Looking for good multiclad cookware set

16 years ago

Hi, I'm now in the market for a set of tri or multi clad cookware to use on my (fairly) new Wolf range. I had been planning on buying the Kirkland set at Costco (I've seen it recommended on this forum many times). However, it's no longer displayed on the website or available in my local Costco. I had the Costco service desk look it up for me in their system and they say it's no longer available. Next, I looked up the Members' Mark set on Sam's website (also highly recommended on this forum) and it's no longer displayed on their website. I'm no longer a member of Sam's Club so I don't know if it's available in the warehouses. So now I'm considering Tramontina (I think I read on here that Tramontina made the Kirkland and Member's Mark sets). There appear to be two different lines of Tramontina - a cheaper line sold through Walmart and various websites for $150-225 and a more expensive line sold through gourmet websites that sells for $299.00 (8-piece) and $599.00 (13-piece). Can anyone tell me what the difference is between these two lines? I hate to pay $600.00 for that set but I do like the look of and pieces included in it. Is the quality difference real? I have also looked online at a Calphalon set sold through Macy's. I think Martha Stewart may even have a triclad set sold through Macy's. I'd appreciate any thoughts on these specific lines/brands and to hear any other viable options. Does anyone know why Costco/Sam's are no longer carrying the Tramontina clones?

I know that the general advice is to buy good individual pieces of All-Clad and the like by bargain-hunting at TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, etc. However, I have an Emerilware disk-bottom set right now that I will take to use on the electric range at our vacation home so I will be "without" while I bargain-hunt if I go that route. I have several very well-used pieces of LeCreuset and 2 Lodge cast-iron skillets but I need the triclad pieces on an everyday basis as well. I'd prefer to go ahead and buy a set and then bargain-hunt to fill in gaps.

TIA for any advice/suggestions/recommendations.

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Comments (9)

User
16 years ago
Might check out the CIA master series stuff. It's gone down in price recently.($500) Not an endorsement, I haven't seen it.
cat_mom
16 years ago
zoenipp, are there any places near you that offer coupons that are usable on All-Clad? That's how I got my set and some pieces this past fall. I used coupons at one local cooking store. I could only use one per visit at that particular store, so made a couple visits and had DH with me another time and we paid for the items separately (each using a coupon!).

I ended up paying full price for one pan to bring my total price for the set to the $500 required for the panini pan gift with purchase (well worth it IMHO, we use it and are enjoying our homemade panini's!), but that extra pan, a 1 1/2 qt saucepan with lid (which I'd wanted BTW) was on sale for a special "Try Me" price, so I still made out well.

FWIW, I really like the A-C pans a lot. Much more even cooking without the burning around the edges I'd experienced with my old pans on our Wolf range.

