Are These Cookware Brands Worth the Hype?
We investigate all the buzz.
Published Oct 9, 2019 5:01 PM
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In the age of Instagram, it’s hard not to get swept up in the bright new things that permeate our feeds on a daily basis. The latest trend that caught our attention is the sudden uptick of culinary staples—think: Dutch ovens, knives, and cutting boards—reinvented with a noticeably millennial twist. Companies such as Great Jones and Material are leading the charge, offering direct-to-consumer kitchen essentials, often at a fraction of the price. But are they worth all the buzz? Ahead, we take a closer look at seven culinary brands that are breaking the mold.
Caraway
The Hype
So long, Teflon. Caraway’s nonstick pieces are all ceramic coated and free of PTFE, PFOA, and any other scary acronyms. Starting your collection from scratch? The cookware set is a one-and-done purchase: You get four workhorses (frying pan, saucepan, Dutch oven, and sauté pan) that will last for ages and cut down on product waste down the line. The company also makes a handy lid holder and rack so your space will be as organized as it is healthy.
What to Buy
The Fry Pan (4.9 stars out of 2,926 reviews)
Our Place
The Hype
Run by a largely female, majority immigrant, and first-generation group of food lovers, Our Place’s position in the industry is about authentically representing cultures, according to founder Shiza Shahid. The brand’s bread and butter is the Always Pan, which it claims is supposed to replace eight pieces of cookware, but think of it more as a nonstick skillet (it’s not oven-safe, so don’t treat it like a Dutch oven). The piece comes with a nesting spatula and steamer basket to help you tackle virtually any recipe.
What to Buy
The Always Pan
Milo
The Hype
Affordable cookware with a design-forward build is hard to come by, and one that promises to last the test of time even more so. Enter: Milo. The brand currently makes three products—a Dutch oven, a mini Dutch oven, and cast-iron skillet—but we can definitely see the line expanding in the near future. If you live in a small apartment and don’t cook a ton, you can get away with these key pieces.
What to Buy
The Dutch Oven (94 percent of 521 reviewers gave it 5 stars)
Material
The Hype
This brand is geared toward the home cook, and the founders were keen on creating a line that benefited real-life cooking. “Our cooking doesn’t happen in Michelin-starred kitchens with endless space and limitless gadgetry,” states the company’s website. It also helps that it has cookbook author and chef Alison Roman backing up its products.
What to Buy
The Iconics and the Angled Board. “The Iconics set comes close to replacing the collection of cooking tools I’ve already amassed—everything is as high quality as it is aesthetically pleasing,” says Rebecca Deczynski, Domino’s lifestyle editor.
Misen
The Hype
It’s no secret that high-quality knives can be significantly costly. Avid home cooks, who require more than just one, will typically find themselves at a loss when faced with having to invest in additional options. Misen is here to change that. The cookware brand’s knife selection averages around $60 and incorporates a diverse array of staples—utility, serrated, and paring knives, to name a few.
What to Buy
The Chef’s Knife (5 stars out of 6373 reviews). “The larger chef’s knife has really improved my chopping game—all the way down to how I hold the blade (by the blade and the handle like a true chef)—and convinced me that you really don’t need a large assortment of knives. Only two to three good ones will do,” says Gabrielle Savoie, Domino’s senior contributing home editor.
Made In
The Hype
One of the biggest pain points of living in a small space is the lack of storage. Finding room for your growing collection of pots and pans fits right in with this narrative. Made In changes all that with its universal lid. Imagine having one pot cover to fit nearly every piece of cookware you own. Bonus points for the fact that this one can withstand high temperatures and comes with a stainless steel interior that can withstand normal wear and tear.
What to Buy
The Silicone Universal Lid
Great Jones
The Hype
We’ve seen our fair share of Dutch ovens, skillets, and standard saucepans, and we can all agree on one thing: They’re relatively uniform at this point. Enter: Great Jones. The Dutchess—the brand’s updated rendition of an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven—is available in a range of colorways in a chic matte finish. Its oval shape (prime for searing and browning), dark gray interior (for hiding stains), and easy-to-grab handles are just a few of the thoughtful details that went into the design of this classic essential.
What to Buy
This story was originally published on March 21, 2019. It has been updated.
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