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When you are first building up your kitchen it’s normal that you choose the basic set of everything. Over time, you will notice the need for a complete kitchen set. This is especially true with cookware. You might be at the stage where you spend more time trying to clean pots and pans than actually cooking.
All-Clad makes professional cookware sets that are an amazing addition to any kitchen. We are going to focus on the All-Clad MC2 vs D5. We will look at what they have in common, how they are different, and some pros and cons of each set. We will finish up with our final verdict.
First, let’s see how the All-Clad MC2 and the All-Clad Brushed D5 are similar.
All-Clad MC2 vs D5 – Similarities
Quick Glance
| Name | All-Clad 700362 MC2 Professional Master Chef 2 Stainless Steel Bi-Ply Bonded Oven Safe PFOA Free Cookware Set, 10-Piece, Silver | All-Clad Brushed D5 Stainless Cookware Set, Pots and Pans, 5-Ply Stainless Steel, Professional Grade, 10-Piece – 8400001085 |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
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| Number of Pieces | 10 | 10 |
| Contents | 2qt and 3.5qt saucepan, 3qt sauté pan, 8qt stockpot with lids, 8” and 10” frying pan | 1.5qt and 3qt saucepan, 3qt sauté pan, 8qt stockpot with lids, 8” and 10” frying pan |
| Materials | 3-ply- stainless steel- aluminum- stainless steel | 5-ply- stainless steel-aluminum – stainless steel – aluminum- stainless steel |
| Handles | Stainless steel contoured, permanently secured with stainless steel rivets | Stainless steel contoured, permanently secured with stainless steel rivets |
| Lids | Stainless steel, flat | Stainless steel, flat |
| Oven Safe | Yes, up to 600ºF | Yes, up to 600ºF |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Non-stick
All of these All-Clad pans have an interior stainless-steel lining which makes them non-stick without an additional coating. The advantage of this is that you can use metal utensils and not worry about damaging the set. They are also safe to use in the dishwasher.
The Handles
The All-Clad MC2 cookware set and the All-Clad Brushed D5 cookware set has stainless steel handles that are contoured to suit the underhand grip of chefs. All of the handles are long except for the stockpots. They are permanently secured with stainless steel rivets.
The Lids
The lids that come with the All-Clad MC2 cookware set and the All-Clad Brushed D5 cookware set are stainless steel with hooked handles. The lids are flat and will lock in heat and moisture, ensuring your food is full of flavor.
Cooking Methods
With the All-Clad MC2 cookware set and the All-Clad Brushed D5 cookware set, you will be able to cook in many different ways. They are suitable for all types of cooker tops, including induction. They are also oven safe at temperatures up to 600ºF, which makes them ideal for broiling too.
Ease of Use
All of the pans in the All-Clad MC2 cookware set and the All-Clad Brushed D5 cookware set have flared edges. You will be able to pour the contents of the pans without leaving drips all over your countertops.
Warranty
The All-Clad MC2 cookware set and the All-Clad Brushed D5 cookware set are made in the U.S.A and come with a limited lifetime warranty.
Now, we will focus on how the two All-Clad cookware sets are different.
Differences Between All-Clad MC2 and All-Clad Brushed D5
Contents
Both sets have 10 pieces, although they vary in the size of pans included.
The All-Clad MC2 cookware set
This set comes with am 8-inch frying pan and a 10-inch frying pan. There is also a 2qt saucepan, a 3.5qt saucepan, a 3qt sauté pan, and an 8qt stockpot all with lids.
The All-Clad Brushed D5 cookware set
Similarly, there is an 8-inch frying pan and a 10-inch frying pan. The saucepans are 1.5qt and 3qt. The sauté pan is still 3qt and the stockpot is also 8qt. The sauté pan, stockpot, and saucepans come with lids.
The Winner Is- A tie
Materials
The materials that are used to make a cookware set will have an impact on the cook of the food.
The All-Clad MC2 cookware set
This is a 3-ply cookware set. It has an interior layer of stainless steel, an aluminum core and an exterior layer of brushed stainless steel that is fingerprint free.
The All-Clad Brushed D5
This is a 5-ply cookware set, so there are 5 layers of alternate stainless steel and aluminum. The exterior layer is also fingerprint free. It is also warp-resistant.
The Winner is- The All-Clad Brushed D5
Ideal Cooking Uses
As we discussed before, you can use either set on all cooktops and in the oven.
The All-Clad MC2 cookware set
This set can be used for any type of recipe.
The All-Clad Brushed D5 cookware set
While you can use it for any type of recipe, the additional layers increase the amount of heat on the base of the pans which makes them ideal for browning and searing.
The Winner Is- The All-Clad Brushed D5 cookware set
Read next: Paula Deen vs Rachael Ray Cookware Set – Which One is Better?
Pros and Cons
Prior to our final verdict, here are a few extra highlights of the two All-Clad cookware sets.
All-Clad MC2 cookware set
Pros:
- A great even heat across all of the pans
- Extremely durable, even when cooking daily
- There is a nice range of sizes
Cons:
- Confusing product information. The box says dishwasher safe, the instructions say hand wash only
All-Clad Brushed D5 cookware set
Pros:
- Clean-up is easy and the pans stay looking new
- A very versatile set that lets you explore your culinary creativity to a professional level
- The sear on steaks is divine
Cons:
- Although worth it, this is a very pricey set
The Final Verdict
We were somewhat surprised by the misleading information given with the All-Clad MC2 cookware set. Some people have even said that the base of the pans is aluminum, and in which case, won’t work on induction cooker tops. It was nice to have the larger saucepans but not enough to overcome the confusion.
Ur overall winner today was the All-Clad Brushed D5. The product arrived exactly as described and the entire set was of excellent quality. Cooking with the pans was a dream and you will ever go back to cheaper pans again. The style was attractive, and we agreed that they were non-stick. That being said, it is important to follow the instructions that come with the set to maintain them. While the All-Clad Brushed D5 is an expensive cookware set, the lifetime warranty certainly makes it worthwhile.