All Clad d3 or d5?

I have some of both D3 and D5. My preference is the D5, though I use both equally. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. As for other non-stick pans, perhaps a Le Creuset Signature Skillet? You get all the benefits of a cast iron skillet/non-stick skillet without the upkeep of a traditional cast iron.

I have this skillet (in blue) and love it.

I'll be honest, it's my DD's skillet so I'll have to ask her. I'm old school with a ton of old cast iron. No matter what I tried with DD, she just couldn't (wouldn't?) take care of the cast iron properly. Finally just bought her the LC for Christmas a couple of years ago. She loves it and no issues. It's her main skillet now. She does have a couple of D5 skillets, but prefers the LC.

What problems are you having? I am not nice to mine so it some times loses it's seasoning. We also use it as our main pan and it usually lives on the stove top. My kids make quesadillas everyday with raw tortillas. I don't really cook in it differently from any other pan except that it can go into the oven. My stove gets REALLY hot so finding the right temp is alway my challenge.

I have not seasoned mine.  They shouldn't need it.  For eggs though I do need to use plenty of Pam spray or butter.  And cook low and slow for scrambled (which is how I generally do it anyway). 

I only have d5 so can't compare for you. Love mine but the larger pans are heavy (easiest is to carry them with 2 hands). My bigger set was from Macy's so was a great value over buying individually, plus came with a stainless lasagna pan (which is awesome - it is actually sized to fit lasagna noodles, unlike my 9x13 pans) and a set of good quality potholders that lasted almost 10 years with heavy use. DH gifted me a small saucepan with lid to add and paid full price for it at William-Sonoma, which I think was like $275 He had offered to take it back and give me the money to buy something else, which I didn't and we use it a ton One thing I like is my kids can also cook in the All-Clad (after drilling no cooking spray on them ever into them) and they cook a fair amount - the gross egg mess cleans out easy with a little soaking.

As for something else, it seems like there is a lot out there that would last but I've never seen quality like All-Clad. I love my Le Creuset (dutch ovens) like others mentioned, although I stick to stews or braising primarily. I would need a bit of practice to use LC as a skillet - they are beautiful, though!

Buy the three pieces you use which allows you to spend more. Then watch for sales (or hit an outlet store) and add what you need over time. That is how we built up our collection. Most people will find with sets that they rarely (if ever) use some of the pieces included. So it's really a waste of money to buy a set when some of it is just going to become clutter.

America’s Test Kitchen tested All-Clad D3 against D5 and didn’t find differences enough to justify the higher price of D5. I believe they found the increased weight of the D5 made it more difficult to use.

We don’t have any D5 so I can’t comment on that. But I’m with you, own only what you’ll use. I’d still see if buying. a set on discount is less expensive, and then after cooking for a month or two with your reduced pots and pans, donating the rest. Is your daughter getting close to moving out? If not, a women’s shelter might be a good place to donate them.


eta: Wait, I thought D5 was with the copper layer showing. How can you tell the difference between D3 and D5? Because it’s possible we have some and just don’t know it. 

I bought my All Clad pieces in Pittsburgh at their semi-annual factory sale. They are seconds, but you would never know. I think they are D3. They are beautiful and functional, and cost a fraction of the price. I don’t know if this sale still exists, but I highly recommend it.