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Heritage Steel Cookware: An In-Depth Look at Quality, Construction, Options, Reviews, and More
Heritage Steel Cookware is an American-made, fully clad stainless steel cookware brand that offers chef-quality cookware for home kitchens at an approachable price.
Heritage Steel pots and pans are available individually or in small, medium, and large cookware sets. The cookware sets start with a 3-piece fry pan set and a 5-piece essentials set and go up to a 25-piece cookware set for the serious cook. Of course, there are many sizes in between, so whether you’re cooking for two or making meals for an army, Heritage Steel offers a cookware set that will suit your kitchen’s needs. The product line includes stock pots, rondeaus, skillets, frying pans, saute pans, sauteuses, saucepans, saucepots, lids, and accessories.
Photo Credit: Heritage Steel
This post takes an in-depth look at Heritage Steel Cookware’s features and the differences between its collections. It answers frequent questions about Heritage Steel pots and pans and compares Heritage Steel to ten top cookware brands, including 360, All-Clad, and Made in Cookware. We also examine the construction, warranty, and product reviews. We even have an exclusive Heritage Steel discount code you’ll only find here.
Key Features of Heritage Steel Cookware
Heritage Steel pots and pans offer the safety, strength, and durability of stainless steel with the superior heat conduction of aluminum. They have 5-ply construction with an aluminum core, a 400 series stainless steel ferritic exterior, and a stay-cool handle.
Eater Series vs. Titanium Series
Heritage Steel Cookware offers two collections with a few key differences: the Eater Series and the Titanium Series.
Eater Series
The Heritage Cookware Steel Eater series offers affordable quality. Its cooking surface is made of 304 stainless steel. The brushed finish is more fingerprint-resistant, and the stay-cool handle is angular.
Eater Series / Photo Credit: Heritage Steel
Titanium Series
The Heritage Steel Cookware Titanium Series cooking surface is built with specialty-grade 316Ti stainless steel. Unlike standard 304 stainless steel, 316Ti steel is reinforced with titanium and molybdenum to resist corrosion, especially salt pitting.
The Titanium Series provides best-in-class durability with a mirror finish and rounded handle design.
Titanium Series / Photo Credit: Heritage Steel
Where is Heritage Steel Made?
Heritage Seel Cookware is made in the USA in Clarksville, Tennessee, where three generations of family owners oversee all the details and processes to ensure customers always get a great product. The Henn family and the Heritage Steel factory rely on every team member’s expertise, knowledge, and hard work.
Their mission has always been to
Make a great product, sell it at a fair price, and pay good wages to the American workers who build it. Our aim is to craft tools that help people fall in love with cooking at home.
Heritage Steel
Heritage Steel has over 40 years of experience handcrafting multi-clad stainless steel cookware. It consistently refines the manufacturing process to ensure every 5-ply, fully clad pot and pan is reliably up to their standards.
Photo Credit: Heritage Steel
Are Heritage Steel Pots and Pans Non-Toxic and Safe?
Heritage Steel cookware is completely safe and non-toxic. In fact, Heritage Steel believes that “non-toxic” is the absolute lowest bar to meet for their cookware because all pots and pans should be non-toxic.
It’s one of the many reasons they won’t make and sell non-stick pans, even though it’s the fastest-growing segment of the cookware market. Heritage Steel recognizes that while PFOA is no longer in non-stick pans, PTFE is, and when heated, it degrades and releases toxic fumes. Additionally, PTFE, GenX, and ceramic coatings, which aren’t really ceramic but rather a coating process that combines inorganic chemicals to create a hard surface, are all reasonably new technologies without much scientific literature related to their health effects.
In contrast, significant studies have been conducted on the safety of cast iron, aluminum, and stainless steel cookware.
Built to Last a Lifetime: The Heritage Steel Cookware Warranty
Heritage Steel has a lifetime warranty that guarantees your cookware is free from defects in material and workmanship. If any piece of your cookware is defective, it will be replaced or repaired free of charge as long as you register it within 30 days of purchase.
Additionally, if your cookware is destroyed in a fire, flood, storm, earthquake, accident, or by misuse or neglect (you read that right), Heritage Steel will replace it at ½ the current retail price plus shipping and handling. Say what?
The warranty does not cover factory seconds and clearance cookware.
Heritage Steel Cookware Reviews
Heritage Steel Cookware’s website has about 4,000 reviews from customers. Happy customers have said Heritage Steel is “worth every penny,” “great quality,” and “will make you love cooking.” Read the reviews here.
