Cristel vs Made In: Uncoated Stainless, Compared Line by Line

Both are uncoated 18/10 stainless, both work on induction, and both carry a lifetime warranty against defects. The differences that matter at the stove are four: whether the aluminum runs up the walls, how hot the oven can go, what each maker says about the dishwasher, and who actually makes the pan.

We sell Cristel and not Made In, so read this knowing that. Every fact below is the maker's own statement, read on November 8, 2026, with the page cited at the end. Where a maker doesn't say, we write "not stated."

How do the three lines compare at a glance?

In short. Cristel 1826 is the only disc-base line here. Castel'Pro and Made In Stainless Clad are both 5-ply, fully clad, with aluminum through the walls.

Through December 31, 2026, every Cristel piece on our site is priced 30% below the list prices above, and each product page shows both numbers. Made In's single pieces showed no sale price the day we read them; its sets did, and we quote both.

What touches your food?

In short. Uncoated 18/10 stainless on all three. The two makers describe it in slightly different words.

Cristel's spec lists say "stainless steel 18/10" for both lines. Made In's frying pan FAQ says the cooking surface is "304-grade 18/10 Stainless Steel." Those are two names for the same family of steel, and our 18/10 page explains why the label and the grade number don't map one to one. Neither maker lists a coating on these lines.

The outside layer is where the names differ. Cristel calls it "induction stainless" on 1826 and "18/0 stainless" on Castel'Pro. Made In's FAQ calls it "high-grade ferritic 403" and its induction page says "ferritic 430." Both are magnetic 400-series steels, which is what makes a pan work on induction.

How is each pan built?

In short. Two of the three carry aluminum through the walls. The 1826 line keeps it under the base.

Cristel 1826 is a disc-base pan: one layer of brushed 18/10 stainless for the body, and a three-layer plate under it with aluminum in the middle. The walls are plain steel, so the base heats evenly and the sides run cooler. It is the lightest build here and the lowest priced of Cristel's two lines.

Cristel Castel'Pro is fully clad: five layers rim to rim, polished 18/10 inside, three layers of aluminum including one Cristel calls reinforced, 18/0 stainless outside. Cristel says it heats up and cools down fast.

Made In Stainless Clad is also fully clad: "5 layers of four different metals," which Made In lists as 304-grade 18/10 stainless, aluminum, aluminum alloy and ferritic stainless. So the fair pairing is Castel'Pro against Made In. The 1826 line has no equivalent in Made In's stainless range, and our fully clad vs disc bottom guide covers what the walls do for you.

Who makes it, and where?

In short. Cristel makes its pans in its own factory in France. Made In designs its pans and has them made in Italy and the United States.

Cristel's product pages say "Made in France," and Cristel told us in writing that its pans and pots come from its factory in Fesches-le-Châtel. The one exception is the Castel'Pro stewpan's lid, made in Portugal, and that product page says so.

Made In's story page says the company "found the best artisans in the USA and Europe" to make its products to its specifications. Its Stainless Clad frying pan is sold on two pages, one marked "Made in Italy" and one marked "Made in USA," at the same prices, and the saucepan is the same.

The saucier and the 8 qt stock pot are marked USA, the saute pan and the 10-piece set Italy. Each page carries the line "5 layers of domestic and imported metal." The frying pan lid is marked Made In China.

So if the country matters to you, check the badge on the exact Made In page you buy from, not the brand. With Cristel the answer is France on every pan.

Can it go in the dishwasher?

In short. Cristel says yes for both lines. Made In says yes but prefers hand washing, and its warranty won't cover dishwasher marks.

Cristel's spec lists put both 1826 and Castel'Pro in the dishwasher, in so many words.

Made In's care section says "Handwash Preferred." Its FAQ answers the dishwasher question with "Yes, but we recommend that you hand wash your Stainless Clad cookware." Its warranty lists "scratches, dents, or marks from metal utensils or dishwasher use" among the things it doesn't cover. So you can, and the pan will come through it, but Made In is telling you it would rather you didn't.

