad Copper Core. When I was considering to buy fine cookware, I wrote the company to make sure they made these in the USA. They confirmed that so I am a happy, loyal customer with several pieces now!
@@steveisaak4320 its ultra high end to cook with copper. Because copper transmits heat the best. I'm not a high level chef, but I doubt most people who own it understand or feel the difference. It's mostly a statement thing. All Clad makes perfect cookware. Stainless steel D3 and D5 is all you need.
Here it is - the link was buried. The author is the same woman in the video: www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/1760-the-best-pans-add-ons-and-extras-to-build-your-own-cookware-set
Click the link that follows "Read the full review of cookware sets" above. Within this article, scan for the highlighted and linked text "guide to building your own cookware set." Hope this helps.
Goodwill (local / and or online) ! I find all-clad , staub , lacrusset, all the time.. just have to look often and be patient. :) Beware of goodwill online sometimes they charge INSANE shipping charges.
I have the Member's Mark branded Tramontina set from Sam's Club, and I like it, though I have no experience with anything of higher quality. I sometimes see individual pieces at TJMaxx and found a 1.5 qt pot to go with my set and an 8 qt stock pot for my mom because I only wanted the pasta strainer that came with it. The stock pot with strainer was only $30, and my mom loves the pot since it is so much lighter than her cast iron Dutch oven.
The last “new” recommendation was stated to be the Potluck set, but the set being shown in the video at the time is Great Jones set - slightly misleading
As someone with limited space, one of the most important things in a cookware set to me is space saving. Obviously I don't want to sacrifice design optimized for cooking, but the ability to stack pieces detatch handles is a serious consideration for me too. I'd love to hear you review cookware sets like these.
At one time All-Clad sold a compact, stackable set. I’ve been dealing with a very small kitchen for a few years. Painting 4 panels of IKEA peg board and putting them on a small wall in my kitchen was a game changer.
I used a crappy set of hand me down Revere Ware pots and pans for years until I switched over to All Clad. I built my set using eBay ... piece by piece.
@America's Test Kitchen / Cook's Illustrated You guys needs to get in contact with your top-rated and best-buy manufacturers to see about assembling and offering your own à la carte cookware boxed sets. They might even provide you the pots and pans at trade or promotional discounts, so the set, altogether, would be cheaper for the consumers than buying each piece individually. Just a thought.
@@RyanBeltran-Official No, they have links to all their cookware reviews and affiliate links to the products so that _you_ can buy and assemble your own à la carte set (that's what she meant), but they do not offer one already put together by them. If you use their Amazon affiliate links, they get a bit of money for that, but that's about it. I just think it would great if they could assemble two different sets with their own branding (one being _America's Test Kitchen's Winners Cookware Set_ and the other _America's Test Kitchen's Best Cookware Buys,_ or something like that).
Absolutely love these videos! I've bought several things based off of these and use them on the regular. Note, at 2:41 you used ground beef to make Shepherd pie. That would technically be a cottage pie, as ground lamb is needed for a genuine Shepherd pie. Keep up the good work!
~ Appreciate the information and details to look for in order to make an informed decision. Brilliant! ~ However slamming a skillet on a concrete step is an extreme situation.
Waltkat , look at estate sales in your area, and other online marketplaces where individuals sell things they don’t need or want anymore. If you look around for awhile, you’ll see whether these items ever come up and what seems to be the fairest going price. I purchased a high-end modular bookcase set this way, adding pieces over the years at 25-30% of retail. But I shopped constantly and jumped on good deals immediately.
I don't know about anyone else, but I greatly prefer cookware with two D-shaped handles, instead of the one long handle, especially for all pots at 4qts. and larger, and for all pans larger than 12." The two handles take up less space, and I find the long handle is really best used for flipping things without a spatula, and for jiggling the pan a lot, so as to not burn things when it comes to dry cooking at high temperatures. I don't know if I'm missing something or what, but for all the thought and engineering which goes into designing cookware, I don't understand why the two handle option is not offered more. At the most, the shorter handle would get hotter quicker, but all it takes is a folded up dry dishcloth to buffer that, if the large pot or pan needs to be moved during cooking. For removing off the stove for service, just use potholders or barmops and you're good. The two handled options are also ten times better for using the cookware at the table on trivets.
in my country, two handle is what we are used to. i have never seen one long handle till i left my country. i followed the footstep using two handles in my adoptive country. i do not know how to use one long handle. it will be very awkward.
Thank you sharing this video wherein its clear for Stainless-Steel, All-Clad is the best brand. I would also like to see a video wherein you test different non-stick cookware brands and list the best brand available in the market. Thanks!
best and cheapest is cast iron. Lodge, made in USA, or antique shop rummaging for Wagner or Griswold. A few startups making smooth cast iron again, but prices are as if they think they invented the stuff.
5 ply copper core cookware set from All-Clad is the Pinnacle of cookware. And if you pair it with a induction cooktop you have literal perfection. The only way a serious cook can go. Side note always use a paper towel in between the pan and the cooktop. Makes clean-up a breeze.
The reviews actually suck for the budget they have. Stock pots are supposed to be narrow to inhibit evaporation, not all pans benefit from cladding like frying pans do, 7" is great for eggs in a 'starter' set, stove top pressure cookers > stock pots, and there is no reason to own non-stick.
Did anyone else spend the majority of the time watching the people in the background, wondering if they were just extras hired to stand around chitchatting?
I hate to break it to everyone but they're all good as long as you don't go too cheap. I got a huge full set of classic Calphalon 20 years ago and paid a pretty penny but after two decades of moderate home kitchen use, they still work great and look even better. I do take care of them...hand washing of course.
