Two exact examples
| Difference | Demeyere Industry 5 Saucier, 2 qt | All-Clad D3 Stainless Saucier with Lid, 2 qt |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Stainless clad | Stainless clad |
| Cooking surface | 18/10 stainless steel | stainless steel |
| Included shapes | Saucier | Saucier |
| Stated capacity | Saucier: 2 US qt | Saucier: 2 US qt |
| Supplied lids | 1 | 1 |
| Pan oven limit | 500 °F | 600 °F |
| Empty total weight | 3.85 lb | 3.03 lb |
| Dishwasher | Dishwasher safe | Hand wash only |
| Induction | Works on induction | Works on induction |
What you see inside the pan
A riveted handle is fixed with metal rivets through the pan wall, so their heads show inside, near the rim. Made In uses two on each Stainless Clad and nonstick pan and three on its carbon steel; All-Clad's D3 handles are double riveted. A welded handle is joined to the outside of the pan, and the inside stays smooth: Demeyere welds the handles on its Industry 5 pans.
Cleaning
This is where welded handles win, and both camps say so. Demeyere welds its handles so there are no rivets for grease to collect around, and Made In agrees that a welded handle's smooth surface is easier to clean. With rivets, wipe around each one after every use so food and grease don't build up there.
Strength
Made In argues that riveted handles last longer and hold up better to heavy use, and warns that poorly welded handles can have weak spots. Demeyere calls its welded handles ultra-secure. Neither gives a test figure, so take both as each maker's claim. Each backs its pans with a lifetime warranty, and All-Clad its D3 with a limited lifetime one, so a handle that works loose is a warranty question either way. Made In itself welds the raised handles on its carbon steel griddle.
Which one to buy
Choose welded if you want the inside of the pan smooth and quick to wipe clean. Choose riveted if you'd rather have the fixing All-Clad and Made In use, and don't mind wiping around the rivets. Either way, the handle doesn't change how the pan cooks; its metal, size and stove fit do.
How these comparisons are made
Questions about this choice
Do rivets make a pan harder to clean?
A little. Food and grease can collect around the rivet heads inside the pan, so wipe around them after each use. Made In says this is the most common complaint about riveted handles.
Which brands we list use welded handles?
Demeyere's Industry 5 pans, and Made In's carbon steel griddle. All-Clad's D3 and Made In's Stainless Clad, nonstick and carbon steel pans are riveted.