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This Editor-Favorite Stainless Steel Skillet Costs Less Than All-Clad and Le Creuset

It out-seared 28 other stainless steel skillets.

Published June 10, 2024 06:30AM EDT

One-Off Affordable tested fave: Made In Skillet — Serious Eats / Reese Herrington

Able to fry up a simple egg or sear a succulent steak, the humble-but-mighty stainless steel skillet is a mainstay in any cookware collection, from professional restaurants to home kitchens. It’s not a show-stopping piece like a Le Creuset Dutch oven or an enameled grill pan, but it’s a piece of cookware that will last a lifetime—if you buy the right one. When we tested stainless steel skillets, the Made In stainless steel skillet was the pan that rose above the rest, including more expensive brands. It heats evenly, is responsive to changes in heat, and feels great to handle.

Made In Stainless Steel Skillet

Made in Cookware 10-Inch Stainless Clad Frying Pan — Made In

$120 at Madeincookware.com

During our tests of 29 skillets, the Made In frying pan seared chicken beautifully and evenly cooked delicate foods, like crêpes. It’s one of the few 5-ply skillets we tested, and thanks to its five layers of metal, it’s an extremely durable pan that stays consistent over time. We also found the handle to be comfortable to hold, especially when it came to tossing foods during our sautéeing tests. If you usually cook for two or three, we recommend the 10-inch skillet, while the 12-inch skillet can serve four to five people.

After years of constant use in our test kitchen and in our homes, Made In’s skillet firmly holds its top spot as a straightforward, durable frying pan that gets the job done. Going head to head with All-Clad and Le Creuset, it performed just as well, but has a more attractive price tag. While All-Clad and Le Creuset sometimes have sales, their prices fluctuate, and it’s hard to catch a good deal from these brands. However, it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on them to track their prices.

Key Specs

Compatible with induction cooktops: Yes
Oven-safe temperature: Up to 800°F
Material: 18/10 stainless steel; 430 stainless steel
Warranty: 1-year (Made In also offers a 45-day trial period)
Dishwasher-safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended

FAQs

Do I need a full cookware set?

Not necessarily. We don’t usually recommend full cookware sets unless you’re starting from scratch or you’re looking to overhaul your entire collection. It’s best to build a set that meets your specific cooking needs.