Classic stainless steel cookware has been popular for decades, and with good reason. For one, stainless steel cookware pieces don’t have toxic coatings. They are essentially “inert,” which means they don’t leach chemicals into your food.

Further benefits of stainless steel cookware include: 

Heat conductivity

While stainless steel itself is not a good heat conductor – due to the alloy’s structure – you can count on the material for strength and durability. The heat conductor is usually at the core of the pan. This is made of aluminum or copper, which is clad with stainless steel.

Durability

Since stainless steel is a durable material, stainless steel cookware tends to be long-lasting and doesn’t require replacing every year or two. According to our research, some cooks have had their stainless steel cookware for as long as five decades.

Easy to care for

Stainless steel cookware is also relatively easy to clean and maintain. The pieces don’t require special care. You can scrub them down or even put them in the dishwasher.

Minimalist design 

Many people choose to go with stainless steel cookware because they like the sleek, minimalist design and how the pieces look in a kitchen.

Which Brand of Stainless Steel Cookware Is Best?

With all these advantages, stainless steel cookware has become one of the preferred cookware materials for many professional chefs and home cooks alike.

But with so many stainless-steel cookware options on the market, it’s hard to know which ones to look at.

Here we examine two of the best brands of stainless steel cookware: Made In and All-Clad. Both offer high-quality stainless steel cookware, and both have a loyal fanbase of professional chefs who swear by their products. 

They also have pots and pans in other materials, including copper, ceramic, and carbon steel.

In this in-depth review, we take a careful look at Made In and All-Clad, what they offer and which one could be the best option for you.

Made In vs All-Clad

We take a look at how these brands stack up in a side-by-side comparison.

Construction and Materials	Stainless Steel Carbon steel Copper Non-Stick	Stainless steel Non-Stick Hard anodized aluminum Ceramic
Where it’s made	USA	USA
Free From	PFOA	PFOA
Price per set	$649 for 11-piece set with discount	$699.95 for 10 piece set with discount
Quality	5-ply stainless steel construction	3 and 5-ply stainless steel options (D3 and D5 collections)
Shipping areas	USA and 200 international countries	Continental US only
Shipping cost	Free shipping and free returns for: Orders over $50 – US delivery Orders over $99 – Intl delivery	Free within US
Review summary	5 out of 5 stars from 21,938 customer reviews.	4.7 out of 5 stars from 670 customer reviews.
Refund policy	Full refund within 45 days of delivery date.	Full refund within 45 days of delivery date.
Warranty	Manufacturer’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. Limited One-Year Warranty on Non-Stick Coating.	Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Special Offers	15% off for a limited time: Made In	Best price: All-Clad

Made In Cookware Review

What is Made In Cookware?

Made In’s goal is to provide quality cookware at affordable prices. 

They source premium materials for their pans and partner with experienced manufacturers in the U.S., France, and Italy.

The customers who use their pots and pans include chefs of Michelin-star restaurants and hotels, as well as everyday home cooks. 

Made In’s key collection remains their stainless steel cookware, but they also offer non-stick cookware, carbon steel cookware, copper cookware, knives, plates, and glasses.

Made In sell directly to customers rather than to retailers. This helps them to keep the prices low, and the quality high. All of their collections can be ordered through their website: Made In.

What Sets Made In Cookware Apart?

Made In cookware has a great design, but it also has a few key features that set it apart.

5-Ply Stainless Steel

Made-In prides itself on having 5-ply stainless steel cookware.

This means that the pans have a three-layer aluminum core, covered by a stainless steel layer on each side.

Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat, so this 5-ply construction means more even cooking with fewer hot spots.

The pots and pans can also withstand very high heat. Made-In’s stainless-clad cookware is oven-safe up to 800°F.

The long handles are designed to stay cool while on the stovetop and have a hollow construction to prevent overheating.

Best price: Made In Cookware

Made in the USA

Born in Texas, Made In always sourced their metal from the USA.

Although they considered manufacturing elsewhere and examined partners across a number of continents, they found that the best manufacturers for them were also in the USA.

