<p>I have AllClad stainless pots and pans and love them!</p>
<p>In addition, I buy a set of inexpensive nonstick frying pans every year because they inevitably get scratched up and I throw them out. AllClad nonstick is too expensive for that.</p>
<p>Thanks mapesy, I remembered there was some surprising result, but that issue has vanished!</p>
<p>WalMart has had a “price rollback” on the 10-piece Tramontina set I purchased last year. What a great deal!</p>
<p>[Walmart.com:</a> Tramontina 10-Piece 18/10 Stainless Steel TriPly-Clad Cookware Set: Kitchen & Dining](<a href=“http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-10-Piece-18-10-Stainless-Steel-TriPly-Clad-Cookware-Set/11072505]Walmart.com:”>http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-10-Piece-18-10-Stainless-Steel-TriPly-Clad-Cookware-Set/11072505)</p>
<p>I also bought this pan. I love it:</p>
<p>[Walmart.com:</a> Tramontina 12" 18/10 TriPly-Clad Stainless Steel Jumbo Cooker: Kitchen & Dining](<a href=“http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-12-18-10-TriPly-Clad-Stainless-Steel-Jumbo-Cooker/5716485]Walmart.com:”>http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-12-18-10-TriPly-Clad-Stainless-Steel-Jumbo-Cooker/5716485)</p>
<p>Wondering: every time I look at AllClad and pick up a pan, it seems that the handle design is very uncomfortable. Is this true for those of you who have and use the line?</p>
<p>I too have Circulon pans and love them. I received a set as a wedding present 22 years ago and have added to that set over the years. They are a dream to clean, I never have to soak and scrub like I’ve had to on other pans.</p>
<p>milkandsugar - those are the ones I have from QVC - great value.</p>
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<p>It’s important to add that Cooks Illustrated specified only the 10 piece set sold at Williams Sonoma. The 10 piece sets sold elsewhere are NOT the same pieces so you really can’t comparison shop on that basis. Also, the new AllClad D5 line sold at WS is an upgrade from the regular 3-ply stainless in that it is 5-ply, has redesigned handles which are supposed to be more comfortable to hold, and all the pieces have a rolled edge which makes pouring much easier.</p>
<p>Some people do complain that they are heavy but it’s impossible to find real quality in any lightweight cookware so I imagine that the people who say that just aren’t used to using the good stuff. You really do get used to it quickly (unless you have a problem with arthritis) and you won’t notice it after a week or so. The benefits to AllClad really do outweigh the cost.</p>
<p>One more thing: don’t make the mistake of buying a set of all nonstick pieces. Even the top quality brands will not last more than about 7 years (at the most if they are properly cared for - no metal utensils and NO PAM - EVER) and you will be very limited in how you can use them. The only nonstick pieces anyone needs are a couple of skillets for eggs, fish and other delicate proteins. Take good care of them and you should get a good 5 - 7 years before you have to replace them.</p>
<p>I was shopping for food at Costco tonight and checked out the cookware. There were some Tramontina pans and a Le Creuset Dutch oven on the shelves. The SS set which my friend likes has a 5-ply bottom Stainless Steel/Al/Cu construction and works on those new induction stoves. The pans and pots felt very heavy, and got 4.5 stars out of 5 from the reviewers on Costco dot com (and they are a tough bunch to please). All Clad is definitely the king of cookware, so go for it if you have the money. But if All Clad is out of the price range for you, OP, and you lean towards a SS set, take a look at the Kirkland Signature set - it is an awesome buy at $180.</p>
<p>Son’s college apt was an excuse to treat myself to new cookware. Decided I wanted soft covered handles and smooth interior nonstick bottoms. Checked the top major brands but went with KitchenAid. Cheaper in price but in the same heavy weight (think steel, not Al) class. Saw them locally but much cheaper online thru Amazon. Supplemented a 12 piece set with 2 pans from the Kohls store on sale. Don’t remember the exact style name, but not the low end. I have decided that just because my stuff of xty years is still usable there is no reason the young newlyweds/ first apartment shoppers should be the only ones with current, better stuff.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great responses! I will read them over again after the flurry of packing/driving/moving in/shopping for apartments/driving back home activities we have going on right now. Maybe I will have to rethink my position on All Clad!</p>
<p>If I have it to do over again (and I hope I will), I will make sure that the 3 ply or 5 ply or whatever continues all the way up the sides of the pans. I have something-ply ss pans, but the sides get much hotter than the bottoms and they can burn if I am stirring a saute and I am not careful.</p>
<p>Another vote for All-Clad. I have a lovely set of Cuisinart that I got 20 years ago, back when they were still made in France, not China. They’ve served me well, and I still use them, as I don’t have too many All-Clad pieces yet. But I love, love, love the All-Clad. I received a wonderful copper core dutch oven for Christmas last year (Williams-Sonoma), and it’s my favorite thing to cook in. It actually inspires me to invent dishes jsut so I can use the pot.<br>
I also have a couple of skillets - such even cooking and no burning, even if I’m using high heat. I may be asking for a new piece every Christmas from now on.</p>
<p>Another vote for All-Clad…although I have calphalon</p>
<p>I am another vote for cast iron…I have my grandmother’s skillet, have added other pieces. I gave S a couple of skillets for his new apartment and he left one soaking while he was gone for a week…ugh…but he cleaned it, dried it, reoiled it, and it is fine. They are heavy, and you need a hot pad, but I love them.</p>
<p>DH loves the cast iron. I love the Cuisinart from TJ Maxx. I bought one smaller fry pan because I loved the color (sort of a raspberry), loved the way it cooks. We’ve picked up two more when we see them.
We use a Dutch Oven from Target a lot, recommended by America’s Test Kitchen, love it. It is heavy, but wonderful for braising.</p>
<p>Enamel clad cast iron for braising (Le Creuset the brand I have) is my choice.
I have 3 sizes and I love them.</p>