Best Cookware NOT Made in China (The Definitive Guide) - Prudent Reviews (2024)

China is the manufacturing center of the world for many industries, and cookware is no exception.

As companies look to maximize profits, they often outsource manufacturing to factories in China due to the country’s low-cost labor and less stringent health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Not always, but in most cases, cookware made in China is cheaper and lower-quality than cookware made in the United States, Europe, and other countries around the globe.

In this guide, I highlight the top cookware NOT made in China. You’ll learn where it’s made and what makes it unique.

Use the links below to navigate the article:

• Best Cookware Made in the United States: All-Clad, Heritage Steel, Lodge, Stargazer
• Best Cookware Made in France: Le Creuset, Staub, Mauviel, de Buyer
• Best Cookware Made in Italy: Ruffoni, Hestan, Made In, Ballarini
• Best Cookware Made in Belgium: Demeyere
• Best Cookware Made In Denmark: Scanpan
• Best Cookware Made In England: Samuel Groves
• Best Cookware Made In Switzerland: Swiss Diamond

Best Cookware Made in the United States

If you’re looking for the best cookware made in the United States, look no further than All-Clad, Made In, and Lodge.

All-Clad

All-Clad has been making bonded stainless steel cookware in Canonsburg — just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — since 1971.

The brand is famous for pioneering fully-clad cookware, hence the name All-Clad. Like most companies, All-Clad had humble beginnings, but it is now one of the world’s top premium cookware brands.

Every stainless steel collection is made in the United States out of locally-sourced materials. All-Clad cookware is certainly not cheap, but it’s worth the investment because it’s high-performing, elegant, and lasts a lifetime.

All-Clad has several stainless steel and non-stick collections, and each comes with a lifetime warranty.

The brand’s best-selling collection is D3, which boasts three layers of fully clad materials. Another popular collection is D5 which takes it up a notch with five bonded layers for exceptional heat distribution. If you’re interested in All-Clad, check out my buyer’s guide to learn each collection’s pros and cons.

All-Clad’s stainless steel collections are all made in the US. However, the non-stick collections — including HA1, B1, and Essentials — and the stainless steel lids and handles are made in China.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of All-Clad cookware on Amazon and All-Clad.com.

Heritage Steel

Heritage Steel has been making high-quality stainless steel cookware in Clarksville, Tennessee, since 1983.

When cookware enthusiast Donald Henn and manufacturer John Martelli started the company, it was called New Era Cookware.

Today, it’s known as Heritage Steel, and it offers two high-quality American-made stainless steel collections: the Titanium Series and the Eater Series.

The Titanium Series features 5-ply construction with 316Ti steel for the cooking surface, which is highly corrosion resistant.

The Eater Series, designed in partnership with Eater.com, also has 5-ply construction, but the cooking surface is 304 stainless steel instead of 316Ti.

Both collections have aluminum cores for exceptional heat conduction and stainless steel exteriors for durability.

Heritage Steel cookware is compatible with all cooktops, broiler-safe, and oven-safe up to 800°F. And every pot and pan comes with a lifetime warranty.

It performs similarly to premium brands like All-Clad but at a more affordable price since it sells directly to consumers online.

Unlike All-Clad, which operates in the USA but is owned by the French consortium Groupe SEB, Heritage Steel is a small, family-owned company that owns its Tennessee factory and controls the whole production process.

That said, they source some materials globally. Like All-Clad, Heritage Steel handles are made in China and attached in the US. And the bonded sheets of steel that start the process are sourced from South Korea.

So, while their American heritage is the centerpiece of the brand, every part of the cookware is not entirely made in the US.

To learn more, visit HeritageSteel.us or read my in-depth review.

Lodge

Lodge is a multi-generational family-owned American brand that’s been making its cookware in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee, since 1896.

The company is best known for its cast-iron skillets, which are melted, poured, finished, and packaged all from its Tennessee foundry. Each week, Lodge ships an average of one million pounds of iron across the world.

Lodge cookware has survived several catastrophic events, from a fire that destroyed the foundry to the Great Depression and even massive changes in technology. Today, Lodge still stands as one of the great American kitchen brands, specifically its cast iron cookware.

Lodge offers both seasoned cast iron and enameled cast iron.

