Don't get me wrong: I love a good stainless steel pan as much as anyone. But every once in a while, and particularly when I'm frying up some eggs, nothing beats (get it?) the convenience of nonstick cookware. For a while now, I've been on the hunt for a new set, and as someone who tests home and cooking products for a living, I had pretty high standards. Read on for my Made In CeramiClad cookware review.
I wanted something easy to handle, well-made and, now that I have an electric stove, compatible with (and ideally optimized for) an induction range. If I was going to use this cookware on a regular basis, it also had to be fairly lightweight.
So when I caught wind of Made In's new nonstick CeramiClad cookware, which promised to not only check off all these boxes but was free of potentially harmful chemicals, I knew I needed to try it. In the Made In CeramiClad cookware review below, I share more about the non-toxic, ceramic-coated pots and pans that have revolutionized my cooking (plus cleaning!) and replaced almost every other pan on my shelf.
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Made In
Made In's latest cookware collection is constructed of five layers of metal and a sleek ceramic coating for controlled, even heat and easy cleaning. Purchase the pans individually or opt for the seven-piece set, which comes with an 8-quart stock pot, a 3.5-quart sauté pan, a 4-quart saucepan and a 10-inch frying pan — plus three lids — for all of your cooking needs.
Made In CeramiClad cookware: First impressions
My seven-piece CeramiClad cookware set arrived in a big box and contained a CeramiClad stock pot with a lid, a sauté pan with a lid, a saucepan with a lid and a frying pan. Each piece came in its own plastic bag, nestled in a corrugated cardboard slot for protection.
The pieces appeared as striking as they had on the Made In website — the pots and pans were shiny with stainless steel on the outside and a cream-colored ceramic coating on the inside.
I like how these pans are similar in design to many traditional stainless steel pans, so even if you mix and match, you'll have a cohesive aesthetic. Aside from how nice the pans looked, I couldn't get over how nice they felt: The thin, curved handles were comfortable to hold, and the pieces were incredibly lightweight compared to other multi-clad pans I've cooked with.
Sunny side up: CeramiClad's frying pan made easy work of cooking — and flipping — fried eggs and felt natural in my hand. (Kristin Granero/chof360)
Made In CeramiClad cookware: Putting it to the test
I tested the Made In CeramiClad pots and pans by ... making myself something to eat. One by one, I positioned each pot and pan on my induction stove top and turned the respective burner to low/medium, adding butter, oil or simply water (also recommended by the brand) to gauge heat. When the pans appeared hot enough, I started cooking.
I used the frying pan to make eggs, caramelized onions and steak. I tapped the sauté pan to whip up mini burgers and various chicken dishes. I gave the stock pot a whirl by boiling pasta and making homemade soup. And, for my last trick, I relied on the saucepan to heat up — you guessed it — sauces, as well as macaroni and cheese.
In every case, I watched and waited … to see how nicely and evenly the food cooked. I paid close attention to how easy it was to move the food around the pans, maneuver the pans themselves and clean them when I was done.
Smooth operator: A CeramiClad pan is used to caramelize onions. As my spoon demo shows, nothing sticks, so you don't have to worry about leaving any flavor behind. (Kristin Granero/chof360)
Made In CeramiClad cookware: The final verdict
All of the food I made in the CeramiClad pots and pans came out perfectly. Everything cooked evenly and, despite using low to medium heat, fairly quickly. The mini burgers, chicken and caramelized onions lifted right off of (or slid right out of) the pans; aside from a light nudge here and there, the eggs just as easily.
The pots and pans took mere seconds to clean: I used a small squirt of dish detergent and applied a soft sponge with practically no exertion — no rough scrubbing needed. The long handles remained comfortable to hold — and rotate when needed — and stayed cool while I was cooking. Unlike some other cookware I've used (and unfortunately, sometimes burnt myself on), the lid handles were roomy and easy to grasp.
Each pot and pan is also incredibly lightweight, making for easy maneuvering. The largest pot weighs in at a mere 4.25 pounds, less than many of its stainless steel, multi-ply and ceramic competitors.
Made In's CeramiClad pans are on the pricier side but, if you can swing it, I'd consider them a worthy investment given the quality: Not only do they perform well, but they're made in Italy with five layers of metal for even heat retention and optimal durability. They come with the added security of a lifetime (yes, lifetime) warranty.
Last time I checked, you could save almost $150 on the seven-piece bundle, or almost $50 on a three-piece fry pan set. Alternatively, you can purchase pieces individually as a way to try out the collection or prioritize the pans you're likely to get the most use out of, such as a nonstick fry pan (starting at $119).
Made In CeramiClad cookware: What others are saying
You don't have to take it solely from me: Made In's CeramiClad pans have a perfect rating from nearly 2,000 satisfied customers who hail their performance and convenience.
"We absolutely love our Made In pans," wrote one reviewer on the brand's website. "This newest 10-inch frying pan with CeramiClad is AWESOME! We plan to order the largest one next."
"Great nonstick pans," wrote another. "They are very well made. The nonstick [surface] is much better than any of the cheap ceramic pans I have been buying. I will definitely be shopping Made In for all of my cookware needs."
"Lightweight and easy to clean," confirmed a third. "[The] extra benefit of non-chemical enameled coating makes it a great family choice!"
Made In
Don't need the pots? Scoop up a set of three Made In CeramiClad frying pans as shown, or opt for antique brass handles for a fancier flair. They're otherwise constructed of the same materials for optimal induction and a naturally nonstick slip.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
