I hav several pieces of All-Clad, 10 in all, and absolutely love it in every regard. My only complaint is the handles get hot, but it�s such superior cookware that I quickly learned to keep a hot pad in my hand when cooking, or even a wadded up paper towel.

I am a cast iron and cast iron enamel junkie. Love Le Creuset. My prize skillet is an Erie # 10. It is light weight and about 200 years old. Nothing sticks and it salutes better than my All Clad. In fact, I prefer my Le Creuset over my All Clad.

Salutes?

I have one piece of All-Clad, a large non-stick saute pan, but have only used it a couple of times (no need for that size on a daily basis). I was seriously considering purchasing a set of A/C when I came across a killer deal which I believe is offered on a regular basis (approx. $200, if I remember correctly, for a set which includes every size I could ever want including 3 non-stick saute pans) of Calphalon stainless clad cookware at their outlet store. I couldn't be happier w/it. One feature I really like about the Calphalon which A/C didn't offer (at the time I was looking anyway) are the glass lids. The handles do not get hot, another bonus. I believe the Calphalon also has a lifetime warranty. My mother had A/C so I do have experience w/it. I'm just an average cook but can't tell the difference between the two brands. Perhaps a gourmet cook would disagree.

I seem to remember several cookware threads (including A/C) in the cooking forum where you can get a plethora of opinions.

AC has upgraded from 3 layers to 5 so which style are you getting on sale? They've fallen behind with their nonstick (unless there have been improvements recently). I switched to Scanpan CTX. The nonstick on all of my AC pans did not hold up, big disappointment.

I have the small SS All Clad set and I love it. Very even cooking & it goes in the DW. I wanted 3 particular pieces and found it was less expensive to get the set which included them.

I don't think you can ever go wrong with All-Clad. I also have the Emerilware version, and it's great. I put it on our wedding registry 6 years ago. If anything ever gets discolored, Barkeeper's Friend makes it look like new. I use these pans a lot, plus they work on induction.

I have Infinite Circulon nonstick that came with the Samsung induction, and I use the LeCreuset grill pan a lot, too.

DH bought me a nice set online from Metro Kitchens - reasonably good value I thought - after we got a new kitchen. I would not have purchased it for myself as I don't think it's worth the price. I particularly don't like the uncomfortable handles - especially bad when the pans are so heavy to start with not to mention when full. Someone who is more of a gourmet cook might appreciate it more than I do. I bought a piece of Le Creuset for myself and I love that. It's my favorite piece of cookware. I'd buy more if I didn't have the All Clad.

I really like my All Clad. However, I do not like how heavy it is. If I had realized when I purchased it that it was so heavy, I don't think I would have purchased it.

I also have the Emeril set by All Clad. Got a nce set at Macy's. I had to buy new cookware as we just got an induction range. I do have to use Bar Keepers on it each time I fry bacon and pretty much each time I use a piece but it does clean up nice.

BTW, is the liquid Bar Keepers less smelly than the powder. That smell is gross!

You don't need to spend the extra money on Bar Keepers Friend or Bon Ami, just buy the large 2 buck box of Baking Soda and that works for most applications. I soak the pot in water first to soften the dried on food and then drain. Sprinkle Baking Soda inside the pot and it scrubs it clean (slightly dampen pad or dish cloth). BKF contains oxalic acid, that's overkill for most situations where all you want to do is clean the inside of the pot.

I have a set of AC..one has teflon on it which I use only for eggs or pancakes.

Best stuff ever. One day I decided to splurge and get cookware that would last me the rest of my life.

The only pan that's too heavy for me when it has food inside, is the large fryer, so I have to be careful.

The handles don't get hot though, and I love the see-through lids.

It's a good investment. I've had mine for about 15 years now.

Mine was a gift and it is great cookware. If I were the one dishing out the cash though, I might opt for something a little cheaper. In addition to the set, I was gifted their large stockpot with the steamer/pasta insert. I do not like the insert, it seems like the water does not get into a full, rolling boil for the pasta in it.

I do love to cook in my Le Creuset and do hope to get a few more pieces of it. But, I do see scratches inside of mine that I suspect are from DH's rigorous cleaning.

I have really never used nonstick so am rather clueless on that front although I am looking at the Calphalon nonstick omelette pan. That is high on my wish list for someday.

Thanks for all the replies. I've been looking at the d5, the newest version with 5 layers. The sale at Williams-Sonoma is 15% off everything in the store with some exceptions and All-Clad IS included in the sale. I still have time to order on line with free shipping, if I can make up my mind tonight. I think I'll check out the cooking forum to see what they have to say as well. For the most part, I get the feeling that most are happy with the cookware.

Forgot to mention that I do have one piece of LeCreuset - a large oval Dutch oven that I really do love and an old cast iron skillet that belonged to my grandmother. What I'm considering in the All-Clad line is a large saute pan.

I've never had any trouble with food sticking (even eggs) with my AC, and clean up has been a breeze. I usually soak anything that has cooked on due to me forgetting how well they conduct the heat! And then I just use the plastic scrubby sponge thing and they clean up perfectly.

DD has SS and they all had baked on gunk she couldn't clean off, so while I was housesitting for her I worked on them and got all but one completely cleaned. Soaking, a brillo pad and some elbow grease. I then seasoned her pans for her and when she returned I told her to get the pans HOT, then if she needed to add a lubricant (I use EVOO), add it once it was hot and nothing would ever stick again. Success!

With WS's return policy you have nothing to lose by taking advantage of the sale and purchasing now. You can always return if not satisfied.

The tri-ply Tramontina set from Wal-mart gets excellent reviews, if you'd like a nice stainless tri-ply set without the All Clad price. My sister has it, and I was impressed with it. Light weight, heats evenly, beautiful.

Tramontina set

Wal-mart also has for sale individually a 12 in. covered saute pan with a handle for $70, and a 4 quart covered casserole pan for $50. Both look useful for family quantities.

I'm with golddust re cast iron pans. I bought some rusty old pieces from ebay for $15 to restore & just love them.

For light weight sauce pots, though, those Wal-mart Tramontina pots look great. My pots are stainless with a disk bottom, and are heavy & cumbersome for cooking delicate sauces.

I have one large AC sauce pan, for which I think I paid $80 on sale. It is easy to clean, but it's too heavy. It's not non-stick. I don't think I'll be getting any more. I can cook just as well in my cheapo Farberware for the most part.