Customer Reviews

KitchenAid Five-Ply Stainless-Steel Clad 2-1/2-Quart Saucier with Lid

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

(Nine years later, I can report that the pan lasted much longer than the marriage, and all the below still applies. Even though the pan has been grossly abused many times, it still looks as good as when I got it. Prompting this update, just tonight I forgot about sesame and poppy seeds toasting away while I was cutting other things. When the smoke alarm went off, I automatically grabbed the pan by the handle to douse it: flames were coming out of it, but the handle was still cool.)

I managed to score one of these for Christmas by using subtle hints (try leaving the product description page up on your spouse's computer, eh, by mistake.)

What to say: KitchenAid really got it right, first time. Fit, finish, curvature, weight, handle... this thing is a workhorse, a dead gorgeous one.

So gorgeous that on our first night together I propped it on my bedstand so the first thing I would see in the morning would be its perfectly curved bottom. (No, you are wrong, I DO actually have a life.)

Testimonial on construction: Recently, while sauteing some onions and garlic, I got called away. Ten high-heat minutes later, the onions and even the garlic were still perfectly useable, and the pan only needed rinsing.

So, how can I justify spending [that much] on one small pot? Well, it's hard to do. Lets see: thirty years of use at twice per week = 5 cents per delightful encounter, and then I'll let my kids fight over it.

I bought this saucier after a sugar sauce I was making in a cheaper pan turned to carbon. It does sauces wonderfully well, as I would expect from this Kitchenaid line. It heats evenly, is nicely balanced, and the rounded interior is perfect for a balloon wisk or wooden spoon.

If you're used to a copper saucier or a thinner pan, expect to throw a little extra heat on this one to keep it up to temperature. The pan also has more heat capacity than copper, so for a very delicate egg-based sauce I would still use a double boiler or a real french copper saucier, since taking the pan off heat doesn't immediately take it off boil.

For other stuff it's wonderful - the shape of the pan reduces stock beautifully, the heat capacity and distribution is comparable to my leCreuset soup pots (without the weight), and the Kitchenaid handles and lids are a joy to work with.

Oddly enough, I've also found that the shape is perfect for artichokes - two or three will nestle in the pan without falling over, and the deep-draw lid means you can put a scant inch of water in the pan and gently steam the chokes for a good 20 minutes without the pan going dry.

The blindingly polished convex lid also makes a good makeup or shaving mirror, for those last minute touch-ups before your dinner guests arrive. :-).

Prior to receiving this saucier pan for Christmas, I had only associated KitchenAid with appliances. I am highly impressed with the quality of this cookware. The saucier is solid and heavy--food heats evenly and the pan doesn't warp on your stove when using high heats. I use this pan as often as possible and am now considering replacing my current set of pots and pans with the entire KitchenAid set. Highly recommended.

I initially received the cookware set as a gift from my spouse, and have been slowly adding pieces over time (only at rock-bottom sale prices, found by scrounging online). This amazingly-priced saucier rounds out my cookware nicely. Not only are the KitchenAid cookware beautiful and sturdy, their handles are marvelous - great leverage and length. The thick, flat, curved handles stay balanced in your hand, and don't tilt at inconvenient moments like other thin-handled pans do. They have an Old World feel to them, both in heft and looks, except this is stainless steel. This saucier will be perfect for sauce making and reduction, and braising of smaller pieces of meat, or even making vegetable stock. Once you get used to the heft of the saucier and maneuver it well with one hand, you won't want to go back to the lighter weight pans. You will probably find yourself using this saucier for practically everything, everyday.

I received this saucier as a gift and it immediately became my favorite. It's a good weight and is comfortable in the hand - it heats quickly, and the gently tapered sides make it very easy to stir. The aluminum core makes for excellent heat distribution (no hot spots), and the stainless steel finish looks beautiful on my rack. As beautiful as this piece is, it's a hard working piece of cookware. And I think the price is a good value.

I have the KitchenAid stainless steel saucier in good part because I was struck by its looks. But I like it even more now that I've used it. It heats very evenly; the rounded bottom makes whisking & stirring easy; and the shallow wide shape is great for reducing, which I appreciate because I don't think sauces are done till you can stand a spoon in them! Also, the all-metal construction means you can make a sauce, mix in the vegetables, then put it straight into the oven without hauling out a separate casserole. The handle stays reasonably cool on the stovetop, and the well-curved lip, handle, & lid all seem noticeably better-designed than comparable All-Clad. (Note that their glossy hard-anodized finish does not have the same curved lip as the stainless on all pieces.) The mirrored finish is almost too beautiful: seeing the first scratch is dismaying, but the stainless finish is easy to clean & the performance is more than worth it. The real beauty is in the use. It was my first premium-priced piece of cookware and I am now spoiling for an excuse to buy another piece for myself or a friend. Worth every dime.

This is the most versatile pot I own. I'm always astounded at the price of good kitchen items nowadays, but in this case, I will grudgingly admit that it's worth it. The smooth, rounded sides make it good for any kind of sauce, the width allows for corn on the cobs and even those long hot dogs, and the heat distribution is good. The lid fits down into the pan, reducing the amount of water needed. As another reviewer wrote: Kitchen Aid got it right with this one.

The distribution of heat in this pan is super!Great for gravies and sauces. I have found it practical for stir fry and other similar cooking. Stir frying can reduce fats and is usually a pretty healthy way to eat a wide variety of veggies and other delightful ingredients. I even use it to pop brown rice or basmati rice. Ever tried hot puffed rice? Sometimes I eat it just like pop corn but often just for a different way of serving rice. This pan is deep enough with or without the lid to keep it from popping out of the pan (depending how much you start with). It is also useful to cook or finish foods in the oven up to 500 degrees. And it is KitchenAid. I expect it to outlast me!

Was trying to make the commitment to purchase the All Clad LTD saucier.
Kept reading the reviews to the Kitchen Aid and decided I did not want to spend twice the price on the All Clad. Thhis saucier does not disappoint in any way. Shaped well, easy to clean, beautiful and cooks like a dream! Love it!

I have been using this saucier for several years now and it is a great pan that does its job very well: even heat, rounded bottom, perfect for the whisk.

It is also a handsome pot. After using it for six months, I replaced all the other junk in my kitchen with stainless-steel 5-ply KitchenAid pots and pans.