Made In Cookware Reviews: a brand with passion for cooking
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Darrian Wilkins
- Last update: September 20, 2021
Stainless Steel Frying Pan 10”
This is our favorite Made In product for its ease of use and flexibility in the kitchen. Easy to clean, and fantastic heating qualities.
- Made in the USA
- 5 layers of alternating metal cladding
- American Steel
- Great performance in thermal camera test
- Oven/broiler safe up to 800F
- Clear instructions
- Easy to clean and maintain
Made In is an American straight-to-consumer cookware brand that is causing waves in the industry. Co-founder Chip and Jake come from a 100 year family history in kitchen supply and have sought out similar manufacturers with a legacy to uphold. Their products are all made in the USA, Italy and France for superior quality and fair trade practices. The French factory that constructs their carbon steel has been making cookware for 300 years!
Their award-winning cookware is even promoted by Michelin starred Chef Grant Achatz of the famous Alinea restaurant.
Their prices are lower than other brands of this quality because they skip the middle man by shipping directly to the consumer. This means everything must be purchased online, but they have a 45 day return policy and quality guarantee, giving you plenty of time to decide. Their lifetime guarantee protects against any manufacturing defect or unreasonable damage, though not everyday wear and tear or misuse. All products come with clear instructions, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
Something we love and find unique is their recycling program. When ordering on their website, you can select to recycle your old cookware and they will send a return shipping label with your new product. Simply ship them your old cookware in your new Made In box and they will ensure it is melted down and used as raw materials!
Packaging
Made In has a beautiful unboxing experience. The cookware arrives in vibrant orange boxes and has a sleek and straightforward copy. The instructions are clear and succinct and make you excited to test out your new pan! The stainless steel pan even came with a small packet of thyme seeds, so the customer experience is thought out from start to finish.
The cookware is cushioned by additional cardboard, so shipping damage was nonexistent. The only downside was that the individual pans were wrapped in plastic bags, making this the only element of the packaging that isn’t eco-friendly.
1. Made In Stainless Steel 10-inch Fry Pan
- 5-ply construction provides increased strength, durability and excellent heat distribution.
- Stainless steel is easy to maintain and can withstand most of the abuse.
- This pan is an excellent value for people who need top performance for a mid-range price.
Design and Construction
This pan has 5 ply construction, alternating layers of four different metals:
- Bottom: 18/10 430 stainless steel for induction compatibility
- 3 layers of alternating pure aluminum and aluminum alloy for heat distribution and retention
- Cooking surface: 304 grade stainless for scratch and stain resistance, heat distribution and perfect searing of meats and fish.
Measurements
- Height: 3.5 inches
- Depth: 1.75 inches
- Length: 18.5 inches
- Total Diameter: 10.5 inches
- Cooking Surface Diameter: 7.5 inches
- Weight: 2.25 pounds
Ease of Use
The stainless steel pan comes with detailed instructions for care, cleaning and use. If the instructions are followed closely, you should be able to avoid any beginner mistakes if this is your first stainless steel pan.
Like all high-quality stainless cookware, it is best to let it preheat completely on a low to medium heat setting, and use a small amount of oil.
After use, let cool completely before washing with soap, water and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. If there are any stains, they are easily removed with some Barkeeper’s friend or Made In’s own brand of polish. The pan can also go in the dishwasher, though it may stain. This won’t affect the functionality.
Performance & Durability
The handle is stay-cool stainless steel and is balanced with the pan for maximum surface contact on induction cooktops.
We conducted a thermal camera test and the pan performed beautifully: even heating across the entire pan, and great heat retention. No cold/hot spots!
A potential problem with the pan is the size. Due to the slope of the sides, the actual cooking surface is a small 7.5 inches, which can only hold two chicken breasts. Any cooking for a crowd would have to be done in batches.
The pan can withstand oven and broiler temperatures up to 800F, which is great for browning and finishing dishes with a nice, crispy crust.
