When we talk about quality cookware, the first thing that comes to mind is the All-clad stainless cookware. The company All-Clad Ltd, throughout the years, has developed a good line of stainless steel cookware sets. Most professional cooks and chefs prefer to use these over other sets.
What sets them apart from other cookware brands is the quality and materials they use in creating their cookware. Their All-clad stainless steel line utilises 18/10 grade stainless steel. The clad copper core has 2 layers of aluminum metal, 2 layers of stainless steel metal for the exterior, and copper metal for the core. The handles of their pans are riveted onto the pan, not welded.
The good craftsmanship and excellent materials used for All-clad cookware make its performance superb. This is the reason why professionals choose this brand. The All-clad stainless steel pans have good heat conductivity allowing you to cook faster and evenly. Their stainless steel pans also have a magnetic bottom which makes them suitable to be used on induction cooktops.
All-Clad Stainless Cookware Check List
When selecting the right All-clad stainless steel cookware for you, the following guidelines may be considered:
- Metal layers – Depending on what type of dish you would prepare more often than others, you may select either a three-ply or a five-ply stainless steel cookware set. It is important to check whether the All-clad stainless steel you will select has an aluminum and/or copper core which are good heat conductors. This will make certain that your dish cooks evenly. A stainless steel cooking exterior is as important as it does not react to food, even acidic ingredients like tomatoes.
- Coverage of metal cores – A good All-clad stainless steel pan should not only have an aluminum or copper core bottom, but it should also cover the whole pan up to the lid. There are many stainless steel pots and pans which only place the core on the bottom of the pan. When that happens, only the bottom part is a good heat conductor. So you only get half the desired heat as opposed to pans where the aluminum or copper core extends to the sides.
- Grade of steel – As earlier mentioned, the All-clad stainless cookware is made of 18/10 grade stainless steel. It means that it is 18% chrome and 10% nickel. Chrome is a very sturdy metal that does not stain while nickel plays an important role in making the stainless steel rust-proof. The nickel also gives the stainless steel a polished finish.
To help you select the best stainless steel cookware for your cooking requirement, visit any All-clad outlet. You can also check out other All-clad stainless steel cookware reviews.