Just bought the Tramontina set a week ago . I had used a hard anodized set for over 10 years , and realized it was time to change . What a learning curve in trying to decide how to proceed . first choosing non- stick ceramic but deciding to go to stainless . I researched comparisons of the all-clad to Tramontina , and found them very comparable in cooking . Being almost willing to pay the price difference for all-clad , the one question I could not answer , being a short person , and knowing they were heavy , was WHICH HANDLES are more ergonomic ?? The all-clad SEEMS to have somewhat hollowed out handles , and my concern was they would be harder to control for someone not too strong. Would still love to know what peoples experience is with the All - Clad handles . T U !
Several reviewers have prefered the Tramontina handle design. AC angles them higher so they take more vertical space. This makes them less wealdy in the oven say. Also, the scooped design isn’t very comfortable for wet bare hands. I’m kind of surprised that atk hasn’t found this to be a negative, as several other reviewers have.
Unsurprisingly this is another ATK advertisement for All Clad. They could have included a set from a competitor but opted for the "compact set" from a "familiar brand " 6:52, despite saying earlier that undersized pots are a poor choice. Poor effort.
@@sleazybukkake LOL no. I feel like you're always accusing them of dumb shit just because they didn't do reviews YOUR way. Like, they said right at the beginning (2:14) that ALL the sets have undersized cookware, but the All Clad is the best of the bunch if you're intent on getting a set.
Let me save you big money homie. Sign up for the cooksandhome sale online. They sell you seconds of all clad pans for a decent discount. Also if you put in your email they give you an extra 20% off 1 item on the last day normally.
Also if the initial costs is daunting, consider used. I’m seeing so many deals around. Lots of people buy fancy stand mixers and don’t use them so they sell them at a steal. Their mistake is your gain,
I am looking for space saving quality cookware. Space saving or not All-clad came up that the edges wear down and cut you (shopfinatic on TH-cam). Have they done something to improve on that?
All Clad set is too expensive for me. The two sets I am considering are Misen and Kirkland. Never see any reviews on these brands, but would like to see a comparison of these to All Clad.
All Clad at Williams Sonoma is the best. You get what you pay for... It is worth it. Definitely not a starter set but once you get it you will never have to buy or replace broken pans again.
@@thomasr1051 this is true! I’m slowly putting together my set. I was lucky to find a Le Creuset outlet and bought my 1 of the 2 dream Dutch ovens for less. It was expensive but honestly I love it! Next is my sauté pan (found the 10in at TJMaxx but it was in bad shape so I didn’t buy it).
I couldn’t agree more with everything in this video. Every time I consider buying a set there’s only 1 or 2 pieces I would use. The rest are fall into the category of “saucepan” (even if it’s touted as a stock pot) and “small skillet”. Even if the total cost is a savings it’s not worth it to keep all those dead pieces around. I would have to give them away thus dissipating the savings. The same thing btw applies to knife sets. My knife block has 3 chefs knives, 4 paring knives and a bread knife. You could never find that combination in a set. Steak knives are the only knives you need to buy in a set.
I’ve had the tramontina set for years on the basis of ATK recommendations years ago. It has held up beautifully and worked amazing You definitely do not need to pay for the All-Clad
? It totally depends on how much you cook. Tramontina in the past hasn’t fully held up for me. Therefore I went with allclad and it is absolutely worth the investment lol
I use my saute pan constantly. I've never owned a dutch oven and don't plan on getting one (especially one that costs $350). I use a crockpot instead. I'm upping my cooking game one pan at a time. And the pans have different materials (except for non-stick, as I don't want to waste money on something that wears out instead of learning how to use what I have). I can't see spending nearly $1000 on cookware.
On what type of stove are you testing the cookware? Can that cookware perform as good on a electric stove? I know not all stoves are made equal and have the flame diameter in smaller sizes compare to professional stoves...
St Charles Find the tiny arrow below the screen, right corner. Tap on it. It opens an info portion that, it seems, not everybody knows about. This works for all videos if authors have such info. 🙏🏻🌞
You actually have to click on the link that takes you to THEIR website to be bombarded with popup ads in order to see the listing for other pans. Sneaky. I know. 😏
The Tramontina set used to be their Number 1 choice, and now it's the Number 2 choice. Just get Tramontina if you can't get the All Clad, people. We bought Tramontina years ago when they recommended it and it's amazing. But you do have to get the specific set they linked to because Tramontina does sell lesser quality sets too.
I’ve been a fan of ATK for several years and love the equipment reviews. After my divorce in 2012 and learning to fend for myself, ATK has taught me a lot and most important for me was good kitchen equipment. Your evaluations and reviews are always top shelf and have led me to one time purchases for my lifetime. Thanks for all you do, and keep that great enterprise alive! You have my support and my attention!!! -Bud
Same here!
I've been cooking for 45 years and have learned a lot from ATK. Two pieces of kitchen equipment that made a big difference in my cooking was the ATK recommended ThermoWorks MK4 Instant read thermometer and the OXO kitchen timer. (Look for the equipment review videos.)Those two have gotten dishes, especially fish, cooked to perfection, and multiple dishes from being forgotten about.
After the divorce, my wife had to learn to but equipment and use it! LOL!
You sound like you were being held hostage in your marriage and someone took the blindfold off.
I used to just run and buy the expensive stuff. Some of it was great. Some of it collects dust in the attic.
ATK is who I trust to help me differentiate between the worst, and the worth it.
The one critique I have with AT's dismissal of smaller cookware is that if you are cooking for 1 and live in a small NYC studio, they may be just perfect.
If All-Clad makes 2 qt pots & 8” skillets, go for it!
and how many people are in that particular situation vs literally any other situation?
