When it comes to high-end cookware, two brands that often come to mind are Made In and All-Clad. Both are known for crafting premium pots, pans, and kitchen tools that promise superior performance and durability. But how do these two popular cookware companies really stack up against each other?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into Made In and All-Clad – exploring their history, examining the materials and construction of their products, analyzing their overall value, and hearing directly from customers about their experiences. By the end, you‘ll have all the key information you need to decide which brand is the best fit for your cooking needs and preferences. Let‘s jump in!
The Story Behind Made In Cookware
Founded in 2017 by Jake Kalick and Chip Malt, Made In is a relative newcomer in the world of high-end cookware. However, don‘t let the brand‘s youth fool you – Jake and Chip have a rich family legacy in the kitchen supply industry dating back over 100 years.
Frustrated with the lack of high-quality, accessibly-priced cookware options on the market, Jake and Chip set out to create a new kind of kitchen brand – one that offered the same premium materials and expert craftsmanship as luxury brands, but at a fraction of the price. By cutting out the middleman and partnering directly with top manufacturers, Made In is able to deliver professional-grade cookware to home cooks at a much more approachable price point.
All of Made In‘s products are designed in Austin, TX and crafted in the USA, Italy, and France. The brand has developed a cult following among home cooks and professional chefs alike for their sleek, modern designs and top-notch performance.
Materials & Construction
Made In prides itself on using only the highest caliber materials in their cookware. All of their stainless steel products are crafted from premium 18/10 stainless steel, which offers excellent durability and heat retention.
Most of Made In‘s stainless steel cookware features a 5-ply construction, meaning it has 5 alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum. This multi-clad design allows for ultra-fast and even heat distribution, eliminating hot spots and ensuring consistent cooking results.
In addition to stainless steel, Made In also offers carbon steel and copper core collections. Their carbon steel is made from 2mm thick blue carbon steel, which is beloved by chefs for its lightweight design, fast heating abilities, and natural non-stick properties. The copper core line features a thick copper core for rapid heat conduction, along with a stainless steel exterior for easy maintenance.
For their non-stick pans, Made In uses a professional-grade, PFOA-free non-stick coating that is ultra-durable and long-lasting. Unlike traditional non-stick that quickly wears down, Made In‘s coating is metal utensil safe and built to endure heavy use.
Product Offerings
Made In offers a robust selection of cookware to fully outfit your kitchen, including:
- Stainless steel sets and individual pieces (sauce pans, saute pans, stock pots, etc.)
- Non-stick sets and fry pans
- Carbon steel fry pans and woks
- Copper core sets
- Bakeware
- Knives
- Accessories and tools
Whether you‘re looking for a complete cookware set or just need to add a couple key pieces to your collection, Made In has plenty of options to choose from. Their thoughtfully-curated sets offer excellent value and make it easy to build out a cohesive, high-quality cookware collection.
All-Clad: The OG of Premium Cookware
No discussion of high-end cookware is complete without mentioning All-Clad. Founded in 1971 by metallurgist John Ulam, All-Clad is widely credited with inventing bonded cookware and setting the standard for professional-level performance.
John Ulam was working at his family‘s metal company when he discovered that by combining multiple metals in cookware, he could harness the unique properties of each – such as the rapid heating of aluminum and the durability of steel. He used this bonded metal innovation to create cookware that heated faster and more evenly than anything else on the market.
All-Clad‘s game-changing bonded cookware quickly caught the attention of professional chefs and serious home cooks. Over the past 5 decades, the brand has established itself as a true powerhouse in the cookware industry, known for exceptional quality and high performance.
Today, all of All-Clad‘s bonded cookware is still handcrafted in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania using ultra-precise manufacturing techniques and rigorous quality standards. The brand has become a true heritage name that is passed down through generations.
Materials & Construction
All-Clad is best known for their original fully-clad stainless steel cookware. This collection features All-Clad‘s signature bonded tri-ply construction – with an aluminum core for fast heat distribution sandwiched between two layers of durable, heat-resistant stainless steel.
All-Clad‘s D5 collection takes performance to the next level with a whopping 5-ply construction. It has alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum for 35% more even heating compared to the tri-ply. For the most demanding cooking techniques and recipes, it‘s a favorite of professional chefs.
In addition to fully-clad stainless steel, All-Clad offers several other specialty collections to meet different cooking needs:
- Copper Core: Features a copper center that heats and cools rapidly for maximum temperature control. Great for more sensitive dishes.
- Hard Anodized Non-Stick: Made from heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum with a PFOA-free non-stick coating for effortless food release.
- Stainless Steel Non-Stick: Same steel construction as the original, but with a pro-grade non-stick finish.
With every piece of All-Clad, you can expect the same hallmark durability, performance, and attention to detail. All of their cookware is oven and broiler-safe up to 600°F, and is optimized for induction stoves. While All-Clad products come at a higher price point, their longevity and unwavering quality make them a worthwhile investment for serious cooks.
Product Offerings
All-Clad‘s product line includes:
- Stainless steel cookware sets and open stock pieces
- Non-stick cookware sets and fry pans
- Specialty items like woks, roasting pans, Dutch ovens
- Kitchen electrics like slow cookers and immersion blenders
- Ovenware
- Bakeware
- Tools and accessories
As you can see, All-Clad goes beyond just cookware to offer a comprehensive selection of premium kitchen items. Whether you‘re just building your cookware collection or looking to treat yourself to a high-end appliance, All-Clad likely has an option for you.
Made In vs. All-Clad: Head to Head
So how do Made In and All-Clad‘s collections compare when pitted directly against each other? We took a closer look at some of their most popular items to help break it down:
Cookware Sets
Both brands offer a variety of set sizes and configurations to fit your needs.