Seasoned cast iron is just like standard cast iron, but it’s prepared with a layer of fat baked into the surface, making it ready to go straight out of the box.

Enameled cast iron is cast iron but coated in a smooth, shiny enamel, making it non-reactive and easier to clean. While Lodge’s seasoned cast iron cookware is made in the United States, the enameled cookware is made in China.

The seasoned cast iron is dark gray/black, but the enameled options are available in bold colors, including red, teal, blue, and white.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Lodge cookware on Amazon. Also, check out my in-depth review of Lodge cast iron skillets to get a full breakdown of the pros and cons.

Stargazer

Stargazer has been handcrafting high-quality cast iron skillets and braisers in the United States since 2015. Founded by professional cookware designer Peter Huntley, Stargazer aims to revive the artisanal craft of cast iron cookware.

Frustrated by the declining quality he observed while working at major manufacturers, Huntley started Stargazer to demonstrate the superior performance possible when expertise and care are applied at every step.

The production begins at Stargazer’s foundry in Wisconsin, where recycled iron is melted and poured into molds. The castings are then sent to a facility in Ohio where a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine precisely cuts each skillet to ensure consistent thickness.

The Stargazer collection includes 10.5-inch and 12-inch skillets and a 13.5-inch braiser. Each piece features a bronze seasoning, a smooth interior cooking surface, long comfortable handles, and flared rims for drip-free pouring.

Stargazer skillets stand out for their lighter weight, faster heating, and sleek aesthetic compared to most cast iron.

The polished surface releases food (like eggs) without sticking, the long handle makes it easier to maneuver on the stove, and the large helper handle aids in carrying and pouring.

Finally, the cookware reaches the Pennsylvania workshop for hand-finishing, seasoning, inspection, and packaging before shipping to customers.

To purchase a skillet, visit StargazerCastIron.com. Or, to learn more, read my in-depth review of Stargazer.

Best Cookware Made in France

If you’re looking for the best French cookware, I recommend Le Creuset, Staub, Mauviel, and de Buyer.

Le Creuset

Le Creuset is known for its iconic cast iron enameled cookware. Its Dutch ovens have become so popular it’s nearly impossible to watch a cooking show or browse a wedding registry without seeing one.

Le Creuset’s signature Flame (orange with a gradient) exterior color is inspired by the orange hue of molten cast iron in a crucible.

Flame, along with many other bright and bold colors, make Le Creuset enameled cast iron cookware stand out. In fact, the brand offers over 20 different colors and each has a gradient design adding even more flare.

Besides enameled cast iron, Le Creuset offers non-stick and stainless steel cookware, stoneware, and bakeware. No matter what you’re in the market for, whether you’re a beginner or experienced cook, Le Creuset can meet your needs.

Le Creuset enameled cast iron cookware, including their world-famous Dutch ovens, are made in the French town, Fresnoy-le-Grand. However, the kettles and ceramics are made in Thailand, stainless steel is made in Portugal, and the enamel cleaner is made in the United States.

View the current prices of Le Creuset cookware on Amazon and check out my in-depth review where I answer the question: Is Le Creuset worth the high price?

Staub

Staub, named after its founder Francis Staub, is also known for its cast-iron cookware. Founded in 1974, Staub has become a favorite amongst professional chefs and home cooks, thanks to its reliability and ability to deliver incredible results. The cookware is also extremely durable.

Staub prioritizes both function and design, combining traditional craftsmanship with bold and exciting designs.

For example, the cast-iron cocotte has a beautiful glossy exterior, available in a wide range of colors, including bright orange, red, and blue, and neutral tones such as graphite gray, basil green, and black.

The lids are specially-contoured to lock in moisture. The lid’s interior has small bumps that distribute the moisture evenly as it drips back onto the ingredients.

Staub only creates cast iron and ceramic cookware, so if you’re looking for non-stick or stainless steel, keep shopping.

Staub cast iron cookware is made in Alsace, France. This region is famous for its culinary tradition and tasty food. However, Staub ceramic products are made in China. So if you want something traditional and authentically French, stick to the cast iron options.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Staub cookware on Amazon or Zwilling.com/staub. Read my in-depth Staub review to learn more.