Scratch the live in NYC from the comment and you will find many singles out there. So, a valid comment.@@beau9956
I have had Tramontina Clad cookware for decades and it was less than half the price of the All Clad and for me works as well as any other. However I would recommend a single person watch the offerings at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Home goods - and do not forget flea markets. I picked up a 12" Calphalon Tri=ply skillet once - although pretty dirty- for $5 - a steal and after a good washing it shines like new@@reginakrystyn
Hey,it depends how often do you cook but you can manage it with a 10 inch skillet and a 2/3 qt saucepan or saucier,not too small but not too big materials i think stainless steel is the way to go but if you prefer nonstick get the skillet in nonstick,theres no point getting a saucepan in nonstick,ill reccomend all clad d3 10 inch skillet and the 3 qt saucepan
I was one of the four original District Customer Service Trainers for a major big box housewares retailer for ten years, teaching product knowledge to the sales staff, and I can attest in both my professional and personal opinion, All-Clad is the best cookware! Their sets are a great value especially for newlyweds or beginner cooks. It makes a great place to start a collection while you grow your cooking skills and build confidence. To this day, 25 years later, I use every piece that came in my original set. I love their utensils as well.
I bought the 12 piece tramontina set last yr during the holidays for less than $200. Best value tri-ply set you can get. All the pans are oversize and great for meal prepping.
I bought Lifetime Stainless 50 years ago. Absolutely no warping. Excellent, quality sauce pans
I picked up the stainless steel kit from Misen and I think the only piece I haven't used so far (though only about three pieces are in heavy duty rotation) is the pan shown at 0:57. Still, it's a fantastic set that I'm glad I picked up. The pans I replaced with it always ended up with burned food on the bottoms, which hasn't been a problem with these, and I love how the longer handles never seem to heat up all the way out where you hold them, while the ones I replaced had plastic over a metal handle that you could feel just from the heat after about 5 minutes on the stove top. Comes with an 10 and 12 in skillet, and an 8QT stock pot, though I think I use the 6QT rondeau more than any other piece (been making a lot of cassoulet, which it's just the right size for).
Still using my all clad set 12 years later. Best investment. Added a Staub Dutch oven and brassier 10 years ago, perfect. And recently a Lecreset 24 cm (short of 10 inch) non stick pan for making Tortilla de patatas (but great for frying up eggs too) with my Zwilling JA Hinckels knives, they’ll out live me.
These reviews helped me settle on All-Clad to replace my "nonstick" fry pans. Got a great deal at Macy's.
What price range was your deal? Was it black friday timing?
At 1:21 the solution is to put less kale in the pan. No kale is better though.
I would have just gave up at that point and starved. It looked so hard.
LOL
Absolutely right, I wonder if any of them has ever cooked a meal for one?
🤣🤣🤣
Been using my Kirkland stainless set for years and I've no complaints. It came with a large saute pan, large saucepan, and huge stockpot + several other pieces. I haven't seen a set styled like that one for years but if I had to invest in cookware again I'd buy Kirkland because best of all,.....no warped bottoms.
Thanks for the tip!
I was going to buy a set for my daughter. They stopped making them last year. 😥
@@plainjane1812 Oh no!! I did go looking and ended up on a "deals" kinda forum. One of the members emailed them and they said no plans to bring it back anytime soon. I'm going to have to take real good care of the set I have. I know Tramontina has good cookware for a good price but haven't tried their stainless line......and thanks for the heads-up on Kirkland.
@@floief Actually you have tried Tramontina - because they made the kirkland cookware you have. I too bought a Kirkland set years ago and the whole set cost less than a All Clad Saute pan and looks brand new. Hint - if you ever get it bad on the bottom - try Oven cleaning spray overnight. The Steel can handle it nicely.
It’s nice to see a detailed Lisa review again. Informative and intelligent.
I have a set of Cuisinart cook wear that I received as a gift about 5 years ago. They are really great. They still look like they are brand new, and they get used every single day.
I’m loving this good info!! I am done with nonstick cookware “sets” which last 6-9 months. I realize now that nonstick CANT be used for searing because they can’t handle high heat. Yay....
These Videos turned me off of non stick as well
ALWAYS sear with cast iron, if you can.
NOTHING GOOD ABOUT NON STICK POTS. ITS PAINFUL THAT A POT CAN'T LAST MORE THAN ONE YEAR NO MATTER HOW CAREFUL YOU ARE.
I’m over here rockin my cheap T-Fal, but I still watching like I can afford the good stuff.
Say what you want, but a nice big T-Fal skillet takes a lot of abuse! It gets the job done and you don't have to feel bad if it gets beat up. Just go buy another one.
MrTBoneMalone Oh I’m not hating, my T-Fal stuff rocks! Gets used daily. We love the way they cook and the ease of clean up.
They don't tell you things like you probably don't need clad for a sauce pan, stock pot, etc. I've got 3 clad pans and they're all frying pans. They also seemed to miss that stock pots are supposed to be narrow (less evaporation), and who the hell still uses them when a cheap stove top pressure cooker will pay for itself making stock and other things? -Also another thing you don't need in clad (disk bottom Presto is great and cheap). So the Tramontina frying pan can be found for ~$40 last I knew. -The only piece I'd recommend.
@@madthumbs1564 ys u right. i ve plain old s.steel Un Clad stock pots, sauce pots & they work fine.
Jason Burns
One piece a time Jason, All Clad lasts a lifetime! Unless you lend it to your Sister - in - Law! 😉
In 1971 I bought a large set of pans in Abraham and Strauss. The manufacturer was Belgique. It is now 2020 and they are still like new, and I do a LOT of cooking. I used to cook for 14 people on sundays. I’m only missing one piece because it “disappeared”
We have a set called Triplinox that we have had for over 30 years. They were made in France. Neither of us can recall how we got it! They come with removable handles that have held up to this day. If I ever have to buy another set it will be them!