We also looked at Heritage Steel reviews on Amazon, one of our favorite places to see what owners say in a place independent of a brand’s website. Amazon buyers said, “great craftsmanship,” “incredible pots and pans,” and “no non-stick coating, no problem.” Visit the Heritage Steel Amazon store and select any product to read the Heritage Steel Amazon reviews.
Heritage Steel has about a 4 ¾ star rating on the Heritage Steel website and on Amazon.
Is Heritage Steel a Good Brand of Cookware?
Heritage Steel is high-quality, non-toxic, fully clad cookware with great reviews and an unbeatable warranty. But what is clad cookware, and how does it compare to other cookware brands on the market?
How Clad Cookware Outshines Alternatives
Stainless steel is durable, easy to care for, and won’t react with acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus, and vinegar. However, it is not a good heat conductor, resulting in foods taking longer to get hot or burning after you’ve lowered the heat.
In contrast, aluminum is an excellent heat conductor and reacts quickly to temperature changes. Unfortunately, aluminum is reactive and will leach into acidic foods. This reaction will not only change the intended flavor of your recipes but is also of concern for many consumers who worry about aluminum exposure.
Clad cookware offers the best of both worlds. Stainless steel-clad cookware is designed to provide the heat conductivity of aluminum without the reactivity of aluminum. The aluminum is placed between sheets of stainless steel to create one sheet of metal that will make your pots and pans efficient and safe.
Photo Credit: Heritage Steel
Is There a Difference Between Clad Cookware and Fully Clad Cookware?
It’s important to understand that clad cookware only means that the bottom cooking surface of the pan is built with these bonded layers, whereas fully clad means that the entire pan is designed and built to be heat-responsive and non-reactive.
Heritage steel cookware is fully clad cookware. When we compare stainless steel cookware, keep this in mind. Many brands are clad cookware, but are they fully clad?
How Does Heritage Steel Cookware Compare to Other Cookware Brands on the Market?
To recap, Heritage Steel is a 5-ply, fully clad cookware that offers two collections. Both collections have an aluminum core, a 400 series stainless steel ferritic exterior, and a stay-cool handle. Heritage Steel Cookware is oven-safe to 800° F.
The Eater Series has a 304 (18/10) stainless steel cooking surface with a brushed finish exterior. A 3-piece set of fry pans comes with 8.5″, 10.5″, and 12″ size pans and currently retails for $310.00.
The Titanium Series has a 316Ti cooking surface and a polished exterior. The 3-piece fry pan set includes 8.5″, 10.5″, and 12″ sizes and currently retails for $409.00.
Heritage Steel vs 360 Cookware
360 Cookware is another American-made cookware brand. It is waterless cookware that allows you to cook without oil, butter, and water. 360 Cookware also makes stainless steel bakeware made in the USA. Like Heritage Steel Cookware, 360 Cookware has a stay-cool handle and is compatible with all cooktops, including induction. 360 cookware is dishwasher safe, and like Heritage Steel, 360 recommends handwashing to preserve the cookware’s finish.
360 tri-ply cookware is made with T-304 and T-316 surgical-grade stainless steel and is oven-safe up to 500° F.
360 Cookware is designed, bonded, crafted, and assembled in the USA, with 85% of its components domestically sourced.
At the time of this post, a 360 Cookware 3-piece 7”, 8.5”, and 11.5” fry pan set retails for $480.00.
Follow this link and use code: COOKWARE15 to save 15% on 360 Cookware and bakeware.
Heritage Steel vs All-Clad
All-Clad makes aluminum and copper 3-ply and 5-ply fully clad stainless steel cookware bonded, engineered, and assembled in the USA. All-Clad non-stick cookware, non-stick bakeware, and ceramic cookware are made in China.
All-Clad’s two lines of aluminum and stainless steel bonded cookware are D3 Everyday and Stainless and D5 Brushed and Polished. The D3 series is 3-ply, and the D5 series is 5-ply. We’ll look at the D5 line, which is 5-ply fully clad like Heritage Steel cookware.
D5 brushed is most comparable to Heritage Steel’s Eater series, while D5 polished compares best to the Titanium series in terms of aesthetics.
The All-Clad D3 and D5 cookware lines are made with an 18/10 stainless steel cooking surface and are oven-safe to 600°F. Both collections can be used on any cooktop, including induction cooktops.
The D5 brushed, 5-ply bonded stainless steel 8” inch fry pan is $149.00, the 10” is $179.00, and the 12” fry pan is currently $249.99. Thus, the total for all three fry pans in the D5 Brushed collection is $577.99.