Mauviel

Mauviel came into existence in Villedieu-les-Poêles, France, otherwise known as “the city of copper” in 1830. Nearly 200 years later, the company is still owned by Ernest Mauviel’s (founder) descendants.

There are 10 Mauviel collections across four cookware types: aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and a copper stainless steel blend, but they are best known for their stunning copper cookware.

These collections are not only aesthetically-pleasing, but copper is incredibly conductive, giving you even heat distribution and precise temperature control. In simple terms, with Mauviel copper cookware, you get pro-level performance.

These miniature pots and pans are perfect for presenting sauces, desserts, and other single-serve courses.

Mauviel products are made in France, where each craftsman ensures the products honor the company’s heritage and values. In general, the goal at Mauviel is to unite tradition and modernity, classic and contemporary, to create beautiful but practical products.

It’s fancy, it’s expensive, but it’s really gorgeous cookware that performs exceptionally well.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Mauviel cookware on Amazon. You can also learn more by reading this guide to the best copper cookware brands.

de Buyer

de Buyer’s experience in the cookware industry spans almost two centuries. Founded in 1830, the company creates robust and reliable cookware.

One of their secrets to success is partnering with professional chefs to design cookware that suits the evolving culinary market.

From de Buyer, you’ll find four main categories of cookware: iron, copper, stainless steel, and non-stick.

Within each category, there are a few collections. One of their most popular is the Mineral B, an iron (also known as carbon steel) cookware collection. This cookware made of 100% natural materials is finished with organic beeswax — making it non-stick without the chemical-based coating.

Carbon steel is a top choice if you’re looking for something eco-friendly and durable. It’s perfect for searing, browning, and grilling because the cookware can withstand high temperatures. Plus, the more you use it, the better it performs.

De Buyer has been making cookware in Faymont-Val d’Ajol, France, for more than 180 years, and the team is proud of its roots and its promise to make its products exclusively in France.

Although the company has been in the same location for nearly two centuries, it’s always adapting to new technologies and designs to ensure the cookware meets the modern chef’s needs.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of de Buyer cookware on Amazon.

Best Cookware Made in Italy

The best Italian cookware brands include Ruffoni, Hestan, and Ballarini.

Ruffoni

Ruffoni offers some of the most elegant and striking cookware in the world. The company’s backstory is also very charming.

Grandfather Antonio made his first copper pot to celebrate the birth of his son in 1931. When his son married in 1956, he and his wife started their dream of owning their own business. Six years later, he opened his first workshop, collaborating with artisan craftsmen from the Valstrona valley to make kitchen items.

Since then, the business has flourished. A vital catalyst was meeting Chuck Williams in 1986, which kickstarted a partnership with the kitchen retailer Williams Sonoma.

The most iconic piece from Ruffoni is the Historia stockpot. It’s a beautiful solid copper pot, crafted to encourage superior heat conductivity and less stick. It boasts a hand-hammered finish, solid bronze handles, and a pineapple design on the lid.

Ruffoni uses three primary materials: copper with tin lining, copper with stainless steel lining, and clad stainless steel. For home cooks, I recommend the copper with stainless steel lining or the clad stainless steel. These are both reliable and practical collections, whereas the copper with tin lining cookware is more suited for experienced cooks.

Ruffoni cookware is hand-crafted in Italy by the Ruffoni family and has maintained its strong commitment to beautiful and functional cookware.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Ruffoni cookware on Amazon.

Hestan

Stanley Cheng launched Hestan in the 1970s when he pioneered hard-anodized aluminum cookware, which later led to non-stick cookware.

Combining Hestan’s attitude towards innovation with a passion for food, the company creates fine cookware with attention to detail.

Hestan currently has three collections: CopperBond, ProBond, and NanoBond. NanoBond, the best-selling cookware collection, features patented titanium-based nano-technology that bonds thousands of dense ceramic layers to the stainless steel.

The company claims that this collection is free of chemicals, durable, and resistant to stains and scratches. The cookware’s surface is 400% harder than typical stainless steel and 35% more heat conductive than other aluminum-clad cookware. Learn more about this incredible nano-technology in this 2-minute video.

Each piece of Hestan cookware is hand-crafted in Italy, adhering to the highest manufacturing standards. Hestan teams with chefs to create its cookware, continually updating as market and consumer needs evolve.

