Even before you get to the nitty-gritty things when shopping for cookware, the first decision is always to decide the brand to buy as it affects everything else.
And if you are looking for premium quality cookware, Mauviel and All-Clad are two brands that should be at the top of your mind as they are known for making top quality cookware that is used by both home cooks and professional chefs across the world.
Both brands have a wide variety of cookware options to cater for all kinds of cooks. But unless you already have a specific preference, choosing between them is never easy as they both look good enough.
Here we highlight some of the key things that set these brands apart and also explain what each has to offer to help home and professional chefs make a wise pick.
Mauviel Overview
Photo: Mauviel
Mauviel is not only the older brand of the two but also one of the oldest cookware manufacturers still in operation. This French cookware brand has been in business for close to two centuries now having started its operation back in 1830.
The company is known for making some of the finest quality copper cookware, but they still have a wide variety of other materials options like aluminum and stainless steel.
And with over 1,000 different kinds of cookware in the market, you can be sure Mauviel will have something to suit your specific needs no matter what you might be looking for.
The predominant use of copper when making their cookware also ensures that users always get more uniform heating with their cookware. And besides ensuring a long service life, these heavy-duty materials also ensure that the Mauviel cookware can withstand high oven temperatures.
The excellent copper heat conduction also allows you to adjust the cooking temperature more precisely which makes this cookware great for professional use and for cooking a wider variety of foods.
Overall, Mauviel cookware comes in a more aesthetically appealing look, and it is the kind that will always draw the attention of anyone that enters your kitchen.
But when compared to All-Clad, the Mauviel cookware will generally be more expensive, and this is regardless of whether you are buying one pan or a set. And despite the top-notch overall quality, the lids used on their cookware would still do with some improvement.
Recommended Product: Mauviel M’Heritage Cookware Set
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing cookware
- Stay-cool handles
- More uniform heating
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Pricier cookware
- Lids need some improvement
All-Clad Overview
Photo: All-Clad
All-Clad is another top-notch cookware brand that has also been in business for a long time. The American company started its operation in the 1960s meaning it has had more than half a century to perfect its cookware.
Unlike Mauviel which focuses more on making copper-based cookware, All-Clad uses stainless steel as the predominant material for most of their cookware, and so you can be confident of always getting something heavy-duty designed to last.
Also, the company tries to cater to a wider variety of users by availing its cookware in several finish options from magnetic stainless steel to pure aluminum.
Many home cooks and professional chefs will also love that All-Clad makes all their cookware with some uniquely designed handles that will be riveted to the pot or pan and will stay cool even when cooking at high temperatures for safer use.
And while the company might not have thousands of product options in the market, they have several hundred, and they will make their cookware to cater to different preferences and budgets.
The only thing that some potential buyers might not like about the All-Clad cookware is that it has a more industrial look which might not stand out in your kitchen like the classic looking Mauviel cookware.
Recommended Product: All-Clad 8400001963 Cookware Set
Pros:
- Highly durable cookware
- Contoured and riveted cool-grip handles
- Wider variety of exterior finishes
- Exceptional heat conduction
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Overall look may not impress some potential buyers
Comparison Chart
Mauviel | All-Clad | |
|---|---|---|
Origin | France | USA |
Cookware Materials | Stainless steel, aluminum, and copper | Stainless steel and copper core |
Overall Appearance | More classic and romantic look | More industrial look |
Temperature Resistance | 500°F | 500°F |
Cleaning and Care | Hand wash not always dishwasher-safe | Mostly dishwasher-safer |
Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
Cost | $$$ | $$ |
Mauviel vs. All-Clad
Going for the high end and premium quality cookware brands like Mauviel and All-Clad almost guarantees you will end up with cookware that will serve you for ages. You will still be okay regardless of what you choose between these two brands, but to make sure you choose a brand that works for your specific needs, here are a few points you need to understand.
1. Origin
While both Mauviel and All-Clad can now be found in several countries across the world, they are brands from different countries and are also made in different parts of the world.
Mauviel
Mauviel is a French company that has been in business since 1830, and most of its cookware is still made under strict quality standards in France. However, the USA makes up a huge chunk of their cookware market. And like most other companies, they are currently making some of their cookware in China as they seek to lower the production costs.
All-Clad
All-Clad is an American company that has been making cookware since the 1960s and it is still headquartered in the USA. The company also brands its cookware for specialty stores that stock them in different parts of the world from the USA to the UK and Australia. And many buyers will also love that to date most of their cookware is still made in their USA plants.
2. Cookware Materials
Because both Mauviel and All-Clad have a wide variety of cookware types, they will make use of various materials, and you can find their products in almost any material you want.
