Customer Reviews

All-Clad Copper Core 2-Quart Saucepan

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Over the years I have used a variety of cookware--aluminum bottomed stainless Revere Ware, Magnalite Professional, Calphalon, Calphalon Professional NonStick. When I finally had to throw out the last of my tattered collection, I started to look for some stainless cookware that would stand the test of time and offer performance to boot. I decided to splurge on this All-Clad Copper Core.

One of the pieces I recieved was this 4-Quart saucepan. I love to use this to cook pasta for two, and it's the perfet size for making stock with one chicken carcass or a risotto for several. Love this pot!

Delighted to report that I am THRILLED with this expensive splurge! All-Clad is NOT about expensive hype and status, those these pans are beautifully made, instead they do everything cookware should, and have literally changed the way I cook. Having attended CIA and worked as a professional chef for a few years, I know the golden rule for food not sticking: preheat pan, add oil, let oil heat for 5-10 seconds, then add food. Using these guidelines with the Copper Core, nothing sticks! And I mean for some things, like omelets or fried eggs in the 10" frypan, the performance is as good as my brand new Calphalon NonStick was; when you can just slide omelets and fried eggs out of the pan without ANY sticking at all, why would you ever need Nonstick or Teflon based products?!

However, these pans are also superbly capable of developing a fond on the pan bottom for deglazing and subsequent sauces; in fact I have had them give every last bit of the fond up when deglazed, almost cleaning the pan for me! That's the best thing about them--they do everything right. I am not sure if it's All-Clad propriety stainless "recipe" or what, but these pans are so amazing to be able to function on all levels from eggs sliding out with ZILCH sticking to chicken breasts sticking just enough to develop rich fond for complete deglazing, to the light and glazy fond from sauteed onions and garlic for developing a richer risotto when deglazed with wine.

Mind you, this is partly about knowing some basic cooking principles, and these pans might not act so obligingly in non experienced hands, because when I read about people commenting on how everything sticks in their All-Clad stainless interior, I know it isn't All-Clad's fault, believe me!

I have found the copper core very responsive and quick to adjust to temperature. Perhaps not as great as true copper pot and pans, but noticeably better than aluminum cores (Stainless line) or anodized aluminum (Magnalite Pro/Calphalon). These pans heat up and boil water faster than anything I have ever used, aside from true copper cookware, and when turning the heat down, or removing from burner, they also cool incredibly quickly. It's nice to have semi-copper performance with the ease of stainless steel clean-up. And this cookware does clean-up quickly and easily, particularly when using Barkeepers Friend. I use plastic and wooden utensils (no metal) and they still look almost brand new after several months.

The copper band however does tarnish and discolor just as much and just as fast as a true copper pot or pan, so if you are fanatic, you will need to polish the tarnish away fairly often (at least every other week). However this is barely noticeable for us real world users, and Barkeepers friend does a good job of semi-polishing the copper (but it won't gleam).

I know, I know, they are SO expensive. But honestly, if you know how to cook or want to learn with responsive cookware, I honestly feel this is a great investment. I am wholeheartedly thrilled that I made it and cannot recommend highly enough.

My first All Clad pieces included a All-Clad LTD 12-Inch Fry Pan and a 1 ½ quart sauce pan both in the LTD. The Copper Core line was not yet available. If I had to do it over again, I would have gone with the 1 ½ quart sauce pan in Copper Core (well, I actually purchased one when it became available. Why? For three reasons.

The Copper Core sauce pan heats up faster (only slightly faster on an electric range but considerably faster on a gas range) than my original LTD or Stainless versions. So while cooking faster is easy in this pan, turn down your fire especially if you cook with gas like I do. Otherwise you'll boil this pan dry (so far so good that I have not yet done it with this pan).

But what I really like is the rolled lip. Pouring without dribbling hot liquids down the side of the pan is very nice and neat. It's too bad All Clad does not have rolled lips on their entire saucepan line.

I can cook anything in it. That includes acidic tomato based spaghetti sauces.

I have many All Clad pieces. If I had to do it over again, I would only buy from the Copper Core line with the possible exception of some of the larger sauté pans (4 quart and larger) and stock pots (larger than 8 quarts). Those Copper Core pieces are much heavier than the comparable Stainless versions. All the All Clad sauté pans and stock pots (except the 7 quart stock pot) have rolled lips because of the pasta pentola insert.

