If you are looking for excellent cookware, you must consider several key factors. You don’t want to spend more money than you have to, but you also want your pots and pans to last a long time. You also need cookware that will distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface.
Enter Mauviel, a popular French cookware manufacturer known for producing exceptional copper pots and pans that conduct heat exceptionally well.
Then there’s All-Clad—they produce a variety of stainless steel pots and pans, and the price point is generally a bit lower.
Although both are solid options, there are some key differences between Mauviel and All-Clad you should know about. Mauviel produces copper cookware, which provides great cooking control and heats and cools quickly. On the other hand, copper is a bit more expensive and requires regular polishing. In contrast, All-Clad uses low-maintenance stainless steel, which is less expensive but might not heat and cool as effectively.
Top Picks for Mauviel and All-Clad Cookware Sets
Let’s take a closer look at the defining features of All-Clad and Mauviel. We’ll help you pick the best option for your needs.
| Mauviel | All-Clad | |
|---|---|---|
| Made in | France | United States |
| Main material used | Copper | Stainless steel |
| Heat conduction | Exceptional | Decent |
| Cleaning | Hand wash and polish regularly; not for use in dishwasher | Dishwasher not recommended; does not require polishing |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Price | High | Moderate |
Mauviel: What You Need To Know
When it comes to copper cookware, Mauviel is generally at the top of the list. This French cookware company was founded in 1830 and has been one of the most popular cookware lines for close to two centuries. It is used by some of the most famous chefs in the world, and they have refined their copper designs beautifully over the years.
In addition to copper cookware, Mauviel has a number of other lines that use aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel. A defining feature of Mauviel is that all of its cookware is entirely handmade using techniques that have been passed down over centuries. So a lot of people view Mauviel cookware as not only functional and exceptional but also as impressive works of art.
If you don’t quite have the budget for copper cookware, Mauviel’s stainless steel set is more affordable and still gives you that aesthetic beauty:
Key Features of Mauviel Cookware
- Copper is a popular cooking surface because it has extremely high heat conductivity. This means that it will heat in a matter of seconds.
- The copper pots and pans have strong handles to increase their durability. Stainless steel, bronze, and iron handles are available.
- Different materials are used to make the handles because copper would otherwise conduct heat into your hands, causing a serious burn.
- Non-stick coatings are applied to Mauviel pots and pans, but they can wear down over time if you use chemical detergents or put them in the dishwasher.
- Mauviel generally recommends using only plastic or wood utensils with the pots and pans, as metal utensils can strip the non-stick coating.
- Most pots and pans from Mauviel are made using tri-ply construction, meaning they consist of multiple layers of copper with a layer of stainless steel in between. This is done to increase durability.
The Mauviel M’Heritage frying pan has a bronze handle for a comfortable grip and good balance:
All cookware from Mauviel comes with a limited lifetime warranty that protects you against a manufacturing defect.
All-Clad: What You Need To Know
All-Clad cookware is known for its exceptional stainless steel. The steel and aluminum used to make the cookware is produced in Pittsburgh, and the cookware is generally divided into different collections. A few of the most popular options include D3, D5, and Copper Core. These pots and pans have a stainless steel exterior and a durable cooking surface.
Although stainless steel is the defining feature of All-Clad, they also have a copper collection that blends steel and copper for improved durability and heat conduction. They also make pots and pans that have non-stick surfaces.
Key Features of All-Clad Cookware
- The classic stainless steel used by All-Clad is resistant to corrosion, increasing its long-term durability.
- The D5 set uses brushed stainless steel, which is relatively easy to maintain. It doesn’t smear or smudge as easily.
- The D3 set uses mirror-shine stainless steel. It includes tri-ply construction with a layer of aluminum in between each layer of stainless steel.
- The popular Copper Core set offers improved heat conduction. The set is a bit lighter than the others.
- All-Clad incorporates aluminum into its cookware to improve heat conduction.
- All of the handles are ergonomically designed using stainless steel.
- The stainless steel prevents heat from traveling from the cooking surface to your hands, allowing you to stay comfortable.
- The starburst non-stick finish is incredibly durable and should not wear down over time.
- All-Clad cookware is known for its flared edges, which are specifically designed to prevent foods and liquids from spilling onto the surface.
Similar to Mauviel, All-Clad products come with a lifetime warranty against possible manufacturer defects, serving as a sign of confidence in the quality of its cookware.
If you want the improved heat conduction of copper but are looking for something more budget-friendly than Mauviel, the Copper Core set by All-Clad might be your best bet:
Top Reasons To Go With Mauviel
1. Copper Is a Great Heat Conductor
One of the major advantages of using copper cookware from Mauviel is that copper is an exceptional conductor of heat. Your pots and pans will heat up very quickly, allowing you to save time in the kitchen.
Furthermore, the surface will heat evenly, so you don’t have to worry about your food cooking unevenly. You don’t have to turn the heat up very high to get the surface screaming hot, meaning that the copper surface is perfect if you want to sear your food quickly. If you want to shorten the turnaround time on your orders, you should consider using a copper cooking surface.