Quality Manufacturing

Made In sources the raw materials that they use in their cookware. These raw materials then undergo a cladding process that can help make the finished product more durable.

The process of cladding bonds different metals together to make a new, single sheet of metal. Through this process, the finished product can take advantage of the properties of the different metals within it.

Made In uses five layers of metal in its cookware to give better heat conductivity.

The cladding process might also make the cookware more durable and resistant to corrosion.

Best price: Made In Cookware

Complete Kitchenware Line-up

Made In cookware has a wide range of kitchen products to offer.

This might be great news for people who want to buy pans made of different materials or cookware together with other kitchen items.

As all pieces come from the same brand, the cookware looks uniform even if made from different materials. No more mismatched cookware pieces!

Aside from pots and pans, they also offer cutlery, glassware, bakeware, and tabletop items.

Best price: Made In Cookware

Customer-friendly Website

Online shopping can be frustrating when the brand’s website is difficult to use. Made In cookware’s website is simple and easy to navigate. It even has an educational aspect to it too.

Product details and FAQs are all right there next to the item, along with reviews, specs, and heat tolerances.

The website also has articles that can be helpful for customers. Examples are posts about the proper use of cookware or how their manufacturing process works.

Best price: Made In Cookware

Made In Cookware Sets

Made In is best known for its stainless steel cookware.

However they also manufacture cookware in other materials and have launched well-designed ranges for each. Below are the key sets from each cookware material Made In offers.

Made In Cookware Prices

Made In cookware sets range from $245 up to $849.

Their prices are kept down by avoiding third-party retailers and selling directly to customers through their website. This means they can continue to use quality materials, provide well-designed cookware, and manufacture in the USA. 

10% off for a limited time: Made In Carbon Steel

Made In Cookware Carbon Steel Review

Made In’s Carbon Steel is one of their most popular cookware collections. The carbon steel Sous Chef set scored 4.8 out of 5 stars from 3,237 reviews on their website. 

Users loved how much lighter the pans were than their older cast iron skillets. They also found that they had good non-stick qualities when seasoned, which only improved as they used the pans over time.

Carbon Steel is a hybrid of cast iron and stainless steel and offers the benefits of each material. The cookware has the same heat-retention properties as cast iron without being as heavy.

Made In use premium Blue Carbon Steel that’s a more durable and versatile material.

The cookware is safe to use on induction stoves and glass stovetops. It is also safe to use in the oven and can withstand oven temperatures of up to 1200°F.

Made In Reviews

Made In received 5 out of 5 stars from 21,938 reviews on their website. Even on their Facebook page, they again received 5 out of 5 stars from 103 reviewers.

As a direct-to-consumer company, Made In cookware’s products are only sold on their website, so all of their reviews are from their website. 

However they do state that the reviews are collected by a third party service and verified against actual purchases to check that they are valid. That means that even 1-star reviews are included alongside the 5-star ones.

They also feature reviews for specific cookware items and sets. For example, their stainless steel Sous Chef Set scored on average 4.9 stars from 6,878 reviews.

Here’s what some Made In customers had to say:

Is Made In Cookware Good?

Yes, Made In is an established cookware brand that delivers high-quality cookware.

They source quality materials and choose to make their cookware with US manufacturers. This says a lot about how they prioritize the production standards of their pots and pans. 

While they are popular with home-cooks, Made In has also become the preferred brand for many professional chefs who recommend them publicly on their website.

Their stainless steel collection is made of 5-ply stainless steel, which gives better heat conduction than the classic 3-ply. They also offer Carbon steel cookware, which is popular because it offers a hybrid between cast iron and stainless steel cookware. 

The brand’s product line is not just limited to cookware. The company also offers bakeware, cutlery, and glass products. So if you are looking at purchasing different kitchenware sets, you could do this all from one place. 

The only downside that we can find with Made In is the lack of a dedicated Customer Service phone number. However, you can still get in touch with them via chat or by sending an email if you encountered any problems.