With this collaboration in mind, Hestan creates beautiful cookware, both in appearance and durability. Hestan holds 14 global patents to provide incredible and one-of-a-kind performance, especially for people who cook often.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Hestan cookware on Amazon and HestanCulinary.com.

Check out this comparison of Hestan vs. All-Clad or my in-depth Hestan review to learn more.

Made In

Launching in 2016, Made In is a relatively new brand, but it’s already making its mark in the cookware industry. Several Michelin-star restaurants use Made In, and renowned chefs, including Grant Achatz and Tom Colicchio, have invested in the brand and serve as spokesmen.

The company’s mission is to make professional-quality cookware accessible to everyone.

They can offer lower prices than premium brands like All-Clad because they sell exclusively on MadeInCookware.com, cutting out the retailers who add hefty margins and drive up prices.

Made In offers stainless clad, non-stick, and carbon steel cookware — but only one collection/style within each category. Although the choices are limited, each item is thoughtfully designed and carefully crafted.

Unlike most cookware brands, Made In does not own factories or outsource production to large manufacturers in China. Instead, they work with pro chefs to design the products and partner with European factories to produce them.

Made In stainless steel and non-stick pots and pans are made in Italy, and its copper and carbon steel cookware is made in France.

I’ve been testing Made In’s cookware collections for several years, and it’s one of the best-performing and most durable brands I’ve reviewed. It heats up fast and evenly and retains heat incredibly well.

The handles are comfortable, the cooking surfaces are wide, and the walls are thick and virtually warp-proof.

I recently published several in-depth reviews of Made In stainless steel cookware, carbon steel cookware, kitchen knives, and a head-to-head comparison vs. All-Clad if you want to learn more. Or you can check out the full lineup at MadeInCookware.com.

Ballarini

Ballarini was founded back in 1889 by Paolo Ballarini in Rivarolo Mantovano, a comune in Italy’s Lombardy region.

The company has evolved over the years, but currently has many cookware offerings, including aluminum, non-stick coated aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and iron.

The non-stick coated aluminum is the brand’s primary focus and, by far, the most stocked category, with eight collections.

Parma is Ballarini’s best-selling collection. It’s made with a cold-forged aluminum base and Granitium non-stick coating. This special non-stick coating looks like granite and is infused with tiny ceramic particles to add strength and make it resistant to scratches.

For over 120 years, Ballarini has combined Italian heritage, family values, and local traditions into every product. All Ballarini products are made in Italy.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Ballarini cookware on Amazon. Also, check out my in-depth Ballarini review to learn more.

Best Cookware Made in Belgium

Demeyere launched in 1908 and remains a family-owned business four generations later. Demeyere has made its mark as a global pioneer of stainless steel cookware. For over 100 years, the team has been creating sustainable and innovative cookware.

Demeyere is one of the thickest cookware brands I’ve reviewed. Some of its pans are 5 mm thick, and that thickness results in excellent heat retention.

There are 11 main collections, offering a variety of designs. Demeyere’s most popular collection is the Atlantis. This collection features a 7-ply (seven-layer) base made from multiple layers of aluminum and copper for exceptionally heat conduction. The surface is treated with a technology that Demeyere calls Silvinox, which maintains the cookware’s sleek matte finish.

Demeyere specializes in stainless steel cookware, but they have a couple of non-stick options in the Alu Pro collection.

All Demeyere cookware is made in Belgium and has been since its establishment. The company believes its success lies with the Belgian employees and their unwavering loyalty. Many of the staff have family connections with the brand’s creators.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Demeyere cookware on Amazon. To learn how it compares with one of the top American cookware brands, check out my in-depth review of Demeyere and comparison of Demeyere vs. All-Clad.

Best Cookware Made In Denmark

Scanpan is one of the few brands of cookware made in Denmark. Founded in 1956, Scanpan prioritizes safe and sustainable cookware.

The products are made from 100% recycled aluminum, procured under strict environmental standards, to ensure quality cookware that lasts a lifetime.

The company boasts ten collections, with the Classic being the most extensive and popular. It has a patented non-stick surface that’s strong enough to withstand metal utensils.