Mauviel
Mauviel is more famous for its copper cookware, and they are the most reputable copper cookware manufacturer. But, the company also makes its cookware with other materials like stainless steel which ensures more uniform heating around the edges.
Also, you can get Mauviel cookware made from black anodized aluminum a material that is popular for is high anti-corrosion properties and is also better than stainless steel when it comes to heat conduction.
All-Clad
If you are one of those professional chefs that prefer the durability of stainless steel over other materials, All-Clad is the best brand for you as the company is more famous for their stainless steel cookware.
Also, like Mauviel, the company still allows you to choose from several other material options for both the exterior and interior. For the exterior, All-Clad will make their cookware from brushed stainless steel, magnetic stainless steel or pure aluminum.
And they will also have some cookware that will feature pure aluminum in between two layers of stainless steel or a copper material in between layers of aluminum.
Overall Appearance
The overall appearance of your cookware will mostly depend on the specific type that you buy because both Mauviel and All-Clad have different lines of cookware that comes in different appearances.
However, when it comes to the overall appearance, Mauviel cookware seems to take the day as it will often come in a pleasant class look and with a romantic touch. Also, their cookware and this is more so the copper types have a more high-end look, and you can tell it is expensive just from the look.
All-Clad cookware will often have a more industrial look which might not appeal to some people but for many others, it is just perfect to add a rustic look to the kitchen. With this industrial look, and this is more so for the stainless steel types, you can tell that their cookware is designed to last a lifetime.
4. Temperature Resistance
Given that these are high-end brands that make some of the finest cookware in the market, you can also expect their cookware to withstand relatively higher temperatures.
If you will be using your cookware for oven cooking, both Mauviel and All-Clad pans and pots will withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit which means you can use them to cook almost anything. Also, some All-Clad cookware will have components that can withstand up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and hence giving them a slight edge.
But note that given that Mauviel cookware is mostly copper, it will change its appearance when you use it for high-temperature cooking often. Also, cookware from both brands can withstand low temperatures and is hence also ideal for use in a freezer.
5. Cleaning and Care
Cleaning and caring for your cookware will ensure it serves you long and hence giving you the best value for your cash. Luckily, both Mauviel and All-Clad keep this in mind when making their pots and pan.
Despite being mostly made from copper, most Mauviel cookware will be dishwasher safe which makes cleanup easier. However, with copper cookware, it is always recommended handwashing the components as dishwashers can ruin the material. Also, copper has nonstick properties which means you will hardly ever have to worry about scrubbing out food as it comes out easily.
All-Clad cookware will also mostly be dishwasher-safe, but in many instances, some components such as the lid might not be dishwasher safe and will hence require handwashing. Hence, when it comes to ease of cleaning, there will be no clear winner here.
6. Warranty
Given what you pay for cookware from Mauviel and All-Clad, one can rightfully expect it to be highly durable. Also, with the brands’ reputation, you can expect nothing but the best quality and durable cookware.
To assure you that you are buying top-notch quality cookware, both brands will provide limited lifetime warranties for their products.
But, given that different companies will have different warranty terms, it is still vital to understand what you get with each brand because some companies are known to provide different warranty terms for things like the lids.
7. Cost
You can be certain that you will end up having to spend several times what you would pay for regular brand cookware from other less known brands when buying from Mauviel and All-Clad given that these are premium quality brands.
And while both have a wide variety of cookware available in different price ranges, Mauviel products are generally more expensive when compared to All-Clad.
To get a set of copper cookware from Mauviel, you will have to spend anywhere from $1,000 to upwards of $1,500, but you can get a set of stainless steel cookware from All-Clad for $500 to $800. But also note that All-Clad has some top tier 5-ply cookware sets with a copper core that will retail for close to $2,000.
On the lower tier, you will need to part with over $200 to get a single Mauviel cooking pot while All-Clad has some options that will retail for a little over $100.
With all said, both brands still have inexpensive cookware in the market such as their hard-anodized pans that will retail for under $50.
Conclusion
The choice between Mauviel and All-Clad should be an easy one as you cannot go wrong regardless of what you choose as the two are some of the most reputable cookware manufacturers on the market.
But because the two brands will differ in different aspects, they will be ideal for different kinds of users. And to determine which one will suit your needs best, you need to watch out for their key differences like the materials used to make their cookware, cost and the origins of their products if that matters to you.
All in all, if you prefer the great heat conduction of copper, Mauviel will be the perfect brand for you as they have some of the finest copper cookware. However, if you are one of those home chefs that prefer the durability of stainless steel, you will be better off with All-Clad.