Summary: Cooking at home is my new favorite ritual, and Made In’s Stainless Steel and CeramiClad cookware made the transition effortless. After years of relying on takeout and trendy but short-lived pans, I was blown away by the Made In’s craftsmanship, nontoxic standards, and thoughtful design. Hosting friends for a dinner party with Made In cookware reminded me how good it feels to cook, connect, and create memories in my own kitchen.
What I Love:
- Premium materials, pro-level performance: Made In’s Stainless Steel and CeramiClad lines are crafted in Italy and the USA using 5-ply stainless steel for even heating, incredible heat retention, and long-term durability.
- Safe, non-toxic cookware: All pieces are third-party tested and made without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, Lead, Cadmium, or BPA, a huge plus if you care about clean cooking.
- Versatile and oven-safe: Stainless Clad pans can handle up to 800°F, and the CeramiClad non-stick up to 550°F, meaning you can easily go from stovetop to oven.
- Beautiful design, built to last: The Limited Edition collection with Antique Brass Handles adds a timeless, elevated touch — equal parts functional and display-worthy. (And perfect for holiday gifting!)
Things To Note:
- Care and maintenance: The stainless pieces are dishwasher-safe and clean up beautifully. Note that the CeramiClad pans are best washed by hand and stored carefully to prevent surface chips.
- Investment worth making: With prices ranging from $349 to $799, these sets aren’t cheap, but their quality, longevity, and performance easily justify the cost — especially if you’re replacing cheaper pans every year.
It seems like everyone these days has some version of the same three goals: Be healthy, save money, and get offline. Funny enough, the answer to all three might just be hiding where we least expect: In our pots and pans.
I’ll admit, takeout has been my default these past few years. Living in LA, I’m spoiled with “healthy” options on every corner, but I still find myself wondering what’s actually in the food. And I honestly just feel better when I’m eating simple, home-cooked meals — fewer ingredients, less oil, no mystery sauces.
“I honestly just feel better when I’m eating simple, home-cooked meals — fewer ingredients, less oil, no mystery sauces.”
The money part doesn’t hurt either. Let’s be real: An Erewhon combo plate (one piece of salmon and two veggie sides) will now set you back around $38. I know…
So, cooking at home has been on my short list for a while — which is why I jumped at the chance to try out Made In Cookware.
I wouldn’t call myself a great cook (or a bad one either). I know how to follow recipes and can usually throw something together from the fridge. But getting closer to home-chef status takes the right mix of ingredients, creativity, time, skill — and, of course, cookware. Made In is known as “the cookware chefs actually use,” so it feels good to start my at-home cooking era with a solid foundation.
“Getting closer to home-chef status takes the right mix of ingredients, creativity, time, skill — and, of course, cookware.”
As a millennial woman, I’m constantly being targeted with “cute” pans that look great on my stove but don’t always hold up in the kitchen. That’s why I love that Made In isn’t just beautiful — it’s the real deal. Expertly crafted in the USA and Europe, made with the best raw materials, tested in world-class kitchens, and designed for actual cooking, not just the aesthetic. They also meet the world’s highest food safety and manufacturing standards… and in a world full of suspicious “non-stick,” that’s pretty important to me.
What really sets Made In apart is how open they are about their process, from their 100-year-old, family-owned roots in Boston to the factories they partner with across the U.S. and Europe. You can actually trace the origin of each piece and see the care that goes into it. There’s no influencer smoke and mirrors, no hidden endorsement deals. Just chefs and home cooks who genuinely use and love the products.
In a cookware world that often feels a little too much like Teflon — slick, shiny, and hard to trust — Made In’s transparency and craftsmanship truly stand out.
Besides everyday cooking, my second culinary focus is being able to cook for friends. Since moving into my two-bedroom house a few years ago, it’s felt like I’m running a hotel (in the best, most fun way, of course). There’s almost always someone staying in the second bedroom, and over time, hosting has become one of my favorite parts of life. In a world full of screens, constant notifications, and endless news, getting together with friends feels like a little reset — a chance to be present, share some laughs, and just enjoy the moment.
“In a world full of screens, constant notifications, and endless news, getting together with friends feels like a little reset.”
