Not all cookware is created equal. Anyone who has purchased a cheap starter set of pots and pans will know—after a few years (sometimes months), the nonstick coating flakes off, the handles loosen, or the entire surface becomes warped and uneven. Buying cheap gear only to replace it is a waste of time and money. It may be some of the most expensive kitchenware you can buy, but All-Clad comes highly recommended by WIRED reviewers and culinary experts. They’re spendy, but these pots and pans are reliable and practically last forever. Like, forever forever.
So how do you snag this coveted cookware at stomachable prices? One surefire way to save money on All-Clad is by shopping its Factory Seconds sale, which comes around every few months. We go into more detail and list our favorite discounts below. This current Factory Seconds sale ends on October 11 at 11:59 pm ET.
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What Are Factory Seconds?
The Factory Seconds Sale is run by Home and Cook Sales, an authorized reseller for All-Clad and several other cookware brands. The items featured in the sale have (usually) minor imperfections, like a scuff on the pan, a misaligned name stamp, or merely a dented box. Every product on the website lists details about the imperfection. You’ll need to enter an email address to access the sale.
While the blemishes may vary, the merchant says all of the cookware will perform as intended. Should any issue arise, nearly every All-Clad Factory Seconds product is backed by All-Clad’s limited lifetime warranty. (Electric items have a slightly different warranty; check individual product pages for details.) We’ve used a dozen Factory Seconds pots and pans, and they’ve all worked exactly as advertised. Just remember that all sales are final.
The Best All-Clad Factory Seconds Deals
Below, we’ve highlighted noteworthy discounts from the broader sale. The “before” prices are based on items in new condition. Also, check out our cooking buying guides, including the 7 Essentials for Every Kitchen, Best Chef’s Knives, Best Blenders, and Best Air Fryers.
The Essential is one of our favorite pans. It’s, ahem, essential in the kitchen. We like that it works well for all kinds of tasks. Its high walls prevent grease from splattering on your countertop, and it can double as a flat-bottomed wok or even be a Dutch oven substitute. It’s also dishwasher safe.
Everyone needs a good, large, stainless steel frying pan. It’s not nonstick, which does take some getting used to—make sure your grease or oil is hot before you add food—but once you get the hang of cooking on stainless you’ll never want nonstick again. Good quality stainless provides an even heat, with fewer hot spots, and makes cooking easier once you master it.
Photograph: All-Clad
All-Clad’s melding of copper, aluminum, and 18/10 stick-resistant stainless makes for one of the best heat-conducting pans WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson has used (aside from cast iron). He uses a smaller version for sauces, boiling potatoes, making bourbon-bacon bark, and countless other tasks. This is a kitchen workhorse. The included lid reduces evaporation (if you wish).
This basket is awesome for grilling items like asparagus or fruit. The bottom has perforations to allow smoky, charcoal-y goodness to flavor your food, without the danger of losing items down the grate as they cook.
Photograph: All-Clad
These little oval-shaped dishes are great for portioning out side dishes or individual servings, but if you’re like me and you don’t own a microwave, they’re also fantastic for heating up leftovers on the stove or in the oven.
A stockpot is a niche item, but sometimes you just need a gigantic cooking vessel. This is designed for that purpose. It includes a steamer basket and a colander, so you can prepare multiple ingredients at the same time. Pro tip: If you ever want to make a seafood boil at home, this pot is basically perfect.
Photograph: All-Clad
These measuring cups are super durable. Your grandkids’ grandkids could probably get some use out of them. I like that they’re deep. When I’m pouring out a quarter-cup of oil for a recipe, I don’t have to worry about keeping my hand steady as much as I do with shallower, wider measuring cups.
Since shipping costs $10, these wouldn’t be a great deal on their own, but they could make a solid add-on if you’re placing a larger order. It’s hard to say a lot about oven mitts. They either work or they don’t. These do, and they’re easy to clean.