Made In have amassed tens of thousands of happy customers who have given them 5-star reviews on their website. Many report being thrilled with the cookware pieces, and annoyed they didn’t buy them sooner. 

All-Clad Cookware Review

What is All-Clad Cookware?

All-Clad is a company founded by John Ulam in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

He was a renowned metallurgist who holds more than 75 patents for metal crafting. The company has been operating for 50 years since its inception in 1971.

All-Clad offers cookware and bakeware in various materials, including stainless steel, non-stick, hard-anodized aluminum, and ceramic.

Here we will look at their stainless steel collection, as well as on their other ranges too.

On top of cookware and bakeware, All-Clad also provide kitchen electrics and accessories.

What Sets All-Clad Cookware Apart?

Quality Construction

All-Clad have 50 years’ experience manufacturing cookware. Their factories are experts at bonding stainless steel cladding to aluminum layers of the cookware’s core. 

All-Clad’s stainless steel collection offers both the classic 3-ply and the higher quality 5-ply construction as separate options.

While most of their stainless cookware has an aluminum core, they also have a set that uses a copper core. 

This combines copper with aluminum in the core of the pan to give superior heat conductivity. They then use stainless steel for the cladding to give the pan durability.

Best price: All-Clad Cookware

Made in the USA

Like Made In, All-Clad cookware pieces are also crafted in the USA, which says a lot about their quality.

The company also uses materials sourced from US-based suppliers. The bonded cookware is then manufactured in their own Pennsylvania factory.

The handles and handle loops however are made in China.

Excellent Heat Conductivity

One of the most important characteristics of great cookware is its heat conductivity. This is a material’s ability to absorb and distribute heat.

Cookware made from materials that conduct heat well, enable food to be cooked quickly and evenly, without hotspots. 

All-Clad uses aluminum in the core of most of their cookware. Aluminum has one of the best thermal conductivity rates among common metals.

They also have a set with an additional layer of copper in its core. Copper has almost twice as conductive of heat as aluminum. Although this collection is much more expensive, it is meant to provide superior thermal conductivity for better cooking. [1]

Best price: All-Clad Cookware

Classic Cookware Designs

All-Clad cookware pieces have elegant, classic designs. They don’t use fancy colors and coatings.

Their cookware style is modern, but with a traditional twist, so their pots and pans fit in to most kitchen decors. 

Some of their cookware include functional design features such as non-drip rims or tall sides. These aim to give you better results when cooking and preparing food. 

All-Clad Cookware Sets

All-Clad have been manufacturing cookware for decades, and they offer a total of 17 cookware sets in stainless steel alone. 

The brand also sells cookware in other materials, including:

• hard-anodized aluminum (7 sets) 
• ceramic and stainless steel cookware (individual pieces)

In total they have 28 cookware sets across the different collections.

All-Clad’s most popular sets are outlined below:

Other Things to Consider

Long History of Making Cookware

All-Clad prides itself on its long history in the industry. Established in 1971, the company has been manufacturing cookware for the last 50 years. This says a lot about the company’s expertise in the field in terms of cookware design and production. 

Electrical Products

While most cookware brands concentrate only on cookware and bakeware, All-Clad has electrical products too. They provide waffle makers, slow cookers, toasters, and blenders.

All-Clad Reviews

All-Clad has scored highly in reviews on third-party websites, and customers seem to be very happy with their sets. Their D3 cookware set, for example, has 4.7 out of 5 stars from 751 global reviews. 

However, some customers were disappointed as they found that dishwashing the pans seemed to damage them. Others experienced problems with the handles breaking. If dishwashing cookware is a priority for you, then you may want to consider Made In sets instead. 

All in all, most customers were happy with their All-Clad pans and impressed with the even cooking which the pans provided.

Is All-Clad Cookware Worth the Money?

All-Clad cookware is worth the money if you’re looking for quality materials, well thought-out design, and the reassurance of having cookware that is made in the USA.

