About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the frying pan, which I was sent as a sample from the company in September of 2022.

My take

The performance and weight of the KitchenAid 5-Ply Clan Stainless Steel Induction Frying Pan are unmatched as it sits in a price range where most other manufacturers offer lower-quality 3-ply with heat restrictions on the lids. It’s minimally styled, which for some can be too industrial. It worked great for searing meat and veggies for me.

About the gear

• Model: KitchenAid 12.25in 5-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Induction Frying Pan
• Product Type: Frying pan
• Type of Cooking Surface: Stainless Steel
• Handle Material: Black Stainless Steel
• Oven-Proof Handle: Yes

About me

I love all well-made cookware but will always default to cast iron and carbon steel for my primary cookware. But nothing beats the approachable weight, heat distribution, and durability of well-made 5-ply stainless.

Test conditions

• When I received it as a sample: September 2022
• Days tested: 90
• What I’ve used it for: Searing meats and sautéing vegetables
• Foods I’ve found it best for: Meats and vegetables that will be grilled or browned in the cooking process. Not so good with eggs.
• Cooktops I’ve used it on: Gas and induction
• Cleaning routine: Handwashing with soap, warm water, and a chainmail scrubber.

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking for a simple 12in saute pan that would give me more cooking surface and heat distribution than my 10in cast iron skillet. The look of my cookware is important to me because I find that beautiful cookware can inspire a deeper love for cooking. I am attracted to the KitchenAid frying pan's aesthetics and handle. It has a minimal look.

Why I chose this cookware

I was given a choice between this stainless saute pan and nonstick options. The simple black handle's industrial and professional look and feel caught my eye. At the time, I was not looking at other stainless options. But if I were to consider another option, it would have been the Viking 5-Ply Professional Sauté Pan because I like the deep walls of the vessel and would benefit from having a saute pan in my life.

What I love about it

• Durability: It’s super durable and has shown no signs of damage since I’ve owned it. Of course, the stainless steel shows scratches, but that is to be expected.
• Versatility: The versatility of this frypan is limited only by the height of its walls. Otherwise, it’s a wide cooking surface that heats up and cools down quickly, making plenty of space for serving several people various dishes.
• Features: Five-ply cookware is usually more expensive, so a feature is that this is high-performing cookware at an affordable price. Otherwise, the aesthetics are simple and industrial, which is a feature but not really a stand-out.
• Look: This cookware looks expensive, but it’s not bragging about it. It’s very modern. Some people love how it looks, while others think it has a masculine feel because the black handle is minimal.
• Weight and Size: The skillet is a perfect weight and size. It’s heavy but not overbearing. The 12.25in skillet is large enough to make food for several people. Yet, it’s not too big for only one or two people.
• Performance on Cooking Surfaces: Five-ply cookware is very responsive on all cooking services. It heats up quickly and evenly all the way to the edge of the rim. Because of this, it’s easy to have consistent cooking experiences.
• Applications: It’s big enough to cook spaghetti in a pinch, but one has to be sort of weird like me to want to do that. Otherwise, it’s really good for steaks and breakfast potatoes because the quality of texture it puts on food is what I expect from high-quality, stainless.
• Quality of Materials: This pan is well-made with a rolled stainless steel lip. Everything is brushed or polished and feels refined.
• Warranty: Lifetime warranty.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Ease of Cleaning: Stainless steel is my least favorite type of cookware to clean. I don’t like using sponges, so I clean mine with stainless steel chainmail. But I accept that this is what I have to do.
• Handling: The black handle is just fine. It doesn’t get hot, but it’s not as comfortable as other skillets. For example, the OXO Mira is far more comfortable to hold. Additionally, for a skillet of this size, I would expect it to have a helper handle or a longer single handle for holding it with two hands. It still works with two hands, but it’s not the most comfortable.

Favorite moment with this cookware

I mentioned making spaghetti in it, and that’s because I was really tired and lazy after a workday. The pan was actually pretty dirty from breakfast. It had some good drippings left over, so I put water and half a package of spaghetti in it. I set the skillet on top of the fireplace and walked away for 20 minutes while the noodles slowly simmered in the oil from breakfast. I drained the water and added tomato sauce and some freshly chopped garlic. With Christmas music playing in the background, I stared at the fire, eating spaghetti straight out of my 12.25in skillet.

Value for the money vs. other options

There’s no other five-ply stainless steel cookware that comes within the price point of this option. It’s about half the price of other 5-ply options. But there is plenty of 3-ply, stainless cookware choices rivaling the performance of this frypan. The OXO Mira Series Sauté Pan would be a possible upgrade in function.

Final verdict

This cookware is overall completely worth the money and, if treated well, will last a very long time. Completely worth the investment, and I promise it will provide some wonderful cooking experiences.