Jul 20
We purchased the CIA Masters 10 piece set, plus the 12 inch frypan and a wooden spoon after researching the Viking and All Clad Copper Core sets. We were able to visit stores in our area to handle the Viking and All Clad sets before purchase – we were not able to see the CIA Masters set before purchase.
In terms of weight, the CIA Masters set is similar in weight to the All Clad regular stainless set. The handles have two rivets and have the All Clad grove with the Viking curvature. The lids are slightly domed similar to the Viking set.
In terms of the copper layer – we compared the CIA set against the All Clad Copper Core. If you look at a piece of All Clad Copper core you will see a copper layer that is about 1/8″ thick and very easily identified. If you look at a piece of CIA Master cookware, the copper layer can hardly be seen. Given the price of copper these days, my guess is this amount of copper in the CIA cookware is part of the price difference to the All Clad Copper Core set. (10 piece set of CIA cookware is $499, 10 piece set of All Clad Copper Core $1200.)
The set arrived from Metro Kitchen in three days and was beautifully packaged.
So – why won’t we recommend the set? First -you need to use silicon or wooden utensils with this set. Do not use metal utensils. The stainless steel is very very soft and the pans scratch easily. In fact, the very first time we used the set we made large, easily visible scratches on the outside bottom and inside just from making risotto. (note — we have other stainless steel cookware where this is not a problem.)
Second, the golden rule when using stainless is to use low to medium heat. Higher temperatures cause a reaction with stainless steel which cause a bluish / brownish stain. The first time we used one of the frypans this marking appeared despite the low heat we used.
We haven’t had any problems with food sticking (that pretty much a function of knowing how to cook in stainless anyway…) – but we can’t honestly say the cookware is any better than the Emerilware or Cooks Essentials set we had previously.
Frankly we wish we had not paid $500+ for cookware that is “just okay” and that is going to show wear in a very short time. The Viking or All Clad set would have been a better choice.
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July 20th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I replaced my over rated all-clad stainless clad,cop-r-chef and ltd with this superior cookware.
Forget the review about scratching or discoloring,they all do it. Use some Cameo to clean it.
Cia has combined the best assests of them all into one.
The handles are so comfortable, great fast even heating,induction ready and handsome styling.They continue to amaze me
I really don’t care if it is made in China, price would be very high if made here.The profits go to the CIA cooking school.
July 21st, 2010 at 7:39 pm
I purchased the Cia master 10 Piece set and love it! I have used All Clad and other very expensive cookware in the past, and I have to say that the Cia collection beats them all by a long shot. I have used the cookware for a couple months now and have had no issues with scratching of the pans, or food sticking to the pans. I have used all sorts of utensils with my other cookware sets in the past and they have all scratched easily…not so with the Cia Masters Collection! It also washes up really great.
I have told all of my friends to go out and get this cookware because it is so great. I will continue to purchase products from the CIA Masters Collection line.
July 22nd, 2010 at 8:33 pm
We purchased the CIA Masters 10 piece set, plus the 12 inch frypan and a wooden spoon after researching the Viking and All Clad Copper Core sets. We were able to visit stores in our area to handle the Viking and All Clad sets before purchase – we were not able to see the CIA Masters set before purchase.
In terms of weight, the CIA Masters set is similar in weight to the All Clad regular stainless set. The handles have two rivets and have the All Clad grove with the Viking curvature. The lids are slightly domed similar to the Viking set.
In terms of the copper layer – we compared the CIA set against the All Clad Copper Core. If you look at a piece of All Clad Copper core you will see a copper layer that is about 1/8″ thick and very easily identified. If you look at a piece of CIA Master cookware, the copper layer can hardly be seen. Given the price of copper these days, my guess is this amount of copper in the CIA cookware is part of the price difference to the All Clad Copper Core set. (10 piece set of CIA cookware is $499, 10 piece set of All Clad Copper Core $1200.)
