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Anolon vs All Clad Cookware
Anolon vs All Clad Cookware, is there any difference between these two brands. While All Clad is a tried and true American Brand. Anolon falls under the umbrella branch of Meyer Corp a Hong Kong based company. These two brands target different audience. All Clad focuses on High End Cookware while Anolon targets the average consumer. When you take a closer look at their cookware, you can actually see how much they differ. This article will take a closer look at these two brand and compare and contrast them.
Anolon Nouvelle vs All Clad Cookware Set Quick Summary
| Categories |   Anolon Nouvelle 10 Piece Set (Budget Orientated) |   All Clad Copper Core 10 Piece (Performance Orientated) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Great | Excellent |
| Colors | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Metal Utensil Safe | Yes | Yes |
| Brand Awareness | America | America |
| Weight | Mid Weight | Mid Weight |
| Stove Top | All Stove Top Including Induction | All Stove Top Including Induction |
| Warranty | Lifetime Warranty | Lifetime Warranty |
| Country of Manufacturer | China | America |
| Thoughts | A budget cookware with a disc bottom construction. While good, it has durability and heating issue. But its also a fraction of what All Clad Cost. | Some of the best cookware in the industry. It has great heat distribution but the handle are horrible. It is also very expensive, expect to pay around one thousand for a ten piece set. |
| Reviewed Cookware | Anolon Nouvelle Cookware Set | All Clad Copper Core Cookware Set |
Anolon vs All Clad Cookware Design
These two are the closest equivalent in terms of material used. Copper is one of the best conductor of heat and both incorporate it into their design. However, the build process is different between the two brand.
Disc Bottom vs Fully Cladded
Anolon Nouvelle is a disc bottom based cookware. Disc Bottom are generally cheaper to manufacturer. Manufacturer would attach an extra layer to the bottom of the pan so that it can be thicker. With a thicker bottom, more heat can be stored and the heat distribution will be better. The issue with this is the sidewalls. Since the sidewalls are considerably thinner than the base, there tends to be a temperature difference. What cooks often find is that food will scorch on the side, while the center is barely getting hot.
To get around this, All Clad invented a design where the thickness is the same from top to bottom. This design is called fully cladded. They bond different metal together to use the best individual properties of the metal. Then they would form a pan out of the sheet. The end result is universal thickness from the base to the lip. Since the patent from All Clad expired, almost all higher end cookware copy this design. However, it is also more expensive than Disc Bottom cookware.
Handle
The handle is very important in a cookware design. It dictates how well its balanced and how comfortable the pan is. A poorly designed handle can cause unnecessary fatigue.
Anolon Nouvelle
The handle on Anolon Nouvelle is generally very comfortable and ergonomic. The base has a Y shape so that it can prevent heat transfers. The stainless steel construction also aid in keeping it cool while on the stove top. With an all metal handle, the cookware can withstand oven temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Plastic and Rubber handle dont get hot but they usually have a oven temperature of 300 degree Fahrenheit.
Other than that, the handle has a gentle taper that contours to your hand. It is angled slightly to balance the weight of the pan. In general, this handle is very well designed and comfortable.
Unfortunately, the engineer did not take into the account of the weight for the small pan. The handle causes the small sauce pot to tip over if there is no food inside. A very poor insight from the company.
All Clad
All Clad is notorious as the worse handle in the cookware industry. The handle has a U shape with two sharp edges on either side. If you cook with it for a extended period of time, your hand will start to get sore. The reasoning for this handle is so that it can improve your grip. When you turn a pan, a round handle will tend to rotate. A pan with edges will latch on and keep it secure. Whether you think this feature is worth it is up to you.
Other than that, the handle is made of stainless steel and it manages to stay cool very well. I almost never have to use a glove while cooking with All Clad. However, if you do put it in the oven, wear a glove. It will still get hot and you do not want to burn yourself.
On All Clad C4 line, there is a updated rounder handle. It is rounder and more substantial. I recommend that if you really cannot stand the design of All Clad Copper Core Handle.
Shape
The shape of the cookware affects the evaporation of liquid, how easy it is to cook, and how efficient you can cook.
Anolon Nouvelle
While the design isnt bad, there are a lot that can be improved. First thing, there is no rolled lip in their cookware. This makes pouring liquid to be difficult. On the sauce pan, there is a odd flaring of the top. I do not see any function of that except to increase the capacity of liquid. Other manufacturer would just increase the base but I suppose this is a cost cutting measure.
Other than that, the pans is wide and lets you sear food in less batches. The sauce pan while odd, should let you make sauce without any issue.
All Clad
All Clad has pretty much perfected the design of their cookware. The frying pan is perfectly shaped with low flaring sides. This lets you turn food with ease and it promote evaporation of liquid. Pans with tall sidewall perform too much like a saute pan and encourages steaming. While good for braising, its not good for frying.
Their sauce pot is wide and lets you sear food in less batches. This cuts down on cooking time and lets you maneuver food with ease. The lips are also rolled so that you can easily pour liquid. You really cant beat All Clad in terms of this.
Anolon Nouvelle vs All Clad Copper Core Constructions
This was talked about initially but we will go a little deeper into the construction.
Anolon Nouvelle
As stated before Anolon Nouvelle uses a disc bottom design. Instead of a traditional aluminum disc, Anolon Nouvelle uses copper into the base. This aid in the transfer of heat to the pan. This also reduce the issue of the sidewall construction. The base uses a 5 layer construction. Stainless Steel, Aluminum, copper, Aluminum and Stainless Steel. I am not sure why they did not just use a straight copper design, but I assume cost is a factor. The stainless steel exterior also makes it induction capable.
All Clad
All Clad Copper Core construction consists of five layer. Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Aluminum and Stainless Steel. This construction uses the best properties of all the different metal. A lot of people do not like the high maintenance of copper. You have to polish it and it is not induction capable. To use a stainless steel construction this avoid all the pit fall. Also a stainless steel interior will prevent copper from reacting with acidic food. They tend to give it a metallic taste if its not lined. Aluminum also has the same issue.
Anolon vs All Clad Price and Durability
Price is the biggest issue here. What All Clad ask for their copper core set is way past what the average consumer will pay. For a set of ten, you can expect to pay well over One Thousand. While for the Anolon Nouvelle, it only cost around 250. Literally a fraction of the price. While the construction of All Clad is better, whether you think it is worth it is dependent on you.
One thing you should consider is the durability of the pans. There are known issues with Disc Bottom cookware. They can delaminate and fall off. While All Clad is known for their durability. When America Test Kitchen constructed their test, All Clad always pass the durability test. If you plan on keeping the cookware for the rest of your life, go with All Clad. But if you plan on replacing it in a few year, go with Anolon Nouvelle.
Anolon Nouvelle vs All Clad Copper Core Thoughts
These two cookware set is for different consumer. All Clad is for the high end enthusiast, while Anolon Nouvelle is for the general consumer. You can see the construction difference between the two. In general, All Clad will outperform Anolon Nouvelle. However, is the price worth it to you? For me it is because, I collect cookware. Other might benefit from Anolon Nouvelle if you are just a casual cook.
I hope you found this Anolon vs All Clad Cookware Review to be informative, If you would like to see more, please visit our Pots and Pans Review page.