5 comments about All-Clad Stainless 5-1/2-Quart Dutch Oven.

1. I gave this as a gift, it is just the right size for cooking for 2. It was very appreciated!



2. My wife has been slowly replacing all our kitchen cookware over the last couple of years. She performs hours of research looking for cookware that last. We are replacing a set of Revere cookware that she bought in college over twenty years ago. We have a small All Clad sauce pan from the same line as the Dutch oven we purchased, and we love it. Cleans up very easy and looks great. The Revere cookware being replaced still looks fairly decent. She registered for the All Clad Dutch oven on Amazon. I purchased this along with a Le Crueset Stock Pot.
   
   We are very happy with Le Crueset stock pot, but the Dutch oven has not faired so well. We read the literature that came with the Dutch oven on proper use, and have adhered to all of the literatures do's and don'ts to no avail. The outside always stays spotty, even with hand drying. The inside HAS reacted with the food and is discolored. It can be cleaned with a lot of work.
   
   In the end I would not recommend this product. I will be pursuing returning this product.



3. Don't let the price tag scare you - this pot will become one of the main tools in your kitchen. And you'll be hooked and you'll go back for more.
   
   A few years ago I went to a famous kitchen store to purchase Le Creuset, but they were out of the size I wanted and the saleslady suggested this All Clad dutch oven. She said, "I'm waiting for my own Le Creuset to wear out so I can get one of these."
   
   I took her advice, and I use this pot ALL THE TIME. At least once a week I use it to roast a whole chicken in the oven. I use it for spaghetti, casseroles, soup, jambalaya - anything. It works equally well in the oven or on the stove top. It's easy to clean - even oven-baked-on food comes off with a little soaking and a scrubber sponge.
   
   I don't have a lot of money but I considered this a lifetime investment that was worth every penny. I am so sick of the cheap and flimsy Chinese products that have saturated the market. It is SO refreshing to find cookware that is so well made, so versatile, and so good looking, too. I eventually purchased the 13" braiser which I also use all the time. It's a good complement to the dutch oven.
   
   If you're thinking of getting one of these, just do it!



4. Well it's not that old, but it is my go-to pot for soups, stews and braising large pieces. Stainless steel is the best because I can put it in the dishwasher. It heats well because of the All-Clad technology. High sides make it an excellent pot for frying. I've seen folks use cast iron Dutch ovens. I'm not willing to give up "dishwasher safe" for a pot that weighs a ton.



5. FYI: Cooks Illustrated used 8Qt Stockpot for the comparison, not this one (eventhough the comparison is for Dutch Oven)

5 comments about All-Clad Lasagna Pan.

1. I almost didn't order this pan for two reasons. The first was that a lot of reviewers said their pans warped very badly the first time they used them. The second reason is that it was made in China.
   
   The steel in this pan is solid and about as thick as the blade of an All-Clad spatula utensil. It is not a clad pan like their stove-top pots and pans.
   
   I imagine if you take the pan out of the fridge with your pre-prepared lasagna in it and immediately put it into a hot, pre-heated oven on a rack at its lowest height (an inch or two above the heating coil in the oven), that may well warp the pan. I prepared my lasagna earlier in the day and stored it in the fridge until just before dinner. I let the pan sit on my counter for about 10-15 minutes before putting it into the oven with the rack set one position above the middle. The pan didn't warp at all, nothing stuck to it, and it cleaned-up like a dream.
   
   This pan is quite a bit larger than I've used in the past for lasagna. I did have to double my recipe to fill it up!
   
   As far as warpage problems, my hunch is someone either got a defective pan--not a surprise considering where it was made (see next paragraph)--or put it too close to the heating element in the stove. From a functionality perspective, the pan I got deserves five stars.
   
   I give it three though because like one or two other reviewers I find it depressing and sad that All-Clad has reverted to having products with their good name on them made in China. Granted, that most certainly is reflected in the price, but I wish American manufacturers would realize there are a lot of folks like me out here who would be more than happy to pay a bit more for something that wasn't manufactured in a communist country where quality and consistency in maintaining quality aren't even close to US standards.



2. This is a nice-looking pan, but not deep enough for lasagna. Does anyone make a deep dish lasagna pan that's doesn't weigh a ton?



3. I found this pan on clearance at BB&B for 49.99 and jumped on it. What a great price. I was so excited to finally have a piece of All-Clad in my kitchen. And finally a real pan to roast in. Up until now I had been using my large Emerilware saute pan for roasts. I'd burn my hand on the handle while making reductions everytime because I'd forget it just came out of the oven. I used it tonight for the first time to roast chicken. The chicken came out beautifully cooked, perfectly browned. I pulled it out of the oven and put the pan on my flat-top stove and removed the chicken. I went on to make my reduction and guess what? The pan is wobbling. All-Clad, warped! What a huge disappointment. I'm not sure whether I should have All-Clad replace it or if I should just return it before the 30 days runs out. After reading other reviews, I'm thinking I should probably take it back. The good news is that I knew the pan was hot because, hey, it looks like a roasting pan, not a regular on the stove-top pan, so I didn't burn myself. I really expected better of All-Clad.