My suggestion: if price is an issue but you want a quality piece, go for the All-Clad Stainless 1-1/2-Quart Saucepan or the dishwasher safe All Clad LTD2 1.5-Quart Sauce Pan version if you can live with dribbling when pouring (the LTD2 uses the same handles as the Copper Core). If you can afford it, go for the Copper Core version.

PROS:

Flared lip helps prevent dribbling hot liquids down the sides of the saucepan.

The handle design helps keep your hands comfortably cool to the touch and the wider and longer handle makes it more comfortable to hold.

It's a quality product that is made in the USA.

CONS:

You pay for the expensive copper.

Its heavier although should not be too heavy for every day use.

You really have to stay close to the kitchen as the Copper Core pan will boil dry faster than a regular pan.

Over the years I have used a variety of cookware--aluminum bottomed stainless Revere Ware, Magnalite Professional, Calphalon, Calphalon Professional NonStick. When I finally had to throw out the last of my tattered collection, I started to look for some stainless cookware that would stand the test of time and offer performance to boot. I decided to splurge on this All-Clad Copper Core.

One of the pieces I recieved was this 2-Quart saucepan. What a workhorse this one is! Rice to soup to gravy, it gets used!

Delighted to report that I am THRILLED with this expensive splurge! All-Clad is NOT about expensive hype and status, those these pans are beautifully made, instead they do everything cookware should, and have literally changed the way I cook. Having attended CIA and worked as a professional chef for a few years, I know the golden rule for food not sticking: preheat pan, add oil, let oil heat for 5-10 seconds, then add food. Using these guidelines with the Copper Core, nothing sticks! And I mean for some things, like omelets or fried eggs in the 10" frypan, the performance is as good as my brand new Calphalon NonStick was; when you can just slide omelets and fried eggs out of the pan without ANY sticking at all, why would you ever need Nonstick or Teflon based products?!

However, these pans are also superbly capable of developing a fond on the pan bottom for deglazing and subsequent sauces; in fact I have had them give every last bit of the fond up when deglazed, almost cleaning the pan for me! That's the best thing about them--they do everything right. I am not sure if it's All-Clad propriety stainless "recipe" or what, but these pans are so amazing to be able to function on all levels from eggs sliding out with ZILCH sticking to chicken breasts sticking just enough to develop rich fond for complete deglazing, to the light and glazy fond from sauteed onions and garlic for developing a richer risotto when deglazed with wine.

Mind you, this is partly about knowing some basic cooking principles, and these pans might not act so obligingly in non experienced hands, because when I read about people commenting on how everything sticks in their All-Clad stainless interior, I know it isn't All-Clad's fault, believe me!

I have found the copper core very responsive and quick to adjust to temperature. Perhaps not as great as true copper pot and pans, but noticeably better than aluminum cores (Stainless line) or anodized aluminum (Magnalite Pro/Calphalon). These pans heat up and boil water faster than anything I have ever used, aside from true copper cookware, and when turning the heat down, or removing from burner, they also cool incredibly quickly. It's nice to have semi-copper performance with the ease of stainless steel clean-up. And this cookware does clean-up quickly and easily, particularly when using Barkeepers Friend. I use plastic and wooden utensils (no metal) and they still look almost brand new after several months.

The copper band however does tarnish and discolor just as much and just as fast as a true copper pot or pan, so if you are fanatic, you will need to polish the tarnish away fairly often (at least every other week). However this is barely noticeable for us real world users, and Barkeepers friend does a good job of semi-polishing the copper (but it won't gleam).

I know, I know, they are SO expensive. But honestly, if you know how to cook or want to learn with responsive cookware, I honestly feel this is a great investment. I am wholeheartedly thrilled that I made it and cannot recommend highly enough.

I at first thought Coppercore was just a gimmick, with the gratuitous rim of exposed copper around the base, but I was wrong--this line is great: much heavier than their other lines, and, for what it's worth, attractive too. I have, at great expense, gotten two more of their pots.

Not too big, not too small, it's just right for eveything from heating up
soup to whipping up a ganache for dessert. Loop handle is a nice touch.
If you're like me and use only a few "good" pots and pans to perform a
broad range of duties, then this saucepan should be on your short list.
The fact All Clad warranties it for life is icing (ganache) on the cake.

