Compare Stainless Steel Pans
Which scores higher on safety? R3 breaks it down.
The most important dimensions, side by side.
All-Clad D5 uses 18/10 stainless throughout — openly disclosed and consistent with premium stainless cookware standards. Safe for the general population; buyers with confirmed nickel sensitivity should note that 18/10 contains nickel.
Demeyere Industry 5 uses 18/10 stainless steel with clear disclosure — buyers can verify the nickel content before purchase. A responsible standard for a pan at this price point.
All-Clad's patented D5 bonding uses five layers all the way to the rim — the gold standard for even heat distribution. Alternating stainless and aluminum layers also reduce warping over time compared to standard tri-ply.
Demeyere's five-layer construction runs rim to rim — the same recommended standard as All-Clad D5 and Heritage Steel. The 'Industry 5' name says it directly.
All-Clad's bonding runs to the rim — no cold spots at the sidewalls, no hot spots on the base. This is what separates clad pans from cheaper disk-bottom designs and why they perform so consistently across heat sources.
Five layers from rim to rim means the Demeyere heats side walls as evenly as the base — critical when you're reducing sauces or searing food that needs contact with the sides.
600°F is the second-highest oven rating in this category — enough for high-heat broiling and restaurant-style finishing. The only pan that goes higher is Heritage Steel at 800°F.
Oven safe to 500°F — the de facto standard for quality stainless cookware. Handles most home cooking from roasting to standard broiling. For high-broil finishing above 500°F, All-Clad D5 or Heritage Steel are better choices.
The D5 12-inch weighs 4.0 lbs — noticeable in daily use. Oven transfers and one-handed maneuvering require more effort than lighter alternatives. A real consideration if you cook frequently or have wrist concerns.
At 2.7 lbs for the 9.5-inch, Demeyere is the lightest 5-ply option in this comparison. Light enough for effortless daily use while still feeling premium. Note: this weight is for the 9.5-inch; the 11-inch will be heavier.
The D5 at $200 is the most expensive pan in this comparison. You're paying for the All-Clad brand and the dual alternating-layer construction — though Heritage Steel delivers comparable safety scores at $150 with a better oven rating.
Currently $150 (marked down from $250) — an exceptional price for 5-ply fully-clad stainless. At regular price ($200–250) it competes with All-Clad D5; at sale price it's the best value per construction in this comparison.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You want an All-Clad and the dual-layer alternating construction that reduces warping over time
You need 600°F oven capability for restaurant-style high-heat finishing
Weight is less important to you than the brand or long-term durability reputation
You cook on induction and want All-Clad's proven induction performance
You want the lightest 5-ply stainless option in the category for effortless daily cooking
You're buying during a sale and want 5-ply quality at a $150 price point
Your oven use stays below 500°F and you prioritize stovetop performance
You cook on induction and want Demeyere's 7-layer base technology for rapid heating
The main thing to know
At 4.0 lbs, the D5 12-inch exceeds ATK's comfort ceiling — daily one-handed maneuvering and oven transfers are noticeably more laborious than lighter alternatives like Heritage Steel (2.9 lbs).
The 500°F oven limit is the market standard but behind peers — if high-broil finishing is central to your cooking, the All-Clad D5 (600°F) or Heritage Steel (800°F) give more headroom.
Skip this if you...
You cook frequently with one-handed transfers or have wrist/strength considerations
You want the best overall specs for the money — Heritage Steel beats it on oven temp and weight at $50 less
You regularly use the oven above 500°F — All-Clad D5 or Heritage Steel are better fits
You need to confirm exact weight for the 11-inch size before buying
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Stainless Steel Pans options at every price pointEvery Stainless Steel 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 Demeyere across 3 independent criteria: Safety (54%), Efficacy (44%), Usability (2%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
Both scored close to 8.7/10, so the better choice depends on your priorities. 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 Stainless Steel 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.
Not the right match? Explore these alternatives in the same category.
