While an initial glance might lump them into the same premium cookware category, Made In and HexClad serve two distinct types of home chefs. Made In focuses on professional-grade, traditional materials like 5-ply stainless steel and copper for maximum heat control, whereas HexClad built its brand on an innovative hybrid design that combines the durability of stainless steel with the convenience of a non-stick surface.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which brand will truly elevate your kitchen experience.
Made In Cookware
Made In is a direct-to-consumer brand offering professional-quality cookware, knives, and bakeware without the traditional retail markup. By partnering with multi-generational artisans in the USA, France, and Italy, they produce collections in classic materials like stainless clad and carbon steel. The brand’s reputation is built on delivering exceptional performance, heat control, and durability that appeals to serious home cooks and restaurant chefs alike.
- What it is: A premium cookware brand emphasizing professional-grade materials and craftsmanship.
- Key features: Multi-ply (3 or 5-layer) construction, made in the USA, France, and Italy, stay-cool ergonomic handles, lifetime warranty.
- Price: Mid-range to premium, a 10" stainless frying pan is around $99, while full sets can range from $500 to over $1,000.
- Style: Sleek, minimalist, and classic. The focus is on functionality and a timeless, professional aesthetic.
- Materials/Construction: Known for its 5-ply stainless clad cookware, which features an aluminum alloy core for superior heat conduction, as well as collections in carbon steel, copper, and PFOA-free non-stick.
- Pros: Exceptional heat control and responsiveness. Built for durability and will last for decades with proper care. Transparent about sourcing and manufacturing. Offers a wide range of materials for specific cooking tasks.
- Cons: Generally more expensive per piece. Stainless steel requires a learning curve to prevent sticking and must be hand-washed. The professional weight can be heavy for some users.
This brand is ideal for passionate home cooks who prioritize performance and precision, value traditional materials, and want cookware pieces that are built to last a lifetime.
Shop this product: madeincookware.com
HexClad Cookware
HexClad is famous for its patented hybrid cookware that merges the best attributes of stainless steel and non-stick into one pan. Its unique cooking surface features a laser-etched hexagon pattern of stainless steel "peaks" and non-stick "valleys." This design lets you get a great sear while still enjoying easy food release and cleanup. Favored by celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay, HexClad cookware is oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, and designed for everyday versatility.
- What it is: A brand specializing in innovative hybrid stainless steel and non-stick cookware.
- Key features: Patented hexagon design, scratch-resistant surface that's safe for metal utensils, tri-ply construction, PFOA-free, dishwasher and oven safe up to 500°F.
- Price: Mid-range, a 10" hybrid pan is around a similar price point for competitors, with sets often on promotion from their website.
- Style: Modern and tech-forward with a visually distinct, industrial-looking hexagon pattern.
- Materials/Construction: A three-ply construction with an aluminum core for even heating, sandwiched by stainless steel, with the hybrid non-stick surface etched on top.
- Pros: Offers the convenience of non-stick with the searing power of stainless steel. Extremely durable and metal-utensil safe. Dishwasher safe makes cleanup simple.
- Cons: Not as slick as a traditional 100% non-stick pan. The texture requires a bit of fat or oil for optimal performance. The distinctive look may not suit all kitchen aesthetics.
HexClad suits the pragmatic home cook who wants one versatile, low-maintenance pan that can handle everything from delicate eggs to a hard-seared steak.
Shop this product: hexclad.com
Made In vs. HexClad Comparison
Materials & Construction
This is the fundamental difference between the two brands. Made In champions classic, high-performance materials. Their 5-ply stainless clad cookware is designed for unparalleled heat conductivity and fine-tuned control - when you change the heat on the stove, the pan responds almost instantly. This is preferred by chefs who need precision for delicate sauces or achieving a perfect sear. It's a traditional approach focused on pure material performance.
HexClad’s construction is built around its patented hybrid technology. The tri-ply build is excellent for even heating, but the star is the laser-etched surface. The stainless steel hexagons protect the PFOA-free non-stick material in the valleys from damage, which is why it can handle metal utensils. This creates a compromise: you get better searing than traditional non-stick and easier release than pure stainless steel, making it a highly versatile workhorse.
Durability & Maintenance
Both brands are built to last, but in different ways. Made In cookware, especially the stainless and carbon steel pans, can literally last a lifetime and be passed down through generations if cared for properly. That care, however, requires handwashing, occasional polishing for stainless steel, and seasoning for carbon steel. It's durable because of its simple, robust construction.
