Anyone else find All Clad handles horribly uncomfortable?

Question

I saw a beautiful all clad sauté pan at TJ Maxx this morning and was very tempted, but the handle was awful! It felt so uncomfortable in my hand, and I couldn't imagine trying to lift a pan full of food with it. I ended up not buying the pan, but as All Clad seems to be coveted by so many people, I'm wondering if I'm the only one who finds their handles horribly uncomfortable? I was very much considering buy a set a while back, but ended up going with SLT triply instead. I'm glad I did for comfort alone.

Answer

Nope, you're in good company. It's as if a good car maker insisted on a square steering wheel--impossible to fathom.

Answer

Uncomfortable in your hand and the upward angle is awkward as well.

Answer

Seem to be made for an underhand grip- your palm below the handle and your fingers in the hollow top. Evidently that grip is not popular.

Answer

I find them stable, if I put the cushion of my palm into the depression at the end of the handle. The cushion to me is below my pinkie. I then put my thumb further down the handle depression, towards the pan. I posted some pics of this in a thread a year ago or so. Perhaps one would call this an overhand grip, but it works for me. With my hands/grip, it is very stable under heavy loads, better than most pans.

Many disagree, but I like them (and I have pans from many sources, many better than AC, so I'm not religious on this, or just reflecting the only thing I own. Note too that many may wish to be anti AC, tho this is a pretty sane board). I also like handles where I can rest my wooden spoons, etc. AC works well for this.

Answer

You must be new to CHOWHOUND. We have many thread, almost like every year we have a thread about how uncomfortable people find All Clad handles are. You are not alone. Last I check, many more people complain the handle design than not.

Answer

Did the sauté have a helper handle? That really helps take the focus off the long handle. I chose tri-ply AC because I loved the weight of the pans. Not too heavy and lots of performance. I guess I learned to use the handles because it hasn't been an issue and the larger ones have helper handles. AC casseroles and stockpots have two flat handles. No one should have a problem with those :)

Answer

Hi FluffyKiwiFruit08,

There are alternative possibilities.

I think the controversy is just about behind All Clad these days. The recent TK set that came out has WS Thermo Clad style handles, and even the earlier d5 handles were changed, and others updated. It always was possible to fit a soft cover over the handle if one really saw it as a problem. 

I have three or four different style handles that include old style All Clad, d5's, and WS Thermo Clad style handles, grip them all up from below (I'm 6' 2"), and have no comfort problems with any of them.

Ray

Answer

I have complained about them before so obviously I agree. Strongly!

Answer

The D5 is much better than the tri-ply. I have no complaints about the D5.

I did get a try-ply 3 quart saucier that I find almost unusable because of the handle. I've spilled things trying to lift it - the handle is uncomfortable and the balance seems off. It really needs a helper handle. A shame because I like the shape and size of the piece, but the handle is horrid.

I ended up getting the 3 quart "essential pan" as well in D5 - basically a saucier and I can use the lid from the tri ply. The tri-ply 3 quart is gathering dust :(

Answer

I'm fine with them. There are plenty of other brands with poor handles which nobody ever complains about, notably de Buyer steel pans (and other French steel pans). Cast iron skillets generally have poor handles, yet people love them.

There must be many people who think A-C handles are acceptable, because a lot of A-C has been sold with them.

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Anyone else find All Clad handles horribly uncomfortable?

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