Treat yourself - Made In cookware 7 piece set
When we got the lake house, we engaged in the time honored tradition of surveying what was left by the previous owners. There were the normal things like a broom, some silverware, various plateware, a very crude handmade wooden crib, and of course pots and pans.
So we did the sensible thing: we kept all of it and treated it like treasured family heirlooms.
It was not at all sensible. And after painfully cooking with 20 year old pots and pans, I decided to upgrade to something a little more serviceable. The change was out of aesthetic choice, want of some nicer things, and necessity.
The change from the 1960s apartment size stove to a tabletop induction burner was welcome, but ended up leaving us with an assortment of kitchen items that were either wholly not compatible with the induction top or were so thin that the heat was almost too uneven to be usable.
That’s where the MadeIn cookware came into my life and I have not looked back.
So let's dive into the features that have made these kitchen items a source of Kondo like joy.
1 They are induction compatible.
This might not be a requirement for you, but the MadeIn cookware is all induction compatible, with the exception of their Copper sets and some of the smaller Carbon Steel pans. The induction top is very efficient, using high frequency radio waves to heat the metal of the pan directly, rather than the surface of the cooktop. The MadeIn cookware is excellent for this due to its thicker, multi-layer construction. Because of their 5-ply construction, the pans heat up and stay hot quickly and consistently with the heat distributed evenly across the bottom of your pot or pan. Even on high heat I’ve never had an issue with a burned mess on the bottom of the cookware because the distribution of heat is so even the entire surface is the temperature you are shooting for. And this reduces the need to scrape fragile foods off the bottom of the pan, like pasta or eggs.
2 They have a set for you.
MadeIn cookware makes several different sets for starting out. I personally went with the 6 piece stainless set. They call it the “stainless set” but it includes a non-stick skillet in addition to the stainless one. The 8 qt stock pot is big enough for larger dishes or soups and when paired with the pasta strainer becomes an easy to use pasta boiling machine or in a pinch, a light steamer. Their 2 quart stainless pot is exactly the right size for blue box macaroni and cheese and it is probably the most used pot out of the group because my kids believe that blue box is a food group. They also have the 10 piece stainless set, which if you already cook a lot and have the space for all of it, is a good bet. I haven’t found myself lusting for a new pot, yet. So I recommend starting with the 6 piece stainless set and purchasing the additional pieces as you see fit. No sense wasting that valuable cupboard space for unused items.
3 They have a certain look to them.
The 6 piece stainless set as well as the rest of the MadeIn cookware have this brushed stainless look to them that is less jarring than the polished set my parents grew up with. I feel that this gives them a certain muted quality that fits well with understated kitchens, like the one I currently inhabit. The All-Clad line has more of a shine to it which I don’t necessarily prefer, but you can’t really go wrong with either.
4 They clean up well.
It could be that I’m just older and more careful with my cookware but the MadeIn cookware stainless sets seem to clean up very easily. I remember spending a fair amount of time scouring stainless pots before, but haven’t had any such issues with the MadeIn cookware. They helpfully send you a card with care instructions which, if you actually follow them, really cut down on the work needed to keep them in good shape. All that’s needed is a non-scratch sponge and a little soaking time and you’ve got your stainless pot back into service. It also helps that they are stainless steel and will stand up to moisture and humidity better than unseasoned cast iron or carbon steel which is an essential consideration when dealing with a kitchen that isn’t always climate controlled.
5 It comes with a non-stick pan as well.
I liked that the 6 piece stainless set comes with both a stainless pan and a non-stick pan. Having the choice is nice when you need to make some sausage and eggs. You can make eggs on the stainless pan but it’s certainly an advantage if you’re trying to keep your use of fats down. The non-stick pan performs better than most of the non-stick pans I’ve had over the years but still requires proper care to ensure that the surface is defect free. The non-stick pan uses the same 5-ply construction as all the other cookware, but adds two layers of PTFE on the tap. If you don’t already have them, you’ll need to invest in some silicone or wood utensils to use with the non-stick or even the stainless pans. Except for a good, thin metal spatula for getting under foods, there’s not much of a need for a stainless ladle other than the aesthetics. That being said, everything has its place so if you find yourself keeping to the all stainless motif, carve out a slot in your mise en place for a good spoon and spatula for use with your non-stick.
6 Comfortable handles.
It may not seem like handles would be a major selling point, they are after all, just a handle. But I’ve found the MadeIn cookware handles to be excellent and even a touch better than their All-Clad competitor. While you can’t really go wrong with either set, the MadeIn cookware handles are thicker and a bit rounder. This softer edge doesn’t dig into your hand as much when moving pans or pots across the kitchen. Though the loss of the sharper edge does mean that they can rotate easier in theory, I’ve not had one get away from me yet. According to MadeIn, the handles are built specially to keep them cooler when cooking. I’m not convinced that they are that much cooler, but I’ve yet to catch a burn from moving a MadeIn cookware piece even on the highest heat.
7 Heavy lids.
For those with recipes that require a bit of steam, the MadeIn cookware lids are all quite capable of providing enough weight to keep things under cover. My grandmother’s dumpling recipe requires covered medium heat for 11 minutes to allow steam to expand and cook the dough. From experience, if the lid doesn’t give you enough seal, or you have a particularly impatient 10 year old, the dumplings fall like a souffle and you end up with very dense bread. Rest assured, the thick construction (same 5-ply as the pans themselves) all have enough heft to sit and stay where you tell them to. And in a note for craftsmanship from the good people at MadeIn cookware, the lids all sit very level on their respective pots. Don’t use a lid with the non-stick though. From experience with a cheaper set of non-sticks which came with metal rimmed lids for non-stick pots, the metal rims will damage the non-stick coating over time and leave you with a ring at the lip which has lost its PTFE; presumably in your food…
I think the MadeIn cookware 6 piece stainless set is an excellent starter for my lake house and yours too. They are aesthetically consistent with the lake motif, unless you have a bright, bright white kitchen. In which case the shinier All-Clad competitor may be for you instead. The MadeIn are slightly cheaper than their competitors, but should be purchased at sale whenever possible. For form and function, MadeIn cookware has a place in my house.
