All Clad Nonstick Reviews

Do you know that All Clad’s stainless steel cookware also have nonstick pans in their line-up? Many people have the mistaken belief that the company’s stainless steel cookware, whether they are the tri-ply or D5, only have a stainless steel interior but this is certainly not true. While these lines would not have a wide range of nonstick pieces, you can still find a few fry pans with a nonstick cooking surface. Of course, you also have dedicated nonstick cookware lines such the HA1. To help you out with your buying research, the All Clad nonstick reviews below will introduce you the various cookware lines that have a nonstick option.

All Clad Nonstick Reviews – Stainless Steel And Hard Anodized

All Clad Copper Core Nonstick Pan Review

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If you want a pan with a copper core, it is going to cost you quite a bit of money. This is not the copper-infused pans like the Red Copper and Copper Chef Wonder Cooker. This cookware line actually has a copper core that extends throughout the pan and all the way to the rim. This copper core is sandwiched between layers of aluminum and stainless steel giving it a 5-ply construction.

The interior is coated with a PFOA-free nonstick coating that promotes healthy cooking with minimal oil and easy food release. You can easily differentiate the All Clad Copper Core from their other stainless steel cookware by looking for the ring of copper near the base of the pan. This copper ring is a finishing touch that adds elegance and class to the cookware. The handle is stainless steel as well and riveted to the body of the pan. You can use this for all cooktops including induction and it is oven safe up to 500°F.

We have seen 3 sizes for the All Clad Copper Core nonstick pans – 8, 10 and 12-inch. The unfortunate thing is they don’t come with a lid. You would have to buy one separately. It is also very expensive, more so than Scanpan and Swiss Diamond. But if you want the effectiveness of copper cookware, this pan will heat up very quickly and evenly. It is a good quality and solid pan that you will have no qualms of displaying in your kitchen with its elegant look. Weighing over 4 lbs for the 12-inch pan, it has a hefty weight to it.

All Clad D5 Stainless Steel Nonstick Pan Review

 

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Like the Copper Core, the D5 is also a 5-ply bonded cookware. However, instead of having a copper layer, the D5 has alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum. It will heat slower than the Copper Core but it will heat evenly throughout the pan. You can use it at high heat without fear of warping to give you a good sear and perfect browning.

The stainless steel handle is riveted just like the Copper Core and the interior is coated with 3 layers of PFOA-free nonstick coating. It is oven safe up to 500°F and optimized for induction cooktops.

You can easily find the 8, 10 and 12-inch nonstick fry pans for the D5 too. There may be another 1 or 2 odd sized pans but these are not widely available. People buy the D5 despite the price because it is a quality cookware like the Copper Core and it is supposed to give an edge over the tri-ply with its 5-layer construction with better heat distribution. It feels good in the hand with its weight and it won’t warp and dent as easily compared to a cheap and flimsy pan.

All Clad D3 Stainless Steel Nonstick Pan Review

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The All Clad D3 or Stainless Steel Tri-Ply has more nonstick pieces than the Copper Core and D5 collections. In fact, there is a 10-piece cookware set that you can buy at the time of writing. There are also more sizes available for the fry pans.

As the name implies, the D3 has a 3-ply construction – an aluminum core in between 2 layers of stainless steel at the top and bottom. The additional nonstick coating is PFOA-free and similar to the other nonstick cookware lines. The riveted handles are also stainless steel and the cookware is oven safe and induction compatible.

There is another version to the D3 which is the D3 Compact. The latter is also of a tri-ply construction but it is designed to be able to nest for storage convenience. However, the D3 Compact only has one fry pan that is nonstick.

Naturally, the All Clad D3 will cost much less than the Copper Core series. For the 12-inch pan, you can probably save about $80 to $100 thereabouts. It is also lighter since it has fewer layers. However, it is still not as lightweight as your typical ceramic cookware which usually weighs less than 2 lbs for a fry pan. The All Clad Tri-Ply would come in at about 3 lbs.

Given that the coating is the same with the Copper Core, the nonstick performance remains consistent with great food release and easy clean up. The pan heats evenly and quickly but you will still find the Copper Core having an edge over the D3. We don’t think the high price differential justifies the slight improvement but some might find it worthwhile with how quick the Copper Core cooks.

All Clad MC2 Nonstick Pan Review

 

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The All Clad MC2 would be the least expensive compared to the other 3 cookware lines above. This is because it only has a brushed aluminum exterior instead of stainless steel. The inner layer is still aluminum that runs all the way up to the rim. So, if you want the All Clad brand name but are not willing to pay so much for it, the MC2 collection is a compromise.

The rest of the design is the same except for the induction cooktop compatibility. Because it has an aluminum exterior and not stainless steel, the MC2 would not work on an induction cooktop.

We posted the All Clad MC2 review quite some time back if you are interested to find out more about its pros and cons. Generally, buyers are happy with the performance in terms of heat up speed and distribution. It is easy to cook with and not too heavy compared to the D5 and Copper Core. But it is not a good idea to put it into the dishwasher. Not only it will shorten the lifespan of the nonstick coating, but it will also mar the appearance of the pan.

All Clad Hard Anodized HA1 Nonstick Cookware Review

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You will have a much wider variety of items for the All Clad HA1 collection. But rather than having a polished or brushed stainless steel exterior, this is a hard anodized cookware with a dark gray color for its looks.

It has a stainless steel base to make it induction compatible. The cooking surface has the same 3-layer PFOA-free nonstick coating like the rest of the cookware lines above.

The HA1 would be the cheapest out of all All Clad nonstick cookware. It is made in China instead of the USA which many people may not be aware of. We also have the All Clad HA1 review in greater detail which highlights all its good and bad. If you are not keen on spending too much on a nonstick pan, the HA1 would be the best fit.

Does The Nonstick Coating Last?

Basically, the All Clad Nonstick reviews boil down to this – does the coating last? There is little to doubt about the quality and built of the cookware listed above. You won’t find them to be flimsy or thin. They won’t warp easily with a solid construction. They have a nice weight to them and feel good in your hand as you cook.

The normal rules also apply with regard to a nonstick pan. No metal utensils and no putting it into a dishwasher. Although you can, it is certainly not recommended. Don’t wash it right after cooking but wait until it has cooled somewhat. In short, you have to baby it to make it last longer.

But the bottom line is there are no guarantees. Chances are the nonstick coating will fade and an expensive nonstick cookware may or may not last longer than a cheaper competitor. The All Clad nonstick reviews from buyers for all of the above cookware lines mainly have the same complaints online – that the coating degrades, the pan turns sticky and the coating peels.

So, if you are spending more than $200 on a nonstick fry pan, that is indeed a risky buy. We don’t expect the nonstick coating to last beyond a few years. You will be lucky if you can get more than 5 years of use out of the pan. More often than not, you will need a replacement after 3 years. It is normal to see many compliments for the cookware when they are new but delve further through the All Clad nonstick reviews from various retailers online and you will find the complaints will start after 6 months to 2 years of use.

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Hence, is it still worth buying? Well, as we always say don’t spend too much on a nonstick cookware. If you feel strongly about buying, ask yourself if the price you are paying justifiable for 2 or 3 years of use? Be conservative in your estimate, so that you are less likely to be disappointed. If you can get more usage out of it, it will be a bonus. But we think it is safer to start on the premise that a nonstick pan does not last long rather than expect a premium name like All Clad to be different. There are just too many complaints out there about nonstick cookware regardless of brand names that it just makes sense to be cautious.