The one challenge? I didn’t have enough cookware to actually make a meal for more than two people. So when I discovered Made In’s cookware sets, I knew they were the missing piece, the answer to finally being able to host the dinner parties I’d been dreaming about.
For this review, I tested 2 collections, and I’ve been cooking with these pieces for about 6 weeks now:
- The Limited Edition Stainless Clad Collection with Antique Brass Finished Handles ($799 – on sale now)
- CeramiClad™ Non Stick Frying Pan Set ($349 – on sale now)
So let’s get into the review!
Shipping and delivery
My new cookware showed up fast, packed in sleek, branded boxes that were 100% recyclable and super easy to break down. Inside, everything was thoughtfully arranged — pans and lids snug in layered cardboard with clever cutouts to keep them protected. It felt like unboxing a gift (and would make an amazing one, too).
My dinner party dreams with The Limited Edition Stainless Clad Collection
The day my new cookware arrived, I had two guests staying with me, my besties Deb and Andrew, which felt like the perfect excuse to christen my new cookware with an impromptu dinner party.
After unboxing, we headed to McCall’s — one of my favorite neighborhood markets in LA — to grab ingredients for two dishes: Pan-Seared Halibut and Zucchini Ricotta Summer Pasta with Peas. By the time we got home, a few more friends had RSVP’d via text, so dinner for three quickly turned into dinner for six.
“I now get why chefs swear by these pieces.”
We put the new cookware to the test: The 2 QT Stainless Clad Saucepan, the 8 QT Stainless Clad Stock Pot, and the 10″ Stainless Clad Frying Pan. I now get why chefs swear by these pieces. Made In’s Stainless Clad line is completely coating-free and non-reactive, meaning zero leaching of metals or chemicals into your food.
Every piece is third-party tested by Light Labs and made without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, Lead, Cadmium, or BPA, which made me feel even better about cooking for friends.
Each pan is crafted in Italy using premium 5-ply stainless steel — five layers that create incredible heat retention, even heating, and easy temperature control. The handles stayed cool on the stovetop and felt balanced in my hand. The walls are curved for deeper searing and easier flipping, and that rolled rim made pouring sauces effortless. Every piece can go from stovetop to oven up to 800 degrees.
“Each pan is crafted in Italy using premium 5-ply stainless steel — five layers that create incredible heat retention, even heating, and easy temperature control.”
I opted for the collection with Antique Brass Finished Handles, which adds a beautiful, elevated touch to my kitchen. I love pieces that feel like timeless classics rather than trends.
We followed a few of Made In’s cooking tips, which really helped us get the best results from each pan. First, in the 2 QT Saucepan, we preheated the pan for a couple of minutes before adding oil, then sautéed garlic until fragrant. We tossed in peas, zucchini, and a little corn — everything cooked evenly without sticking or scorching. Finally, we stirred in marinated feta to create a light, creamy sauce that coated the pasta beautifully.
Next, the 8 QT Stock Pot, we boiled a big pot of water for fresh pasta. The water came to a boil quickly, and the pasta cooked perfectly in just 3 minutes. We drained it, then poured it right back into the stock pot to eventually toss with the sauteed veggies, feta, and lemon zest, before serving straight from the stove.
Finally, for the halibut, we used the 10″ Frying Pan. Following Made In’s directions, we preheated the pan, added a drizzle of oil, then placed the fish — patted dry and seasoned simply with salt and pepper — into the pan. A few minutes on each side gave us that perfect golden crust, and a quick butter baste with lemon and thyme made it smell (and taste) heavenly. The fish was tender on the inside, crisp on the outside — even Andrew, who never eats fish, asked for seconds. That alone speaks volumes about the power of good ingredients and great cookware.
“A few minutes on each side gave us that perfect golden crust, and a quick butter baste with lemon and thyme made it smell (and taste) heavenly.”
We plated the meal with a side salad, and my friends — also self-proclaimed takeout people — were thrilled to have a home-cooked dinner. We lit candles, ate off my prized china collection (a birthday gift from Deb), and laughed while telling stories about our week.
