If you’re in the market for new non-stick cookware and are considering All-Clad, you might be wondering, what’s the difference between their HA1 and B1 non-stick collections?
In short, the main differences between All-Clad’s HA1 and B1 non-stick collections are the shape and angle of their handles and the steepness of their sides.
The handles on HA1 cookware are straight and angled higher towards the ceiling while the handles on B1 cookware are slightly curved downward and positioned more parallel to the rim of the pot.
The sides of HA1 cookware are steep, which helps contain food and prevent splattering while the sides of B1 cookware are less vertical with flared rims, which make it easy to slide food from a pan to a plate.
In the following sections, I provide an in-depth comparison of All-Clad HA1 vs. B1 cookware and explain their advantages over other non-stick cookware on the market. In the end, you’ll have all the facts to decide if All-Clad is right for you and if so, which non-stick collection to buy.
Why Choose All-Clad Non-Stick Cookware?
All-Clad is best known for its high-quality, multi-layered stainless steel collections, but for those looking for cookware with an easy-to-clean, non-stick surface, their HA1 and B1 collections are fantastic options.
When it comes to non-stick cookware, there are so many brands on the market. If you cruise the aisles of any WalMart, Target, or Macy’s, you’ll see dozens of options; and many of them are cheaper than All-Clad.
So why would anyone choose to buy All-Clad non-stick cookware? It all comes down to design, durability, performance, product offerings, and price.
All-Clad’s HA1 and B1 collections both have long stainless steel handles bolted securely to the base of the cookware with stainless steel rivets.
They both come with glass lids that fit securely, allowing you to check the progress of your food while keeping moisture locked in.
Everything about the HA1 and B1 collections is the same, except for the shape and angle of their handles and the steepness of their sides.
If you take a look at the side by side pictures below, you can see that the HA1 handles are straight and positioned at a sharper angle. The B1 handles curve towards the floor and are more parallel to the rim of the cookware.
There’s a debate over which handle angle is optimal, but, in the end, it all comes down to comfort and personal preference. Luckily for us, All-Clad provides both options to satisfy everyone.
Besides the design of their handles, the other difference between All-Clad HA1 and B1 cookware is the steepness of their sides.
As you can see below, the sides of HA1 cookware are very steep and lean slightly inward on some pieces.
Steep sides are ideal for sauteeing and cooking dishes that involve liquids because it reduces splatter and keeps everything contained in the pot or pan. The one downside is that it makes sliding food from the cookware onto a plate more difficult. With the HA1 collection, you’ll need a utensil to transfer foods in most cases.
On the other hand, the sides of All-Clad’s B1 cookware are less verticle and flare outwards at the rim. All-Clad B1 cookware won’t contain splatter as well as HA1 cookware, but its flared rims make sliding food and pouring liquids onto plates much easier.
Unlike some brands that slap non-stick coating on the surface of their cookware and warn you that you’ll need to replace it in a couple of years, both of All-Clad’s HA1 and B1 non-stick collections are built to last.
Both collections are made of heavy gauge hard-anodized aluminum, the strongest and most durable non-stick material. The pan walls are thick. Most non-stick pans are around 3 mm thick, but All-Clad’s are 4 mm.
As I mentioned in a recent post comparing All-Clad and Calphalon, aluminum becomes hard-anodized through an electrolytic process in which raw aluminum is treated to thicken its natural exterior layer. Hard anodizing creates a naturally non-stick surface that is super durable, resistant to corrosion, easy to cook with, and easy to clean.
Besides the high-quality aluminum, All-Clad’s non-stick collections have a stainless steel bonded base to prevent warping and scratches. Most other brands do not have a steel base on their non-stick cookware. Without it, cookware is more likely to warp and become damaged.
Also, the HA1 and B1 collections both have three layers of PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid)-free nonstick coating. Each layer increases the cookware’s scratch resistance and helps prevent chipping from contact with sharp utensils.
All-Clad guarantees both non-stick collections with a limited lifetime warranty that protects you against defects in material, construction, and craftsmanship. It’s important to note; their warranty does not cover deterioration of non-stick coating, discoloration, warping, and other issues that result from exposure to high heat while the cookware is empty.
Bottom line—All-Clad has the same high standard of materials and craftsmanship with their non-stick collections as they do with their world-famous stainless collections. Although no non-stick cookware will last forever, All-Clad is designed to withstand significantly more abuse than others.
All-Clad HA1 vs. B1: Comparison Chart
| All-Clad HA1 | All-Clad B1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Handles | Straight and angled high | Curved downward, parallel to cookware rim |
| Shape | Steep vertical sides | Flared rim |
| Number of Cookware Sets | 5 | 3 |
| Non-Stick Coating | PTFE | PTFE |
| Core Material | Hard Anodized Aluminum | Hard Anodized Aluminum |
| Handle Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Lids | Glass | Glass |
| Oven Safe Temperature | Up to 500 degrees | Up to 500 degrees |
| Cleaning | Hand wash recommended | Hand wash recommended |
| Induction Compatible? | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
All-Clad Non-Stick Cookware Unboxing (HA1 vs. Essentials vs. FusionTec)
FAQ
What happened with all-clad cookware?
What pans are comparable to All-Clad?
Do chefs use all-clad cookware?
Which All-Clad lines work on induction?
What is the difference between all-clad essentials & HA1 cookware?
Therefore, the All-Clad Essentials cookware is less durable and not induction-compatible. Another difference is that the Essentials collection, as its name suggests, only includes essential pots and pans. In other words, only a handful of pots, pans, and sets are available. The HA1 and B1 collections are much more extensive.
Is all-clad HA1 a good cookware?
Overall, All-Clad HA1 cookware performs well in the kitchen. Food doesn’t stick, the triple-layer non-stick coating holds up for years, and the aluminum body heats evenly. The main downsides are that it’s heavy, heats slower than thinner non-stick pans, and the handles are uncomfortable.
Does all-clad Essentials have PFOA?
All-Clad Essentials cookware features the same heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum base and stainless steel handles as the HA1 and B1 collections. It also has the same triple-layer PFOA-free non-stick coating.
Is all-clad a good brand?
All-Clad is best known for its high-quality, multi-layered stainless steel collections, but for those looking for cookware with an easy-to-clean, non-stick surface, their HA1 and B1 collections are fantastic options. When it comes to non-stick cookware, there are so many brands on the market.