Is this 12 inch Tramontina "saute pan" a good alternative to All-Clad skillet?

[stewx]

I'm looking to buy a good 12" skillet.

Is this Tramontina "saute pan" a good alternative to the renowned All-Clad 12 inch model?

Tramontina: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-12-18-10-Tri-Ply-Clad-Stainless-Steel-Saute-Pan/5716483

All-Clad: http://www.amazon.com/All-Clad-5112-S...

I understand there is a bit of a difference between a saute pan and a skillet, but is the Tramontina pan really a saute pan, or is it more of a skillet?

Thanks!
Stewart

[Chemicalkinetics]

First, Tramontina has a different definition of saute pan than All Clad. Most manufacturers follow the same definition listed by All Clad. Others believe Tramontina definition is better. At the end of the day, these two pan you have listed belong to the same style. So one is a good substitution of the others.

Tramontina triply cookware series has an excellent reputation. Beside the price advantage, the Tramontina is known to have a more comfortable handle than All Clad's.

[John Francis]

The pans in both pictures have sloped sides and are measured in inches, so they are skillets or fry pans. A sauté pan is measured in volume (quarts) and has straight vertical sides like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MCP33...

[Sid Post]

A saute pan and skillet serve different purposes. That being said, Tramontina carries a good reputation. I have a stainless Calphalon "Tri-:ply" skillet I got delivered for $35-40 that works really well. I don't like the All-clad handles so, that brand is basicly irrelevant to me.

If you need a skillet, buy a skillet. If you need a saute pan, buy a saute pan. There are differences but, not significant ones but, in the end you really want the right pan.

All-clad works well but, there are other brands that give you 90% of the performance for 1/3 the price. How much is that last 10% worth to you?

[stewx]

Sid, so you consider the Tramontina pan accurately named?

[Sid Post]

First, understand what you want in your pan. If you want a stainless steel skillet, Tramontina is a good choice. A straight sided saute pan in the traditional sense will not work as a skillet. I haven't personally cooked in a Tramontina tri-ply pan but, it is very similar to my Calphalon Tri-Ply skillet and it works well.

[Leepa]

It looks like a skillet to me. There's a saute pan pictured up above on the linked page.

I have some experience with Tramontina and a lot with All-Clad and I'd say they are comparable. I also bought the small Tramontina set for my niece after she lost all of her belongings in a house fire. She really loves them and the way they cook.