Not all kitchen utensils It is created equal. Anyone who has bought a cheap basic set of pots and pans will know: after a few years (sometimes months), the non-stick coating comes off, the handles become loose, or the entire surface warps and becomes uneven. Buying cheap equipment just to replace it is a waste of time and money. It may be one of the most expensive cookware you can buy, but All-Clad comes highly recommended by WIRED reviewers and culinary experts. They are expensive, but these pots and pans are reliable and practically last forever. Like, forever forever.
So how to get these coveted kitchen utensils at digestible prices? A sure way to save money at All-Clad is by purchasing their Factory seconds sale, which appears every few months. We go into more detail and list our favorite discounts below. The current Factory Seconds sale is now live and ends May 28 at 11:59 pm ET.
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What are factory seconds?
He Factory seconds sale is run by Home and Cook Sales, an authorized reseller of All-Clad and several other cookware brands. Items listed (usually) have minor imperfections, such as scuffing on the pan, a misaligned name stamp, or just a dented box. Every product on the website lists details about the imperfection. You will need to enter an email address to access the sale.
While imperfections may vary, the merchant says all cookware will perform as intended. Should a problem arise, almost all All-Clad Factory Seconds products are backed by All-Clad’s limited lifetime warranty. (Electrical items have a slightly different warranty; see individual product pages for details.) We have used a dozen Factory Seconds pots and pans and they have all performed exactly as advertised. Just remember that all sales are final.
Best Deals on Fully Clad Factory Seconds
Below, we highlight notable discounts from the broader offering. “Before” prices are based on new items. Plus, check out our kitchen buying guides, including the 7 essentials for every kitchen, the best chef knives, the best blenders, and the best deep fryers.
The Essential is one of our favorite pans. It is, ahem, essential in the kitchen. We like that it works well for all types of tasks. Its high walls prevent grease from splashing onto the countertop and it can function as a flat-bottomed wok or even a Dutch oven substitute. It is also dishwasher safe.
If you tend to splash your sautéed vegetables out of the pan, a deeper pan is what you need. It has a large base for cooking, but high sides to keep ingredients in the pan and off the stove. Plus, the sides are flat, so you can use them as leverage if you flip something with a spatula.
Everyone needs a good large stainless steel skillet. It’s not nonstick, which takes some getting used to (make sure the fat or oil is hot before adding food), but once you learn how to cook with stainless steel, you’ll never want to use nonstick again. Good quality stainless steel provides even heat, with fewer hot spots, and makes cooking easier once you get the hang of it.
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All-Clad’s fusion of copper, aluminum, and bar-resistant 18/10 stainless steel makes it one of the best heat-conducting pans WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson has used (aside from cast iron). Use a smaller version for sauces, boiling potatoes, making bourbon bacon crust, and many other tasks. This is a kitchen workhorse. The included lid reduces evaporation (if desired).
This basket is great for grilling items like asparagus or fruit. The bottom is perforated to allow the smoky, charcoal-flavored flavor to flavor your food, without the danger of losing items across the grill as they cook.
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These little oval-shaped plates are great for dividing up side dishes or individual servings, but if you’re like me and don’t have a microwave, they’re also great for heating up leftovers on the stove or in the oven.
A stockpot is a niche item, but sometimes you just need a gigantic kitchen vessel. This is designed for that purpose. Includes a steamer basket and a strainer, so you can prepare several ingredients at the same time. Pro Tip: If you ever want to boil seafood at home, this pot is basically perfect.
If you are looking for a stock pot, this eight-quart pot will be ideal for you. It has a bar-resistant fusion of copper, aluminum, and 18/10 stainless steel that we love as part of the D5 collection, and you’ll want excellent heat conduction with the cooking volume it has.
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These measuring cups are super durable. Your grandchildren’s grandchildren could probably get some use out of them. I like that they are deep. When I pour a quarter cup of oil for a recipe, I don’t have to worry about keeping my hand steady as much as I do with wider, shallow measuring cups.
Since shipping is $10, these wouldn’t be a great deal on their own, but they could be a solid add-on if you place a larger order. It’s hard to say much about the potholders. Either they work or they don’t. These do and are easy to clean.
All-Clad makes great utensils. Kitchen utensils are a strange category: the bad ones usually work good, but in the end you will need to replace them sooner. All-Clad utensils stand the test of time. This set would make a nice Father’s Day gift or addition to your camping gear. Includes tongs, a fork, a spatula, and a basting brush, plus a nifty, durable carrying case to store them all. If you don’t mind the carrying case, you can get just the tools for $50.