For premium stainless steel cookware, the All-Clad is a favorite and a go-to for many cooks. This cookware is made in the US and is more well-built with higher safety standards than its Chinese counterparts.
Aside from their popular and reliable stainless steel pots and pans, this brand offers a line of non-stick cookware called the All-Clad HA1.
In this post, we’ll be reviewing the All-Clad HA1 and the top three pieces highly sought after for their top-of-the-line cooking performance and durability.
Quick Review of All-Clad HA1
The All-Clad Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware is compatible with an induction hob and is available in different sets and separate pieces. However, the most affordable set is the 8 or 10 piece, including an 8-inch fry pan, an 8-quart stockpot with lid, 4-quart saute pan with lid, a 10-inch fry pan, 3-quart saucepan with lid, and a 2-quart saucepan with lid.
This cookware differs from your regular non-stick versions. The All-Clad HA1 has gone through a hardening process to make each piece more durable and tougher. This model features a stainless steel bonded base that makes the pots and pans usable on the induction cooktop without warping over time.
Furthermore, this unit has been optimized for a wide range of stovetops, including ceramic, gas, and induction. Each piece features a non-stick coating for an excellent food release and a hassle-free cleaning experience.
In addition, the coating is scratch-resistant and PFOA-free. While this cookware is touted to be dishwasher safe, it’s best to handwash with a mild detergent for a long-lasting non-stick surface.
More so, this hard-anodized cookware comes with polished stainless steel handles featuring an ergonomic design for a comfortable grip. Plus, they are securely riveted with stainless steel for secure handling. Additionally, it comes with glass lids to help trap your food’s natural moisture and flavor for sumptuous meals. Lastly, it’s oven safe up to 500 degrees F without the glass lids.
Materials and Construction
The All-Clad Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware is a durable set promising outstanding durability and excellent conductivity. This aluminum alloy guarantees warp-free cookware even under extreme heat.
That’s not all: each piece has a steel-bonded base for high compatibility with a wide range of heat sources, including induction hobs. The manufacturer also added steel to ensure the cookware could handle high temperatures without warping.
Unlike the standard aluminum, this model has excellent heat transfer and even distribution to prevent hot spots. The stainless steel handles are securely riveted to the pans and pots for more durability and convenience. Also, the glass lid comes with riveted stainless handles for easy use.
Likewise, this product line does not use the Teflon coating to keep food from sticking to the cookware. Instead, the manufacturer opted for a PFOA-free non-stick surface for top-tier food release performance and safe cooking without toxic fumes emitted.
Design
The very first thing you notice is the cookware’s brushed metal on the exterior that looks elegant and appealing. The dark metal ensures scratches and little nicks on the pots and pans are not visible. Now, the non-stick interior makes cooking and maintenance a breeze.
Furthermore, the HA1 design is curved to allow you to get food out of the pan without any hassle. The lids are made of glass and feature a soft edge for tight-fitting. Also, users can easily monitor their food – thanks to the see-through glass lid.
Cooking Performance
While there’s no cookware with a 100% non-stick cooking surface, the All-Clad Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware impresses us. It’s paramount that you hand wash this cookware to prolong the coating.
Another area that this cookware performs incredibly well is heat transfer. This unit heats up real quick and delivers even heat distribution to prevent scorching in some areas on the cooking surface.
Similarly, the hard-anodized aluminum will undoubtedly outlast your cheap standard aluminum cookware. Besides, you won’t have to deal with scorching or wrapping. Plus, it doesn’t react with food, making it a go-to for people looking to make healthy meals.
On the downside, controlling this cookware’s temperature is not an easy task in some instances. Not just that, the handles are not the most comfortable we’ve experienced so far. The stainless handles are cool to the touch. However, they are thin, which makes gripping them a bit awkward.
Pros & Cons of All-Clad Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware
What I like
Sturdy build quality: the All-Clad HA1 is very solid and well-built cookware that outclass most competitors. It has a perfect balance that makes this model look and feels solid while holding it.
Food release: cooking with non-stick cookware offers a delightful cooking experience, and this is what All-Clad HA1 promises. It delivers a convenient non-stick experience with a hassle-free cleanup.
Even heating: this model offers uniform heat distribution, and you won’t have to deal with overheating or burnt food from time to time.
What I don’t like
Poor handle design: although the handles are touted to feature an ergonomic design, it doesn’t just feel right in your hands. Also, it’s a bit challenging to flip or handle the pots and pans securely, especially when they are filled with food.
Not made in the US: All-Clad lines of products have been a decent choice because they are an American brand manufacturing cookware in the US. Sadly, the HA1 series are actually manufactured in China. The brand’s MC2 Stainless steel cookware is the way to go if you want to stay away from made in china products.
Pricey: this non-stick cookware comes at a relatively high price considering it’s made in China. There are other options with similar build quality retailing for much less.
Top 3 All-Clad HA1 Reviews by Consumer Reports
All-Clad E785SC64 Ha1 Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set
If you need an affordable cookware set, then the All-Clad E785SC64 Ha1 Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set is the way to go. Each piece features three layers of PFOA-free non-stick to assure customers of excellent food release.
That’s not all: they are compatible with all cooktops and oven safe up to 500 degrees F. This set includes an 8-quart stockpot with lid, 2.5 quart, and 3.5-quart saucepans with lids, 8 inch, and 10-inch fry pans, and 4 quarts saute pan with lid.
Each piece is oven safe up to 500 degrees F and features a warp-free stainless steel base to guarantee this kitchenware is compatible with your cooktop. Also, it comes with tight-fitting, see-through lids to help seal your food’s natural flavour and moisture.
Pros:
- Incredible food release performance
- Warp-resistant stainless steel base
- Quick heat transfer
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- The lids tend to rust with time
- Best to hand wash
All-Clad E7859064 HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Cookware Set
For people looking to purchase classic kitchen staple cookware, you can’t go wrong with the All-Clad E7859064 HA1 Nonstick Fry Pan Cookware Set. This pair features heavy-gauge aluminum construction and tri-layer non-stick coating layers for high-performing food release.
This cookware set allows users to fry just about anything from small diced potatoes to large catfish filets. The anti-warp induction base is suitable for use with any cooktop and assures impressive durability.
The All-Clad E7859064 HA1 Nonstick Fry Pan Cookware Set includes a 10-inch and 12-inch fry pan. The latter comes with a loop handle to allow you to cook a large batch of food for a hungry crowd effortlessly. These fry pans are guaranteed to deliver professional and long-lasting performance.
Pros:
- Exceptionally durable
- Incredible cooking performance
- PFOA-free nonstick coating
- Anti-warp base
Cons:
- The handles could be better
All-Clad E7852464 HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Sauce Pan Cookware
This model is an excellent choice for anyone looking to cook rice or simmer sauces. This saucepan offers a 3Qt cooking capacity, which should be enough to feed a hungry family. Like other models on this list, it provides excellent cooking performance and easy food release – thanks to its non-stick coating.
Like the previous models, this cookware is oven safe up to 500 degrees F. It has a clear, see-through lid to lock moisture, heat and food’s natural flavour.
Pros:
- Uniform heat distribution
- Durable construction
- Safe nonstick layer
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- It’s quite heavy
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that the All-Clad HA1 will make a great set of cookware in any kitchen. They feature a heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum construction with PFOA-free non-stick coating for professional performance. Unfortunately, the HA1 series are not made in the US.
Leave a Reply