Hello All!
I bought my first pieces of All-Clad Stainless cookware yesterday after much consideration. I looked at Calphalon One, but felt the overall workmanship of All-Clad to be better.
All-Clad's saute pans have an interesting pricing structure. I shopped Table Talk, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Macy's. A 3qt saute pan retails for 194.99 at all three locations. Table Talk had a 25% off sale going, so the pan was 148.75 there. However, B, B & B had a 6 qt. for 159.99?? I was puzzled by this, and the attendant at the store said the 3qt. was more popular because of the shallow sides.
At Macy's I found a 3.5qt saute pan for 99.99! I confirmed that it was the exact same line and packaging (Stainless USA), then bought it. The only difference between this pan and the 3/6qt. is a domed as opposed to flat lid. I bought the 12qt. multi cooker at the same time, and its flat lid fits the saute pan. I also bought a 1qt. saucier for 39.99. Seems like the 3.5qt. saute is a gonga.
I used my new "toys" that evening to prepare a balsamic vinegar and red wine reduction over a perfectly sauteed salmon fillet. The pan is definitely the real deal, and beat my other pan(s) hands-down in terms even heat and browning. One minor surprise was how quickly the sauce stopped boilng when removed from the burner; very nice. My old, heavy aluminum - copper disc bonded pan is not so responsive.
The saucier is nice too. I am not so sure about the 12qt. multi-cooker. The sides are thin and do not have an aluminum core. The inserts also do not seem to fit snugly enough. I have been having a tough time finding a decent stockpot in the 12qt. range.
All in all, satisfied with All-Clad (so far). :chef:
I bought my first pieces of All-Clad Stainless cookware yesterday after much consideration. I looked at Calphalon One, but felt the overall workmanship of All-Clad to be better.
All-Clad's saute pans have an interesting pricing structure. I shopped Table Talk, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Macy's. A 3qt saute pan retails for 194.99 at all three locations. Table Talk had a 25% off sale going, so the pan was 148.75 there. However, B, B & B had a 6 qt. for 159.99?? I was puzzled by this, and the attendant at the store said the 3qt. was more popular because of the shallow sides.
At Macy's I found a 3.5qt saute pan for 99.99! I confirmed that it was the exact same line and packaging (Stainless USA), then bought it. The only difference between this pan and the 3/6qt. is a domed as opposed to flat lid. I bought the 12qt. multi cooker at the same time, and its flat lid fits the saute pan. I also bought a 1qt. saucier for 39.99. Seems like the 3.5qt. saute is a gonga.
I used my new "toys" that evening to prepare a balsamic vinegar and red wine reduction over a perfectly sauteed salmon fillet. The pan is definitely the real deal, and beat my other pan(s) hands-down in terms even heat and browning. One minor surprise was how quickly the sauce stopped boilng when removed from the burner; very nice. My old, heavy aluminum - copper disc bonded pan is not so responsive.
The saucier is nice too. I am not so sure about the 12qt. multi-cooker. The sides are thin and do not have an aluminum core. The inserts also do not seem to fit snugly enough. I have been having a tough time finding a decent stockpot in the 12qt. range.
All in all, satisfied with All-Clad (so far). :chef:
