what happened to my All Clad nonstick?

[Anonymous]

I've had this skillet for 10 years so it doesn't owe me any money, but still... all of a sudden eggs are sticking to it like they never used to. It is still easier to clean than a stainless pan, but you used to barely need butter or oil to cook eggs. I haven't put it in the dishwasher or used a harsh abrasive on it. Could it be just from putting it on too high heat (which DH tends to do)? anyone tested their warranty on this?

[Anonymous]

I've had the same problem.

[Anonymous]

non-stick doesn't last forever. time to replace.

[Anonymous]

Calphalon guaruntees their non stick forever. DH has sent back 2 pots and they have sent back brand new ones. No questions asked.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, 10 years is a long time for a non-stick skillet. I have an All-Clad set and when the non-stick skillet deteriorated, I bought a $20 one at Home Goods to replace it. Works just fine.

[Anonymous]

I've called Revereware about a non-stick skillet, they replaced it no-questions-asked. Non-stick simply does not last very long. Since All-clad guarantees their non-stick for life, call All-clad and see what they'll do for you.

http://www.all-clad.com/Pages/Customer%20Service/Guarantee.aspx


PS -- you can fry eggs in stainless steel or cast iron about as easily as non-stick, without the risk of chemicals.

[Anonymous]

I actually mailed my 8-year old All-Clads back to the company when the nonstick coating stopped working. They refused to replace them, stating that the discoloration on the bottom of the indicated that I must have used the pan on high heat (and not on medium-low, as recommended) and thus they would not honor the warranty. I was frustrated because the shipping of those heavy pans was expensive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually mailed my 8-year old All-Clads back to the company when the nonstick coating stopped working. They refused to replace them, stating that the discoloration on the bottom of the indicated that I must have used the pan on high heat (and not on medium-low, as recommended) and thus they would not honor the warranty. I was frustrated because the shipping of those heavy pans was expensive!

I had the same issue: Here is the long reply I received from All-Clad. Also, they sent me a shipping label so the cost was on them. Good luck!

From date of purchase, All-Clad guarantees to repair or replace any item found
defective in material, construction or workmanship under normal use and
following care instructions. This excludes any damage resulting from improper
use and care. Minor imperfections and slight color variations are normal.

We will be happy to provide a warranty evaluation. Prior to sending in your
cookware, please review the following explanation of improper use and care that
may have voided your warranty:

Most instances when the non-stick coating has lost its' non-stick properties, it
is due to overheating of the pan. Cookware with non-stick coatings should be
used on low to medium heat settings. Due to the superior quality of All-Clad
cookware the cookware will heat up quicker and retain the heat. One indication
that your pan has been overheated is that your non-stick has turned a brown or
rusty color. Overheating of the non-stick coating will cause the non-stick
properties to break down. As a result you will find that foods are sticking to
the cookware. Overheating voids the warranty. You may try to clean the
non-stick coating with a mixture of baking soda and mild dish detergent using a
soft cloth. Depending on the degree of overheating, this may help return some
of the non-stick performance.

If there are digs, nicks or scratches to the non-stick coating from the use of
metal utensils or sharp knives, this will affect the performance of the
non-stick and will void the warranty.

Wearing away of the non-stick due to use of abrasive cleaners or scouring pads
is not covered under the warranty.

If the non-stick appears to be flaking, but you do not see the stainless steel
underneath, this may be due to residual oil build up on the pan. Oils hide
within non-stick surfaces in places where they cannot be removed simply with
soap and water. These oils burn during subsequent uses and create a layer that
food can stick too and also can flake off. Sprinkle a bit of the baking soda
into your pan. Add warm water and dish detergent to make a soupy solution. Use a
soft cloth, plastic-looped scrubber, or a food-grade nylon scrubbing brush to
agitate the debris in a circular motion. Rinse well with cold water and dry
thoroughly to avoid spotting.

If you feel that the problem you are encountering is not a result of any of the
above use and care issues, we will be happy to provide a warranty evaluation for
replacement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually mailed my 8-year old All-Clads back to the company when the nonstick coating stopped working. They refused to replace them, stating that the discoloration on the bottom of the indicated that I must have used the pan on high heat (and not on medium-low, as recommended) and thus they would not honor the warranty. I was frustrated because the shipping of those heavy pans was expensive!

