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 T-fal's cooking surface uses PTFE — the same material as traditional Teflon. PTFE is classified as a PFAS compound and is already banned in cookware in eight U.S. states. It degrades above 500°F, and an empty pan on high heat can reach that temperature in just a few minutes.
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.
Oven-safe to 400°F covers casseroles, roasted vegetables, and most standard recipes. You won't be able to use the broiler or finish steaks at high heat — but that limitation is consistent with the PTFE coating, which shouldn't be pushed above 400°F anyway.
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 plastic handle is the reason the oven limit is 400°F — it can't take higher heat. Over years of use, plastic handles loosen and degrade faster than metal alternatives. It stays cool on the stovetop, but it's the weakest link for long-term durability.
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.
The aluminum heating disk covers the base but doesn't extend up the sides. Expert testing found this design causes uneven heating — food near the sidewalls can scorch while the center is still cooking. Fine for eggs and pancakes, less ideal for searing or sauce reduction.
Works on every cooktop type — gas, electric, ceramic, and induction. If you upgrade your kitchen later, this pan comes with you.
Works on all cooktops including induction — the stainless steel base disk makes it compatible with modern induction ranges.
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.
One of the lightest pans in this size — you can flip food one-handed, pour from the rim without strain, and store it easily. Ideal for anyone who finds heavier pans like cast iron or carbon steel difficult to handle.
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.
Toss it in the dishwasher after cooking — no special care, no hand-wash routine, no seasoning to maintain. For busy weeknights, that's a real time-saver.
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 are comfortable with PTFE nonstick and consistently cook at medium or lower heat — never leaving an empty pan on a hot burner.
You need the lightest possible pan for one-handed cooking and want dishwasher-safe cleanup with zero maintenance.
You're on a tight budget and need a functional induction-compatible pan for under $35.
You view cookware as replaceable and prefer to swap pans every few years rather than maintain a seasoned or stainless pan for life.
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.
The PTFE nonstick coating is classified as a PFAS compound and is already banned in cookware in eight U.S. states — this is the single biggest factor in the low overall score.
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 want PFAS-free cookware — PTFE is definitionally a PFAS compound, and no amount of titanium reinforcement changes the underlying chemistry.
You sear at high heat regularly — the 400°F oven limit and PTFE degradation threshold make this unsafe for high-heat techniques.
You want even heat distribution for browning and sauce work — the disk-bottom construction creates hot spots near the sidewalls.
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 T-fal 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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