All Clad HA1 Review

This post contains affiliate links for which I could earn some commission if you click and buy.

All Clad is famous for its stainless steel cookware. It is a premium brand name and consumers tend to associate the brand with quality. Its American-made cookware pieces are much sought after as they are deemed to have higher standards of safety compared to imported ones from China. But All Clad has more than just stainless steel cookware. It also has nonstick cookware lines as the All Clad HA1 review below will show.

All Clad HA1 Review – Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware

The All Clad HA1 is an induction compatible cookware. It is available as individual pieces or in a set and this ranges from a 2-pack fry pan to a mega 17-piece package at the time of writing. A more affordable 8 or 10-piece set would be the more popular buys. For the 10-piece set, these are the items offered:

8-inch fry pan
10-inch fry pan
2-quart sauce pan with lid
3-quart sauce pan with lid
4-quart saute pan with lid
8-quart stock pot with lid

==> Check Price

With a hard anodized aluminum construction, this is a little different than your typical nonstick cookware. Hard anodized means the cookware has undergone a hardening process in its manufacturing process which makes it much tougher and durable. The All Clad HA1 also has a stainless steel bonded base that doesn’t warp and optimized for induction. Therefore, you can use this on a wide range of cooktops including induction, gas and ceramic.

There is a coating inside the cookware to make it nonstick. This coating is PFOA-free and scratch resistant. Although it is dishwasher safe, handwashing is still recommended. The heat combined with the harsh detergent of a dishwasher will corrode and damage the nonstick surface. So, you will need to handwash the cookware if you want to prolong its lifespan.

The handles are polished stainless steel with a contoured design for a more comfortable grip. They are permanently secured to the pots and pans with stainless steel rivets. The lids are glass and fit securely to trap heat and moisture during cooking. The cookware, without the lid, is oven safe up to 500°F.

All Clad HA1 vs B1

The All Clad B1 is very similar to the HA1. It is also a hard anodized cookware with the same PFOA-free coating. In fact, they are selling for the same price on the company’s official website.

The only differences that we can see are in the shape of the cookware and design of the lids. The HA1 has a more rounded body and this is more noticeable with the pots. On the other hand, the B1 has a straight design. Both of them also have glass lids but the stainless steel trimmings for the B1 is wider all around the circumference compared to the HA1.

Our guess is the important features are the same for both the cookware lines. It is only the aesthetic aspect that differs. Sometimes, manufacturers do make slight changes to their cookware and create a separate line for it to offer it exclusively to a particular retailer. Perhaps this is why the All Clad HA1 vs B1 is so similar.

Should You Buy The All Clad HA1?

Pros

Solid and well-made – The HA1 is not the flimsy type that is very typical of nonstick cookware. It has some weight to it that makes it feel solid in your hand.
Food release – If you want the convenience of nonstick cookware with a well-known brand name, this All Clad hard anodized set is an option. Its food release capability is great and cleaning up is easy after cooking.
Heats evenly – The heat distribution is even and it doesn’t overheat and burn your food as easily as thinner pieces.

Cons

Poor handle design – The handle is uncomfortable to hold and doesn’t allow for a secure grip when the pot or pan is filled with food.
Made in China – If you are buying All Clad because you want American-made cookware, the HA1 is not the one to get. This cookware line is made in China. Its stainless steel cookware such as the MC2 would be the ones made in the USA.
Expensive – For a Chinese-made cookware, the HA1 does seem a little expensive. You can get other hard anodized nonstick cookware like the Circulon Elite and Anolon Advanced Bronze for much less.

Conclusion Of The All Clad HA1 Review

We are not too gung-ho about this cookware line after going through many All Clad HA1 reviews online from the buyers. This is because they have some weight to them and the handles are too thin for a good grip. Once you have added food into the pan, you need a handle that has enough girth for a secure grip. Otherwise, you have to be very careful to make sure it doesn’t slip from your hand.

But if you can live with the handle design, then you might not have any complaints about the All Clad HA1. Will the nonstick coating last? Well, it should be better than your typical ceramic cookware but don’t place your hopes too high either. The cooking surface will get scratched and there will be the usual wear and tear. You can’t really run away from that, even for a premium quality brand name like All Clad and Swiss Diamond. As long as it has a nonstick coating, these cookware will be replaceable items because the coating will degrade over time. For the unlucky ones, this can be as short as 6 months to a year.

Any Great Deals For The All Clad HA1? Find Out Now:

So, why should you spend so much money on the All Clad HA1 if the coating doesn’t last? Well, the brand name will naturally command a higher price. The hard anodized construction will also add to the cost. With a more solid construction, it will cook better than a cheap and flimsy competitor. In short, you are also paying for the user experience. At the end of the day, whether this is worth it is very much a matter of personal preference. In terms of durability for this All Clad HA1 review, just take note that it may not last you beyond a few years of use.