People are constantly asking me what type of pots and pans to buy. It’s never an easy question to answer, but there are some suggestions that I can offer. First of all, try to stay away from aluminum- it’s an unfriendly cooking surface, and can contribute to the discoloration of sauces. Try to stick with stainless steel that’s at least 1/8 of an inch think. Next, look at the base of the handles- what type of fastener is used to connect the handle to the pot? If it is simply spot-welded, don’t buy it. Although these welds are for the most part effective, they can corrode and become unstable. Imagine yourself carrying 30 pounds of boiling water, only to have the handles fall off- not good. There should be some type of fastener that goes through the pot, and the handle like a rivet or screw, also stainless steel. Many top-end companies have started using copper with stainless steel in the fabrication of their cookware. Copper is an excellent heat conductor, but can also add significant cost to your purchase.
I suggest that instead of purchasing an entire set, for example at a department store, build your collection slowly. Buy one piece at a time, and in a few years you will have a complete collection of quality cookware.
Although there are many different brands to choose from, I recommend All-Clad. While it is expensive, the pieces I have used over the years have proven to be indestructible. Check out all-clad.com for product lines and information.
From time to time there are sales on slightly damaged or irregular cookware. These sales are usually held once or twice a year. Please contact All-Clad for additional information regarding these sales at: 800-255-2523 . I have purchased a few pieces that were bought at these sales, and for the most part any irregularities in the product are barely noticeable.
Where is All-Clad Cookware Manufactured?
All-Clad manufactures 100% of its fully-clad cookware in Canonsburg, PA, a small town south of Pittsburgh. This factory crafts the top quality fully-clad cookware that makes All-Clad the choice of professional chefs. All-Clad cookware is also the choice of our customers, expert home chefs from around the world. All-Clad uses custom-made American-made steel for its cookware.
Since its inception in 1971, All-Clad has created and developed many other cooking-related items, beyond the fully-clad cookware that continues to makes the brand famous. Approximately 90% of the items carrying the All-Clad brand are made in the U.S., in Pennsylvania. The remaining 10% not made in the U.S., are made in China, France, and Italy. Electric items, for example, would be prohibitively expensive to manufacture in the U.S. and, according to All-Clad, facilities to make these items are not available in the U.S.
MetroKitchen.com is continually adding product information to our web site. But, if you can’t find the answers to your questions on line, please call us at 888-892-9911. We promise you won’t get lost in voice mail, since we have friendly experts who answer the phone from 9:30 to at least 5:30, M-F. And, at the holidays, our friendly customer service experts are also available on weekends to assist you.
MetroKitchen.com wants to provide you with answers to all of your questions as quickly as we can. If our experts can’t answer your question on the spot, well get back to you with an answer as fast as we can.
Source: Metrokitchen.com
Questions or comments?
Mail the Chef at:
chuck@cooksandeats.com
Chef Chuck Kerber
My husband will be so happy to hear you really like All Clad. We are building our pan collection with All Clad copper core. Just like you said, a little at a time.
I’m wanting to build my collection with All-Clad when I can start. It sounds silly, but did you write any of this or is the whole thing the “advertisement” from Metrokitchen? How are you guys connected with them?
My son who is only 26 has just started making a collection of these. I had never heard of them. My mom bought me a set of stainless years ago and I still use that along with Calphalon. I love it. So this is interesting on the new up and coming better made models.. very informative thanks will pass it on
I love All Clad, I have a large saute pan and the slow cooker, wish I would win the lottery so I could buy a full set !
I have used All Clad over the years in both professional kitchens and at home and I love it. All Clad is very durable with sturdy handles which dissipate heat well, thick bottoms to ensure even cooking and won’t warp, very nice pans. I do also like the anodized Calphalon pans for some applications.
I’m saving up to buy the copper core collection. They are gorgeous and, of course, get the job done.
We are slowly moving our collection over from the Caphalon Anodized Aluminum pans to All Clad. (oops, can’t put those in the dishwasher, need a new pan!) Williams Sonoma Outlets have great prices on All Clad, if you have one nearby, you can gather them up one pan at a time.
Hi, just doing some browsing for my Calphalon website. Can’t believe the amount of information out there. Not quite what I was looking for, but great site. Have a nice day.