Since I re-discovered my All-Clad pan (and set it next to its friend, the All-Clad saute pan), I have had All-Clad on the brain. But of course, "being as I am" (said by my precursor Eve in Paradise Lost when she tries to excuse her weaknesses), I had to check around for alternatives.
It doesn't take long to discover that (oh no!!!) Walmart makes a knockoff that is endorsed by none other than the overly-serious folks at Cook's Illustrated. Since I don't have a subscription to the magazine, I can't link to their discussion, but you can check out the discussion on Chowhound, wonderful and addictive site.
It seems that the Walmart model is undergoing some changes. Whatever. The old model (of which there are few left on site) is available in a set or two and in the very pan I crave: a 4-quart saucepan.
Here is the Amazon model.
The Walmart version is about 1/3 the price! A newer version, branded Better Homes and Garden, is also available.
So, dear readers, what would you do?
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6 comments:
Must admit I've never heard of all-clad and it is beyond my wit to imagine what would make a cooking pan worth $200 or more, or even $50 for that matter. I'm clearly not up on gourmet cooking and I've never had an income that inspired me to look at upmarket kitchenware. I'm sure they are marvellous, but my kitchen idol is my Mom and she didn't have one, so I assume they aren't needed to make heavenly food. It might be a frugal option if you got it when young and never had to replace it for your whole life, but most people I know have every thing they need and still go shopping for the entertainment. I inherited my Mom's old-style Corning Ware with removable handles. I still love it for when I need a serving dish that comes straight off the stove or out of the oven. I think she got them with S&H green stamps or something...
Actually that's not Boywilli - just it's me, Shelley, on his computer...
@Shelley--I cook the most humble dishes in my nice pots. It's my splurge area.
ohhhh i would streak to Walmart SO FAST!
Actually, I found a very nice All-Clad knockoff once at Target. Still use it regularly. It's nice and heavy, solid, stainless steel clad over an aluminum bottom.
Am cooking on a gas stove, so don't know how well it would do on one of those glass things -- but the bottom surface is completely flat, so it ought to work.
I've never seen another of those knockoffs at Target...occasionally I'll look for them. Must've been a fluke.
The problem with knockoff anything is that I always know it, and that never makes me happy. It's not about status- no one has over said, "Oh! All Clad, wow!" looking up at my potrack.
There are plenty of good brands out there, like Paderno, who are not knocking off anybody, they are just good straightforward products.
@Duchesse--I'm not sure if a tri-ply clad pan qualifies as a knock-off. All-Clad doesn't own the concept or the process...will have to think about this.
@funny--Problem is that I don't really NEED anything...
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