HexClad offers a different kind of durability - one that resists daily wear-and-tear and user error. Its surface is scratch-resistant, allowing you to use metal spatulas without fear. Crucially, it's dishwasher safe, which is a massive advantage for many home cooks. While the non-stick component likely won't last as long as a solid piece of stainless steel, its durability far exceeds typical coated pans.
Price & Value
On an individual piece basis, pricing can be quite comparable, particularly for their core frying pans. However, Made In's broader catalog, including premium copper lines and extensive sets, can reach a higher price point. The value of Made In is in its professional-level performance and incredible longevity for culinary enthusiasts.
HexClad's value lies in its innovation and convenience. For a price similar to other premium pans, you get a unique piece of equipment that solves a common problem: having to choose between a non-stick and a stainless steel pan. The durability and ease of maintenance also add to its long-term value, potentially saving you from replacing cheaper non-stick pans every few years.
Who Each One Works Best For
Made In is for the culinary purist. If you love the process of cooking, are mastering techniques like pan-sauces, and enjoy taking meticulous care of your tools, Made In's stainless steel cookware will reward you with superior performance. It's the choice for someone who wants to build a kitchen toolkit with specialized pieces chosen for specific tasks.
HexClad is for the modern, busy home cook who demands versatility and convenience. If you want one high-quality pan that can scramble eggs, pan-sear a chicken breast, and then go straight into the dishwasher, HexClad is unmatched. It's the ideal choice for someone looking to simplify their kitchen with multi-functional, durable equipment.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both cookware brands are excellent investments that outperform typical store-bought pans, but they cater to very different priorities.
Choose Made In if:
- You are passionate about cooking and want professional-grade tools.
- Precise heat control for searing, browning, and creating sauces is a top priority.
- You prefer the performance of traditional materials like stainless steel and carbon steel.
- You don't mind handwashing and properly maintaining your cookware for lifetime performance.
Choose HexClad if:
- You want a single, versatile pan that bridges the gap between stainless steel and non-stick.
- Effortless cleanup is crucial, and you need your cookware to be dishwasher safe.
- You want durable cookware that isn’t easily damaged by metal utensils.
- You prioritize convenience and performance for everyday cooking tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Made In and HexClad?
The core difference is in the cooking surface. Made In focuses on traditional, professional-quality surfaces like 5-ply stainless steel and carbon steel. HexClad uses a patented hybrid technology that embeds a non-stick surface within a stainless steel hexagon pattern for combined performance.
Is HexClad truly non-stick?
It's a hybrid. It offers excellent food release, especially with a small amount of cooking fat, but it's not as slippery-smooth as a brand new traditional non-stick pan. Its main advantage is providing non-stick properties with much greater durability and better searing capability.
Which brand has better heat distribution?
Both have excellent heat distribution due to their multi-ply construction with an aluminum core. However, Made In's 5-ply construction is often cited as having a slight edge in responsiveness and control, which chefs value for precision cooking.
Are both brands oven safe?
Yes. Made In's stainless steel cookware is oven safe up to 800°F (check lids, as they might have a lower rating). HexClad cookware is oven safe up to 500°F, which is sufficient for most home cooking and baking needs.
Can I use metal utensils on HexClad and Made In cookware?
You can use metal utensils fearlessly on HexClad pans due to the protective stainless steel grid. For Made In stainless steel cookware, metal utensils are generally safe, though they can cause cosmetic scratching. For Made In's traditional non-stick or carbon steel lines, it's best to stick with wood or silicone utensils.
Which cookware is easier to clean?
HexClad is unequivocally easier to clean. Its hybrid non-stick surface allows for quick rinsing, and more importantly, it's dishwasher safe. Made In stainless steel cookware requires hand-washing and sometimes requires a bit of polish like Bar Keepers Friend to remove tough stains and maintain its luster.
Is Made In cookware worth the money?
For serious cooks, yes. The performance, heat control, and buy-it-for-life durability make it a worthwhile investment that outperforms and outlasts cheaper alternatives, justifying its premium price tag.
Which brand is better for a beginner cook?
HexClad is generally more forgiving for a beginner. The hybrid non-stick surface makes it easier to cook delicate items like eggs or fish without sticking, and the simple cleanup process helps build kitchen confidence. Made In's stainless steel has a steeper learning curve for temperature management.
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