Posts tagged Deluxe

All-Clad Copper Core 14-Piece Set

We have owned this set for about 4 years now and our set looks almost brand new and copper layer sure shines up purty. Firstly, if you buy All Clad get Barkeepers Friend(BF) the same day, you can thank me the first time you clean your cookware. BF makes cleanup a snap and is not too abrasive(note: you shouldn’t use abrasives like ajax or scotchbrite pads on AllClad) keeps pots and pans looking new and more importantly keeps the inside cooking surface clean and smooth so that sticking is less of an issue, this point is critical for any low fat conscious chefs(I use a ton of fat when I cook so no problems for me :O). This isn’t a review of BF so back to the cookware! Your second purchase if you don’t have them already is Bamboo or wooden utensils, never use metal on your pans. You can get away with it if you are gentle but scratching the inside of the cookware will cause food to stick, especially if you are cooking with little fat. The pots and pans cook very evenly and are very responsive to temperature changes at the burner which is very nice when you are cooking something that is temperature sensitive or delicate. I don’t recommend them for “blackened” dishes, cooking with hot oil, or searing for the same reason. They are difficult to clean after cooking say… blackened halibut. I am not a fan of non-stick cookware after I found out the off-gassing above 400 degrees would kill our parrot(how can that be harmless to us?), for all the high temperature cooking that my All Clad isn’t great with, falls to good ole enameled cast iron. Another nice thing about All Clad is that the long handles stay cool, however the secondary smaller handle/s can get quite hot so you’ll need to use a mitt for those. The lids fit well and make a nice seal, they will allow steam to pass but not too much. I wish All Clad would include glass or at least see through lids with stainless steel ring on the outside so you could see through it but still have the nice fit, I would also like a composite handle on the lid that doesn’t get too hot, but for whatever reason this has been an oversight on their part. The construction is excellent, no issues in 4 years of serious cooking and finish is also very well done, it makes you a little nervous to clean the pots and pans the first few times they are so pretty. However, stick with a sponge/mild scrubber and BF and you will keep them looking new for a long time. So, while the set does take a little more care, I find a great amount of pride in shining up the copper every couple months while cleaning them! They are a joy to cook with and will be here long after I am gone no doubt. The cherry on top is that they are made in the USA.

The All Clad 14-Piece Copper Core set is just right for those who love to cook and entertain. This set includes 10″ and 12″ fry pans, 2 and 3 quart sauce pans with lids, 3 and 6 quart saute’ pans with lids, a 12-inch chef’s pan with domed lid and an 8-quart stock pot with lid. Every piece in the set will include a recipe developed specifically for that item by Chef Thomas Keller.

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