4. Nice, shiny, new, heavy, quality product.
   
   Two uses later...
   
   Warped and buckled tray bottom, shiny, heavy, poor-quality product.
   
   I am a keen cook and I don't expect to spend this much on an so-called "quality" item only for it to warp and buckle after two uses under normal conditions.
   
   1 star.



5. I was so excited to see this in my gold box and bought it immediately. After the first use it warped rather severely. I bet the warp will hold about one half cup of water. I used it to bake a chicken at 350 degrees. I'll be calling All-Clad to see what can be done. Otherwise it's a nice shiny pan.

2 comments about All-Clad Stainless 14-by-11-1/2-Inch Petite Roti Pan.

1. I own this as well as a variety of other items like the All Clad Stainless Steel Sauce Pan, 2-qt, Sauce Pan, 1-qt, Reduction Sauce Pan with Lid and Book, 1.5-qt,Bonus Sauce & Omelette Pan Set, 2-pc, Sauce Pan, 3-qt,Omelette Pan, 14-in. All preform superbly which is why they are used on the top shows on FoodNetwork and PBS.
   
   Excellent quality, easy clean, and I am proud to have them hanging on my pot rack and sitting on my shelves along with all my Le Creuset, KitchenAid and Emile Henry cookware.
   
   Am a serious cook who cooks daily and loves French and California style foods. Have owned some of the Calphalon brand items but in my opinion they dont work for the serious cook.



2. Buyer beware. This pan is not a triply as advertised but is constructed of solid stainless steel. For the huge retail price of this pan I expect a lot more than this pan has to offer.

3 comments about All-Clad Stainless Petite Roti Pan with Roasting Rack.

1. I can't really "review" this pan since I returned it unused, but I have the "same" All-Clad Petit Roti Pan from just a couple of years ago, and this one is now substantially different. My old one had a flat bottom, great for making gravy after you finished your roast. This new one has a ridge around the bottom, where the juices will drip off into these sides. Very difficult to make a gravy when that happens. This is just my opinion as a cook, I really can't comment otherwise on the product, but this change alone was enough for me to send the pan back.



2. I got this pan for Christmas and used it that day for the turkey breast roast. It is perfect for smaller families who don't plan to cook the 30 pound turkey or a huge standing rib roast. I can't imagine cooking anything that would require a bigger pan. It fits easily into the oven, cleans up in a breeze and matches all my other All Clad stainless pots and pans. Many years ago a chef told me that All Clad was the best and I have never been disappointed.



3. I also own its big brother and both pans work extremely well. Efficient, even heating. Upright handles make the pan easier to lift. Solid, heavy contruction. I like going from oven to stove top for making gravy. Easy to clean (dishwasher safe).
   
   Worth the price for All Clad quality and the perfect roasted bird.
   
   Update 1/7/07: This pan does not work on induction cooktops

5 comments about All-Clad Stainless Roti Combo with Rack and Turkey Forks.

1. Forget the negative reviews! This pan does a fantastic job of roasting. I will be doing a 7 lb. Choice Beef Rib-eye roast for Christmas dinner in it. It deglazes just like any other good SS pan.
   
   It is a tad heavy though, so don't expect an aluminum feel to it. Cleanup is just like any other SS pan... use Barkeeper's Friend and it all done and shiny.
   
   There may actually be better roasters out there, but that doesn't mean this is not an excellent roaster!
   
   And BTW, it costs $199, no matter where you look to buy it.



2. I bought one of these last year to use on Thanksgiving and have been wondering ever since how I had managed to live without one! It by far does the best job of making a turkey that I have ever seen. The turkey recipe I normally use involves brining the turkey and then roasting it, and in this pan it turns out amazing, I have everyone who tries it ask what my secret is, and my secret is this pan. I have also used it to make a delicious pineapple glazed ham and roasted two decently sized chickens at once in it as well. It is by far the best roasting pan I or any of my girlfriends have ever seen. Even my mom was wondering how I made her recipe better than her! If you are in the market for a roasting pan this one is hands down the only choice out there!



3. Do not be fooled! This roasting pan does NOT have an aluminum core; virtually every other stainless steel All-Clad piece does. The sales people at Williams-Sonoma said it DOES, but the box clearly says solid stainless steel. I cooked my turkey in it, realized my (their) mistake, and took it back. You can get a better stainless pan for under $40. Don't make the mistake of buying this pan just for the All-Clad brand name on the handle. It is a rip off. And this pan is horrible for doing anything beyond simple roasting (e.g., deglazing or reducing on the stove)!



4. This roasting pan is NOT a clad construction like the other All-Clad cookware. It is a pure stainless steel construction and does not conduct heat well at all. I'm going to be returning mine as I just purchased a Viking Roasting Pan to replace this one. The Viking is only a little bit more expensive but it is a fully CLAD ALUMINUM construction and conducts heat SUPERBLY -- plus it matches my All-Clad cookware!