Just caught a sale at Macy's for the All Clad. 9 pcs for $499 plus a discount which came up to $440. I then went back a few days later and got an 8" frying pan for $80. I figured that would round out my set. Can't wait to start using it! I had a cheap pot set for 15 years - they're warped, the handles are loose, and they burn very easily. So, I've earned it
congratulations! well deserved
All Clad has some amazing sales a couple times a year. Also a seconds sale. You can save a bundle. A bought a sauce pan for about half off. I’ve had most of mine for over 25 years and don’t expect needing to buy them again during my lifetime. That’s a good feeling.
Do they stack well? By that I mean can you turn the lid over inside the pot and stack other pots on top of it? I love when pots have that feature. You can fit so much in a little space
You can get some All-Clad on sale sometimes at Macy’s and even places like TJ Maxx. You might have to piecemeal the pans that way, but might get 40% off retail that way.
Yeah, Marshalls, Ross and TJ Maxx can usually give you good deals at random. But you have to be careful. Sometimes big name brands license their label on the sly to pass off overpriced trash to those who don't know any better. You can find All Clad and even Le Creuset in these places at great deals.
I’ve seen some All-Clad on sale at TJ Max and Home Goods. Most of it is the hard anodized pieces and non-stick.
Yes I have. I got some all clad cookware for a real good price at tj Maxx.
I just picked up an 8 qt nonstick AllClad for $60 and a 10" saute and 3 qt sauce pan (stainless) from All Clad for $55/ea at Home Goods. I watch Home Goods like a hawk because they're really consistent at having high dollar pans for super reasonable!
If you go to All Clad website, you can sign up for notices when they have sales. I buy their "seconds", which I find are nearly flawless, at a substantial discount.
Great point about handles. I don't understand why so many pans have such uncomfortable handles. Why are they not all solid and round?
Always appreciate this group’s testing and reports. Very helpful to me as I am changing the way I cook & eat.
Already ordered and got delivery, inherited my Grandma's cookware many years ago, but always needed the skillet, thank you very much.
I just got the All clad 5D stainless steel nonstick 12 inch skillet, love it. I also have All Clad 5D 3 quart sauce pan and 4 and 2 1/2 quart hard iodized nonstick sauce pans. I agree with them, best to buy the pans individually as you need them. They recommended the OXO Good Grips 12 inch skillet, but no stores here were selling it so bought the runner up All Clad skillet. I have to admit, if your going to make a beef or chicken stew, you can’t beat the Presto stainless steel pressure cooker. My parents used it for years to cook stews, potato’s and vegetables.
"You don't have to spend a ton of money because"... GoodWill, Salvation Army, and local consignment & thrift shops may have decent pans donated by adult children who dont understand the quality stuff Mom had accumulated during her lifetime.
Damn right! Other good thrift store finds are old borosilicate Pyrex baking dishes. Pyrex switched to inferior soda glass about 10 years ago and borosilicate glass bakeware is no longer readily available in retail stores.
I also get all my stainless prep and mixing bowls from thrift stores.
In fact, all my dishes and silverware is from Goodwill too! Nothing matches. I just buy cream-color stoneware and colorful dinner plates in vibrant colors and patterns. It's perfect for a clumsy guy like me. If I break or chip a dish, it's no big deal. Plus, it's ecologically-friendly!
Only if you get lucky. Pretty much every thrift store at this point has a small number of 'Regulars' who come in early and get all the good stuff, and re-sell it.
@@rwdplz1 As long as you take your time you'll eventually end up with all the pieces you'd want. eBay is also a good option. I've been working on getting an All Clad set and it only took a couple months to get all the essential bits, for hundreds less than buying new
@@TheRepublicOfJohn how can you verify if the Pyrex found in a thrift store is the original borosilicate version?
My mom passed I gave away a 8in Revere Ware frying pan. Purchaseed 1951 and I should have grabbed it up. Have the 8 in saucepan for the last several years I see it for sale on Amazon 8-inch saucepan new Legacy $295. Why did Revere Ware quit Manufacturing??.
Have you guys gotten your hands on the Kirkland Signature 5-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 10-Piece set?
Wondering the same thing
A True fact. Nothing can beat All Clad Brand I have 2 sets of all Clad D3 cookware and I will never go with anything else. This Cookware will last a life time. And well worth the purchase.
Huge ATK fan! I would love to see a comparison between the All-Clad lines.
Wow, I didn't know they had done this testing segment. What a thorough evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses. Great job Lisa. I have a clad 3 quart saucepan by Farberware, and a clad 2 quart saucepan by Cuisinart. Both are excellent for my needs.
I have tried all of the pans you reviewed, but Demeyere's Industry line is by far the best pans I've ever used - but at $200-500 per pan they're are not that accessible, even though they'll last a lifetime.
If you can’t afford to splash out $600-$800 for everything at once and can only buy 1 or 2 All-Clad pans, get the 12 inch frying pan or 3qt sauté pan. They’re always on sale. The 3qt sauce pot is always on sale too.
You can find deals on All-Clad from fall to Christmas. I recently bought a 7 piece All-Clad D3 set on sale at Macy’s for $299. It was very worth it. I have some a la cart pieces, so this new addition essentially completed my set. I recommend buying the smaller sets over time and making sure at least one has a stock pot included, which runs is $300 individually.
P.S. Always check the label for “Made in the USA.” All the Chinese made All-Clad is terrible quality and not a deal. Might as well get something cheaper.
You need even heating in a sauce pot? -Making home-made pudding or something sensitive?
I’ve never really made sauce or custards in my sauce pan. But it’s way cheaper than the All-Clad stock pot. It’s very handy if you cook ramen, veggies that need boiling like peas, pasta or gnocchi for two, reheating leftover like chili or soups.
I did get by for a year without one though. It really depends on what you cook most often. I was happy to replace my aluminum sauce pot that would boil off so fast that it was like a microwave.
Wolfgang Puck set has been working great, and its over 15 years old
My parents bought me a full set of Wolfgang Puck's cookware back in 2003 (1.5qt, 2qt, 3qt sauce pans; 8qt stock pot with fitting colander; thick 8" and 10" flared-edge skillets, and an impressively heavy high-sided 12-incher -- and every piece had a tight-fitting glass lid wreathed in milled steel that locked into the rim like a key. I still wonder how they could afford it.
I *still* use every piece today except the 12" skillet because it pitted after 15 years of use -- and astonishingly, it was drippings from the leaky garbage disposal under the sink in my tiny first apartment that did the deed. A 12" flared-edge stainless T-fal and a lidded high-side Cook's Standard from Amazon have been my soldiers ever since. May they last nearly as long!
I inherited my mom's Revere Ware she bought in the 90's, she used them a lot, I've actually got a Revere Ware pot with lid that was my grandmothers too.
those were made in USA, now a days its a China product. Sad.
I bought the Tramantina set that was recommended by ATK many years ago. Would never know they were not All Clad and they were very affordable. Went back and bought a soup pot.
I love my All clad pots and pans. They are the best. However you can’t beat an old fashion cast iron skillet for browning and Le Creuset or Staub for Dutch ovens.
Just bought an All Clad D3. Still in box waiting for the kitchen reno to finish. Can't wait to try on induction stove.
Yah.. Great review as usual.. I totally agree with the winners..But don't buy a set. You'll either find yourself with pans you don't need or just don't use because they don't fit the needs of most home cooks. Pay attention to the list of most used pans they list on their website.. it provides you with a diverse grouping of pans you'll find yourself using for years. I LOVE my AllClad pans thought a little steap in price they're really worth the money. You can collect them overtime. They last forever and preform amazingly..
Love these equipment reviews. Also love the comparison price points, thanks
I bought a Demeyere Atlantis set because I don’t want rivets that I can’t get clean on the inside of my pots & pans. I only ever cook for myself only, and would never need an 8 qt stock pot or 12” pan. So, buying a set was convenient and perfect for me.
Though, were I to cook for three or more people, I would have bought the larger pots & pans piecemeal.
I have the All-Clad set, and while it's nice to cook with, I hate the long handles on some of the pots and the saute pans. They are awkward to grip, and it's easy to catch my sleeves on them because they stick out so far.
Many reviewers have noted this. I’m sort of surprised atk doesn’t dislike this “feature”. Having used AC, Made In, Tramontina, and Misen, I find AC to be my least favorite handle design. At this point in time, given that ACs patented design has expired, and the number of great alternatives, I’m not sure why anyone would pay the higher price for AC. It just isn’t that much better, if at all
Definitely gonna invest in these in the future, thanks! Right now as a student, I got the Ikea 365+ 5-piece cookware set for £60 and it does the job for most things I need it for! They works on most (all?) hobs and stove types, and though they're disk-bottomed pans they have a curved, minimal seam finish so it's not a pain to clean. 😬
Pan sets are like knife sets; you're either going to get some duds that suck or over pay for stuff. When it comes to d3 / tri-ply clad stuff; the main thing I'd recommend is a frying pan or two. I don't need that even heating for stock (or better a pressure cooker), and sauce pans. Also; disk bottom isn't bad if you're not pan flipping (and it's an otherwise good pan).
My cookware is cast iron. A 12” frypan, a 10” fry pan, a 12” Dutch Oven, and a 10” Dutch Oven. It does everything I need to do. I can fry an egg on cast iron and it won’t stick.
I wanted the link of them putting their own set together
Here it is - the link was buried. The author is the same woman in the video:
www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/1760-the-best-pans-add-ons-and-extras-to-build-your-own-cookware-set
@@calisongbird I'll check it out
Am I the only person who LOVES a good chefs pan or sautee pan?? I have the all clad set and my favorite pans are the giant stock pot and the sautee pan. The sautee pan is PERFECT for making risotto, one-pot-pasta and even like just rice and boiling potatoes. It's like a skillet but nicer for novice home cooks like myself who are messy and the extra sides make it easy so stuff doesn't fly off and burn the stove nor boils and isnt visible like at the bottom of a pot.
They work in a commercial kitchen. Their needs are not the same as ours. I completely agree with you.
Agreed. The sautee is a must for making risotto or tomato sauce. I purposely bought my cookware set because it included the sautee.
A Y My first “grown up” cookware purchase was a calphalon chefs pan and lid. Even though I now have all clad as well, that chefs pan is one of most used items I have.
@@srkh8966 I bought the 7 piece all clad set with the 8 in skillet, the 10 in skillet, and like the weird little saucepans, the chefs pan, and the giant pot. I basically just use the pot and the chefs pan but I got a deal at Costco so it was cheaper to get the whole thing and I gave the rest out for xmas!
My favorite pan is still a three or 4 quart wide bottomed pot my great grandma gave my grandma who gave to my mom who gave it to me. It's a copper bottomed one and it heats up faster than my all clad (however it is v unhappy with the induction cooktop I put in so I just use it when I visit family who have gas)
A Y that “weird little sauce pan” is perfect for making simple syrups for cocktails.
All-Clad is definitely worth the investment. I got a great deal on the 10 piece a few years ago. It definitely depends on your individual needs but in hindsight I would have bought the 7 piece and added a 12” skillet and 4 quart saucepan separately. These aren’t included with either set so you’ll have to buy them separately anyway. In my opinion, those are all much more essential than an 8 inch fry pan (maybe used twice) or a 2 quart saucepan.