The squeeze-cast base provides an even cooking surface, perfect for all culinary techniques. The surface is PFOA-free and can handle up to 500°F. Even more, it’s dishwasher safe.

No matter what collection you choose, Scanpan pots and pans are designed to let you sear, braise, fry, and deglaze at a professional level.

Scanpan designs and manufactures its cookware in Ryomgård, Denmark, and each piece is inspected by skilled artisans eight times before it leaves the factory.

Note: The collections that feature a stainless steel cooking surface, including Maitre ‘D, Impact, and Classic Steel, are designed in Denmark but manufactured in China.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Scanpan cookware on Amazon. You can also learn more by checking out my in-depth Scanpan review.

Best Cookware Made In England

Samuel Groves is the pride of English cookware. The Birmingham-based company started over 200 years ago in 1817. The company initially made brass candlesticks, but by the 1870s, they were producing electroplated teapots and trays. When Samuel Groves moved to a larger factory in 1965, they started to make kitchenware.

Now the company offers nine collections, the flagships being tri-ply stainless steel, copper, and enameled cast iron. Within the tri-ply stainless steel collection, you’ll find versatile sets and individual pieces — something for any household.

Today, Samuel Groves still uses traditional manufacturing procedures for each product, hand-finishing each one in Birmingham, England. Some of the techniques they use today were in use 200 years ago when the company began.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Samuel Groves cookware on SamuelGroves.com.

Best Cookware Made In Switzerland

Swiss Diamond launched in 2001 and is one of the best cookware brands made in Switzerland.

Although it is a new company, it has claimed many awards and worldwide recognition for its diamond-reinforced (yes, real diamonds) non-stick coatings: HD and XD.

HD non-stick coating is reinforced with up to 200K diamond crystals per pan for superior heat conduction and durability.

XD non-stick coating contains 20% more diamond crystals for an even more durable surface. They claim it’s 40% more durable with better food release compared to its award-winning HD coating.

Although Swiss Diamond is focused on non-stick cookware, they also make stainless steel and enameled cast iron cookware and kitchen knives.

Swiss Diamond cookware is manufactured in Switzerland, where the team uses hydroelectric power for a clean, safe environment.

This privately held company is more interested in pleasing their customers than any shareholders, so it achieves the highest standard of cookware at reasonable prices.

Read more reviews and check out the current prices of Swiss Diamond cookware on Amazon. Also, check out my in-depth review of Swiss Diamond and comparison of Swiss Diamond vs. Scanpan.

Bottom Line

Although it seems like everything is made in China these days, there are plenty of cookware options made throughout the rest of the world, especially in the United States and Europe.

In general, cookware made in the United States and Europe is more expensive than cookware produced in China, but you’re getting cookware that’s more durable, higher-performing, and made by expert craftspeople.

Sure, you can spend a small fortune on a complete All-Clad or Mauviel set, but there are several affordable options.

For example, Heritage Steel offers premium 5-ply stainless steel cookware for very reasonable prices, and a Lodge cast iron skillet costs less than some of the meals you’ll cook in it.

Read more reviews and check the current prices on Amazon of each brand at the links below:

• All-Clad
• Heritage Steel (HeritageSteel.us)
• Lodge
• Stargazer (StargazerCastIron.com)
• Le Creuset
• Staub
• Mauviel
• de Buyer
• Ruffoni
• Hestan
• Made In (MadeInCookware.com)
• Ballarini
• Demeyere
• Scanpan
• Samuel Groves (SamuelGroves.com)
• Swiss Diamond

If you found this article helpful, you should also check out:

• I Tested 45 Frying Pans: These Are the Best and Worst
• Best Cookware Made in the USA: Top Brands Reviewed
• Best Cast Iron Skillet: I Tested 6 Top Brands to Find the Winner
• Best Kitchen Knives NOT Made in China: The Definitive Guide
• Best Kitchen Knives Made in the USA: Top Brands Reviewed
• Is All-Clad Cookware Worth the High Price? (In-Depth Review)
• Hestan vs. All-Clad: Which Cookware Is Better?
• Is Demeyere Cookware Worth the High Price? An In-Depth Review
• All-Clad vs. Calphalon: Non-Stick and Stainless Cookware Compared