Whether you are looking for excellence and quality in your cookware or are trying to support local manufacturers, American stainless steel is an excellent option. It’s durable, high-performing, and reliable.
Many U.S.-based manufacturers offer top-notch stainless steel products complying with national and international standards. Made In is one of the best brands that combine affordability with quality.
Check out this comprehensive guide for a list of the best stainless steel cookware sets of 2024 in the USA.
The Best Stainless Steel Cookware Made in USA
Offering a wide range of cookware materials, Made In is one of the newcomers to the market, but highest-rated manufacturers offering bakeware and cookware made of stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, and enameled cast iron. Stainless steel is where the brand excels. It has a range of offerings fitting different budgets and needs. You can buy MadeIn stainless steel cookware individually or as a set.
The premium quality of Made In stainless steel cookware comes from all-clad, 3-ply and 5-ply construction. Both constructions feature aluminum sheets sandwiched between two stainless steel layers. The difference is that the 5-ply type has a three-layered aluminum sheet as a core.
One of the biggest reasons to like MadeIn is that their direct-to-customer sales model eliminates resellers, reducing the costs considerably.
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Are Made In Steel Pans Really Made in the USA?
Although Made In is an American brand, its products come from different locations, including Germany, France, and Italy. Each product within the same category may be produced in different locations. For example, their oyster shuckers are made in the US, but their chef knives are made in France.
The same goes for stainless steel products. A quick search on their website shows that their stainless steel sets, pots, and pans are made in different countries, including the US, Italy, Hungary, England, Sweden, and France. For example, their non-stick set with a stainless steel exterior is made in the U.S.
Unfortunately, not many of their stainless steel products are made in the US; most of them are Italy-made. The only exception is this Stainless Steel Clad Saucier. And this 13-set stainless steel series, which also contains carbon steel pieces, is made in the US, Italy, and France.
The most famous American stainless steel cookware manufacturer is arguably All-Clad. As the inventor of the fully-clad construction, All-Clad stays true to the quality and durability of its construction.
The wide variety of their products, premium quality materials, and highly durable products have made All-Clad a reputable and reliable brand. You can get your cookware in sets or individual pieces. Even the sets come in various configurations, with different pieces and sizes to suit different preferences.
Their signature line is D3, featuring full-clad 3-ply stainless steel cookware with brushed and mirror finishes and an aluminum core. Those looking to crank up their cookware can go for the D5 series or the copper core line.
All-Clad is perfect if you are looking for a durable option that can stand the test of time. It also has a varied collection with innovative designs that suit every culinary style. The D5 series continues the company’s innovations by introducing stainless steel pans with a non-stick surface.
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Are All-Clad Steel Pans Made in the USA?
Like many U.S.-based businesses, All-Clad outsources the production of some of its products to other countries, including China and Germany. Most of their products, including bakeware, enameled cast iron, and kitchen electrics, are made in China.
Their Fusintec enamel series is made in Germany. And they make stainless steel lids and handles in China. However, all their stainless steel cookware and bakeware are made in the U.S. The only exception is the Emeril Pro-Clad series, which was made in China, but it’s now discontinued.
The most important factor that makes Viking cookware stand out from others is its lifetime warranty, indicating the impressive durability of its products. In addition to stainless steel, they offer various other materials, including copper and titanium. And here’s where you can see another impressive feature: combining functionality with attractive designs.
Their all-clad stainless steel collection features 5-ply, 18/10 stainless steel, and a 3-ply aluminum core. You can get individual pots and pans or sets with different numbers and configurations. All pieces feature riveted Signature Viking handles designed to stay cool and tolerate oven temperatures up to 600°F.
If you are looking for beauty and functionality, this brand is for you.
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Are Viking Culinary Steel Pans Made in the USA?
Although Viking Culinary operates in the U.S., most of its products are made in China. The only exception is the 5-ply Professional Collection that is made in the USA as of this writing. It contains a variety of options, including sets of different sizes and open-stock pieces.
However, the other products, including bakeware, cutler, and other stainless steel products, are made in China.
Based in Clarksville, TN, Heritage Steel is a family-owned business in the U.S. The cookware is reinforced with titanium, making it more durable than many other brands.
The company offers products in a wide range of open-stock and set collections of different sizes. Those who look for a piece of cookware with a non-stick coating will be disappointed since they don’t have such offerings. However, high-quality stainless steel becomes adequately non-stick with proper cooking methods.
