Anyone Own All-Clad Bakeware?

[Lynn B]

With the All-Clad sale coming up this weekend, I'm wondering about their bakewear.

Does anyone have any of those pieces? What do you think? Does it really not get yukky like most bakewear?! And what about cooking spray - do you use it on it? How does that clean up?! Will it be the LAST bakewear you ever need to buy?!!!! Opinions, please!

I love my All-Clad cookware, but I am a little reluctant to pop for that much $$$ (even at the sale prices) for a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan!

THANKS!!!
Lynn

[Chefmom]

Personally I would NOT pop that price for a sheet pan. Get the ones from restaurant supplies that are regular aluminum sheet pans and are about $10 apiece. There is a reason that bakeries and restaurants have these in stacks (and they fight over them too!!). They last, take abuse, are cheap enough to outfit your kitchen with stacks and stacks, and if you back your car over one you don't feel like you are out a lot of money!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I have seen their cake pans at close to $100 and I think that is INSANE, you can buy a HIGH quality, heavy Magic Line, or Parrish cake pan for under $10 and it will last and last.

As for cooking spray, it will ruin just about anything over time, you can make your own professional bakers grease for cakes etc and it works like the professional yellow grease. Just mix equal parts of flour, oil and Crisco shortening (1 cup each) until smooth. Store in a tupperware in your cupboard and brush onto cake pans liberally. It's a dream!

Tami

[Lynn B]

Tami,
Thanks for the info! You gave me lots to think about!
Lynn

[luv2cook]

I hate to say, but All-Clad did not rate well in their bake ware as they did rate No. 1 in cookware by Cooks Illustrated...

[Tiger]

Oh Lynn, I have to admit I'd be tempted to buy a piece! I hope someone posts who has used All-clad bakeware.
I have found a diffence in bakeware. And there's nothing worst than baking and looking forward to something and it not turning out.
I always thought there was a difference in using cheap cookie sheets compared to better ones. And since All-clad is gar. for life. What's better throwing away bakeware or being done with it and have something good? I'm afraid I gave you even more to think about!

[Laura B]

Actually, Cook's Illustrated rated All-Clad very well (it got second place) but said that in light of great performance by the cheaper Ecko pan, All-Clad is not worth the high price tag.

[Tiger]

lov2cook- What did Cook Ill. say was the best bakeware?

[Tiger]

Ok, this board moves so fast! Laura- So they said Ekco was the best?

[Laura B]

Tiger, yes, they said Ecko was the best. At least, for cake pans it was the best.

"And since All-clad is gar. for life. What's better throwing away bakeware or being done with it and have something good?"

I think what you said is exactly right. It depends on whether you want to pick up new pans every so often at the grocery store, or just buy nice pans once and be done with it. I think when I have the money, I would tend to buy the nice stuff and have it for life!

[Tiger]

Yes Laura- Sometimes that you get what you pay for idea does apply!

[aka]

For anyone who has Cook's Illustrated magazines the semi-relevant articles are in the Nov/Dec 1999 issue (number 41 -- rating cake pans) and Sept/Oct 2000 (number 46 rating loaf pans). In both of these the Ekco by Baker's Secret was rated #1, there is no All-Clad tested in the "loaf pan" testing (don't know why -- do they not make one? was it that bad? some other reason??) In both categories the Ekco got a perfect score.

In cake pans the All-Clad came in second, it only got two stars out of three in "appearance". Cook's Illustrated does say that the All Clad is "exorbitant, but the last you'd ever have to buy"

Finally, in a summary sentence Cook's Illustrated says:
"...Of course, the Ekco may prove less durable than some of its heavier competitors. In fact, just in the course of our testing, it picked up two small dents. but for the price of the next best pan, the gorgeous $80 All-Clad, you could afford to replace the Ekco 20 times, should the need arise." [They price the Ekco at $3.99]

For myself personally, I can't imagine that need ever arising. I guess it depends on how many cakes you make?

Hope this helped.

Lilia

[Lynn B]

You all make VERY valid points! Thank you so much for your responses!

I do believe that "you get what you pay for"... mostly, anyway! Some things are just shamelessly overpriced and over-rated! But... in the All-Clad bakewear department, I am still in a quandary!!! I really like the idea of buying something (of quality)for the LAST time! But are those $$prices$$ justified?!!

I don't know what I'll end up doing. I may not even get there tomorrow (to the sale) ... in which case - no decision required after all (at THIS time, anyway!!!!) But then again, I might (get there)...

What to do? Oh what to do?!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Thanks again, everyone!

Lynn

[Tiger]

Lynn
Make sure you tell us what you get. How could you be that close and not go??? Even just to look and touch!!!!!

[Lynn B]

Tiger,
LOL!!! I am not really THAT close (100 miles away!) And only one of my friends uses All-Clad, and she can't go with me. DH can't go... DD can't go... even DM can't go! So IF I go - I go alone!!! Therefore the indecision!
But if I DO go -- I will post a FULL REPORT!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Lynn

PS You're right about just "looking and touching", though... I am dying to hold that COPPER CORE! Ohmyword... <swoon>! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif