Compare Frying Pans
All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 12 Inch Fry Pan scores higher on safety - here's why.
The most important dimensions, side by side.
The cooking surface is medical-grade stainless steel — the safest material you can cook on. There is no coating to chip, peel, or release chemicals at any temperature. This pan will be just as safe in ten years as it is today.
The cooking surface is pure iron with a natural seasoning — no synthetic coatings, no chemicals, nothing to chip or peel. Cast iron has been used safely for centuries and only gets better with use.
Rated to 600°F, this pan handles everything from a low-and-slow braise to a full broiler sear. You will never hit a temperature ceiling with normal home cooking.
This skillet goes from stovetop to oven to campfire without hesitation. At 500°F it handles everything from cornbread to broiled steaks — and cast iron itself can handle much higher temperatures.
The double-riveted stainless handle is practically indestructible, but it does get warm after extended stovetop cooking. Keep an oven mitt or towel nearby for longer sessions.
The handle is solid cast iron — it will get hot during cooking, every time. Lodge includes a silicone handle holder, and you will want to use it. Keep it on the handle as a habit.
The aluminum core runs through the entire pan — base and walls — so heat spreads evenly across the cooking surface. Food browns uniformly without hot spots, and the pan responds quickly when you adjust the burner.
Once this skillet gets hot, it stays hot — which means a perfect sear on steaks and beautifully browned cornbread. It takes a few minutes longer to heat up than tri-ply stainless, but the payoff in heat retention is worth the wait.
Works on every cooktop type — gas, electric, ceramic, and induction. If you upgrade your kitchen later, this pan comes with you.
Works on every heat source — gas, electric, induction, campfire, grill. If you take it camping or upgrade your kitchen, this pan goes everywhere.
At 3 pounds, this is one of the lightest fully-clad 12-inch pans available. Easy to lift and toss food with one hand, even when loaded.
At nearly 8 pounds empty, this is a two-handed pan. Tossing vegetables or lifting it one-handed when full is not realistic for most people. If you have wrist or grip issues, consider a lighter option.
All-Clad recommends hand washing to keep the polished finish looking sharp. It is not a dealbreaker — a quick scrub with Bar Keeper's Friend handles most cleanup.
Hand wash with hot water and a brush, then dry immediately. A dishwasher would strip the seasoning and invite rust. It sounds like more work, but once you have the routine down it takes under a minute.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You want the safest possible cooking surface with zero coatings that will never degrade or release chemicals
You cook frequently on high heat and need a pan rated to 600°F for stovetop-to-oven and broiler techniques
You value a lifetime warranty and Made-in-USA construction that your kids might inherit
You use an induction cooktop and need a lightweight fully-clad pan under 4 pounds
You want a PFAS-free cooking surface at the lowest possible price point and the weight does not bother you
You love searing steaks, baking cornbread, or making dishes that benefit from exceptional heat retention
You cook outdoors on campfires or grills and need a pan that handles any heat source
You want a pan that can genuinely be passed down to your children with proper care
The main thing to know
The stainless steel handle gets hot during extended stovetop cooking — you will need an oven mitt or handle cover for longer sessions, and the pan requires hand washing.
At 7.7 pounds, this is a heavy pan that requires two-handed operation when loaded — and the integral cast iron handle gets dangerously hot during every use, requiring an oven mitt or the included silicone holder.
Skip this if you...
You strongly prefer nonstick convenience and are not willing to learn stainless steel cooking techniques like preheating and oil management
Budget is the primary concern — the Tramontina tri-ply delivers nearly identical construction at roughly one-third the price
You need a pan that can go straight into the dishwasher after every use
You have wrist or grip limitations that make lifting an 8-pound pan impractical or unsafe
You need a pan that responds quickly to temperature changes for delicate sauces or eggs
You want zero-maintenance cleanup and the ability to toss the pan in the dishwasher after every use
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Frying Pans options at every price pointEvery Frying Pans in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated All-Clad and Lodge across 3 independent criteria: Safety (78%), Efficacy (16%), Usability (6%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
I'd start with All-Clad All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 12 Inch Fry Pan - it scored 9.6/10 overall in our scoring system. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Frying Pans across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects our weighted rubric, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
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