The D5 polished 5-ply aluminum core, stainless steel 8” fry pan is $149. 99, the 10” is $179.99, and the 12” fry pan is currently $249.99. The total for all three fry pans in the D5 Polished collection comes to $579.97.
Heritage Steel vs Cuisinart
It’s a household name in America, but unfortunately, Cuisinart cookware is not made in the USA. Most Cuisinart cookware is made in China, with the exception of its French Classic triple-ply stainless steel cookware, which is made in France.
Cuisinart offers two stainless steel cookware collections, French Classic, made in France, as previously mentioned, and Multi-Clad Pro, made in China. The French Classic line is thicker and better quality than the Multi-Clad Pro.
Cuisinart’s 18/10 multi-ply stainless steel cookware can be used in the oven up to 500°F, and its glass lids are oven-safe to 450°F. Like Heritage Steel, it can be used on gas, electric, glass, halogen, and induction stoves and has stay-cool handles unless used in the oven.
Cuisinart cookware does not provide enough information about its stainless steel cookware to determine if we’re comparing apples to apples or apples to oranges. We can’t find if Cuisinart French Classic cookware is fully clad or only clad on the bottom, which is concerning. Let us know in the comments if you know.
Notably, Reddit users mention that Cuisinart stainless steel scratches easily.
The 12″ French Classic frying pan is $94.95 on the Cuisinart website and can also be purchased on Amazon.
Heritage Steel vs Demeyere
Demeyere cookware is made in Belgium and offers four lines of stainless steel cookware: Atlantis, Essential 5, Industry 5, and Resto. The Essential 5 and Industry 5 lines have rim-to-rim 5-layer 18/10 stainless steel construction and are induction stovetop compatible. The Industry 5 line features hygienic welded handles and a silvinox finish, while the Essential 5 line has riveted handles and a satin finish. Essential 5 pots and pans are oven and broiler safe to 600° F and Industry 5 is oven and broiler safe to 500° F.
Sur la Table, a retailer of Demeyere cookware, offers the 11-inch Essential 5 fry pan for $187.00 and the 12.5-inch Industry 5 frying pan for $219.95.
Heritage Steel vs Gotham Steel
Comparing Heritage Steel to Gotham Steel is like comparing apples and oranges—or apples and a snack bag of plain potato chips. Heritage Steel Cookware and Gotham Steel are different types of cookware and in completely different classes.
Heritage Steel is chef-quality cookware, while Gotham Steel is Walmart-quality cookware. Heritage Steel is fully clad, non-toxic stainless steel, while Gotham Steel is ceramic, non-stick aluminum cookware with a steel handle. You get the idea.
Friends, I have personal experience with Gotham Steel. We recently bought a seasonal RV, and I needed a set of cookware to leave in the camper. I don’t need a fancy cookware set for summer weekends, but I hoped to get something that would last for a few years.
Since only high-quality cookware is made in the USA, I caved. Gasp! I ordered this set on Amazon because it looked cute with the beachy theme in my camper. I also ordered silicone utensils and some thick kitchen towels to line the drawer they’d be stored in and to put between each pot and pan so they wouldn’t scratch each other. I hand wash all my pots and pans with a soft cloth and am careful not to slide them around on the stovetop.
After just one use, the square frying pan had multiple spots of chipping paint. I know we get what we pay for, but yikes.
As you likely guessed, Gotham Steel cookware is made in China.
Heritage Steel vs Hestan
Hestan cookware is made in Italy in factories owned and managed by the brand. Its ProBond stainless steel clad cookware features a 3-ply aluminum core and 18/10 stainless steel construction with flush rivets. It is suitable for all cooktops, including induction. It is dishwasher safe and oven and broiler safe to 600°F.
Hesten cookware offers a lifetime warranty covering defects for United States customers. The warranty does not cover accidents, misuse, abuse, scratches, or discoloration.
Per the Hestan cookware website, skillets are individually priced at $150.00/8.5”, $200.00/11”, and $250.00/12”, totaling $600.00 for all three pans.
Heritage Steel vs HexClad
HexClad manufactures hybrid tri-ply aluminum core and stainless steel construction nonstick cookware in China. The nonstick cooking surface has a stainless steel hexagon pattern that protects the nonstick coating. It is oven-safe to 500°F, dishwasher-safe, and induction compatible.
In our opinion, Heritage Steel and HexClad cookware are in different leagues. Hexclad is 3-ply, and Heritage Steel is 5-ply. Hexclad is oven-safe to 500°F, Heritage Steel to 800°F, etc.