Made In‘s most popular and comprehensive set is The Executive Chef, which includes 14 pieces:
- 10" stainless steel skillet
- 12" stainless steel skillet
- 10" non-stick skillet
- 12" carbon steel fry pan
- 8 QT stock pot with lid
- 4 QT saucepan with lid
- 3 QT saucepan with lid
- 2 QT saucepan with lid
- 2 QT saucier with lid
The current price is $1019, or around $72 per piece. All the core essentials are covered in a cohesive, high-performing set.
All-Clad‘s D3 Stainless Steel 14-piece set has a similar lineup:
- 8" fry pan
- 10" fry pan
- 12" fry pan
- 1.5 QT sauce pan with lid
- 3 QT sauce pan with lid
- 3 QT saute pan with lid
- 6 QT stock pot with lid
- 8 QT stock pot with lid
- 12" chef‘s pan with lid
This set retails for $1630, or around $116 per piece. You get the additional 12" chef‘s pan, but the price per piece is higher compared to Made In.
Individual Pots & Pans
If you‘re just looking to add a few workhorse pieces to your collection, both brands have plenty of individual options as well. Here‘s a quick comparison of some of their bestsellers:
Stainless Steel Fry Pans
- Made In 10" Stainless Clad Fry Pan: $95
- All-Clad D3 Stainless 10" Fry Pan: $130
Non-Stick Fry Pans
- Made In 10" Non Stick Fry Pan: $109
- All-Clad Hard Anodized 10" Fry Pan: $180
Saute Pans
- Made In 3 QT Saute Pan: $139
- All-Clad D3 3 QT Saute Pan: $220
Sauce Pans
- Made In 3 QT Saucepan: $109
- All-Clad D3 3 QT Saucepan: $185
As you can see, Made In‘s pans come in at a lower price point across the board when compared to similar offerings from All-Clad. The All-Clad pans are still slightly thicker and heavier, which some cooks prefer, but both brands offer reliable, even heating and strong performance.
Bakeware & Extras
Aside from just cookware, both brands have expanded into bakeware to round out their offerings.
Made In‘s bakeware is crafted from thick-gauge aluminum for great heat distribution and has a professional-grade non-stick coating for easy food release. The current 7-piece set includes two half sheet pans, a cooling rack, a 9" cake pan, 9" square pan, 1 lb loaf pan, and a 9"x13" pan for $229.
All-Clad offers ovenware pieces in both stainless steel and heavy-gauge aluminized steel with a PFOA-free non-stick coating. They offer several set configurations depending on your baking needs. The popular 5-piece non-stick set includes a half sheet pan, cooling grid, 9" square bake pan, 1 lb loaf pan, and 9" round cake pan for $130.
Both are solid, versatile options, though Made In‘s thicker aluminum is great for avid bakers. All-Clad‘s lower price point is appealing if you just need a few core pieces.
Quality & Performance
When it comes to quality and craftsmanship, both All-Clad and Made In are top of the line. It‘s clear that both brands put a strong emphasis on using the best materials and manufacturing techniques for consistently great performance.
In terms of actual cooking experience, both heat quickly and evenly with no noticeable hot or cold spots. Many reviewers report All-Clad‘s pans are a bit heavier, while Made In‘s are slightly more lightweight. All-Clad‘s long handles stay remarkably cool, which is a plus. Made In‘s heat up a bit more. But overall, both brands deliver reliable, restaurant-quality results.
Durability-wise, you can expect both All-Clad and Made In to last for decades to come. Pieces from both brands are beloved by chefs for their ability to withstand rigorous use. Treat them well, and these are truly the kind of pans you can pass down to future generations.
Price & Value
There‘s no way around it – high-quality cookware is an investment. But both brands offer strong value for their price point in their own ways.
Made In‘s direct-to-consumer model allows them to use premium materials and manufacturing, but offer their products at an accessible "middleman" price point. Across the board, Made In comes in lower than All-Clad. If you‘re looking to score high-end cookware for less, or just prefer a more modern aesthetic, Made In is an excellent choice.
All-Clad‘s prices are definitely steeper, but for many, the brand‘s rich history and legacy of quality make it worth the extra cost. With All-Clad, you‘re getting a tried-and-true product that has been the gold standard in kitchens for decades. If you want the absolute best and are willing to pay for it, All-Clad is still tough to beat.
Warranty & Customer Service
A great product is nothing without great customer service to back it up. Fortunately, both Made In and All-Clad receive positive feedback from customers on their support.
All-Clad offers a generous limited lifetime warranty on all of their cookware. Any item found defective in material, construction, or workmanship under normal use will be repaired or replaced free of charge. However, you will have to cover shipping costs. All-Clad‘s support team is also available by phone or email to address any concerns.
Made In offers a lifetime warranty and a 45-day trial period where you can return any cookware for a full refund if you‘re not satisfied, no questions asked. They also offer free shipping on orders over $49. Customers report positive experiences with Made In‘s friendly and helpful support team.
The Bottom Line: Which Brand Is Right For You?
So after all this, which cookware brand should you choose? Both All-Clad and Made In offer uncompromising quality and performance – you really can‘t go wrong with either. It ultimately comes down to your personal cooking needs, aesthetic preferences, and budget.
Go with All-Clad if:
- You want the proven durability and performance of a heritage brand
- You prefer the heft of heavier pans
- You‘re willing to pay more for the absolute best
- You want a wide range of specialty cookware and appliances
Go with Made In if:
- You want premium quality and performance for less
- You prefer sleek, modern design
- You value a more direct connection with the brand
- You‘re mainly looking for core essentials vs. specialty items
Whichever brand you choose, if you treat your cookware well, you‘ll be enjoying it for many, many meals to come. Both All-Clad and Made In are designed to be your trusted kitchen companions for life.