Wow that sucks. I am the PP who posted about Calphalon. As I've said, we have done it twice over the last 5 years and we have gotten new pans both times!! I guess that's a plug for Calphalon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually mailed my 8-year old All-Clads back to the company when the nonstick coating stopped working. They refused to replace them, stating that the discoloration on the bottom of the indicated that I must have used the pan on high heat (and not on medium-low, as recommended) and thus they would not honor the warranty. I was frustrated because the shipping of those heavy pans was expensive!

I had the same issue: Here is the long reply I received from All-Clad. Also, they sent me a shipping label so the cost was on them. Good luck!

From date of purchase, All-Clad guarantees to repair or replace any item found
defective in material, construction or workmanship under normal use and
following care instructions. This excludes any damage resulting from improper
use and care. Minor imperfections and slight color variations are normal.

We will be happy to provide a warranty evaluation. Prior to sending in your
cookware, please review the following explanation of improper use and care that
may have voided your warranty:

Most instances when the non-stick coating has lost its' non-stick properties, it
is due to overheating of the pan. Cookware with non-stick coatings should be
used on low to medium heat settings. Due to the superior quality of All-Clad
cookware the cookware will heat up quicker and retain the heat. One indication
that your pan has been overheated is that your non-stick has turned a brown or
rusty color. Overheating of the non-stick coating will cause the non-stick
properties to break down. As a result you will find that foods are sticking to
the cookware. Overheating voids the warranty. You may try to clean the
non-stick coating with a mixture of baking soda and mild dish detergent using a
soft cloth. Depending on the degree of overheating, this may help return some
of the non-stick performance.

If there are digs, nicks or scratches to the non-stick coating from the use of
metal utensils or sharp knives, this will affect the performance of the
non-stick and will void the warranty.

Wearing away of the non-stick due to use of abrasive cleaners or scouring pads
is not covered under the warranty.

If the non-stick appears to be flaking, but you do not see the stainless steel
underneath, this may be due to residual oil build up on the pan. Oils hide
within non-stick surfaces in places where they cannot be removed simply with
soap and water. These oils burn during subsequent uses and create a layer that
food can stick too and also can flake off. Sprinkle a bit of the baking soda
into your pan. Add warm water and dish detergent to make a soupy solution. Use a
soft cloth, plastic-looped scrubber, or a food-grade nylon scrubbing brush to
agitate the debris in a circular motion. Rinse well with cold water and dry
thoroughly to avoid spotting.

If you feel that the problem you are encountering is not a result of any of the
above use and care issues, we will be happy to provide a warranty evaluation for
replacement.

IOW: We're jerks. Our lifetime warranty sucks.

[Anonymous]

I got the same bad response from all clad saying that it wasn't covered by warranty but that the damage (nonstick) coating was rough and flaking due to my misuse. Sorry I used it as any other family does. All clad plainly "sucks". I can't believe a company that claims to be so high caliber doesn't honor it's word. I've had crock pots replaced and le creuset replaced. No questions asked. Instead this company puts the blame on the consumer and hides behind the warranty. The warranty language doesn't even have lots of fine print. Just says abuse or misuse won't be covered. Really? Don't ever buy all clad. I even wrote a 3 page letter and sent the pans to the president of the company fed ex asking him if it was reasonable to expect for me to be able to use the pans over a reasonable amount of time and not have it falling off into my children's food. They sent the pans back w the same response. All clad is a dishonest able company that doesn't stand by its word. It has no warranty so don't rely on it.

[Anonymous]

How can they make a pan that is never supposed to be used on high heat? That's like making a car that's not supposed to go over 30 mph.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had this skillet for 10 years so it doesn't owe me any money, but still... all of a sudden eggs are sticking to it like they never used to. It is still easier to clean than a stainless pan, but you used to barely need butter or oil to cook eggs. I haven't put it in the dishwasher or used a harsh abrasive on it. Could it be just from putting it on too high heat (which DH tends to do)? anyone tested their warranty on this?

I doubt that high heat caused the problem. Instead the non-stick part probably has eroded. Hopefully not all were ingested in the last 10 years.

[Anonymous]

If you replace, get a scan pan. I have abused that non stick like crazy, only put it in the dishwasher and gasp! Use high heat...still non stick

[Anonymous]

Yeah, 10 years is a long time for a non-stick pan. You must have treated it well.

I only buy cheap nonstick pans now, and on higher-priced cookware I get stainless or enamel.