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7 Fresh Alternatives to Made In Cookware That Are Making Waves

Chris Chan

Chris Chan

Co-Founder @ Marmalade

Published on: November 18, 2024
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The rise of direct-to-consumer cookware has given home cooks more options than ever. While Made In has carved out its niche with professional-grade pots and pans, we've discovered several emerging brands that deserve attention for their innovative approaches to cookware design and manufacturing.
These alternatives showcase everything from revolutionary materials to clever storage solutions. Some prioritize environmental impact, while others rethink traditional cooking surfaces or tackle common kitchen frustrations. Let's explore these distinctive brands that are changing how we think about cookware.

Great Jones
: Where Form Meets Function in Technicolor

Great Jones has garnered attention for infusing personality into professional cookware, backed by culinary heavyweights across the country. Their homage to legendary cookbook editor Judith Jones speaks to their reverence for cooking culture, which we see reflected in their vibrant designs.
The Little Hottie, their compact ceramic baker, demonstrates their knack for balancing style with substance. Those oversized handles aren't just Instagram-worthy – they're genuinely useful when wearing oven mitts. The quick-heating properties of their cookware can take some getting used to, but this responsiveness proves valuable once you've adjusted your cooking style.
We're intrigued by their practical touches, like measurement markings inside their saucepans and their Dutch oven's (dubbed The Dutchess) impressive moisture-retention capabilities. These features suggest a deep understanding of what actually matters in the kitchen, beyond mere aesthetics.

Why we like Great Jones

  • 1

    Style Meets Functionality

    Vibrant designs with practical features like oversized handles and measurement markings

  • 2

    Professional-Grade Quality

    Backed by culinary experts with quick-heating properties

  • 3

    Thoughtful Details

    Superior moisture retention and ergonomic design elements

ashly

ashly

05/23/24

Love making goods in a tray that they can then be served in!

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Kana
: Proving Sustainability Doesn't Sacrifice Performance

Kana approaches cookware with an environmental conscience, participating in carbon offset programs and supporting environmental initiatives through 1% for the Planet. Their commitment extends beyond marketing buzzwords to meaningful action in their manufacturing processes.
The 5-Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set channels French culinary tradition while incorporating modern sensibilities. The enameled finish isn't just for show – it creates a more durable cooking surface that's easier to maintain than traditional cast iron. We appreciate how these pieces honor classic techniques while evolving the category.
Their transparency about manufacturing processes stands out in an industry often shrouded in mystery. The company maintains detailed documentation about their environmental impact and quality control measures, making it easier for consumers to make informed decisions.

Why we like Kana

  • 1

    Environmental Leadership

    Active participation in carbon offset programs and 1% for the Planet

  • 2

    Modern Take on Tradition

    French-inspired design with contemporary enameled finish

  • 3

    Manufacturing Transparency

    Detailed documentation of environmental impact and quality control

Hannah Patrick

Hannah Patrick

05/09/24

my whole life I have always heard how important cast iron can be . it cook s certain materials so well. Not only that ive seen so many cooks use this brand and it works wonders.

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Xtrema
: Pioneering Metal-Free Cooking Technology

Xtrema takes an unconventional approach with their pure ceramic construction, eliminating metal entirely from their cookware. This radical departure from traditional materials demonstrates their commitment to providing options for health-conscious cooks.
Their Saute Pan with Lid showcases the unique properties of all-ceramic cookware. While it requires more patience during heating, its temperature retention creates opportunities for precise control that metal pans can't match. The ceramic construction results in a scratch-resistant surface that handles extreme temperature changes with remarkable stability.
We're fascinated by their forty-year evolution of ceramic manufacturing techniques. Their testing protocols and material sourcing transparency offer reassurance about both safety and durability – crucial factors when considering non-traditional cookware materials.

