Costco cookware?

[wish]

Does anyone out there have the Kirkland Signature set of cookware that Costco sells? It's a copy of All-Clad (actually looks more like the Kitchen Aid pans) in that it is stainless steel, with the same tri-ply construction. I'd like to get All Clad, but the Kirkland Signature line is a lot cheaper ($199.00 for a 13 piece set, vs. $400-500 for All Clad). I've always had good luck with the Costco private label stuff, but this is a pretty big purchase for me, so I'm just wondering if anyone has any opinions to share!

[Barrie]

Check out TJ Maxx! I have bought several pieces of All Clad there in the last month or so for less than half the retail prices.

[Alky]

I bought the Costco set with Christmas money...seemed like it might work for the $. I used it for a few weeks and decided that the handles were too thin..and it made it difficult to handle the heaviness of the pans. They wanted to spin in your hands and you had to hold the handles way back which made the leverage difficult with the weight..but the closer you choked up the thinner the handle became and the even more difficult it lifting became. I finally decided that this was something that I wouldn't want to live with for the lifetime of the pans. I ended up buying the Martha Stewart tri-ply set that was recommended as being very sturdy. So far I am really happy with them and the handles are much more substancial. They seem to cook great and clean up well too. Other than the handle issue the costco set cooked fine.

[BosunsWife]

I don't have any of the Costco pans, but I can second what Alky said about the Martha Stewart pans.

I bought a 2 quart saucepan with lid (MS brand at Kmart) simply because I just don't have the money for All Clad until I'm a working person again. I have been very pleased with it and find it is just as good as the All Clad that I bought several years ago.

[wish]

Thanks, everyone, for the input! I'll definitely be taking another look at the handles on those Costco pans- I'd hate to spend that much money and not be happy with them! I think I'll also take a trip to Kmart and TJ Maxx!