All Clad is a brand that epitomizes quality and durability so you would think that one of their flag ship products would follow suit – and it does, big time.
The D5 is an unbelievably good cookware set, it’s a premium product and that is reflected in the price. Is it worth the investment? If you are in the market for a top quality, restaurant standard set then this is where you should be looking.
So what makes the D5 different?
Well the clue is in the name, the All Clad D5 use five ply construction, sandwiching different types of metal together to create a strong sturdy cooking powerhouse.
The layers alternate between stainless steel and aluminium for the ultimate heat conductivity and the outer magnetic layer means it’s perfect for induction cooking. So if you have invested in the brilliant Nuwave Pic2 for example then you are covered with these pans.
Standard clad cookware sets including a lot of the All Clad ranges use tri-ply construction. Tri-ply is great, there is no question but this is a step up in quality and functionality. Of course these extra layers mean the pans are heavier than tri-ply but it also means they are sturdier and stronger than ever before. It’s unlikely these pans will ever warp.
Ergonomics
We also found the handles to feel that bit sturdier than the All Clad MC2 set (which we absolutely love by the way). The handles need to be stronger and more ergonomic as these pans are heavier so they need to support the weight. We should point out that while these are heavy pans we aren’t talking crazy heavy where you might be wondering if you can lift them. Anyone will be able to comfortably use these pans even over long cooking sessions.
Another cool feature of the D5 is the flared edges on the rim of the pans. This may not be something you notice at first glance but this is an important feature to point out. I’m sure everyone reading this will have at some point tried to pour liquid from one pan to another and found that they made a mess. It can’t be helped, it’s the just a flaw in pan design. This is somewhat alleviated with the flared edge, spillages are kept to a minimum here meaning less cleaning up and less wastage.
Cooking
In terms of cooking ability we didn’t find the final results any different than the MC2 – meaning we don’t think our food tasted any better! What we did find though was the speed at which the pans heated up caught us completely by surprise. Our food was finished cooking much quicker than we were used to, so much so that you may need to adjust your recipe books to remind you to cook things a little less or over a lower heat. All Clad recommend using these pans over a medium heat and we understand why. It’s definitely worth watching out for this when you first get this set as you don’t want to burn your food. This increased speed of course means shorter cooking times and lower energy bills. Win win.
Pro’s
- 5-ply construction for superior conductivity and faster cooking
- Compatible with all stovetops including induction – they are optimized for induction cooktops
- Oven- and broiler-safe up to 600 degrees F
- Phenomenal quality and restaurant standard construction
- Ergonomic handles that are a noticeable improvement, they also stay cool in use
- Dishwasher Safe
- Lifetime warranty
Con’s
- High Price
- Heavier than tri-ply
- No non stick technology (a pro for many as there are no chemicals or anything else that may alter taste of food)
So should you invest in the D5?
If cooking is your passion and you are considering a new cookware set then you would not regret your decision to buy these. In fact no one who buys these will regret it. They are superb. The real question is are they worth the upgrade if you already have a quality set like the MC2 or the 3-ply set. In our opinion the answer is yes IF you are really serious about cooking or you do it for a living. These pans will up your game, reduce your cooking times, last you a long long time and probably reduce your every bills as well.
If you have’t yet invested in All Clad pans or are on the look out for your first quality set then you may be wondering if you should get these or the cheaper tri-ply version. Both are great. The D5 is the better, stronger and more feature rich set there is no question but you will have to weigh this up against the extra money as the tri-ply and the MC2 are both superb as well. For us the flared edge and faster cooking times make them worth the upgrade. Add to that these are warp free and will probably last you a lifetime is it really worth saving a few dollars for something you will own and use for years and years?
Don’t even think twice about it if these are within your budget. You won’t regret it, not even for a second.
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