Good luck

PS will be in your neck of the woods next week!
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No, they're not exactly the same. The Contemporary triply SS is more popular than the triply glossy SS. Therefore, the tri-ply glossy SS is cheaper. It's what we call Consumer Demand. Let me compare the 2 Calphalon sets again for you. Similarities: - Both are made of triply on the base and the sides. - Both have glass lids. - Both are oven safe up to 700F degree and 450F degree for the glass lids. Differences: - The designs of both are different. - Besides the shapes, the Contemporary has a brushed stainless steel finish. Whereas, the triply SS has a glossy stainless steel finish. - The Contemporary has a convex bottom which is not suitable for induction. The glossy SS has a flat bottom, good for using on induction cooktop. I do own both styles. Since I don't have induction cooktop, my preference of course was the Contemporary set for its style. I have the whole set of the Contemporary triply SS. Later, I stumbled upon some individual pieces of the glossy triply SS. The prices were too good to pass and they were in the size that I need and use often. If you're still unclear, you can email to Calphalon for questions. They're actually pretty good in sending reply within 24 hours (weekdays).
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It never ceases to amaze me that people cringe at the cost of an All Clad set. The average family spends $600 per month on food, or $7,200 each year..... but refuses to drop $600 on professional cookware. Personally, I can't see why anyone would buy anything other than a set of All Clad stainless or Calphalon One hard anodized set and then add specialty pieces and a couple nonstick skillets. It's a lifetime investment people. There are lines of cookware on the market today at $200 and under that are just plain bad cookware. They may work for a while, but if you decide you want to get serious about cooking, you can't becasue the cookware won't let you. Impact bonded stainless cookware is limited as to what it can do. 4mm of aluminum will only hold so much heat. Same goes for 6 gauge anodized aluminum. I've been an executive in the cookware industry for over a decade, and it's never ceased to amaze me that a family will spend $2k on a wide screen TV, but has an issue spending over $300 for something needed to prepare the food they will eat. There's something wrong with that picture. Sorry to go on and on, but there's so much information that's made it so confusing to buy good cookware anymore. And it shouldn't be. Keep a couple things in mind: Buy U.S. made cookware like All Clad or Calphalon Hard Anodized. Trust me, there is a difference vs. what is coming out of Asia regarding cookware. Once you decide on a set, add a Lodge Cast iron piece or two and a 10 or 12" nonstick skillet. Maybe a Le Creuset dutch oven down the road. Don't be afraid of the initial cost. Like I said, you'll spend more on groceries in two months compared to the up front cost on your cookware. And if you decide this cooking stuff is fun and you want to get more creative a few years down the road, your cookware won't hold you back.
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kiwimanor
16 years ago
All Clad wasn't an option for me because the handles just don't fit my hands. Ouch! I tried pieces of both Cuisinart's and Calphalon's multiclad lines, trying to make a decision. I like them both equally well - no huge differences in weight or performance. The main distinction is the glass lids on the Calphalon line, which is the pricier of the two. There are sets and individual pieces available on Amazon - usually one is at a Try Me price. I know nothing at all about the Tramontina, though.
sanborn5
16 years ago
I just started a search for the same thing.
I have some old farberware which the handles get very hot.
I bought 4 pans of Cuisinart at T.J. Maxx and they are ok but I think I will give them to my daughter. They seem to simmer around the edges and if I don't stir all the time they tend to burn the edges of the pan and the food (esp baked beans)soup, etc. Sauces I stir constantly anyway. I want to go with ss all clad but the pricing is high. I do shop T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods. But the Sam's Club pans seem as good from what I have read on this forum. I will check them out. Any other advice? I just want the ss- clad sauce pans, in 2-qt, 3-qt and maybe a 4qt. My farberware & Cunsinart pans were fine with my elect stove, but with my new wolf I really think I need something better to cook with. The stove cost plenty and I want good cookware but lets face it, what with Gas, Oil etc, $$$$ is tighter.Any other suggestions?
zoenipp
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, after I've looked for a solid month for the Member's Mark or Costco tri-clad sets made by Tramontina, I have finally given up. There are two Tramontina lines that have 13-piece sets, one sells online for $500 -600 and the other is sold by Wal-Mart for about $140. There is no way that these could be comparable in quality with such a big difference in price point, is there? I've looked at the local TJ Maxx stores, Marshall's, etc., but the All-Clad is still very pricey and hard-to-find in my affluent area. I ended up buying a Surla-branded set on sale from SurLaTable, 9 pieces with comfortable-looking riveted handles and a lifetime guarantee. Free shipping and no sales tax for $299. I am supplementing this with a Tramontina 8- quart stockpot with pasta insert from Wal-Mart's website for $60 (no big investment there). Hopefully I will be pleased with my purchase. Knowing my luck, Costco will be offering the Tramontina set about the time this other stuff arrives.
amyesq
15 years ago
Take a look at Calphalon's Tri-Ply stainless. You can find it for about $275 for a set. It is really nice cookware...comparable to All-Clad for a great price.

Here is a link that might be useful: Calphalon Tri-Ply
readinglady
15 years ago
Ironically, the Tramontina Tri-ply clad at Wal-Mart is the same, even though the price is much cheaper.

I've seen the Tramontina Tri-ply line discussed on Chowhound, egullet and America's Test Kitchen Forums. One person actually went out and physically compared Tramontina pans at Wal-Mart and another store and could discern no difference.

Another poster called Tramontina's customer service. They verified they only make one Tri-Ply Clad line which is slightly re-branded for Wal-Mart but is otherwise identical manufacture. Apparently Wal-Mart just has really really good negotiators.

Stores here don't carry the Tri-Ply, but it can be ordered online at Walmart.com and shipped to the nearest store at no cost.

I bought the 5-quart Jumbo saute pan to see what I thought. I haven't cooked with it yet, but handles are comfortable and the pan is well-finished. Lighter than All-Clad but for me that's a plus. At $49.76 I didn't think I had much to lose.

Carol
sandy_strokesofgrace_com
13 years ago
I may be too late to help you out with your search, but look up American Kitchen Tri-Ply Cookware by Regal Ware. The cookware has comfortable, stay-cool handles, rivals any All-Clad product...and...it's MADE IN THE USA!

Looking for good multiclad cookware set

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