If on a budget, I recommend the Cuisinart Chef's Classic 14" Stainless Steel Stir Fry Pan with Cover for $36.99. If you can only afford one item, this is a work horse. You can use it as a stock pot, fry chicken or steak in it, fry eggs, potatoes, and even bake bread in it. You can get it at Target, Walmart, or Amazon. Oh, forget to emphasize that it's a wok! Perfect Asian dishes and plenty of space to stir fry.
I was a chef, and at home used All Clad pots. They are like using commercial cookware. They are pricey, but a great investment. I have mine almost 20 years and they are like brand new. Do not put them in the dishwasher, but treat them with care by hand washing.
I worked for the West Bend company and they made cookware at the plant I worked at which was for several different companies and was the type sold in large specialty stores and door to door. I loved the cookware we made and knew they was top quality products, but I could not afford them due to their prices. The cookware you showed and tested seem to be of the highest quality also and type I love, but the users are the ones who usually know and determine the life of it by how they cook and if they let food burn in the cookware.
I bought the Tramontina set over a year ago and they are indeed really good! It doesn't fit every need, but those gaps are mostly filled by my massive collection of skillets 😅 (4 cast iron, 2 non-stick, 1 carbon steel, plus the 2 that came in this set... I got rid of a couple in a recent move)
+1 Tramontina are a great value. They don’t seem to have as big a marketing machine as other new comers, so I take every opportunity I can to sing their praises. I wish there were more high quality reviews of them.
The size of pans you need is totally different depending on whether you're a single person, couple, or big family. A one-steak-size skillet is perfect for the single guy, useless for a family of 10
Another issue is the fact that lots of recipes are designed for pans of a standard size (12 inch skillets, 5 litre Dutch ovens, etc). So when you start including pans of weird sizes and shapes, that's when things go wrong. I bought a bundt pan once that claimed to be: "standard sized". I don't know what standard they were going by, because it was 8.5 inches in diameter, when most bundt cake recipes call for a 10 inch pan. My math skills weren't good enough to work out how to trim the recipe down accordingly, so I either ended up with wasted batter or a strange-shaped cake. It was crap. My point is, it's better to have pans that are bigger than what you need, vs pans that are smaller than average, as that means you won't have to trim recipes down into weird quantities to accommodate your cookware. Your cookware should work for you, not the other way around!
I've seen the skillet used by a family of 10. It covers all 4 burners.
I agree. I don't ever cook a whole pound of pasta at once, why waste all that fuel to heat up a jumbo pan. Small meals, small pans. Works for me.
th-cam.com/video/GQwes_n8I8A/w-d-xo.html
I have Revere Ware which I have had for over 25 years now of which I have lost several pieces because so-called friends have barrowed and never returned and what I do have left are still working hard for me.
I've had great luck buying cookware one piece at a time when they're heavily discounted. My favorites are All Clad D5 pieces, I've got a stock and a large saucepan. My other favs are my All Clad D3 sauce pan and 6qt saute pan which unlike ATK I find invaluable for cooking 4 breast/chops/burgers etc at a time and making stir frys.
where do u buy them discounted usually
@@whostheleadernina6473 I usually buy around the holidays and I'm not tied to any particular store as I look for "special" prices on individual pieces, which are heavily reduced then I wait for a store sale with a fixed percentage off of the entire category of goods (kitchenwares) and I use a coupon as well if I can find one. I've gotten pieces at Macy's, Bed Bath and Beyond (don't forget the coupon), Bloomingdales and even at a small, local kitchenwares store. Another strategy is to choose pan size based upon their biggest bang for the buck. For instance, I have 2 sauce pans that are both the same size rather than one being smaller which is typical. The smaller one was $90 more and I've been glad to have 2 larger ones more times than I can say. The last thing I bought was a Matfer Bourgeat carbon steel pan. The next size up was vastly more expensive and the ones below were either only slightly less or a little more. This one was the best deal because it's the most popular and the perfect size.
I would buy one pot and evaluate its properties to avoid having several that share a significant flaw such as difficult to wash glass and metal combination, exposed aluminum on the rim or lack of a pouring lip.
Great review! Can’t find the link to the a la cart cookware pieces. Would you please give the link? Thanks
Agree. Would love to find link to recommended a la carte pieces
I use All Clad Copper Core. When I was considering to buy fine cookware, I wrote the company to make sure they made these in the USA. They confirmed that so I am a happy, loyal customer with several pieces now!
Why copper? I teach and don’t understand the d5 , D3, copper?
@@steveisaak4320 its ultra high end to cook with copper. Because copper transmits heat the best. I'm not a high level chef, but I doubt most people who own it understand or feel the difference. It's mostly a statement thing.
All Clad makes perfect cookware. Stainless steel D3 and D5 is all you need.
@@richardnemeth5911 i went with the D3 as i am no expert
Great equipment review as always, but where's the list of the ala carte cookware pieces?
Here it is - the link was buried. The author is the same woman in the video:
www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/1760-the-best-pans-add-ons-and-extras-to-build-your-own-cookware-set
What is the set your using on TV? Like the example of the one used making best lemon bars??? Please help!!
I AM interested in the a la carte equipment list, but there is no "link below"... HELP!!!
Click the link that follows "Read the full review of cookware sets" above. Within this article, scan for the highlighted and linked text "guide to building your own cookware set." Hope this helps.
Chad LaFarge
www.cooksillustrated.com/equipment_reviews/2045-cookware-sets?sqn=tBMkPcrwhUE5P5s2dWGGEWMzSG2yGWA/1bKoHir7Ixc%3D%0A&extcode=NSCIK14YT&
How to Build Your Own Cookware Set: www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/1760-the-best-pans-add-ons-and-extras-to-build-your-own-cookware-set
Find the triangle below the right lower corner of the screen. Links are there
Thanks!