The pots and pans have all been created with the cook in mind. Wide rims with non-drip edges is just one of the features their pieces may include. 

Their hard-anodized aluminum collection offers a PFOA-free non-stick option as well which can be convenient.

Made In or All-Clad Cookware, Which is Better?

Both Made In and All-Clad are established names in the industry and offer quality cookware made in the USA. Each source the materials themselves to ensure the quality remains high. Their cookware pieces also have intuitive designs that have been well-thought-out.

All-Clad is the more established of the two, whereas Made In is the relative newcomer, founded in 2016. Despite this, if I had to choose between the two, I would go with Made In.

They have amassed thousands of 5-star reviews across their ranges. Users have found their cookware to perform well and remain durable over time. Their cookware can withstand dishwashing, whereas All Clad’s cookware is better maintained if it is hand-washed. 

Made In use the better 5-ply construction for all their stainless steel cookware, while All-Clad offer both 3-ply and 5-ply construction options. 

That said, both brands are worth the money in terms of the quality they provide. So whichever you choose to go with, either would be an excellent option for a new cookware set. 

Made In Cookware FAQs

Where is Made In cookware actually made?

The majority of Made In Cookware products are made in the USA. However, some of their products are manufactured from France and Italy. This is the result of the company’s collaboration with established manufacturers in these countries.

How is Made In Cookware’s Customer Service?

Most users report being happy with Made In’s customer service and found it to be comprehensive. 

As a direct-to-consumer brand, Made In Cookware uses different channels to provide customer service to its clients.

Its website has a Help Center that customers can use if they have questions or inquiries. The Help Center is like an online database with information on Made In Cookware products.

Customers can also get in touch with them through Interactive Chat and by sending them an email. Sending an email is the contact method that they recommend as customers can include order details, making the issue easier to resolve.

Unfortunately, Made In doesn’t offer phone support as of this time.

How do I Clean My Made In Cookware Set?

All-Clad Cookware F.A.Q.s

Do All-Clad Cookware Handles Get Hot?

The design of the handles prevents them from getting too hot on the stovetop. They are made of cast stainless steel which is not a good conductor of heat. However, the handles will get hot if the cookware gets placed in an oven or grill.

Is Salt Damaging To Cookware?

Yes, salt can damage cookware. A clear sign of damage is when you see a formation of small white dots or pits. To avoid this happening, bring any liquids to the boil before adding in salt.  [2]

Is It Safe To Use All-Clad In Ovens?

Yes. However, it is important to remember that different cookware ranges have different heat or temperature limits. If you own the Essentials, B1, HA1, NS1, and FusionTec, the temperature limit is 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The D3, D5, and Copper Core sets have a limit of 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Brand Of Cookware Do Professional Chefs Use?

Professional chefs use different cookware brands, so it’s a matter of preference. Just like home cooks, professional chefs have different techniques they use when cooking their food. This influences the cookware brand they prefer and the materials they choose.

Both All-Clad and Made In have many professional chefs who vouch for them and who use them in their work within commercial kitchens.

How Do I Clean My All-Clad Cookware Set?

The stainless steel pans can technically go in the dishwasher if you want. However, hand washing them with soapy water and a sponge is the best method if you want your All-Clad cookware pieces to stay in good condition.

Meanwhile, All-Clad’s copper cookware can be dishwasher-safe as well, although you should keep in mind that copper can tarnish. The easiest way to prevent tarnishing of the copper band is by hand washing and drying the copper cookware. Do this immediately after the wash cycle of the dishwasher.

It is not safe to use a dishwasher to clean the non-stick cookware.

How Is All-Clad’s Customer Service?

The majority of users were happy with All-Clad’s customer service. A small handful had issues getting a reply to their emails, but this seemed to be rare.

Overall, All-Clad has a comprehensive customer service system just like Made In. Customers can reach out to the company in a number of ways. 

All-Clad has a phone support customer service team. You can get in touch with them Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST. 

If you need help with a product, you can also complete a form on their website. A representative should get back to you by email to assist.