Viking Pans: Worth The Hype?

Viking is a well-known brand for its high-end kitchen appliances, but they also make premium cookware. Viking offers multiple collections, from hammered copper clad to blue carbon steel, each with distinct design features. Viking's 5-ply Professional line is made in the USA; all other lines are now made in China. Viking is more expensive than most cookware brands. However, the cost is similar to other high-end, fully-clad stainless steel cookware brands. Viking is still a newcomer to the cookware market, but its pieces are impressive in terms of design and performance. Viking offers a handful of incredibly attractive stainless steel collections. Some are made in the United States (5-Ply Professional and 3-Ply) while others (Hard Stainless and 3-Ply Contemporary) are manufactured overseas. Viking's 3-ply stainless cookware is made in China. That's why they're in discount stores. Their 5-ply stainless cookware is made in the US and is considerably more expensive. Viking is not known for their cookware, so of course, they're going to be cheaper.

Viking Cookware Pros and Cons

Viking is a well-known brand for its high-end kitchen appliances and premium cookware. The brand offers multiple collections, from hammered copper clad to blue carbon steel, each with distinct design features. Viking's cookware is made with multiple constructions and uses different materials to appeal to a wide variety of home cooks. The exact makeup varies by collection. Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of Viking cookware:

Pros

• Viking cookware has a classic look. The brand offers multiple collections, from hammered copper clad to blue carbon steel, each with distinct design features.
• Viking cookware employs multiple constructions and uses different materials to appeal to a wide variety of home cooks.
• Viking cookware is non-toxic and made with safe materials.
• Viking cookware is oven-safe, with maximum temperatures ranging from 400°F to 600°F, depending on the collection.
• Viking cookware is dishwasher-safe, except for the Carbon Steel and Cast Iron collections.
• All Viking cookware collections are induction compatible except for the 3-Ply Copper Clad.
• Viking cookware performs as advertised. The pan is enjoyable to use thanks to its large cooking surface, comfortable handles, and quick and even heating.
• Viking cookware heats up fast and evenly.
• Viking cookware has long, comfortable handles that stay cool.
• Viking offers a wide range of prices for its cookware.
• Viking offers a limited lifetime warranty and will repair or replace any product that’s defective in material, construction, or workmanship.

Cons

• Viking cookware is expensive and not ideal for those on a tight budget.
• Except for the 5-Ply Professional collection, Viking cookware is made in China. Quality control may not be as stringent as in the United States.
• Exposed rivets on the interior of a pot or pan can make cleaning difficult. Food particles, oil, and grime can settle around them and bake into the steel.
• The large embossed "Viking" logo is difficult to clean.
• The Blue Carbon Steel collection has a lower maximum temperature than most carbon steel cookware.
• Viking cookware has poor heat retention compared to other 5-ply cookware.
• Viking cookware is not as proven in terms of durability and long-term performance as some other brands.

Viking Cookware vs. the Competition

Viking is a well-known brand for its high-end kitchen appliances and luxury ranges. They have expanded their product line to include premium cookware. Viking cookware is made by a subdivision of Viking called Viking Culinary. They offer a wide range of cookware lines, including 3-ply clad stainless, 5-ply clad stainless, 7-ply clad stainless, 5-ply hard-anodized aluminum with a nonstick or stainless cooking surface, carbon steel, cast iron, and more.

Viking cookware is often compared to other premium cookware brands like All-Clad, Demeyere, Hestan, and Made In. Here is how Viking cookware fares against some of its top competitors:

• All-Clad: All-Clad is a leading brand of high-quality multi-clad cookware and is known for its durability and craftsmanship. They offer a wider range of materials and designs than Viking and have decades of consistent quality. All-Clad is generally more expensive than Viking, especially their top-of-the-line collections. However, both brands are pricey, and you can expect to pay a premium for either.
• Demeyere: Demeyere cookware is known for its thick construction, which results in superior heat retention. For example, the Demeyere Atlantis collection has seven bonded layers, making it thicker and heavier than Viking's 5-ply cookware. Thicker cookware tends to retain heat better, so if heat retention is a key factor for you, Demeyere may be a better option.
• Hestan: Hestan cookware features flush rivets or rivetless interiors, making it easier to clean than Viking cookware, which has exposed rivets. Hestan is also a good option if you are looking for nickel-free cookware as they offer a nickel-free collection.
• Made In: Made In is a direct-to-consumer brand, which means they cut out the middleman and sell directly to customers. This business model allows them to offer lower prices than Viking for similar quality cookware.

Final Thoughts

Viking cookware is well-made and performs well, but it is expensive, and only one collection (5-Ply Professional) is made in the USA. If you are looking for an extensive range of designs and materials, including colour options, Viking may be a good choice. However, if you prioritise durability and long-term performance, All-Clad may be a better investment.

