A dad who swapped his bargain-basement pans for a professional-grade set says he now feels like he's on Hell's Kitchen. After years of making do with supermarket specials, he tested Made In Cookware's 5-piece stainless steel set, which is currently on sale for £309, down from £377.
The set includes a 25cm stainless clad frying pan, a 1.9L saucepan with lid, and a 2.8L saucepan with lid. The first thing that struck him was the quality, describing them as 'absolute quality' and 'miles away from the run-of-the-mill ones you find in shops'. He was so impressed by their beauty that he 'almost didn't want to use them'.
Luxury feel and performance
From the packaging to the weight and feel, the pans exude luxury. Made from 5-ply stainless steel, they offer quick, even heat distribution, minimising hot spots where food can stick and burn. In testing, the pans required less heat than his previous set, and the handles stayed cool, a bonus for someone who might otherwise forget and burn themselves.
They are compatible with gas, electric, and induction hobs. While the price is an investment, Made In Cookware offers a lifetime warranty, and it's easy to see why professional chefs choose them. Once you master pre-heating and oil, the food tastes sublime, he said.
Other set options and alternatives
Other stainless steel sets are also on offer: the six-piece is £499 (down from £566), the 10-piece is £699 (down from £834), and the 13-piece is £979 (down from £1,201). He noted the pans are quite heavy, which adds to their quality feel but could be a problem for some users.
For budget-conscious shoppers, Tefal's Ingenio Simplicity 22-Piece Pan Set is £139.99 (reduced from £375), designed to save 50% space. Salter's Timeless 5-piece set is available for £65 at Argos, including three saucepans, a frying pan, and a milk pan.
Customer reviews
Over 110,000 verified reviews of Made In Cookware have been submitted, with most giving five stars. One reviewer 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 commented: "Great pan, heats evenly and has rounded corners for easy stirring and even cooking. Hefty and well built, with a comfortable handle." A third added: "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 buyer, however, said they "love the look and feel" but found it "difficult to clean". The Made In Cookware 5-piece set is available for £309 in the sale.