2. The Pots and Pans Cool Down Quickly
Copper is a great conductor of heat, but it also cools down very quickly. As soon as you turn off the heat, your pots and pans will drop in temperature incredibly fast. This gives you a tremendous amount of control over the temperature, but it also means you need to pay attention a bit more.
If you are trying to cook an entire dinner with one pot or pan, and you need to change the temperature quickly to simmer the sauce, copper is a great choice. As long as you take care of the cookware, you’ll have unparalleled control over the temperature of your pots and pans.
3. The Aesthetic Design Is Unmatched
Mauviel’s copper cookware isn’t just functional—it’s beautiful. You don’t have to worry about putting these pots and pans away when you are done with them, as you may want to hang them up for display in your kitchen. All pots and pans are made by hand, giving Mauviel a timeless appeal that you can’t find anywhere else.
Keep in mind that you need to take good care of the pots and pans if you want them to maintain their shine. Some Mauviel sets come with Copperbrill cleaner to make this easier:
Top Reasons To Go With All-Clad
1. Durability
Stainless steel is incredibly durable and, compared to most other options, lasts significantly longer.
All-Clad products are made with stainless steel, but they usually have a copper or aluminum core. This is because stainless steel doesn’t conduct heat very well. Aluminum or copper allows the cookware to get hotter faster, saving you time in the kitchen.
Moreover, stainless steel cookware doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. It is relatively easy to clean. Just a bit of soap and water should be enough to clean your pots and pans once you are done using them.
2. Non-Reactive
Another major reason to go with All-Clad is that stainless steel is non-reactive. This means that you can cook acidic food, such as tomatoes, without having to worry about the surface of the pot or pan breaking down.
If you use pots and pans that have been made with reactive metals, tiny fragments of metal could break off from the cookware and get into your food. Reactive metals also break down relatively quickly, meaning that you may have to replace the pot or pan sooner than you’d like.
3. Versatility
All-Clad pots and pans are also incredibly versatile. You can take a pan directly from the stove, transfer it to the oven, and keep the recipe moving.
For example, if you are cooking filet mignon, you may want to sear it on the stove before putting it in the oven. With All-Clad, you won’t have to transfer the hot steak from the pan to a separate dish. All-Clad pots and pans should be able to withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees F.
Ultimately, you’ll save time as you cook and there’ll be less clean-up.
4. Price Difference
Finally, you might save money by going with All-Clad. They’re not the least expensive option by any means, but their pots and pans are generally less expensive than Mauviel’s.
Main Differences Between Mauviel and All-Clad
1. Materials Used
Though we already addressed the differences in materials, it’s worth mentioning them once again. Mauviel uses copper material, while All-Clad uses stainless steel.
2. Shape of the Frying Pan
The shape of the frying pan dictates the rate of liquid evaporation, the surface area of the cooking surface, and the ease with which you can cook.
Mauviel frying pans tend to be about 7.25 inches wide, but the frying pan does not come with a lip you can use to decant liquids easily. In contrast, All-Clad has a rounded lip that makes it easier to pour liquids from the pan, but the cooking area is slightly smaller, measuring about 7 inches wide on average.
3. Weight of the Cookware
In general, the total weight of the cookware depends on the type of metal and number of layers. Copper is lighter than other options, but Mauviel frying pans tend to have more layers of metal. Therefore, Mauviel frying pans tend to be a bit heavier and thicker.
4. Cleaning Process
If you want to get the most out of your frying pans, you must clean them properly. The vast majority of premium cooking sets are not dishwasher-safe, as the dishwasher can cause the metal to slough off or change shape.
Mauviel is made of copper, so it can’t go in the dishwasher, or the copper polish will become dull. You’ll have to wash the cookware by hand. Furthermore, if you want Mauviel cookware to retain its finish, you need to polish it regularly. For these reasons, Mauviel requires a bit more maintenance than All-Clad.
Although All-Clad cookware is stainless steel and stands up to the dishwasher better than Mauviel does, it is still recommended that you wash it by hand. There’s a chance that the stainless steel could get scratched in the dishwasher, impairing its quality. If you want a set that is easier to take care of, go with All-Clad instead of Mauviel.
All-Clad or Mauviel Cookware: Which Should You Choose?
In the end, one is not necessarily better than the other. All-Clad is made from stainless steel. It is generally more durable, so if you are a bit rougher with your pots and pans, consider going with All-Clad. It can take more of a beating. Furthermore, the price point of All-Clad is generally a bit lower.
On the other hand, if you want a cooking surface that heats up and cools down quickly, providing you with more control over the temperature, you may want to choose Mauviel. The price point is a bit higher, and copper is not as durable as stainless steel, but the timeless appearance of Mauviel and the lifetime warranty should give you the peace of mind you are looking for.
Consider these factors carefully, and choose the line of cookware that is best for your needs.
Top image: © Didriks | Creative Commons