Mauviel vs All Clad – Cookware Reviews, Comparisons, and Recommendations
Mauviel vs All Clad is a battle of titans.
When buying new kitchen cookware, you want something to last you a long time. But you also want cookware that distributes heat evenly and efficiently.
Fortunately, you have multiple options. Mauviel is a French-style cookware manufacturer. It produces copper, stainless steel, aluminum, and other lines of pots and pans. All Clad is a major competitor. It makes pots and pans primarily out of stainless steel for slightly lower prices.
Don’t know which of these two to pick? We’ve done the research so you have to. Let’s do an in-depth review of Mauviel vs All Clad.
Then you'll know which to choose when you go shopping for new kitchenware.
First we'll start off with the Mauviel Cookware review.
Mauviel Cookware – Key Attributes and Features
Mauviel 1830 is a cookware manufacturer that produces elegant, high-quality pots and pans. It also makes cookware in multiple materials. It’s particularly well known for its copper and stainless steel sets. Copper and stainless steel are great materials for cooking due to their heat conductivity and durability.
Copper, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, or Black Tin
Mauviel’s copper cookware and stainless steel cookware sets are its most popular offerings. But Mauviel also provides cookware in additional materials.
Handle Designs
Since Mauviel makes cookware with a variety of materials, it adds handles designed for durability. For instance, its copper pots and pans feature cast-iron, stainless steel, and bronze handles. This is because a copper layer would conduct heat to your hand, causing a burn, if it was also used for the handles.
However, each handle is welded or riveted to its pot or pan securely. The heavier handle materials sometimes make Mauviel cookware pieces feel a little unbalanced. But the resulting panels are secure and safe to touch, even under heavy heat.
Non-Stick Surfaces
Copper, stainless steel, and aluminum are all good at preventing food from sticking. Mauviel’s cookware sets use non-stick coatings, too. These prevent food from sticking to their surfaces even more effectively.
However, these non-stick layers can be worn down over time through several methods. If you throw these dishes in the dishwasher, the high heat and chemical detergents may wear down the nonstick coatings.
Furthermore, metal utensils can gradually wear down non-stick coatings. They scrape it away during contact with the cooking surfaces. For these reasons, it’s recommended that you only use wood or plastic utensils. You should also hand-wash Mauviel pots and pans unless otherwise specified.
Other Notable Aspects
Mauviel copper cookware is also notable for its tri-ply construction. Specifically, it uses two layers of copper and a single layer of interior stainless steel. This combines the durability of the latter with the heat conduction of the former. The interior cooking surface is always made of stainless steel. Copper doesn’t last long under direct friction.
All of Mauviel’s cookware is also backed by a limited lifetime warranty. This effectively covers you if you receive one of their pots or pans and there’s a manufacturer defect. You can get a replacement in no time.
What’s Included in the Set?
Mauviel’s cookware sets come with different pieces depending on which material and set you choose. Since Mauviel’s copper M’Heritage collection is its most famous, we’ll use that set as our benchmark.
The M’Heritage copper cookware set comes in three types: M250B/C, M150S, and M150B. The M250C has the most pieces and is the best-reviewed.
This set includes:
All Clad Cookware – Key Aspects and Offerings
All Clad is another well-known cookware manufacturer. It makes high-quality stainless steel cookware pieces. It’s not quite as pricey as what Mauviel offers, but it’s still a favorite home chef brand.
Like Mauviel, All Clad produces a variety of cookware lines and sets.
Stainless Steel Cookware – Copper Cores Optional
All Clad uses 18/10 stainless steel for its cookware: the same kind of stainless steel used by Mauviel. Its stainless steel comes with a few different finishes. For instance, the All Clad D3 Cookware set uses classic, mirror-shine stainless steel surfaces.
The All Clad D5 cookware set uses brushed stainless steel instead. The brushed stainless steel is easier to maintain. It also doesn’t retain smears or smudges as often.
We compare the D5 and D3 in depth here.
All Clad’s cookware sets also feature different layered constructions depending on the line you choose. The D3 set, for instance, features tri-ply construction. This set uses two layers of stainless steel and a single layer of aluminum in between. The aluminum provides better heat conduction while keeping cookware weight down. The stainless steel provides corrosion resistance and long-term durability.
The All Clad D5 set, meanwhile, uses 5-ply stainless steel construction. Two layers of aluminum sit between alternating layers of stainless steel. This provides even more durability and heat convection.
Apart from these aspects, All Clad also adds copper to some of its cookware pieces. As so-called "copper core" pieces, these include one or two layers of copper instead of aluminum.
The copper core pieces provide even better heat conduction. They're also lightweight like aluminum. However, All Clad’s copper core cookware costs much more than its regular offerings. Its heat conduction also doesn’t quite reach the efficacy of Mauviel’s copper pots and pans.