After dinner, we gave everything a quick wash with warm water and popped the pans in the dishwasher. I love that they’re dishwasher-safe! The best part? Going to bed with no dirty dishes in the sink.
Every day made easy with CeramiClad™ Non Stick Frying Pan Set
Back to regularly scheduled eating — every morning, I make eggs. Usually with some sautéed veggies, plus a side of sauerkraut, avocado, and turkey sausage. As a single person, the CeramiClad 8” Frying Pan is the quickest way to cook breakfast and the perfect size for two eggs. Before, I only had a 10” pan, so I love the ease and control of this smaller size.
“As a single person, the CeramiClad 8” Frying Pan is the quickest way to cook breakfast and the perfect size for two eggs.”
Recently, my go-to breakfast has been thinly sliced zucchini, crisped in a little olive oil, with two sunny-side-up eggs cooked right on top. When the whites are mostly set, I add a splash of water and cover the pan with my 8” Stainless Steel lid to let the steam finish them off. The result? Perfect eggs with jammy yolks and golden zucchini underneath.
If you’re a lazy cook like me, non-stick is essential for quick, everyday meals — but some coatings can be toxic and leach into your food. Made In’s pans don’t. The CeramiClad collection pairs their award-winning 5-ply Stainless Clad base with a high-performance, American-made non-stick ceramic for a clean-eating, even-heating pan you can rely on daily.
The pans are handcrafted in the USA, and the handles stay cool on the stovetop while feeling balanced and ergonomic. The stainless steel base works on all cooktops — gas, electric, or induction — and they’re oven-safe up to 550°F. Like all Made In cookware, every piece is third-party tested and made without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, Lead, Cadmium, or BPA.
And while the 8” pan has become my weekday go-to, I already have big plans for the larger sizes. I’m staying in LA for Thanksgiving this year, and one of my best friends (also named Grace!) will be in town for a month. We’re planning a pancake Friendsgiving, and I can’t wait to see how my favorite gluten-free pancake mix from Honey Hi x CAP Beauty turns out on the non-stick pans.
“The pans are handcrafted in the USA, and the handles stay cool on the stovetop while feeling balanced and ergonomic.”
These pans need to be hand-washed to maintain their non-stick nature, but they are easy to clean and get food off of, so I don’t mind. I have noticed a few tiny chips in the non-stick from stacking the pans, but nothing that affects my cooking! (And Made In does sell pan protectors to prevent this. They’ve thought of everything.)
Is Made In worth the investment?
When it comes to buying cookware sets, you’re going to spend more upfront. Think of it as investing in your kitchen and in the way you cook. But here’s the thing: If you go for high-quality pieces, you won’t have to keep replacing them every year, which actually saves you money in the long run. I’ve learned this the hard way. Over the past four years, I’ve gone through at least four of those trendy, colorful non-stick pans… ringing up around $150 each. One by one, the non-stick wore off, and then I was back to square one.
“If you go for high-quality pieces, you won’t have to keep replacing them every year, which actually saves you money in the long run.”
Made In’s Limited Edition Stainless Clad Collection ($799) gives you a complete kitchen foundation: Saucepans, stock pots, and frying pans designed to be used for years, not replaced every season. If you prefer non-stick, the CeramiClad Non-Stick Frying Pan Set ($349) offers the same durability with a safer, long-lasting ceramic coating.
For me, investing in these sets isn’t just about the cookware itself. It’s about setting up a kitchen I can rely on, whether I’m cooking for one or hosting friends. Paying more up front means fewer replacements, better food, and saving money and time on replacements.
In the end, Made In made cooking easier for me — and more fun. That first dinner party set the tone, turning my cookware into keepsakes tied to memories. It’s safe to say my home-cooking era is officially underway. 👩🍳
THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT MADE IN
Grace Abbott is a LA-based freelance Brand & Marketing Strategist and a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She has a degree in Graphic Design from Parsons School of Design and is the founder of How To Go Freelance — a brand dedicated to empowering creatives to monetize their skills and build personal brands. Beyond work, she’s always studying a new spiritual modality, painting her bedroom a new color, practicing Pilates, hosting friends, or going on a nature walk with her chihuahua, Donnie. Find her on Substack or Instagram.
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