Best Reviewed
Skillets
- Best stainless-steel skillet All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan *Est. $140
- Best stainless-steel skillet under $50 Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 12-Inch Open Skillet *Est. $50
- Best nonstick skillet set under $50 Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Omelette Pan Set *Est. $50
- Eco-friendly nonstick skillet EarthPan Pro 12-Inch Open French Skillet *Est. $45
- Best cast-iron skillet Lodge Logic 12-Inch Skillet *Est. $25
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Best stainless-steel skillet
- Excellent cooking performance
- Large cooking surface
- Tri-ply construction with aluminum core
- Stay-cool handles
- Durable
- Expensive
In expert and owner reviews, the All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan gets the nod as the best stainless-steel skillet, though for a 12-inch pan, it's awfully expensive. The skillet has an aluminum core, which extends up the sides of the pan, between two layers of slower-heating stainless steel. Experts say this feature results in even, controlled heating that's excellent for browning. This skillet is well-balanced, and the handle stays relatively cool. It also passes durability tests. If you don't mind a nonstick coating and want to spend less, reviewers recommend the Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Omelette Pan Set (*Est. $50), which also includes a 10-inch skillet.
Cook's Illustrated magazine includes All-Clad Stainless in its 2009 review of traditional skillets. The New York Times also includes this pan in an older review that compares several types of skillets. We also factor in plenty of owner reviews at Amazon.com and Cooking.com.
| All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Nonstick Fry Pan | |
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Our Sources
1. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Editors compare seven stainless-steel skillets, including the All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan. Skillets are put through a variety of cooking tasks to evaluate their performance; Durability is tested by slamming pans against covered concrete.
Review: Traditional Skillets, Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, Jan. 2009
Food writer Marian Burros compares eight skillets of different types, searching for one that can cook with very little oil and still clean up easily. She finds the All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan unsatisfactory because food sticks to the pan and cleaning is difficult.
Review: In Search of a Pan That Lets Cooks Forget about Teflon, Marian Burros, June 7, 2006
3. Amazon.com
The All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan receives a perfect rating from 90 percent of the 50 or so reviews at Amazon.com. Owners agree that food cooks evenly and browns well, and this skillet is very easy to clean. Most consider this pan worth its high cost. The few complaints are about fish, eggs and other foods sticking.
Review: All-Clad 5112 Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan, Contributors to Amazon.com, June 7, 2006
4. Cooking.com
More than 400 owners give the All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5. Owners agree it heats quickly and evenly, and most like the size and weight of the pan. However, some compare it unfavorably to older All-Clad cookware.
Review: Fry Pan with Lid (12-Inch), Stainless by All-Clad, Contributors to Cooking.com, Aug. 2003
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