Value
For American made stainless steel and five-ply construction, this pan is a great value. It performs similarly to much more expensive premium cookware like All Clad’s D5 line. It feels substantial in the hand, and like it will last for many years with proper care.
As a newer company, it is difficult to say for certain if it will last as long as All-Clad or Viking pieces, but it seems promising given the quality of the clad steel. It seems to be well worth the price and a better deal than its clad competitors.
2. Made In Nonstick 10-inch Frying Pan
- 5-ply construction provides increased strength, durability and excellent heat distribution.
- Stainless steel is easy to maintain and can withstand most of the abuse.
- This pan is an excellent value for people who need top performance for a mid-range price.
Made In’s Nonstick Frying Pan has all of the features of their Stainless Steel but with the convenience of nonstick coating. 5 ply stainless steel cladding, induction compatibility and durable riveted handle that balances perfectly with the pan.
It has the same impressive heat retention and distribution, though due to the coating has a lower broiler/oven tolerance, 500F, which is suitable for most home ovens.
When we tested it, this pan was impressively slick and perfect for cooking eggs. It is a good option if you want the durability of stainless steel cookware but the low maintenance and user foolproof usage of nonstick. The coating seems durable though not as much as Abbio, but only time will tell.
Nonstick Coating Details
- Made without PFOAs
- Triple cured coating lasts 10X longer than competitors’ coatings, and 30X longer than ceramic nonstick
- Made from American PFTE
- Handwash only
- Do not use metal utensils
Value
If you are looking for a long-lasting, induction compatible nonstick pan this is a good choice. More durable than any of T-fal’s offerings, and performs similarly to All Clad nonstick but without the hefty price tag. We think this pan is one of the best nonstick pans available.
3. Made In Carbon Steel 10-inch Pan
- 5-ply construction provides increased strength, durability and excellent heat distribution.
- Stainless steel is easy to maintain and can withstand most of the abuse.
- This pan is an excellent value for people who need top performance for a mid-range price.
Design and Construction
This pan is designed to be indestructible, and it looks like that claim is promising.
- Made in France
- 2mm thick Blue Carbon Steel
- Seasons quicker than cast iron
- Height: 4.5 inches
- Length: 19 inches
- Total Diameter: 10.25 inches
- Cooking Surface Diameter: 7.5 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
Ease of Use
The pan came in the usual beautiful packaging and included a clear set of instructions in the provided leaflet. After a wash and a season (with the provided seasoning wax included in the box), we tried it out with some eggs. They didn’t stick much, and it became slicker with more seasoning.
Cleanup was easy at first, simply wipe the residue off with a paper towel and add a little wax. It has been harder to clean if things do get stuck and require seasoning every time.
The seasoning itself isn’t complicated but it is inconvenient for everyday cooking.
Performance & Durability
Carbon steel is used in professional kitchens due to its durability and because it is like a hybrid of stainless steel and cast iron. You get a sleek pan that is lighter in the hand but with the searing qualities of cast iron.
After the first seasoning, the pan had little stick to it, however, after cleaning, it had some sticking.
You don’t have to worry about overheating it or scratching it like you would stainless or nonstick, though the heating isn’t quite as even when we tested it with the thermal camera. It still performed well, though not as well as the clad stainless.
It does stain quite noticeably from the flame as well as the food, but the beat up look adds to the charm and the seasoning. This isn’t a pan you buy for aesthetics.
It is a workhorse in some ways: it can handle high heat, won’t scratch much and is all about utility, but it is sensitive in other ways. It needs to be stored bone dry, must be re-seasoned after use, and sometimes the cleanup isn’t simple.
Value
This is a fantastic pan that will last for decades- if you know how to use it properly and can put up with the learning curve! It’s definitely one of the best carbon steel pans on the market. It is a finely made product and the quality is there for the price, but we recommend that if you mostly do stovetop cooking, go for the stainless or nonstick as they are more low maintenance.