Why we like Xtrema

  • 1

    Innovative Material Science

    Pure ceramic construction with no metal components

  • 2

    Superior Temperature Control

    Exceptional heat retention and stability

  • 3

    Proven Track Record

    Forty years of ceramic manufacturing expertise

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Sardel
: Old-World Craftsmanship Meets Modern Engineering

Sardel bridges generations of Italian manufacturing expertise with contemporary kitchen needs, collaborating with a family-operated foundry in northern Italy. This partnership yields cookware that honors traditional methods while incorporating modern innovations.
The 8QT Stock Pot exemplifies their sophisticated approach to design. Its five-ply construction creates exceptional heat distribution, while the ergonomic handles reflect careful consideration of user experience. We're particularly impressed by how these pieces maintain consistent temperatures during long cooking sessions.
Their risk-free trial period suggests confidence in their products' quality – a sentiment backed by their close relationship with their manufacturing partners and deep understanding of materials science.

Why we like Sardel

  • 1

    Italian Craftsmanship

    Family-operated foundry with generations of expertise

  • 2

    Advanced Construction

    Five-ply design for superior heat distribution

  • 3

    Customer Confidence

    Risk-free trial period backing quality claims

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HexClad
: Revolutionizing Cooking Surfaces with Hybrid Technology

HexClad's signature hexagonal pattern represents more than clever design – it's a genuine innovation in cooking surface technology. By combining stainless steel with non-stick properties, they've created something genuinely novel in the cookware space.
The Everything But the Kitchen Sink Bundle showcases their hybrid technology across various cooking applications. The distinctive pattern creates peaks and valleys that facilitate both searing and non-stick performance – a combination that's historically been difficult to achieve. Gordon Ramsay's investment adds credibility, but the technology stands on its own merits.
Testing reveals impressive heat distribution and durability, suggesting this hybrid approach might represent a significant evolution in cookware surfaces. The versatility of these pieces challenges traditional assumptions about the trade-offs between different cooking surfaces.

Why we like HexClad

  • 1

    Innovative Surface Design

    Unique hexagonal pattern combining non-stick and searing capabilities

  • 2

    Celebrity Endorsement

    Gordon Ramsay's investment validates performance

  • 3

    Versatile Performance

    Exceptional heat distribution and durability

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Misen
: Distilling Professional Features to Their Essence

Misen takes inspiration from professional kitchens while focusing on features that actually enhance cooking performance. Their approach strips away unnecessary complications to deliver tools that work precisely as needed.
Their Kitchen Shears illustrate this philosophy perfectly. The cutting angle and handle design reflect careful engineering rather than marketing-driven features. We appreciate how this attention to fundamental quality appears consistently across their product line.
Their direct-to-consumer model allows them to maintain high manufacturing standards while keeping prices reasonable. The focus on essential features rather than gimmicks suggests a deep understanding of what matters in real-world cooking scenarios.

Why we like Misen

  • 1

    Professional-Inspired Design

    Features focused on practical performance

  • 2

    Quality Engineering

    Careful attention to fundamental design elements

  • 3

    Value Proposition

    High manufacturing standards at reasonable prices

Emily Russell

Emily Russell

05/08/24

I own two of these because we use them so much. A total workhorse!

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Ensembl
: Reinventing Kitchen Organization Through Stackable Innovation

Ensembl tackles the universal challenge of kitchen storage with their revolutionary Stackware system. Their approach fundamentally reimagines how cookware can coexist in limited space without compromising performance.
The Stackware Separates Steamer demonstrates the brilliance of their design philosophy. Beyond its primary function, it's engineered to nest seamlessly with other pieces in the collection. The removable handles showcase how thoughtful design can solve multiple problems simultaneously.
Their focus on durability suggests an understanding that truly sustainable products must last. We're impressed by how they've managed to create space-saving solutions that don't feel like compromises in quality or functionality.

Why we like Ensembl

  • 1

    Space-Saving Innovation

    Revolutionary stackable design system

  • 2

    Multifunctional Elements

    Clever features like removable handles

  • 3

    Quality Construction

    Durable materials that don't compromise on performance

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Evolution in the Kitchen

The cookware landscape continues to evolve, with each of these brands bringing unique perspectives to kitchen equipment design. Whether addressing environmental concerns, space limitations, or material innovations, these alternatives to Made In demonstrate how diverse approaches can advance cookware development. As the market expands, we expect to see even more creative solutions to age-old cooking challenges.