The set arrived from Metro Kitchen in three days and was beautifully packaged.
So – why won’t we recommend the set? First -you need to use silicon or wooden utensils with this set. Do not use metal utensils. The stainless steel is very very soft and the pans scratch easily. In fact, the very first time we used the set we made large, easily visible scratches on the outside bottom and inside just from making risotto. (note — we have other stainless steel cookware where this is not a problem.)
Second, the golden rule when using stainless is to use low to medium heat. Higher temperatures cause a reaction with stainless steel which cause a bluish / brownish stain. The first time we used one of the frypans this marking appeared despite the low heat we used.
We haven’t had any problems with food sticking (that pretty much a function of knowing how to cook in stainless anyway…) – but we can’t honestly say the cookware is any better than the Emerilware or Cooks Essentials set we had previously.
Frankly we wish we had not paid $500+ for cookware that is “just okay” and that is going to show wear in a very short time. The Viking or All Clad set would have been a better choice.
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Things I love about this cookware:
The copper core makes it incredibly responsive. When I am making delicate sauces, or candy I can control the temperature up or down immediately (I do have a gas range, and I imagine it would take a little longer to respond on an electric stove, but so would any cookware).
The weight is perfect. These pots are heavy enough to be really effective, without breaking my arm. Additionally the curve of the handle makes moving them on the stove, or carrying to the sink easy. I much preferred these curved handles over other handle choices from other vendors.
The cooking surface on the skillets is really generous.
Clean easily (I dishwash all the time)
Handles resist heat transfer from the stove
There was a really great pamphlet included in the boxed set with tips on using stainless steel cookware that was put together by the chef’s at the CIA. I have been cooking on good cookware for years and the tips included were still very helpful to me, especially about not cooking too hot. When you go from cooking on average cookware that doesn’t hold heat to excellent cookware like this that does conduct heat so well – it’s really easy to get your pan too hot.
Lastly – GREAT VALUE! I couldn’t be happier with the performance or the price.
July 24th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
The only downside to this product is the weight and maybe the length of the spatula. All these tools weigh so much it may be impractical to use. The spatula may be a bit too long. They certainly clean up easily and look great displayed.
July 25th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
We found the tool set to meet the high standards set by other All-Clad products. Amazon’s price was hard to beat!
July 26th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
All Clad made in China utensils are very sturdy, heavy, high quality, and excellent. This set is the perfect match for All Clad stainless cookware, since there is no fear of damaging the pans. If your cookware is mostly non-stick or can be damaged, then these tools are useless.
The ladle is far larger than I expected. It follows the standard All Clad handle setup, so no hook on the end to hang off the edge of a stock pot.
Spatula is a good size and works quite well.
The fork, spoon, and slotted spoon are what you would expect.
The lack of the most useful took – All Clad tongs is obviously there to force folks to shell out more cash. I use the tongs for so many cooking chores – flipping, mixing stir fry, pulling noodles, etc. I use the fork and spoons a few times a year, so the most useful items in the set for me are the spatula, ladle, and utensil holder.
July 27th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I agree that these utensils are well made. My only qualm is that “China” is etched on to the back of the fork utensil. Not a big deal, but I wish it wasn’t there.
July 28th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
I love my All-Clad. They are not only beautiful, they are also very durable and fit in your hand like a glove. I use these every time I cook. I keep them on the counter near my stove, and they are my go-to utensils. I grab them for everything from soups to stews to my tomato sauce. I even use the spatula for cake and brownies. Every time I use them I know that they will not bend and will get the job done. There is no worry about them bending or breaking.
July 29th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Although the ad said “All-Clad Stainless Steel” the product sent was a far more inferior set named LeisureMan, which I promptly sent back. Therefore, I cannot rate the All-Clad product because I never received it.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
I bought this set for a wedding gift only because I have a set myself. This set of pans is as close to perfect as you can find. A serious cook will not go wrong with a purchase of All Clad. It is well worth the money.