All Clad is a premier brand name for cookware. Even the lowest end of their product range will cost you much more than what you would typically pay for some other brands like T Fal or even Cuisinart. But to many people the extra cost is worth it since stainless steel cookware can last a very long time. Then the question becomes should you upgrade and buy their higher end cookware? This is what we are looking at for the All Clad Tri-Ply vs D5 review below.
All Clad Tri-Ply Vs D5
==> Check Price For All Clad Tri-Ply
If you want a full review of the All Clad Stainless Steel Tri-Ply, you can click here. To summarise, the All Clad Tri-Ply is a 3-ply bonded cookware with an aluminum core sandwiched in between stainless steel layers. This aluminum core is cladded all the way up to the rim. So, the Tri-Ply is not a cookware merely with an impact bonded aluminum disc at the base. It is a single piece construction with an aluminum core all around for a more even heat conduction compared to just an aluminum encapsulated bottom. The latter tends to be cheaper and one example would be the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel cookware.
Below is a table comparing the All Clad Tri-Ply vs D5 for easy reference:
| Tri-Ply | D5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 3-Ply | 5-Ply |
| Layers | Interior: Stainless Steel Middle: Aluminum Exterior: Stainless Steel | Interior: Stainless Steel Middle: Aluminum/Stainless Steel/Aluminum Exterior: Stainless Steel |
| Interior Finish | Polished with Starburst Finish | Polished with Starburst Finish |
| External Finish | Mirror Polished | Brushed / Polished |
| Handles | Stainless Steel (Riveted) | Stainless Steel (Riveted) |
| Lids | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Flared Rims | No | Yes |
| Oven-Safe | Yes | Yes |
| Dishwasher-Safe | Yes | Yes |
| Induction Ready | Yes | Yes |
| Made In | USA | USA |
| Price | $$$ | $$$$ |
All Clad D5 Review
==> Check Price For All Clad D5
Before we decide which is a better buy, let’s take a look at the All Clad D5 review. D5 signifies a 5-ply bonded construction. So, what you get are alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum for the whole pot or pan. You will get a stainless steel exterior and a 18/10 polished stainless steel interior. In between would be 2 aluminum layers and a stainless steel core.
Like the Tri-Ply, the All Clad D5 comes with stainless steel lids and handles. The handles are heat resistant with large bolster and securely attached to the pots and pans with stainless steel rivets. The rims are flared for drip-free pouring.
You can put the D5 cookware into the oven as well as dishwasher. It is also an induction compatible cookware. You can buy the D5 in sets or individual pieces. There are also brushed and polished stainless steel finishes for you to choose from.
All Clad D5 Pros
- Great for searing – The All Clad D5 is great for browning and searing. This is because the hot spots are very much reduced compared to cheaper cookware. So, the uneven browning or cooking pace is hardly noticeable with the D5. Another cookware set with a 5-layer metal construction would be the Calphalon Signature.
- Made in USA – There is greater comfort for buying made in USA cookware and some people really do not mind paying more for this assurance of quality and safety.
- Durable – The cookware would probably last you a lifetime. Unlike ceramic cookware like NuWave which needs to be replaced every year or two, the All Clad D5 would be a big change from non stick options.
- Solid – The D5 10-piece set weighs more than 30 lbs while the T Fal Elegance weighs less than 20 lbs. From here, you can see the difference in thickness which gives the All Clad cookware a more solid feel all around. This is also better at preventing warping and dents.
The Cons
- Very costly – You can’t run away from paying a lot of money if you want All Clad cookware. At the time of writing, the 10-piece D5 set costs 3 to 4 times more than the 12-piece Cuisinart Multiclad Pro which is a pretty popular cookware by another reputable manufacturer. So, it is indeed a lot of money just for a cookware set.
- It takes practice – An expensive cookware does not automatically turn you into a better cook. If you have got used to non stick cookware, you can end up feeling frustrated with the sticking after spending so much of money. So, you have to be patient and be prepared to learn how to cook with stainless steel before food like eggs end up sliding out of the pan.
- Short handles get hot – The short handles on the pots would get hot under the heat. This is expected for stainless steel handles. So, there is no difference there even if you are paying much more compared to cheaper cookware.