A stainless pan from either maker can come out of the dishwasher with water spots or a faint rainbow sheen. Neither is a coating and neither is damage; our rainbow guide explains it.

Oven, broiler and induction

In short. All three work on induction. Made In is rated to 800 F, Cristel to 550 F, with the broiler listed only for Castel'Pro.

Cristel lists 550 F for both lines and 400 F with a glass lid on. It lists the broiler for the Castel'Pro stainless range and says nothing about it for 1826. Made In's product pages rate every Stainless Clad piece to 800 F and add "heat and cool pans slowly to prevent warping." The broiler doesn't appear on Made In's product pages; a Made In guide page about stainless does list it. On induction, Cristel's outer layer is induction stainless on both lines, and Made In's is ferritic stainless on all pieces.

For most home ovens, which top out near 550 F, both limits are above what you'll use.

Lids and handles

In short. Cristel 1826 is the only line here with glass lids. Cristel's handles are solid and riveted; Made In's are hollow.

The 1826 stewpot comes with a borosilicate glass lid; the 1826 saucepans and frying pans are sold without one, and the 1826 glass lid is sold apart in four sizes. Castel'Pro's stewpan comes with a stainless lid, and the Castel'Pro stainless lid is sold apart, $69.99 for 8 in and $76.99 for 9.5 in at list. Made In's saucepans, saucier and stock pot come with stainless lids. Its frying pans don't, and the 10 in or 12 in Stainless Frying Pan Lid is $49, with a riveted handle, marked Made In China.

Cristel's handles are solid stainless fixed with rivets, double rivets on 1826. Cristel says the Castel'Pro handle "does not retain heat." Made In's handle is hollow, which it says slows heat traveling up it; the pages we read don't say whether it's riveted or welded to the pan.

How much do they weigh?

In short. Made In publishes weights. Cristel doesn't, so we can only compare by build.

Made In lists its 8 in frying pan at 1.75 lb, the 10 in at 2.25 lb and the 12 in at 3 lb. Cristel doesn't publish weights on its US pages. It calls Castel'Pro "lightweight" and says its reinforced aluminum layer makes the line 30% lighter than competitors, without naming them. For a disc-base pan like 1826, the plain steel walls are thinner than a clad wall, which is why that line is the light one.

What do they cost?

In short. At list, Made In's 10 in frying pan is the cheapest of the three by a wide margin, and its saucepans include lids. Cristel 1826 is the cheapest way into a set.

List prices, both makers, read November 8, 2026. Cristel's are Cristel USA's suggested retail; ours are 30% below them through December 31, with both numbers on each product page. Made In's set pages show a struck-through price next to the sale price, and we quote both. Made In also sells a 60-day trial on most items; we take returns for 30 days, and our returns page has the details.

Which should you pick?

In short. It comes down to the dishwasher, the oven, the walls and the country, in whatever order matters to you.

• You want the dishwasher without an asterisk. Cristel, either line. Made In allows it but prefers hand washing and won't cover marks from it.
• You mostly boil, simmer and braise. Cristel 1826. A disc base does that work for less money and less weight, and the glass lid lets you watch.
• You sear and make pan sauces, and want the pan to respond fast. Castel'Pro or Made In. Both run aluminum up the walls. Castel'Pro costs more at list and is made in Cristel's own factory; Made In costs less and comes from partner factories in Italy or the US.
• You use a very hot oven and the broiler a lot. Made In's 800 F rating is the higher number. Cristel's 550 F covers most home ovens.
• Where it's made decides it. Cristel is France on every pan. Made In is Italy or the USA depending on the page, with a lid from China, and it says so on each page, which is more than most brands do.
• Price decides it. At list, Made In's frying pans are $50 to $150 under Cristel's. Cristel's 1826 set of five is the lowest-priced set of the three.

We carry Cristel because it names every layer, states the country on every page, makes the pan itself, and answered our questions in writing. Made In names its layers and its countries as clearly as anyone. If you already own Made In and like it, there's no reason to switch.

