A dad-of-one who mostly bought pans from the supermarket has swapped budget pans for a premium brand. Journalist Samuel Jones has a 'genuine passion for cooking' but didn't think much about cookware until he invested in a range from Made In Cookware.
Samuel writes: "I had absolutely no idea just how remarkable a pan could truly be. After all, they simply heat up and cook food, don't they?"
"That was certainly my thinking, until I had the chance to put a range from Made In Cookware - the brand that 'chefs actually use' - through its paces. Given that the handle had recently snapped clean off one of my battered old pans that had clearly seen far better days, I took it as something of a sign that an upgrade was long overdue."
Quality and design
He reviewed the Made In Cookware's 5-piece stainless steel set, currently priced at £309, reduced from £377. The set comprises a 25cm stainless-steel frying pan, a 1.9L stainless-steel saucepan with lid, and a 2.8L stainless-steel saucepan with lid, according to the Daily Record.
The first thing that struck Samuel about the 5-piece stainless steel set was the quality, he said: "These are a world away from the run-of-the-mill pans you pick up in the shops, and frankly so attractive I was almost reluctant to cook with them."
He continued: "From the elegant packaging to the satisfying weight and feel, they exude a sense of luxury that makes you feel like a professional chef. Crafted from 5-ply stainless steel, they deliver rapid, even heat distribution for superior cooking results, while minimising hot spots where food is prone to sticking and burning."
Performance and value
Samuel was also impressed by how they worked on a hob, saying: "Having put them through their paces, I can confirm that the pans genuinely require less heat from the hob compared to my previous set. The handles remain cool to the touch throughout cooking — a welcome feature, as I'd almost certainly forget and scald myself otherwise — and they are compatible with gas, electric and induction hobs alike. They look fabulous too."
While the price tag is undeniably a significant investment, Made In Cookware backs the quality of its product with a lifetime warranty on the set. Samuel continued: "In my view, the five-piece set would serve as an excellent starting point for home cooks, and is particularly well-suited to couples or those living alone. The frying pan handles everything from eggs to steak with ease, while the saucepans are ideally sized for cooking pasta in one and a sauce in the other."
Several other configurations are currently available, including six, 10 and 13-piece stainless steel sets. The six-piece is reduced to £499 from £566, the 10-piece is £699 down from £834, and the 13-piece is £979 down from £1,201.
Alternatives and reviews
Samuel did point out a downside, writing: "One caveat worth mentioning is that the pans are fairly weighty — which, on one hand, lends them a reassuringly premium feel, but could prove problematic for those with limited strength." For those on a budget, there are other brands to consider.
Tefal is a well-respected and dependable name in the cookware market, with its Ingenio Emotion 22-Piece Pan Set currently reduced to £149.99, down from £375. The set has been specifically designed with storage in mind, with its stackable pans freeing up 50% more space compared to standard cookware, according to the brand.
Also worth considering for budget-conscious shoppers is Salter's Timeless 5-piece set, available at Argos for £65. It includes three saucepans in varying sizes, a frying pan and a milk pan.
To date, more than 110,000 verified reviews have been left for the Made In Cookware brand, with the vast majority of buyers awarding a full five stars. One customer wrote: "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 was exceptionally well constructed. I highly recommend."
Another remarked: "Great pan, heats evenly and has rounded corners for easy stirring and even cooking. Hefty and well built, with a comfortable handle."
A third reviewer commented: "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 noted that while they "love the look and feel" of the pan, they found it "difficult to clean". Made In Cookware's 5-piece stainless steel set is currently available in the sale for £309.