Another great plus of Heritage cookware is that it tolerates higher heat compared to other brands. So, you can safely place it in the oven at up to 800°F.
They also offer a lifetime warranty, which shows they stand behind the quality of their products. You can also get some perks with select sets, such as a lid with the skillet.
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Are Heritage Steel Pans Made in America?
Heritage Steel produces all its cookware in the U.S. It’s a small, family-owned business with over 40 years of experience in the business. Their factory in Clarksville uses titanium-strengthened stainless steel to manufacture their products. Their lids are also American-made.
However, their raw materials don’t come from the U.S. exclusively. According to their product specifications, their raw materials are globally sourced.
Owned by Americraft Cookware, 360 Cookware is one of the most ethical manufacturers in the USA. It used to be one of the few brands with 100% American-made products. However, after failing to source their raw materials inside the U.S., they don’t claim 100% US manufacturing anymore.
Still, they remain a green factory by releasing and using no harmful chemicals. They also promise durable materials that don’t end up in landfills and last for generations.
The cookware has a 3-ply construction handcrafted with a magnetic exterior, making it suitable for induction cooktops.
Most importantly, it’s made with unique “vapor technology,” meaning the cookware is a waterless type – where you don’t need to add water to the pan to get even heat distribution. And compared to the other waterless cookware reviewed in this article, it has a lower price.
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Are 360 Cookware Steel Pans Really Made in the USA?
360 Cookware used to make 100% of its products in the U.S. However, as mentioned, some parts of their cookware come from outside the U.S. due to material shortage.
As an ethical business, they disclose a list of all the materials and products sourced from other countries, including China and South Korea. However, many of their product parts still come from American sources and all their products are manufactured in their West Bend factory.
What To Look For in Stainless Steel Cookware Made in USA
Stainless steel cookware everywhere. You can find a wide range of prices, designs, and qualities in every corner. But if you value quality, craftsmanship, and national standards, you may want to dig deeper when shopping for stainless steel cookware made in the United States.
The brands mentioned in this article are all reputable and famous for offering the best American-made stainless cookware. However, due to the raw material shortage, some of their products are made in China. So, it’s better to do your homework before shopping. Here’s what to do:
How To Choose the Best Stainless Steel Cookware
After choosing your brand, you need to narrow your options and see which products are better for you. Here’s what to look for:
Stainless Steel Gauge
When shopping for cookware, you may see numbers like 304, 300, 18/10, or 18/12 stamped on the product. These numbers give valuable information about the quality of raw materials used in cookware.
The most common gauges are 304 and 316, belonging to the 300 series. These gauges show the metal composition of the steel alloy. 18/10 shows the product contains 18% chromium and 10% nickel. Another great gauge is 18/8, made up of 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
The 316 series has a better composition since it contains chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, making it corrosion-resistant.
The 400 series is ferritic, which means it’s magnetic and suitable for induction cooktops. And cheaper types are the 200 series, which contain manganese instead of nickel and are less durable.
Core Material
All of the products recommended in this article have an all-clad construction. They feature two layers of stainless steel wrapping around a conductive metal layer like aluminum or copper. This construction is superior to the impact-bonded models, with a clad disc attached to the bottom of the cookware. This way, the cookware only has heat conductivity on the bottom. Fully clad cookware has this 3-layered construction throughout the vessel, making it super effective and heat distribution.
Higher-end models have a 5-ply stainless steel construction with a three-layered core sandwiched between two stainless steel sheets. This will increase the cookware’s heat conductivity but may make it heavier.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Stainless steel cookware can be difficult to handle for many beginners. The layered construction makes it heavy and unsuitable for saute pans or methods like stir-frying. So, it’s recommended to try the cookware physically before purchasing.
Plus, it’s not truly non-stick. So, you may need extra cleaning measures or learn how to prepare it to minimize sticking.
Finally, check the handles carefully to ensure they’re easy to use. If the product is heavy, look for a ring handle in front of the vessel for better handling. And ensure the handle doesn’t slip or rotate, which is crucial while cooking.
Conclusion
When it comes to quality and performance, few brands can beat Made In and All-Clad. These two American cookware brands offer excellent quality, performance, and durability. All-Clad may be overpriced, but it’s a great investment that can last for generations.
Made In products offer similar quality at a lower price. However, the products fully manufactured in the USA are limited.
