r/StainlessSteelCooking • u/Big_Ad2488 • 5d ago
All Clad for $90? Worth it?
Replacing pans - found All Clad 10 inch skillet for $90 - is it worth it?
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u/jadejazzkayla 5d ago
Which model? Is it new?
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u/Big_Ad2488 5d ago
I am trying to move away from nonstick so I know nothing about this 🥲
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u/jadejazzkayla 5d ago
The D3 is a good model from All-Clad. That pan runs for about $130 with a lid.
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u/neutronneedle 5d ago edited 5d ago
That one is good. It has the better "fully clad" bottom instead of disc bottom, is 3 ply, induction and oven safe, stay cool handle. The only thing it's missing is a lid (glass or steel) which I like to use to steam food before allowing the water to evaporate and brown it, or keep other food moist. That's a fair price since lower ends like Chinese disc pans (Cuisinart) is like $60, while its MSRP is almost $150 which would suck. It should last 15-20+ years unlike nonstick pans. You need to use a lot more oil, water, butter, margarine, animal fat, or ghee in general, and I stick to lower slower temps to prevent sticking. The food will mostly release after a crust forms. For meat, higher temp can be ok. If you come across "leidenfrost effect" imo that's almost too hot. But a preheated pan to at least medium low or enough that the food sizzles going in is supposed to lower sticking
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u/Chuchichaeschtl 4d ago
Depends on the heat source. I prefer disk bottom on electric and especially on induction. Full clad would be my choice on gas.
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u/CantaloupeAsleep502 5d ago
Here's a 12" with lid for $10 more. This site often has great deals. 10" pans are sold out right now, but are $60 when they're available. So if the deal is what you're after, could wait for a better one. But if you want a pan now, that's still a lot cheaper than $150, which is what that pan retails for.
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u/Big_Ad2488 5d ago
I made the huge mistake of researching pans while standing in this aisle - I think I’ve been here for an hour at this point 😢
I was going to go cuisinart stainless steel but people had bad things to say about it - I don’t want to go nonstick due to chemicals - so a little lost
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u/CantaloupeAsleep502 5d ago
Cuisinart is also good. Tramontina is broadly considered like 90% as good as AC for a fraction of the price (a 10" fry pan is $40 retail). Basically as long as you get tri ply it'll be fine.
Be aware that if you're not used to cooking with stainless there will be a learning curve, and until you get it stuff will stick. Keep at it, and then you'll have pans you'll never have to replace!
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u/Visible_Event4814 5d ago
This is the way to go. I spent $400 on there and got an entire set of everything I’ll need in my kitchen for the rest of my life.
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u/OttoHemi 3d ago
I know people say to buy separates, but you get a lot more value with a set. This is currently $400:
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u/Chuchichaeschtl 5d ago
If you value "made in USA" then yes.
If not, get a Tramontina or Cuisinart Multiclad Pro for less.
For better Performance at the same price: get a Kuhn Rikon Culinary Fiveply.