Handle Designs
All Clad’s cookware is notable for its excellent handle designs. The handles are made with stainless steel only.
The steel prevents heat conduction from the cooking surface to your hands. Additionally, each handle is riveted to the cooking surface with stainless steel bolts.
Non-Stick Surfaces
Instead of a traditional non-stick coating, All Clad uses a “starburst” finish to imbue its cookware with nonstick properties. This finish sands down the outermost layer of the stainless steel cooking surface, making it less likely for food to stick to it.
As a result, you don’t have to worry about this finish wearing down over time. All Clad’s cookware will likely retain its non-stick status longer than Mauviel’s offerings. However, putting your All Clad cookware in the dishwasher can diminish this effect.
Other Notable Aspects
All Clad’s pots and pans benefit from flared edges. The flared edges prevent food and sauce from spilling over the edge and making a mess.
You’ll also enjoy a limited lifetime warranty if you decide to go with All Clad cookware. The limited lifetime warranty is the same as Mauviel’s. It protects you from manufacturer defects that you notice when you receive your cookware after purchasing.
What’s in the Sets?
All Clad’s D5 cookware set is its most popular option. We’ll use this as a comparison against Mauviel.
The All Clad D5 set includes:
The All Clad D5 set has one more piece in total compared to Mauviel, 10 vs 9.
Direct Comparison: Mauviel M’Heritage Cookware Set vs All Clad D5 Set
Let’s review All Clad’s D5 Set and Mauviel’s M’Heritage Set head-to-head.
All Clad’s D5 Set:
Mauviel’s M’Heritage Set:
- Features copper and stainless steel layers, with a copper outer layer for greater heat conductivity
- Cast iron handles to protect your hands, though these increase pieces’ weights
Both sets are clearly worthwhile. Which is right for you depends on your budget, your cooking material preference, and other personal factors.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mauviel vs All Clad
Which is Cheaper: Mauviel vs All Clad?
All Clad’s cookware is generally considered to be pricy compared to other options on the market. But it’s also usually cheaper than Mauviel’s offerings.
For example, All Clad’s D5 set can be found for around $1000 at the time of this writing. Meanwhile, Mauviel’s M250C set can be found here.
This price trend extends to individual pieces. You’ll usually be able to find a single All Clad pot or pan for cheaper than a single Mauviel equivalent. However, All Clad’s copper core options are comparable to Mauviel’s cookware in price.
Which Will Last Longer: Mauviel or All Clad?
It depends on the exact Mauviel set you decide to purchase. For instance, Mauviel’s copper cookware will likely last for less time compared to All Clad’s stainless steel cookware. Copper just doesn’t last as long as stainless steel under any circumstances.
However, Mauviel also produces stainless steel cookware. In this case, both sets should last for roughly the same amount of time. All Clad’s cookware typically lasts for many years under the correct care.
Are All Clad and Mauviel Cookware Oven-Safe?
Yes. Mauviel cookware is typically safe in any oven up to 500°F. All Clad cookware is also oven safe, though it can usually go a little higher to 600°F.
So All Clad might be a better choice if you cook a lot using your oven.
Are All Clad and Mauviel Cookware Really Dishwasher-Safe?
No. In fact, it’s always recommended that you hand wash any high-quality cookware in your kitchen.
There are a few reasons for this. For one, the material used by Mauviel cookware could degrade if exposed to the super hot water and abrasive chemicals used in modern dishwashers. For another, modern dishwashers wear down non-stick surfaces and coatings over time.
This is even true for All Clad’s starburst finish. The finish may wear away if you throw your All Clad cookware in the dishwasher.
Instead, you should opt to hand wash your Mauviel and All Clad cookware after each use. Use regular dish soap and a soft sponge. If food refuses to come off, let the cookware sit in soapy water for a little while. Never use a scouring pad. This can wear down the coating or non-stick finish.
Can You Use Mauviel’s Copper Cookware on an Induction Stovetop?
Yes. However, you’ll need to use an interface disk.
Induction stovetop’s use magnetism to transfer heat from the stovetop to your cooking tool. But copper is not induction-compatible. An interface or induction converter disk is made of magnetic stainless steel. This disc absorbs magnetic waves from your induction stovetop. The energy is then converted into heat that your copper cookware can safely absorb.
Final Verdict – Mauviel vs All Clad
Ultimately, both All Clad and Mauviel make excellent cookware for home chefs looking to buy long-lasting tools for their kitchens.
This being said, All Clad is a little more affordable overall and likely longer-lasting. It uses more durable materials in general and its non-stick surfaces are more resilient. Furthermore, it can withstand more heat in your oven.
However, Mauviel might be a better choice if you have extra cash and want the superior heat conduction of copper cookware. Just be sure to consider your options carefully. Mauviel makes many different lines of cookware, so investigate them all to see what’s perfect for your kitchen.
Take a look further at our Calphalon vs All Clad review.