Love my Tramontia set
Good ideas! I like advice from Chef Jamie Oliver who suggested avoiding buying pan sets and instead buying only the pans you want and will use!
Goodwill (local / and or online) ! I find all-clad , staub , lacrusset, all the time.. just have to look often and be patient. :) Beware of goodwill online sometimes they charge INSANE shipping charges.
I have the Member's Mark branded Tramontina set from Sam's Club, and I like it, though I have no experience with anything of higher quality. I sometimes see individual pieces at TJMaxx and found a 1.5 qt pot to go with my set and an 8 qt stock pot for my mom because I only wanted the pasta strainer that came with it. The stock pot with strainer was only $30, and my mom loves the pot since it is so much lighter than her cast iron Dutch oven.
The last “new” recommendation was stated to be the Potluck set, but the set being shown in the video at the time is Great Jones set - slightly misleading
Which one to buy individually...? I couldn't find the link or video.
As someone with limited space, one of the most important things in a cookware set to me is space saving. Obviously I don't want to sacrifice design optimized for cooking, but the ability to stack pieces detatch handles is a serious consideration for me too. I'd love to hear you review cookware sets like these.
At one time All-Clad sold a compact, stackable set. I’ve been dealing with a very small kitchen for a few years. Painting 4 panels of IKEA peg board and putting them on a small wall in my kitchen was a game changer.
I used a crappy set of hand me down Revere Ware pots and pans for years until I switched over to All Clad. I built my set using eBay ... piece by piece.
@America's Test Kitchen / Cook's Illustrated You guys needs to get in contact with your top-rated and best-buy manufacturers to see about assembling and offering your own à la carte cookware boxed sets.
They might even provide you the pots and pans at trade or promotional discounts, so the set, altogether, would be cheaper for the consumers than buying each piece individually.
Just a thought.
HickoryDickory86 I thought they mentioned an a l carte link where is it?
@@RyanBeltran-Official No, they have links to all their cookware reviews and affiliate links to the products so that _you_ can buy and assemble your own à la carte set (that's what she meant), but they do not offer one already put together by them.
If you use their Amazon affiliate links, they get a bit of money for that, but that's about it. I just think it would great if they could assemble two different sets with their own branding (one being _America's Test Kitchen's Winners Cookware Set_ and the other _America's Test Kitchen's Best Cookware Buys,_ or something like that).
Absolutely love these videos! I've bought several things based off of these and use them on the regular.
Note, at 2:41 you used ground beef to make Shepherd pie. That would technically be a cottage pie, as ground lamb is needed for a genuine Shepherd pie. Keep up the good work!
If you're gonna run around correcting people you should at least spell "Shepherd" correctly.
@@redoxjames2506 Done. 👍
~ Appreciate the information and details to look for in order to make an informed decision. Brilliant!
~ However slamming a skillet on a concrete step is an extreme situation.
Thank you so much! Your reviews are always so appreciated.
Still loving my All Clad LTD set that I bought many years ago. Too bad they don't make the LTD line anymore as I would like to add pieces to my set.
Waltkat , look at estate sales in your area, and other online marketplaces where individuals sell things they don’t need or want anymore. If you look around for awhile, you’ll see whether these items ever come up and what seems to be the fairest going price. I purchased a high-end modular bookcase set this way, adding pieces over the years at 25-30% of retail. But I shopped constantly and jumped on good deals immediately.
I don't know about anyone else, but I greatly prefer cookware with two D-shaped handles, instead of the one long handle, especially for all pots at 4qts. and larger, and for all pans larger than 12." The two handles take up less space, and I find the long handle is really best used for flipping things without a spatula, and for jiggling the pan a lot, so as to not burn things when it comes to dry cooking at high temperatures. I don't know if I'm missing something or what, but for all the thought and engineering which goes into designing cookware, I don't understand why the two handle option is not offered more. At the most, the shorter handle would get hotter quicker, but all it takes is a folded up dry dishcloth to buffer that, if the large pot or pan needs to be moved during cooking. For removing off the stove for service, just use potholders or barmops and you're good.
The two handled options are also ten times better for using the cookware at the table on trivets.
in my country, two handle is what we are used to. i have never seen one long handle till i left my country. i followed the footstep using two handles in my adoptive country. i do not know how to use one long handle. it will be very awkward.
Have you every compared le creuset stainless steel pans to the other pans
Thank you sharing this video wherein its clear for Stainless-Steel, All-Clad is the best brand. I would also like to see a video wherein you test different non-stick cookware brands and list the best brand available in the market. Thanks!
best and cheapest is cast iron. Lodge, made in USA, or antique shop rummaging for Wagner or Griswold. A few startups making smooth cast iron again, but prices are as if they think they invented the stuff.
5 ply copper core cookware set from All-Clad is the Pinnacle of cookware. And if you pair it with a induction cooktop you have literal perfection. The only way a serious cook can go. Side note always use a paper towel in between the pan and the cooktop. Makes clean-up a breeze.
Waiting for the day you guys will review copper cookware
What do you think of the Zwilling brand ....German brand?
I love the equipment review videos on this channel.
The reviews actually suck for the budget they have. Stock pots are supposed to be narrow to inhibit evaporation, not all pans benefit from cladding like frying pans do, 7" is great for eggs in a 'starter' set, stove top pressure cookers > stock pots, and there is no reason to own non-stick.
mad thumbs what is a equipment review channel that you would recommend? I like equipment reviews.
Did anyone else spend the majority of the time watching the people in the background, wondering if they were just extras hired to stand around chitchatting?
I noticed them once, they were a distraction, but they are real employees. They should have filmed this segment without them there.
