The Made In Memorial Day Sale Is Here: My Brutally Honest Picks for 2026

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Look, I’ve spent way too much money at high-end kitchen stores over the years, but Made In is where I’ve landed for the gear I actually use every single morning. It’s May 15, 2026, and the annual Made In Memorial Day sale just went live. If you’ve been eyeing that carbon steel pan or the chef’s knife that’s been out of stock since Christmas, now is the time to move. I’ve put these pans through the wringer—I’m talking burnt caramel, forgotten salmon skins, and a lot of Diamond Crystal kosher salt—so I know what holds up and what’s just marketing fluff.

The Stainless Clad Set is the big winner this year

If you’re still cooking on those thin, warped pans you got at Walmart five years ago, please stop. The 10-piece Stainless Clad Set is usually $799, but it’s down to $599 for the sale. That sounds like a lot, but these are 5-ply, which means they have five layers of metal fused together. They heat up so evenly it’s almost annoying because you can’t blame the pan for your burnt garlic anymore. I’ve used All-Clad from Costco too, and honestly, the handles on the Made In stuff are way more comfortable for my hands.

Here’s the thing: you don’t need a 20-piece set. You need a solid 10-piece that covers the basics. This set includes the 10-inch and 12-inch frying pans, which are my absolute workhorses for everything from searing scallops to making a quick pan sauce with white wine and butter.

Why 5-ply actually matters for your steak

Most cheap pans are 3-ply or just single-layer aluminum. When you drop a cold steak from Trader Joe’s into a 5-ply Made In pan, the temperature doesn’t plummet. It stays hot, giving you that crusty, salty sear that makes people think you actually know what you’re doing. It’s worth the extra $200, trust me.

Carbon steel is better than cast iron (don’t @ me)

I know, I know. Your grandma’s cast iron is sacred. But have you tried lifting a 12-inch cast iron skillet with one hand while trying to plate a delicate piece of fish? It’s a workout. The Made In Carbon Steel Frying Pan is the middle ground. It’s seasoned like cast iron so it becomes naturally non-stick, but it weighs half as much.

During this Made In Memorial Day sale, the 12-inch skillet is dropping from $109 to about $82. I use mine for literally everything. The first time I used it, I didn’t season it right and everything stuck. I felt like a total failure. But once I did the stovetop seasoning method three times? Perfection. It’s now the only pan I use for fried eggs. Just don’t put it in the dishwasher or you’ll be crying over a rusty mess.

The seasoning struggle is real but worth it

Okay, so the first few times you use carbon steel, it’s going to look ugly. It’ll get splotchy and brown. That’s good! That’s the patina. Don’t scrub it off with soap. Just use hot water and a chainmail scrubber if things get really stuck. By the tenth use, it’ll be smoother than any Teflon pan you’ve ever owned.

The 8-inch Chef’s Knife is finally back in stock

This knife sells out more often than Taylor Swift tickets. It’s made in Thiers, France, which is basically the holy grail of knife-making towns. The balance is incredible. It doesn’t feel heavy, but it has enough weight to do the work for you when you’re hacking through a butternut squash.

Normally it’s $119, but I’m seeing it for $89 right now. I have the one with the ‘Pomme Red’ handle because I like a little chaos in my knife drawer. Real talk: a sharp knife is safer than a dull one. I used to use those cheap serrated knives for everything until I realized I was one slip away from a trip to the ER. This knife holds an edge for months, even with me being lazy about honing it.

Maintaining that French steel edge

Don’t just throw this in the drawer with your spoons. Get a magnetic strip or a blade guard. I use a cheap honing steel once a week just to keep the alignment straight. If you treat this knife well, it’ll literally last until 2046. It’s the best $89 you’ll spend this year.

The Dutch Oven is a sleeper hit

Everyone talks about Le Creuset, and look, they’re great. But they’re also $400. The Made In 5.5 Quart Dutch Oven is usually $249, and it’s on sale for $185. It’s heavy duty enameled cast iron made in France. I use mine for sourdough bread and slow-braised short ribs.

The heat retention is wild. I can turn the stove off and the stew will stay hot for an hour. One thing I love is the lid—it has these little dimples on the underside that catch steam and drip it back onto the food. It’s like a self-basting machine. I went with the ‘Antique White’ color, and even after two years of high-heat roasting, the enamel hasn’t chipped. That’s a win in my book.

Cleaning the burnt bits off enamel

If you get those brown scorched marks on the bottom, don’t panic. Mix a little baking soda and water into a paste, let it sit for 20 minutes, and it’ll wipe right off. I used to use steel wool and ruined my first one—don’t be like me. Stick to the soft sponges.

⭐ Pro Tips

• Buy the Barkeepers Friend cleanser at Walmart for $3; it’s the only way to keep the stainless steel looking brand new.
• If you’re between sizes, go for the 12-inch carbon steel pan. The 10-inch is great, but you’ll appreciate the extra room for bacon.
• Sign up for their email list 5 minutes before you buy; sometimes they let you stack a first-time discount on top of sale prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Honestly, don’t overthink it. If you need new pans, this Made In Memorial Day sale is the best time to buy without paying the ‘luxury brand’ tax. Start with the 12-inch carbon steel or the 8-inch chef’s knife. They’re the two things that actually changed how I cook. Now go grab them before the ‘out of stock’ signs start popping up—I’m already seeing the red knives disappear!