After swapping budget cookware for a brand favoured by professionals, Sam Jones discovered his new pans are "leagues ahead of standard offerings." The dad of one tested Made In Cookware's 5-piece stainless steel set, currently priced at £349 down from £377, and was thoroughly impressed by the build quality and performance.
A Kitchen Mishap Sparks an Upgrade
Jones admits that despite cooking every day, he has "never been one to splash out on quality cookware." Instead, he relied on whatever happened to be reduced at the supermarket when an old pan finally gave up the ghost. He always assumed all pans functioned exactly the same, thinking: "They simply heat up and cook your food, don't they?"
That assumption completely changed after a kitchen mishap. He explained: "Given that the handle had recently detached from one of my battered old pans, I interpreted it as a cosmic nudge that it was time for an overhaul."
Professional-Grade Performance
What immediately struck Jones was the exceptional build quality. He noted that the pieces are "leagues ahead of the standard offerings you'll find on shop shelves." In fact, the new cookware looked so stunning that he admitted he was almost reluctant to actually cook with it.
Jones said: "From the package presentation to the weight and feel of the pans, they ooze luxury and really make you feel like you're on Hell's Kitchen. They're crafted from 5-ply stainless steel, which helps to deliver fast, even heat distribution for better cooking results while helping reduce hot spots where food can stick and burn."
He soon found out just how efficient the pans are, noting that they required "less heat output from the hob when compared to my previous set." He added: "The handles also stay cool, which is handy as I guarantee I'd forget otherwise and burn myself, while they're also compatible with gas, electric and induction hobs. They look fabulous too."
Investment Backed by Lifetime Warranty
While the price tag is undoubtedly an investment, the quality is such that Made In Cookware backs the set with a lifetime warranty. "It's easy to understand why so many professional chefs favour them - once you master pre-heating the pan and adding the correct amount of oil, the results are exceptional," added Jones.
He continued: "I find the five-piece set would be a perfect starter option for home cooks and ideal for a couple or those living alone. The frying pan is ideal for things like eggs or steak, while the saucepans are the perfect size to whip up some pasta in one and a sauce in the other."
Other variations are currently available, including a six, 10 and 13-piece stainless steel set. The six-piece is reduced to £524 from £566, the 10-piece is £772 down from £834, and the 13-piece set is £1,111 down from £1,201.
Customer Feedback and Alternatives
One consideration Jones felt was worth noting is that the pans are rather weighty. While this is a positive in that they feel top quality, it could be an issue for users who are a bit frail.
To date, more than 110,000 verified reviews of the Made In Cookware brand have been submitted, with the vast majority of purchasers awarding the full five stars. One said: "I've been cooking with the sauté pan now for 3 months on a daily basis and it has been fantastic. Everything that I wanted in a pan and exceptionally well constructed. I highly recommend."
Another added: "Great pan, heats evenly and has rounded corners for easy stirring and even cooking. Hefty and well built, with a comfortable handle." A third said: "Great pan, large cooking surface and hefty. Feels durable and the finish is great. Heats evenly and can cook eggs with minimal sticking with proper heat control and some oil. Handle is comfortable."
One customer noted that while they "love the look and feel" of the pan, they found it "difficult to clean." Elsewhere, Tefal's Ingenio Simplicity 22-Piece Pan Set is currently available for £300, down from £375, with the stackable pans saving 50% of space compared with standard cookware. For buyers on a budget, Salter's Timeless 5-piece set is currently priced at £65 at Argos.