Common questions

Is Cristel better than Made In?

Not as a brand. They make different pans at different prices. Cristel's 1826 is a disc-base line Made In has no equivalent for; Castel'Pro and Made In Stainless Clad are the closest pair.

Where is Made In stainless made?

Italy or the USA, by piece. Made In sells its frying pan and saucepan on two pages each, one marked Made in Italy and one marked Made in USA. Its frying pan lid is marked Made In China.

Can Made In go in the dishwasher?

Made In's FAQ says yes but recommends hand washing, its care section says "Handwash Preferred," and its warranty excludes marks from dishwasher use.

Can Cristel go in the dishwasher?

Yes, per Cristel, for both 1826 and Castel'Pro.

Is Made In 18/10 stainless?

Yes. Made In's FAQ says the cooking surface is "304-grade 18/10 Stainless Steel."

Which is heavier?

Made In lists 2.25 lb for its 10 in frying pan. Cristel publishes no weights. By construction, Cristel's disc-base 1826 is the lightest build of the three.

Read next: Cristel vs All-Clad, uncoated stainless cookware made in Europe, and Cristel 1826 or Castel'Pro.

Sources

1. Cristel USA, 1826 Stainless steel Frying pan (18/10 brushed, three-layer base, oven to 550 F and glass lids to 400 F, double-riveted handle, dishwasher listed, "Made in France," sizes and list prices). cristelusa.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
2. Cristel USA, Castel'Pro Deep Frying Pan (Ultraply 5-ply: three aluminum layers between 18/10 inside and 18/0 outside, broiler listed for the stainless range, 550 F, dishwasher listed, "Made in France," stainless rivets). cristelusa.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
3. Cristel USA, Castel'Pro Frying Pan, Saucepan, Stewpan with Lid, Stainless Steel Lid, Set of 2 deep frying pans and 8-Piece Set; 1826 Saucepan, Stewpot with lid, Glass lid, 5-piece set and 8-piece set (list prices and sizes). cristelusa.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
4. Cristel USA, About Us (lifetime warranty "covering all manufacturing defects"), plus Cristel USA's written statements to Clearly Made (October 2026). cristelusa.com/pages/about-us. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
5. Made In, Stainless Clad Frying Pan, Italy ("Made in Italy," "5 layers of domestic and imported metal," hollow handle, weights, "Handwash Preferred," 800 F, 60-day trial, $99 to $149; FAQ on layers, dishwasher and warranty). madeincookware.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
6. Made In, Stainless Clad Frying Pan, USA ("Made in USA," same prices and specs, 3-piece set $417, sale $299). madeincookware.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
7. Made In, Stainless Clad Saucepan, Italy and USA pages (2 qt $149, 4 qt $179, weights). madeincookware.com and madeincookware.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
8. Made In, Stainless Clad Saucier, USA (2 qt $159, 3 qt $179, 5 qt $199), Saute Pan, Italy (3.5 qt $199) and Stock Pot, USA (8 qt $249). madeincookware.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
9. Made In, Stainless Frying Pan Lid ("Made In China," "Riveted Handle," $49). madeincookware.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
10. Made In, Stainless Essential Set (frying pan USA, saucier Italy, $318, sale $249) and Stainless Set, 10-Piece ("Made in Italy," pieces with lids, $1,024, sale $799). madeincookware.com and madeincookware.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
11. Made In, Induction Cookware page ("high-grade ferritic 430 Stainless Steel base"). madeincookware.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
12. Made In, Our Story and Craftsmanship pages ("found the best artisans in the USA and Europe to craft everything to our exact specifications"). madeincookware.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).
13. Made In, How to Switch from Non-Stick to Stainless Steel guide page (oven and broiler listed for Stainless Clad). madeincookware.com. Read 2026-11-08 (maker statement).

Last reviewed November 8, 2026. Maker pages read November 8, 2026. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix it here.