In addition, we read multiple HexClad reviews, including a 5/10 from Wired that says, “Not as good as two separate pans” and “If you want to spend an arm and a leg on it, you could. I think you’d be better off investing the same amount of money in non-hybrid cookware.”
We also watched some private-owner Hexclad reviews on YouTube and saw that the surfaces of HexClad pots and pans were flaking off after less than a year of use.
The similarities between HexClad cookware and Heritage Steel cookware end at cookware.
Heritage Steel vs Made in
Made In offers multiple types of cookware, and its stainless steel 5-ply clad cookware is the most comparable to Heritage Steel cookware.
Made In 5-ply cookware is the only brand on our list that matches Heritage Steel at oven-safe to 800°F. It is compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops and has a stay-cool handle. Made In prefers that you handwash its clad cookware.
The 3-piece stainless-clad frying pan with 8”, 10”, and 12” fry pans is $357 on the Made-In website at the time of this post.
Made In cookware is warranted for any defects in manufacturing. The warranty does not cover changes in appearance, damage, or staining caused by normal wear and tear.
Made In’s stainless steel-clad cookware is made in the USA and France. Other cookware products, including enameled cast iron, nonstick, and carbon steel cookware, are also made in France.
Heritage Steel vs Saladmaster
Saladmaster is an American-made, oil-free, waterless cookware brand with semi-vacuum cooking technology that reduces cooking time and allows you to remove oil from your recipes.
You can put Saladmaster pots and pans in the dishwasher, but remove the handles first. Saladmaster also recommends removing the handles to handwash.
Saladmaster pots and pans should be used on low and medium heat, as high heat can cause warping. They’re made with 316Ti stainless steel and can be used on all cooktops. With the handles detached, they can also be used in the oven.
Saladmaster cookware sets are available through dealers that can be found on the website.
Heritage Steel vs Tramotina
Tramotina stainless steel, enameled cast iron, aluminum nonstick, porcelain enamel, and other cookware are mainly made in Brazil; none of its cookware is made in the US.
The tri-ply cookware from the gourmet collection is a budget 8/10 clad cookware option. It is oven-safe to 500°F and can be used on all cooktops.
Two American-Made Cookware Brands Consolidate to Bring You Heritage Steel
Are New Era Cookware and Heritage Steel One in the Same?
Donald Henn, the founder of Heritage Steel, got his start selling cookware across the country as a leading independent distributor for Vollrath. In 1983, he acquired Vollrath’s consumer division and Tennessee factory, where he developed New Era Cookware.
Are Hammer Stahl and Heritage Steel Cookware the Same Brand?
Hammer Stahl’s state-of-the-art stainless steel cookware was introduced in 2013.
In 2019, New Era and Hammer Stahl were consolidated under the new Heritage Steel name, celebrating the company’s heritage of making high-quality cookware in the USA.
Hammer Stahl Cookware has been rebranded as Heritage Steel’s Titanium Series cookware.
Photo Credit: Heritage Steel
Using and Caring For Your Cookware
Can Heritage Steel Cookware Be Used on Glass Cooktops, Induction Cooktops, and Electric Stovetops?
Heritage Steel pots and pans can be used on all cooking surfaces, including glass cooktops, induction cooktops, ceramic cooktops, electric stoves, and, of course, gas stoves.
Some stovetops, such as gas, heat more evenly than others, regardless of what type of pans you use, and will cause variations in your cooking experience. All pots and pans should be heated slowly.
Are Heritage Steel Pots and Pans Oven Safe?
Heritage Steel Cookware is oven-safe and broiler-safe to 800° F.
Can Heritage Steel Cookware Be Used on a Grill?
Yes, you can even use Heritage Steel cookware on a grill.
Is Heritage Steel Dishwasher Safe?
Heritage Steel pots and pans are dishwasher safe. However, Heritage Steel recommends handwashing because many dishwasher detergents are corrosive, which can damage cookware over time.
Heritage Steel Cookware Discount Codes
Heritage Steel has provided our readers with an exclusive coupon code that can only be found here. Thank you, Heritage Steel!
When available, Heritage Steel offers factory seconds and clearance items while supplies last. Factory seconds are items with minor cosmetic imperfections that do not affect the cookware’s performance, such as small dents, scratches, or discoloration. Clearance items include closeouts and limited runs free of blemishes.
Visit Heritage Steel Cookware to learn more.
Pin It! The Ultimate Heritage Steel Deep Dive
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