All Clad Tri-Ply Vs D5 : Which One Should You Buy?
On the face of it, the D5 should give you better heat distribution with its double aluminum layers compared to the Tri-Ply. This is why the D5 pan is supposed to be better for searing because it should give you a more even result. On top of that, the D5 has a flared rim for its pots for easy pouring which is not available for the Tri-Ply.
Having said that, some users do not find the D5 to be as good as claimed because the double aluminum layer is still not thick enough to counter the extra layer of stainless steel. So, instead of being more evenly heated than the Tri-Ply, the result is more or less the same or maybe, even worse. Furthermore, the Tri-Ply is definitely sufficient for everyday home cooking. You don’t have to have the D5 to sear your meat and cook other stuff. The Tri-Ply is an All Clad classic that is functional and durable.
At the end of the day, it really depends on how good a deal that you can find for the All Clad Tri-Ply vs D5. At times, you can get D5 pieces which are cheaper than the Tri-Ply from different sellers. If that is the case, then it makes sense to invest in the D5. But if the price difference is big, it doesn’t hurt to get the Tri-Ply. You can cook just as well with it and master your skill without paying a bundle more. The supposed benefits of the D5 extra layers do not really justify a big price difference with the Tri-Ply, especially when the claimed benefits are highly debatable.
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I would NEVER-EVER pay that kinda money for ANY cookware that has ANYTHING to do with freakin ALUMINUM!
You’re gonna pay NINE-HUNDRED-DOLLARS for a set of cookware that has ALUMINUM INSIDE? SCREW THAT!
If i’m gonna pay even HALF THAT for something CLEARLY LABELED as “STAINLESS-STEEL”, that SHtuff had BETTER BE ALL-STAINLESS-STEEL!
People who buy cookware for THAT kinda money with ALUMINUM in it, must have more money than brains…
Stainless steal is terrible for heat conduction so it’s terrible for cookware. They put stainless on the outer layers to make the pans more durable so they don’t warp and it makes them dishwasher safe and can polish to like new unlike aluminum but aluminum is the best metal (aside from copper) for heat transfer and cooking. You’re not paying the premium for aluminum but the technology and skill required to clad the two different metals together in layers that optimize cooking needs and maintenance. The more aluminum the better, so with premium brands like All Clad and Demeyere, you are paying something extra for the brand name, but you are also getting much more aluminum and therefore it’s higher quality, better performance and much longer durability than other less expensive tri-ply cookware. All Clad sets can be passed down to the next generation which makes it a better value that cheaper cookware and even if there is a quality issue, you’re protected by a lifetime warranty, so buying this cookware is a very smart decision as they will be the last set you ever have to buy…saving money. So if you can afford the cost upfront, it’s actually the smartest decision one can make. If you can’t afford it, then there is nothing wrong with buying cheaper alternatives, but you have to be aware that you’ll have to replace your cookware several times. There are a few (very few) cheaper alternatives that have similar performance, but you have to do your homework to find out the amount of aluminum the manufacturer uses. Hope that helps you change your mind that those who purchase this stuff are not thinking. I put a tremendous amount of thought before spending that kind of money because money is tight for me but I find it the best value for my dollar.
Stainless steel does not distribute heat as well as aluminum. This is why it is layered.
I don’t think you properly understand the reason for having an aluminum core. Stainless steel is a terrible conductor of heat. Without the aluminum there would be hot and cold spots all over the pan and it would take forever for it to heat evenly (if it can achieve that at all). There is a reason that quality clad cookware has an aluminum (much better conductor than steel) or copper (in the expensive lines, even better conductor) core. The more aluminum the better. People that buy these pans with aluminum in them just understand how thermodynamics work.
You do realize that aluminum is better heat conductor than stainless steel, right?
That’s why Stainless with aluminum core is better than pure stainless 🙂
NO ALUMINUM IN MY KITCHEN ALSO. NO NO NO NO WAY
Paying that amount is one thing, deciding whether cookware that has a layer of highly heat-conductive metal sandwiched between layers of stainless is better than solid stainless is another. Solid stainless is available, but I wouldn’t buy it. Layers of aluminum or copper within the walls of the pot speed heat transfer far better than solid stainless will.