Viking Cookware FAQs

Is Viking cookware good quality?Viking is a brand associated with high quality and high prices. Their cookware is good quality, but it doesn't always deliver on its luxury brand reputation. The brand offers multiple collections, from hammered copper clad to blue carbon steel, each with distinct design features.

Where is Viking cookware made?Viking's 5-ply Professional line is made in the USA; all other lines are now made in China. Viking used to have a 3-ply line made in the US but that has been discontinued. Their 7-ply Titanium line was once made in Belgium by Demeyere but is now made in China.

Is Viking cookware oven-safe?All of Viking's cookware lines (and lids) are oven-safe, but the maximum temperature varies from line to line, so be sure to check the maximum temperature for the line you buy.

Is Viking cookware safe to use?Yes. Viking cookware is as safe as other brands of clad stainless, cast iron, carbon steel, and nonstick cookware on the market.

Is Viking's PFOA-free nonstick safer than other brands?Nonstick coatings are made by a few manufacturers and sold to cookware companies. All cookware sold in the US today is PFOA-free, and most makers have replaced the PFOA with GenX, a similar chemical. So the short answer is no, Viking's PFOA-free nonstick is no safer than other brands; for humans or the environment.

Where can you buy Viking cookware?Viking's clad stainless lines are widely available at kitchen stores, at big-box stores, and on Amazon. Some of their other lines can be harder to find, but you can see all of their lines at Vikingculinaryproducts.com.

What is the warranty on Viking cookware?All Viking cookware has a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

Viking Cookware: Bottom Line

Viking cookware is a premium product with a price tag to match. The brand is best known for its high-end appliances, but it also manufactures several lines of cookware, including 3-ply clad stainless, 5-ply clad stainless, 7-ply clad stainless, 5-ply hard-anodized aluminum with a non-stick or stainless cooking surface, carbon steel, cast iron, and more.

Pros

Viking cookware has a classic look, with multiple collections offering distinct design features. The brand offers a variety of choices, including hammered copper clad, blue carbon steel, and coloured stainless steel.

Viking cookware has responsive, quick-heating capabilities. The cookware is also induction-compatible, with the exception of the 3-Ply Hammered Copper collection.

The handles are a notable feature, with an indented top for a firm grip and a slight bump underneath to prevent your hand from getting too close to the heat.

Cons

Viking cookware is expensive and only one collection, the 5-Ply Professional, is made in the USA. The other collections are manufactured in China, which may impact quality control.

The cookware has poor heat retention, meaning you'll need to pay closer attention when cooking and adjust the temperature more often.

The riveted handles, with exposed rivets on the interior of the pots and pans, can make cleaning more difficult.

The large embossed "Viking" logo can also be tricky to clean.

The Blue Carbon Steel collection has a lower maximum temperature than most carbon steel cookware.

All-Clad vs. Viking: Construction and Materials

Both All-Clad and Viking are reputable brands that offer high-quality, multi-clad cookware with elegant designs. However, there are some differences in their construction and materials that are worth noting.

All-Clad provides a wider range of options when it comes to construction, offering 2-ply, 3-ply, 4-ply, and 5-ply cookware, as well as pieces made with a copper core for improved heat conduction. On the other hand, Viking offers only 3-ply and 5-ply construction, with aluminium core layers instead of copper.

In terms of materials, both brands utilise high-quality steel, aluminium, and/or copper in their cookware. All-Clad's pieces are made with either aluminium, copper, or a mix of both layered between stainless steel, while Viking uses stainless steel and aluminium for its core layers, with a collection featuring a hammered copper exterior.

When it comes to the thickness of their cookware, All-Clad offers a variety of options, including their D3, D5, Copper Core, C4 Copper, and D5 Brushed collections, each with different thicknesses and materials. Viking's collections also vary in thickness, with their Professional 5-Ply and 3-Ply lines being the most notable.

The handles of All-Clad and Viking cookware also differ slightly. All-Clad handles are straight, while Viking's are slightly curved. Additionally, Viking's handles may be too long for some cooktops, causing the pans to not sit flush. Both brands feature double-riveted, stay-cool handles for comfort and safety.

In terms of lids, All-Clad offers stainless steel lids, while Viking provides both steel and tempered glass options. The lids of both brands are oven-safe, but the maximum temperature varies depending on the collection.

Both All-Clad and Viking are compatible with all cooktops, except for the Viking 3-Ply Hammered Copper collection, which is not suitable for induction cooktops.

While both All-Clad and Viking offer high-quality, multi-clad cookware, there are some differences in construction and materials that may influence your decision. All-Clad provides a wider range of options in terms of construction and materials, while Viking offers slightly curved handles and a mix of steel and tempered glass lids. Ultimately, the choice between the two brands depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Frequently asked questions