4. Made In 3.5 QT Saute Pan
- Made in Italy
- 5-ply construction like the stainless frying pans
- Induction compatible
- Dishwasher and oven-safe up to 800F
Design and Construction
This is a beautiful and functional stainless steel clad saute pan, and it is ideal for braising and stirring because of the high sides and flat cooking surface.
You get 9.5 inches of the cooking surface so it can fit quite a bit of food, and 3.5 quarts of liquid capacity.
An added loop side handle makes transporting the pan from stove to oven to table more ergonomic and safe.
- Made in Italy
- 5-ply construction like the stainless frying pans
- Induction compatible
- Dishwasher and oven-safe up to 800F
- Height: 4 inches
- Cooking Surface Diameter: 9.5 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
Ease of Use
The pan was as easy to use as the stainless clad frying pan, simply use it over low-medium heat and make sure it is preheated before adding oil.
This saute pan performed well as a vessel to brown and braise meats. After washing, simply heat on low-medium and add a bit of oil, then brown your meat. Add some stock or wine, place the lid and transfer to the oven for a few hours and you will have tender, juicy meat and a delectable sauce.
Performance & Durability
Like the frying pan, it heated up beautifully and evenly. It browned nicely, and nothing sticked to the bottom.
The size is perfect for home cooking, though 4 quarts may be better for a full roast or rack of ribs.
It was almost indistinguishable from All Clad’s D5 saute pan in performance, and seems like it will be just as long lasting and durable.
Value
If you want a clad saute pan, this is a great choice. It is still more pricey than a Langostina or Cuisinart, but much less than All Clad or Viking, so you are making a wise investment. A saute pan is a must if you cook a lot of meat or veggies in sauce, though you could probably get away with just buying a larger frying pan if you want only one multipurpose piece of cookware.
5. Made In Saucepan
- Made in Italy
- 5-ply construction like the stainless frying pans
- Induction compatible
- Dishwasher and oven-safe up to 800F
Design and Construction
A classic saucepan with no bells and whistles. It is made from the same quality 5 ply construction as their stainless steel frying pans, alternating four different metals for optimal heat retention and distribution.
The pot seems deeper than most saucepans, having a smaller footprint on the stove than the other 4 quart saucepans.
It has an extra-long, hollow, riveted stainless handle to keep your hands safe from burns while stovetop cooking. An extra loop handle on the opposite side aids in transporting the pan from the stove to the oven to the table.
- Made in Italy
- Induction compatible
- 5-Ply Construction
- Height: 5 Inches
- Total Diameter: 8.5 Inches
- Weight: 3.1 pounds
Ease of Use
This pan is extremely easy to use and heats up beautifully over low to medium heat. The instructions were laid out clearly and this saucepan works intuitively even without them.
It should be washed by hand, but the polished stainless makes this an easy task with just a little soap, water and a soft cloth or sponge.
Performance & Durability
When heating soup, we didn’t notice any hot spots and thermal camera tests confirmed this.
This saucepan is great for liquids because of its deep sides, and stirring normally created no splashes or overflow. This is the biggest saucepan Made In offers, and it would be suitable for large pasta dinners or big batches of soup.
The handle is oddly long, so for safety make sure it is always tucked in over the cooking surface rather than poking out where it could be bumped or grabbed and spill. It did stay cool enough to touch throughout the cooking process.
It is oven safe up to 800F, so you could braise things in this as well without damaging the pan.
Value
If you are only using this to boil water for pasta, you can achieve this with much less expensive cookware, and the cladding may not be necessary for that task. If you make a lot of cream-based soups, cook a lot of grains or even need super reliable heating for candy making this is a smart investment.
Final Thoughts on Made In
Made In is certainly a game-changer in the cookware industry with its commitment to quality, value and the environment. The direct to consumer model gives a lot of power back to the consumer, and the ability to communicate with the company directly if there are any issues.
Their products are high enough quality to attract the attention of respected chefs and trade publications, though only time will tell if the durability rivals that of their main competitors, All-Clad and Viking.
