| Difference | Made In 10-inch Stainless Clad Frying Pan | All-Clad D3 Everyday 3-quart Sauté Pan with Lid |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Stainless clad | Stainless clad |
| Cooking surface | stainless steel | stainless steel |
| Included shapes | Skillet | Saute |
| Nominal size | Skillet: 10 in | Saute: Not stated |
| Flat cooking diameter | Skillet: 7.5 in | Saute: Not stated |
| Interior depth | Skillet: Not stated | Saute: Not stated |
| Stated capacity | Skillet: Not stated | Saute: 3 US qt |
| Supplied lids | 0 | 1 |
| Pan oven limit | 800 °F | 600 °F |
| Lid oven limit | No supplied lid | Not stated |
| Empty total weight | 2.25 lb | Not stated |
| Dishwasher | Dishwasher safe; the maker recommends handwashing | Hand wash only (maker) |
| Induction | Works on induction | Works on induction |
What the plies are
Clad cookware bonds layers of metal through the base and up the walls. A 3-ply pan has an aluminium core between two layers of stainless steel. A 5-ply pan adds more layers, often alternating stainless and aluminium, and some lines use copper inside. In most induction-ready lines the outer steel layer is magnetic.
What changes on the stove
More layers usually mean a thicker wall. The pan takes a little longer to heat, drops less in temperature when cold food goes in, and weighs more. A 3-ply pan is lighter and responds faster when you turn the heat down. Either browns food well once it is properly preheated.
Scroll the table sideways on a narrow screen to read every column.
| Set | Layers | Stated weight |
|---|---|---|
| All-Clad D3 Stainless 10-piece set | 3 | 25.9 lb |
| ZWILLING Motion Stainless Steel 10-piece set | 3 | 22.16 lb |
| Tramontina Signature Tri-Ply Clad 8-piece set | 3 | Not stated |
| GreenPan Bobby Flay Copper Clad 8-piece set | 3 | Not stated |
| Merten & Storck Stainless Steel 8-piece set | 3 | Not stated |
| Demeyere Industry 5 10-piece set | 5 | 31.66 lb |
| Made In Stainless Clad 10-piece set | 5 | Not stated |
| Caraway Stainless Steel 12-piece set | 5 | Not stated |
Which one to choose
If you lift pans often, or like a pan that answers quickly when you turn the heat down, 3-ply is the easy choice. If you want a heavier pan that evens out a small or uneven burner, 5-ply is worth the weight. Disk-bottom stainless is a different build altogether: its aluminium sits only in the base, so the sides heat less.
How these comparisons are made
Questions about this choice
Is 5-ply better than 3-ply?
Not for everyone. Five-ply is usually heavier and steadier; 3-ply is lighter and quicker. Choose by the weight you want to lift and the burner you cook on.