All-Clad heft without the hefty price

I have been wanting to upgrade my pots and pans for some time, but just could not justify the cost of replacing all or most of my wares with All-Clad, although that is the brand I concluded was the best (after months of research and reading reviews.) I was about to spend $260 on an All-Clad 6-qt saute pan when I accidentally ran across a review for this Pro-Clad line. Same materials, same warranty, almost identical weights per pan, great reviews, great price. I ordered the 10-pc. set (w/ 3 qt saucepan, by the way), which came with this 12" fry pan as a bonus (the 10-pc set includes a 10" pan." WOW! This pan is huge! AND heavy. Solid. Level. with my old pots, as the water would start to boil, there was only one spot on the bottom that would bubble. With the Pro-Clad pans, there are thousands of bubbles covering the ENTIRE bottom of the pan. Definitely heats evenly across the entire pan. Saute a diced onion, and you'll find that even the pieces on the sides cook. WOW! Now I realize the advantage of an aluminum core all the way up the sides. Puts my old T-Fal to shame! I didn't know how I would like the glass lids, but now I wouldn't buy a pan with stainless lids. I wasn't aware of how dependent I am on eyesight while cooking! The lids are as hefty as the pans, and you can put them in the oven also! The handles NEVER get hot on the cooktop, and are long enough to keep your hands well away from the heat. This pan cooks evenly and quick, no cold spots, no uneven cooking. I read an earlier review where the person complained about potatoes sticking. There is a book on FoodNetwork titled "How to Boil Water" that includes an appropriate remedy to that problem for new or inexperienced cooks. You ALWAYS use oil or butter when sauteing in stainless pans, All-Clad or whatever brand. Always allow the pan to come to temperature BEFORE adding food. Always be sure that whatever medium you choose to use, oil, butter, etc. covers the bottom of the pan (in order to coat ALL of the food you are cooking." This pan cleans up easily, although I admit I have not had the nerve to run it through the diswhwasher yet. IF you DO somehow have a problem with food sticking or discoloring your pan, just put about 1/4 cup white vinegar in the bottom of the pan, heat it, and the stain disappears. Simple as that. Barkeeper's Friend brings the new-look-luster back to the interior. Definitely worth the cost, easily the BEST buy for All-Clad-minded buyers. A 10-pc set for $300??? As long as Pro-Clad (by All-Clad) continues to make this line, I will buy it. Period.

Excellent product!

Easy to use, easy to clean, even heating...excellent choice!

Bonus pan

Received this as a bonus pan when I purchased a 10 piece Emerilware set for my son. He loves all the pieces.

Quality

When I used this pan to fry some fresh hash brown potatoes the potatoes stuck to the bottom pan badly. I soaked the pan for one hour before cleaning the pan and it was extremely difficult to get it clean after only one use.

12 in STAINLESS STEEL FRY PAN

Even Cooking, Easy to handle, Easy to clean

Great fry pan. It cooks the food even.

Learning to keep food from sticking

Wish it had a lid

This pan works great. A bit difficult to keep water spots off, but we have hard water.

I wish it had a lid.

Perfect size

This pan is the perfect size for everyday use. Not a flimsy made pan & the handle has been nicely designed.

Excellent, even cooking skillet

I love this skillet and how easily it cleans. Because of the construction the heat is distributed even throughout. I would never be without it and it appears it will last for a very long time.

Cleaning

It's tough to remove all the stains from food.