Over the years I have used a variety of cookware--aluminum bottomed stainless Revere Ware, Magnalite Professional, Calphalon, Calphalon Professional NonStick. When I finally had to throw out the last of my tattered collection, I started to look for some stainless cookware that would stand the test of time and offer performance to boot. I decided to splurge on this All-Clad Copper Core.

One of the pieces I recieved was this 1 1/2 Quart saucepan. What a workhorse this one is! Rice to soup to lentils to barely to country gravy, it gets used! The most used of all my Copper Core is this little pot!

Delighted to report that I am THRILLED with this expensive splurge! All-Clad is NOT about expensive hype and status, those these pans are beautifully made, instead they do everything cookware should, and have literally changed the way I cook. Having attended CIA and worked as a professional chef for a few years, I know the golden rule for food not sticking: preheat pan, add oil, let oil heat for 5-10 seconds, then add food. Using these guidelines with the Copper Core, nothing sticks! And I mean for some things, like omelets or fried eggs in the 10" frypan, the performance is as good as my brand new Calphalon NonStick was; when you can just slide omelets and fried eggs out of the pan without ANY sticking at all, why would you ever need Nonstick or Teflon based products?!

However, these pans are also superbly capable of developing a fond on the pan bottom for deglazing and subsequent sauces; in fact I have had them give every last bit of the fond up when deglazed, almost cleaning the pan for me! That's the best thing about them--they do everything right. I am not sure if it's All-Clad propriety stainless "recipe" or what, but these pans are so amazing to be able to function on all levels from eggs sliding out with ZILCH sticking to chicken [...] sticking just enough to develop rich fond for complete deglazing, to the light and glazy fond from sauteed onions and garlic for developing a richer risotto when deglazed with wine.

Mind you, this is partly about knowing some basic cooking principles, and these pans might not act so obligingly in non experienced hands, because when I read about people commenting on how everything sticks in their All-Clad stainless interior, I know it isn't All-Clad's fault, believe me!

I have found the copper core very responsive and quick to adjust to temperature. Perhaps not as great as true copper pot and pans, but noticeably better than aluminum cores (Stainless line) or anodized aluminum (Magnalite Pro/Calphalon). These pans heat up and boil water faster than anything I have ever used, aside from true copper cookware, and when turning the heat down, or removing from burner, they also cool incredibly quickly. It's nice to have semi-copper performance with the ease of stainless steel clean-up. And this cookware does clean-up quickly and easily, particularly when using Barkeepers Friend. I use plastic and wooden utensils (no metal) and they still look almost brand new after several months.

The copper band however does tarnish and discolor just as much and just as fast as a true copper pot or pan, so if you are fanatic, you will need to polish the tarnish away fairly often (at least every other week). However this is barely noticeable for us real world users, and Barkeepers friend does a good job of semi-polishing the copper (but it won't gleam).

I know, I know, they are SO expensive. But honestly, if you know how to cook or want to learn with responsive cookware, I honestly feel this is a great investment. I am wholeheartedly thrilled that I made it and cannot recommend highly enough.

I have few copper core pots, 3, 6, and 12" skillet. But this pot is my favorite. The enjoyment and delicious food I get from these pots, is worth every penny I spent on them.

It's heavy, it's solid, it heats up quickly & evenly, it's fun! We cook a lot and got tired of bad cookware. We had one of those Caphalon anodized aluminum pots that got mysterious chips in the bottom (in spite of never putting metal utensils in it) - and then one day, while attempting to make shrimp stock, a gooey scum adhered to the bottom interior (and it won't let go). The price tag probably seems a bit steep for some, but I can tell we will get many years of use out of it. Sure, I've only had this one for 2-3 months, but it has worked beautifully. I only clean it with a soft sponge, water, soap, and maybe Bar Keeper's Friend or a similar acid. If you cook at proper temperatures with proper techniques, you won't get sticking. If you get a little sticking, soak it in warm water, or heat the water in the pot on the stove. Pouring liquids out of the pot works fine (guess that lip design helps).

Arrived much earlier than estimated. Excellent value and service. (My wife liked it - copper is "tradition" for 22nd anniversary so this was perfect and practical). Made in USA and the quality is evident.

This is a wonderful pan. Not only is it beautiful, it is very functional. It heats up quickly and maintains its heat for even cooking. I plan to buy more of the all-clad copper core in the future.