5. I stepped up from the black, speckled roasting pans you get at the grocery store. I've had my All Clad pan for a year and purchased it before Cook's Illustrated latest review.
   
   I made my best turkey ever. I had to give up my family's traditional overnight roasting recipe, but I think this is better. Crisp skin and I can make gravy in the pan.
   
   I've used this pan once and my only problem was that I noticed my drippings were burning, so I added a scant amount of water to the pan. This year, I'll lower the oven temperature slightly.
   
   It's a good, heavy pan. When you pull this out of the oven, you feel like you've done something! Easier to clean than my supermarket version.
   
   With only one use, I haven't observed any of the warping mentioned in other reviews. I will update my review if warping occurs.

No comments about All-Clad LTD Dutch Oven.

5 comments about All-Clad Copper Core Dutch Oven.

1. Dutch Oven is to limiting a name for this product. Sure you can use it to slow cook food. You can also use it to make casseroles, soups, boil pasta and more. This pot is smaller than a stock pot yet larger than a sauce pan. This is why my family chose it to start adding pots to our All-Clad collection. With a family of four and entertaining the 5.5 quarts this pot offers is perfect.
   
   All-Clads pots, unlike their frying pans, do not seem to have a learning curve. You still learn to use lower heat, but as most the items we put in pots are covered in a sauce or water there does not seem to be the opportunity to sear as many things to this pot like there is when learning to use a frying pan.
   
   One of the other reviewers intelligently stated that if stranded on a desert island this and their 10" All-Clad frying pan would be what they wanted. I would only alter that statement by replacing the 10" pan with my 12" pan (larger meals).



2. Haven't fired up this bad boy yet so this review only concerns esthetics and workmanship. This thing beautiful, inside and out. Flawless brushed finish on the inside; flawless gloss finish on the outside. The handles on the sides and on the lid are solidly riveted in place with little or no clearance where food may collect. The shape is both pleasing and ergonomically perfect for what I need. The whole thing gives you a sense of rock solidness. The lid sits perfectly in the rim of the pot and is held in place by a lip. The copper bands on the bottom of the pot and the edge of the rim add a nice "trim" effect.
   
   A little overpriced? Maybe. But you have to take into account that this thing is made in America, not China where labor is...what?...3 cents an hour? And forgive my chauvanism but I like the fact that such workmanship is still done in this country.



3. Yes, buy this dutch oven. I own over a dozen All-Clad pieces and this is far and away my favorite. It's impossible to burn food in this oven. It cooks so evenly and makes heavenly stews, pot roasts, etc. I start my stews and roasts on the cooktop and finish in the oven at 325 degrees for 1-2 hours. Everything comes out perfectly. This All-Clad piece cleans up very easily. If there is any food particles that my plastic scrubber doesn't remove, an hour's soak with 1/2 inch of vinegar in the bottom of the oven makes it like new. If I had just one piece of cookware to take to a desert island, it would be the All-Clad Copper Core Dutch Oven. If I had two pieces to take, I'd add my All-Clad Copper-core 10 inch fry pan.



4. I recently retired and became very interested in cooking. My experience with "cheaply" manufactured pans resulted in uneven heat distribution & burnt foods for this novice cook. I made the investment in All Clad pots and pans & haven't back! The quality of product materials and craftsmanship is outstanding. The All Clad products are both functional on the range & beautiful hanging from my pot rack. You will not regret the extra expensive for a product that is worth every penny!



5. Some years ago I was a professional chef, and I approach cooking in an analytical way, (cooking is science, plating is art). I learned the real value of slow cooking of some foods, especially in classical cuisine and much of ethnic cooking. The trick is a specialized slow-cook oven (expensive restaurant equipment) or a well-made Dutch oven. Assuming you are not reading this from the kitchen of a three star, the obvious choice is the Dutch oven.

   My first really usable Dutch oven was a 50-year-old one, 18 pounds of solid aluminum! Eventually it pitted as to become unsafe. I've tried many of the current crop, and was very disappointed at the uneven heat distribution, with the propensity of food to caramelize and eventually burn at the transition point between the flat bottom and the sides (the metal thickness at this point is critical). In my testing, this pot is far and away the best designed, finished, and certainly the best cooking Dutch oven now being produced.

   I purchased this item, and am thoroughly satisfied. The price for this superior "slow cooker" is steep, but if you really know how, and when to use this pot, you will marvel at the results, and it really beats the price tag of the restaurant "slow oven!"

   Worth the price, and is in my opinion the best by far of all the offerings, spring for one, then really enjoy classical cuisine as it was once prepared!

   Eric Scott PhD

No comments about All-Clad LTD 14-by-11-1/2-Inch Petite Roti Pan.

No comments about All-Clad LTD 16-by-13-Inch Roti Pan.

No comments about All-Clad LTD 7-Quart French Oven.