Stainless steel itself is a poor conductor of heat, so most stainless pans are composed of layers of metal bonded and stamped together. The term “clad” or “cladding” describes this process of layering metals, which is why we refer to our Stainless Cookware Collection as "Stainless Clad."
All this to say, the main difference between 3- and 5-ply stainless is the number of layers of metal used to create the pan. Here's what else you need to know.
What Is "Ply"?
A stainless steel pan should be durable, able to handle high temperatures, and be an excellent conductor and controller of heat. Since stainless steel alone is not able to check all of these off, other metals are brought in to assist—typically copper or alloys containing high levels of aluminum, as both these metals are excellent heat conductors. The number of layers used is where "ply" comes in. A 5-ply pan, like ours, uses 5 different layers, where a 3-ply pan will use 3 layers.
In the cladding process, layers of different metals—in our case, aluminum alloy, pure aluminum, and two types of stainless steel—are stamped together into a single sheet of metal. This sheet is later formed into pots or pan to harness the best qualities of each material, resulting in cookware that performs consistently, responds instantly, and heats quickly.
3-Ply Stainless Steel
3-ply, also called tri-ply, refers to stainless steel pans constructed from three different layers of metal. Typically, this consists of stainless steel outer layers bonded to a layer of aluminum core. The third layer is typically anodized aluminum, which is a protective oxidized layer that helps with heat retention and durability.
Advantages of 3-Ply
- Price: Because it is constructed from fewer metals, tri-ply cookware is usually cheaper than its 5-ply counterpart.
- Weight: 3-ply cookware is slightly lighter due to the fact that it is only three layers, making it easier to lift and move from stove top to storage.
Considerations of 3 Ply
- Durability: Due to the fact that it’s only composed of three metal layers, 3-ply cookware is less durable and therefore more vulnerable to scratches and dents in its surface. This can also be compounded by poor quality and less strong bonds.
- Quality of Heat: As fewer metals are used in its construction, tri-ply cookware is more prone to uneven heating. This means that pans can develop hot spots, where certain areas heat up faster than others, leading to less even cooking.
5-Ply Stainless Steel
5-ply cookware refers to stainless steel constructed from five different layers. As mentioned above, we use a blend of pure aluminum and aluminum alloy as the core to capture the excellent heat conduction and control properties of aluminum. We then sandwich that with both 18-10 and high-grade ferritic 430 and 18/10 stainless steel for a durable, safe, and nonreactive cooking surface that evenly heats across the surface.
Advantages of 5-Ply:
- Conductivity: The additional layers of metal help 5-ply cookware heat up more quickly and cook more evenly than 3-ply.
- Durability: While the extra metal does add weight, it also results in added durability—5-ply cookware is generally more resistant to warping or denting. Note that proper care and handling will, of course, also contribute to the longevity of your pan.
- Safety: One of the reasons that stainless steel cookware is so safe is that it has strong bonds between the different layers of metal. This prevents metals from leaching into whatever you're cooking.
Considerations of 5-Ply:
- Price: 5-ply cookware is slightly more expensive because it uses different varieties of metal and more of them. When 5-ply includes copper as one of the metals used in the core, the price can rise.
- Weight: Because it is made up of more layers of metal, 5-ply cookware is generally to be slightly heavier than its 3-ply counterpart—though this will be a difference of ounces, not pounds.
Does Ply Actually Matter?
While 3-ply is slightly less expensive, and slightly lighter weight, there is a reason that 5-ply cookware like ours is used in professional kitchens all over the world.
Once you've used premium 5-ply construction like ours, you may notice a difference in the quality of your finished dish—especially when it comes to achieving the right sear on a steak or making sure a delicate piece of fish has a perfectly crisp skin.
Ready to Cook?
If you're in the market for a new pan, we recommend opting for our 5-ply Stainless Clad Cookware. Combining exceptional heat control and conductivity with a durable build beloved by home chefs and restaurant customers, it's the pan that put us on the map for a reason.
