Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.
The Only Problem with This Skillet Has Nothing to Do with Cooking
Testing Misen’s new stainless steel is a practice in contextual purchasing decisions and considering factors outside pure performance. It cooks beautifully, but is it worth it?
There is no lack of diversity in cookware — cast-iron, enameled cast-iron, carbon steel, copper. Yet there is little dispute that a stainless steel skillet is the workhorse of the American kitchen, its throne built on a foundation of all-around performance, durability, versatility and no-fuss maintenance. What separates quality stainless steel from a mountain of low budget imposters is mostly materials, a bit of design and what kind of warranty you’re covered by.
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Misen just recently began shipping its stainless steel cookware, which naturally includes a selection of skillets. The cookware, like the brand’s explosively successful chef’s knives, toe the line of premium-made-affordable. The brand elected to go the direct-to-consumer route in order to cut prices. The stainless steel skillet — and greater cookware line — looks like a worthy second effort. So, is it?
This is not a smokescreen of buzzwords and decent web page design — Misen’s second kitchen-improving project is certainly premium stainless steel cookware. Top and bottom layers of steel coat each piece, and three layers of fast-heating aluminum make up the core. I tested the 10-inch skillet and, at just under 3 pounds, it’s heavy; but not so much that it’s not easily maneuverable with one hand. Once properly heated, that weight helps it retain heat more effectively when fridge-cold ingredients make contact. I tested the piece’s ability to cook evenly by searing a chicken thigh in the middle, sides and in-between and saw virtually no difference in sear from one spot in the pan to another. This weight, and the overall quality of the materials used, also prevents warping at higher heats. Where many brands are forced to stamp their products with warnings about high heat cooking, Misen does not.
Misen’s cookware is for the aspirational All-Clad owner with a mid-market budget. Misen may be the brand for you if you’re paying keen attention to consistency and like the things you work with to simply feel like quality.
Watch Out For
A structured and spelled-out support system is often a downfall of products looking to disrupt longstanding markets with big promises, and Misen is no different.
There is no warranty for these pans, whereas many of the industry old-timers (and some newcomers) offer anything from five years to lifetime coverage.
Like many cookware makers, Misen advertises a handle that is slower to fry your fingers than others. It’s hollowed out (warning: the hole closest to the cooking surface caught a lot of grease when cooking and is hard to spot), which made me think it may delay finger-burning for a few extra minutes. However, set to the same heat as my budget skillet they became nigh-ungrabbable all of 30 seconds later. I suppose there’s an argument that could be useful, but the fact remains if you’re cooking for more than five minutes you’re going to use a mitt.
Alternatives
Like Misen, Made In Cookware is a fairly new operation, and operates in much the same way Misen does: direct-to-consumer, online only, five-ply design, mid-market prices.
The difference in cooking between the two skillets was minimal — I preferred the Made In skillet’s ($75) handle and would give a very slight advantage to the Misen’s heat retention. But, Made In supports their steel with a lifetime warranty, where Misen does not offer a warranty. More broadly, Made In’s line also includes a non-stick skillet, where Misen is just stainless steel.
The Misen skillet easily out-seared and generally out-cooked my low budget Calphalon skillet and was very clearly not of that caliber, so I would not recommend skimping for cheap stainless if you’re a stickler for consistency.
In a vacuum, the $65 Misen stainless steel skillet is a good cooking tool to use for just about anything you can fit in it. But the lack of warranty is a dark mark on an otherwise well-made and fairly-priced product, and because there are alternatives in the same price region to tangle with, Misen’s skillet is perhaps only worth it for those seeking a heavier, more even cooking experience and don’t fear damage or durability issues down the road.
This nearly matches the lowest price we've seen on Apple's premium AirPods. Competition is now fierce in this headphone category, but the quick pairing and native integration with Apple devices still makes the AirPods Pro tough to beat.
The V10 used to be Dyson's top-tier stick vacuum, but it was eventually replaced by the slightly more powerful (and much more expensive) V11. This makes the V10 a great value, as it's usually $150 less than the V11. Thanks to this sale, it's even a better value than the V11 right now.
Sony's latest and greatest, the WH-1000XM4 features Active Noise Cancelling, an unreal 30 hours of battery life, touch sensor buttons, and wearing detection that pauses playback when they are removed. This is one of the best prices we've seen on this set of headphones.
These cloth masks are more than meets the eye. United By Blue has made them with deadstock fabrics and included a filter slot that fits the brand's Activated Carbon Filters. Plus, for each pack purchased, one will be donated to a Philadelphia resident who is experiencing homelessness.
With 4K UHD, you get four times the display power of a 1080p TV. Built in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity allow access to the Google Play store via the TV's Android TV operating system.
If you've been watching The Crown or have been following style moodboards lately, you've surely seen Barbour. The classic hunting brand makes some of the finest harsh-weather garments, bred to excel in the rain soaked British islands. A quilted jacket is an essential layering piece, whether topping off a sweater or under a waxed field jacket.
If you're looking to get a smoker but don't have the space for a full-sized grill and don't want to fuss with gas or wood, this electric smoker is an excellent option. With a removable wood chip tray, built-in thermostat and 1,800 watt heating element for even, consistent smoking, it has everything you need to get going.
If sleep has been tough to come by, whether pandemic anxiety-related or otherwise, a noise machine is an excellent way to put your mind and body at ease. Keep one in your bedroom for peaceful nights or in the office for a calming presence throughout the day.
These are loaded with some of Nike's best features, including React outsoles for ultimate efficiency on the road and Flyknit uppers for a lightweight, sock-like feel.
Is anything left to be said about the Eames chair? This is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture to come out of the 20th century and is a must-have for any furniture aficionados (if you can afford it).
If all the pandemic hand-washing is doing leaving you with dry, cracking skin, opt for a moisturizing hand soap like this one from Tom's of Maine. This natural prebiotic formula not only cleans but supports healthy, balanced skin.
The CPO jacket is a classic silhouette that never goes out of style. Todd Snyder upgraded this one with premium a cotton-linen Herringbone that will break in and only get better over time.
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
This collab between Outdoor Voices and Hoka One One pairs an award-winning running shoe with OV's sharp eye for design to make a shoe that looks as good as it feels.
Not only is this one of the most versatile packs around, it eschews some of the "ugly" features on a standard outdoor pack for a look that is actually super stylish. We welcome an outdoor pack that values both style and function.
Everlane does basics extremely well — it's kind of Everlane's thing. The brand's 18-wale corduroy fabric shirt is a great option for the winter months and at half off you truly cannot beat it. READ OUR GUIDE TO CORDUROY SHIRTS
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 25 percent off, you do it.
The complete package, this sound bar connects via Bluetooth, has its own subwoofer and passive radiators, is wall-mountable, and can connect via HDMI, optical or AUX connections.
This chronograph re-issue of Timex's original military-style watch has an aluminum 40mm case that provides strength without the weight. If you're looking for a daily knock around with chronograph features, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
If you are working out a lot, you're going to need more than one mask. Under Armour has created one of the best sports-specific masks and right now if you buy two you get a great deal.
Todd Snyder's collaborations with Timex always hit. Paired with a vintage military-inspired band, this bullseye design is straight from the Timex archives.
Whether you want to move some of your most frequently used herbs indoors or don't have space outside for a garden, the AeroGarden Harvest is a perfect solution, with clearance for up to a foot of growth and room for 6 plants that grow five times faster than soil.
Will PriceAssistant Editor, Home and DesignWill Price is Gear Patrol’s home and drinks editor.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