100%
Yes! I got the D3 set. They are beautiful. Thank you!
I hate to break it to everyone but they're all good as long as you don't go too cheap. I got a huge full set of classic Calphalon 20 years ago and paid a pretty penny but after two decades of moderate home kitchen use, they still work great and look even better. I do take care of them...hand washing of course.
I inherited my mom's Revere Ware that she had for years along with her K5SS Kitchen aid stand mixer she's had since 86.
The initial point is key, buy your pots 1 at a time in the sizes you need when starting out.
Just bought the Tramontina set a week ago . I had used a hard anodized set for over 10 years , and realized it was time to change . What a learning curve in trying to decide how to proceed . first choosing non- stick ceramic but deciding to go to stainless . I researched comparisons of the all-clad to Tramontina , and found them very comparable in cooking . Being almost willing to pay the price difference for all-clad , the one question I could not answer , being a short person , and knowing they were heavy , was WHICH HANDLES are more ergonomic ?? The all-clad SEEMS to have somewhat hollowed out handles , and my concern was they would be harder to control for someone not too strong. Would still love to know what peoples experience is with the All - Clad handles . T U !
Several reviewers have prefered the Tramontina handle design. AC angles them higher so they take more vertical space. This makes them less wealdy in the oven say. Also, the scooped design isn’t very comfortable for wet bare hands. I’m kind of surprised that atk hasn’t found this to be a negative, as several other reviewers have.
Where are you finding that All Clad set for $560? The Amazon link above shows that set at $699.
try Metro-Kitchen
Unsurprisingly this is another ATK advertisement for All Clad. They could have included a set from a competitor but opted for the "compact set" from a "familiar brand " 6:52, despite saying earlier that undersized pots are a poor choice. Poor effort.
@@sleazybukkake ATK : All Clad : : Scotty Kilmer : Toyota
@@sleazybukkake LOL no. I feel like you're always accusing them of dumb shit just because they didn't do reviews YOUR way. Like, they said right at the beginning (2:14) that ALL the sets have undersized cookware, but the All Clad is the best of the bunch if you're intent on getting a set.
Let me save you big money homie. Sign up for the cooksandhome sale online. They sell you seconds of all clad pans for a decent discount. Also if you put in your email they give you an extra 20% off 1 item on the last day normally.
what do ya'll think about the multiclad pro cuisin art stainless steel pan?
Also if the initial costs is daunting, consider used. I’m seeing so many deals around. Lots of people buy fancy stand mixers and don’t use them so they sell them at a steal. Their mistake is your gain,
I am looking for space saving quality cookware. Space saving or not All-clad came up that the edges wear down and cut you (shopfinatic on TH-cam). Have they done something to improve on that?
I wished you'd do a review of Hexcclad. 🙏
All Clad set is too expensive for me. The two sets I am considering are Misen and Kirkland. Never see any reviews on these brands, but would like to see a comparison of these to All Clad.
All Clad at Williams Sonoma is the best. You get what you pay for... It is worth it. Definitely not a starter set but once you get it you will never have to buy or replace broken pans again.
I have a few pieces of All Clad but my favorite is my Viking set from Sams Club and Lodge cast iron and carbon steel pans
Do some higher end comparison, like All-clad vs Hestan vs Le Creuset, etc.
How common is it to buy sets at the higher end? My guess is most by piece by piece
@@thomasr1051 this is true! I’m slowly putting together my set. I was lucky to find a Le Creuset outlet and bought my 1 of the 2 dream Dutch ovens for less. It was expensive but honestly I love it! Next is my sauté pan (found the 10in at TJMaxx but it was in bad shape so I didn’t buy it).
I couldn’t agree more with everything in this video. Every time I consider buying a set there’s only 1 or 2 pieces I would use. The rest are fall into the category of “saucepan” (even if it’s touted as a stock pot) and “small skillet”. Even if the total cost is a savings it’s not worth it to keep all those dead pieces around. I would have to give them away thus dissipating the savings. The same thing btw applies to knife sets. My knife block has 3 chefs knives, 4 paring knives and a bread knife. You could never find that combination in a set. Steak knives are the only knives you need to buy in a set.
Excellent presentation Thanks
Where is the link for the al la carte pots and pan video
I’ve had the tramontina set for years on the basis of ATK recommendations years ago. It has held up beautifully and worked amazing
You definitely do not need to pay for the All-Clad
? It totally depends on how much you cook. Tramontina in the past hasn’t fully held up for me. Therefore I went with allclad and it is absolutely worth the investment lol
I use my saute pan constantly. I've never owned a dutch oven and don't plan on getting one (especially one that costs $350). I use a crockpot instead. I'm upping my cooking game one pan at a time. And the pans have different materials (except for non-stick, as I don't want to waste money on something that wears out instead of learning how to use what I have). I can't see spending nearly $1000 on cookware.
Can you review the Kirkland clad set please?
On what type of stove are you testing the cookware? Can that cookware perform as good on a electric stove? I know not all stoves are made equal and have the flame diameter in smaller sizes compare to professional stoves...
So where is the "link below" for the four _a la carte_ pans ?
St Charles
Find the tiny arrow below the screen, right corner. Tap on it. It opens an info portion that, it seems, not everybody knows about. This works for all videos if authors have such info. 🙏🏻🌞
You actually have to click on the link that takes you to THEIR website to be bombarded with popup ads in order to see the listing for other pans. Sneaky. I know. 😏
The Tramontina set used to be their Number 1 choice, and now it's the Number 2 choice. Just get Tramontina if you can't get the All Clad, people. We bought Tramontina years ago when they recommended it and it's amazing. But you do have to get the specific set they linked to because Tramontina does sell lesser quality sets too.