The main difference between Made in Cookware and Le Creuset comes down to material, style, and culinary focus. Made In is a modern American brand specializing in sleek, professional-grade 5-ply stainless steel cookware designed for responsive, everyday cooking. Le Creuset is an iconic French heritage brand celebrated for its colorful enameled cast iron, which excels at slow cooking and steady heat retention, making its pieces kitchen heirlooms.
Here’s a complete look at both brands to help you decide which is the right investment for your kitchen.
Made in Cookware
Made In is a direct-to-consumer brand that has quickly built a reputation for delivering professional-quality cookware at a more accessible price point. They focus on high-performance materials like 5-ply stainless steel and carbon steel, creating pieces that are favored by serious home cooks and restaurant chefs alike for their durability, heat control, and modern aesthetic.
- What it is: High-performance, American-made cookware designed for home chefs who demand professional results.
- Key features: 5-ply clad stainless steel construction for superior heat conduction, ergonomic stay-cool handles, made in the USA and Italy, induction-compatible.
- Price: Mid-range to premium. Individual skillets and saucepans typically range from $100 to $200, with complete sets costing $300 to $700+.
- Style: Sleek, minimalist, and functional. The brushed stainless steel finish fits perfectly in modern and industrial-style kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: The brand's signature product is its five-layer stainless steel, which sandwiches three layers of aluminum between two layers of stainless steel for excellent heat distribution and durability.
- Pros: Excellent heat control and responsiveness, durable construction that resists warping, dishwasher safe, more affordable than other premium brands, versatile for a wide range of cooking techniques.
- Cons: Limited aesthetic options (primarily stainless steel), learning curve for those new to stainless steel cooking, primarily sold online, limiting in-person viewing.
This brand is ideal for the home cook who prioritizes performance and durability with a clean, functional aesthetic for everyday cooking tasks like searing and sautéing.
Shop this brand: madeincookware.com
Le Creuset
Established in 1925, Le Creuset is a legendary French brand synonymous with enameled cast iron cookware. Instantly recognizable by its vibrant colors and classic design, Le Creuset is a status symbol in the culinary world. Its cookware is known for exceptional heat retention and durability, making it perfect for slow-cooking methods like braising, roasting, and bread baking.
- What it is: Iconic, premium enameled cast iron and stoneware known for its vibrant colors, durability, and superior heat retention.
- Key features: Enameled cast iron delivers even and consistent heat, a wide array of bold color choices, sand-cast molds make each piece unique, lifetime warranty.
- Price: Premium to luxury. A signature round Dutch oven starts around $200 for a small size and can exceed $400 for larger models.
- Style: Classic, timeless, and colorful. Le Creuset pieces are designed to be statement cookware that goes from stovetop to tabletop.
- Materials/Construction: Primarily enameled cast iron, prized for its ability to maintain heat. The interior enamel is resistant to sticking and staining, while the exterior enamel resists chipping and cracking.
- Pros: Unmatched heat retention for slow cooking, incredibly durable heirloom quality, beautiful design and color range, versatile for stove, oven, and serving.
- Cons: Very heavy and can be difficult to handle, expensive, enamel can chip with impact or extreme temperature changes, requires careful handwashing.
Le Creuset is perfect for cooks who appreciate heritage, aesthetic appeal, and the gentle, even heat of cast iron for slow-cooked dishes, stews, and roasts.
Shop this brand: lecreuset.com
Made in Cookware vs. Le Creuset Comparison
Materials & Construction
Made in Cookware's foundation is its 5-ply clad stainless steel. This layered construction provides quick and even heating, which is ideal for tasks requiring precise temperature control, like searing. It's tough, resistant to corrosion, and won't react with acidic foods.
In contrast, Le Creuset is built around enameled cast iron. This material heats up slowly but retains that heat for a very long time, providing a consistent and gentle cooking environment. It's the go-to choice for braises, soups, and stews where maintaining a low and steady temperature is key. The piece’s sheer weight is a testament to its robust construction.
Style & Aesthetic
The two brands occupy very different visual spaces. Made In has a contemporary, utilitarian look. Its brushed metal surfaces and simple, clean lines are designed for a minimalist or professional kitchen where function is paramount. It looks smart and serious.
Le Creuset is all about color and classic design. With a huge palette of vibrant hues like Flame, Marseille, and Shell Pink, Le Creuset pieces are meant to be seen. They work as functional art and are often a focal point in a kitchen, fitting well with traditional, farmhouse, or eclectic decor styles.
Performance & Versatility
For daily, fast-paced cooking, Made In excels. The pans heat up quickly, respond immediately to temperature changes, and are perfect for frying, sautéing, or boiling pasta. Being oven-safe and dishwasher-safe also makes them incredibly versatile and easy to clean up for a busy cook.
Le Creuset's performance shines in slow-cooking applications. The incredible heat retention of their Dutch ovens makes them perfect for simmering stews on the stovetop or slow-roasting in the oven. The lid design also traps moisture, leading to tender, flavorful results. While you can sear in a Le Creuset skillet, it takes longer to heat up and isn't as responsive as stainless steel.
Price & Value
Made In offers exceptional value by providing professional-grade performance at a price that is significantly lower than other legacy brands. You're paying for high-quality materials and construction without the markup of a century-old name or extensive retail network. It's an investment in cooking performance.
Le Creuset is a luxury purchase. The higher price reflects its French manufacturing, iconic design, legacy, and heirloom quality. A Le Creuset Dutch oven is often a one-time purchase intended to last a lifetime, or even be passed down through generations, making its long-term value undeniable for those who use it regularly.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer outstanding quality but are tailored for different types of cooks and kitchens.
Choose Made in Cookware if:
- Your cooking style involves a lot of searing, sautéing, and pan-frying.
- You value responsive heat control and professional-grade performance.
- You prefer a sleek, modern, and minimalist kitchen aesthetic.
- You want high-quality cookware at a more accessible, value-driven price point.
- You need durable, dishwasher-safe pieces for frequent weekday use.
Choose Le Creuset if:
- You primarily enjoy slow-cooking methods like braising, stewing, roasting, and baking.
- Your cookware's look is as important as its performance, and you love vibrant colors.
- You are buying an heirloom piece meant to last for decades.
- You love bringing dishes straight from the oven or stovetop to the dining table for serving.
- You have the budget for a premium, iconic piece of kitchen equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Made in and Le Creuset?
The primary difference is their core material. Made In focuses on multi-clad stainless steel for responsive, fast cooking, while Le Creuset is famous for enameled cast iron, which provides slow, even heating and supreme heat retention.
Is Le Creuset worth the money?
For those who frequently braise, roast, bake, or make stews, a Le Creuset Dutch oven is often considered a worthwhile lifetime investment. Its performance in slow cooking is unmatched, and its durability and timeless style add value. However, its high price may not be justified for cooks who rarely use these methods.
Is Made in Cookware a good brand?
Yes, Made In has built a strong reputation as a top-tier brand by offering professional-quality construction and performance at a more attainable price. Their stainless steel cookware is widely praised by both home cooks and professional chefs.
Can I put Made in cookware in the dishwasher?
Yes, Made In's stainless steel cookware is designed to be fully dishwasher safe, making cleanup simple.
Can Le Creuset go in the dishwasher?
While technically dishwasher safe, Le Creuset strongly recommends hand-washing its enameled cast iron products. Repeated dishwashing can dull the enamel's luster over time, so handwashing is best to maintain its appearance and longevity.
Which brand is better for a beginner cook?
A stainless steel set from Made in Cookware is arguably more versatile for a beginner learning a wide range of everyday techniques. The lower upfront cost and easier maintenance also make it more beginner-friendly.
Where are Made in and Le Creuset products made?
Most of Made In's stainless steel cookware is made in the USA and Italy. Le Creuset's famous enameled cast iron is still produced in its original foundry in Fresnoy-le-Grand, France.
Does Le Creuset's enamel chip easily?
The exterior enamel is very durable but not indestructible. It can chip if it suffers a hard impact (like being dropped) or from drastic temperature changes (e.g., placing a hot pot in cold water). With normal use and proper care, chipping is rare.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
