July 20, 2021

Last Updated: October 31, 2024



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Viking Cookware: As Good as All-Clad?

By trk

Last Updated: October 31, 2024

best cookware, best kitchen products, carbon steel cookware, cast iron cookware, clad stainless cookware, high end cookware, hybrid cookware, nonstick cookware, titanium cookware, Viking cookware

Viking is known for luxury appliances, but they also make several lines of cookware and other kitchen tools. The brand is associated with high quality (and high prices), but does the cookware live up to the reputation? And is it still made in the USA? 

Here, we take a detailed look at Viking cookware. We review the different lines and discuss quality, performance, budget, and. more. Find out if Viking is the right cookware for you.


Table Of Contents (click to expand)

Viking Cookware Lines at a Glance

Viking has several lines of cookware: they are masters at putting out lines that compete with the latest cookware fads, such as hybrid cookware, their newest release. The quality is good, but not all the lines live up to the Viking reputation. We describe each Viking cookware line in the table below. An asterisk indicates a line we recommend.

This is a long review, so if you want to jump to a specific line, use the Table of Contents above.

Prices are approximate and may change.

Viking Cookware Line

Features

Recommendation

Viking Contemporary 3-ply 10pc set

-Steel-alum-steel construction

-18/8 stainless cooking surface

-Induction compatible

-Glass lids

-Volume markings on deep pieces

-Stay-cool handle

-Oven safe to 600F/lid to 450F

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-About $450 for 10pc stainless set.

Stainless set recommended with reservations: Good quality cookware, but you can get other good Chinese stainless for less.

Viking Professional 10pc Set

-Steel-alum-alum-alum-steel

-18/10 stainless cooking surface

-Induction compatible

-Stainless lids

-Stay-cool handle

-Oven safe to 600F

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in USA

-About $1000 for 10pc set.

Not recommended. Too thin to heat evenly, and expensive. All-Clad Copper Core, Demeyere Industry5, or Demeyere Atlantis are better choices.

Viking Nonstick Skillet

-Anodized alum. w/PTFE nonstick 

-Induction compatible 

-"Metal utensil"/"dishwasher" safe

-Tempered glass lids

-Volume markings on deep pcs.

-Stay-cool handle

-Oven safe to 400F/lids to 350F

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-About $120 for 10"/12" skillet set.

Not recommended. Good quality, heavy duty nonstick, and performance is good, but no better than less expensive nonstick like Anolon Copper Nouvelle.

Viking Cast Iron Skillet

-Enameled cast iron (matte/shiny)

-Induction compatible

-Oven safe to 400F

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-10" skillet about $80

-Dutch oven about $130.

Not recommended. Oven safe to only 400F.  Go with seasoned skillets (Lodge). See our Dutch oven review for more info.

Viking Carbon Steel Skillet Set

-"Blue" heat-treated carbon steel 

-Induction compatible

-Stainless handle

-Oven safe to 450F

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-About $70 each.

Not recommended: Nice pans, but the 450F oven rating is too low.

*2-Ply Hard Stainless

see it at Sur la Table (stainless lids)

Viking 2ply 11pc Set Red

-2 ply aluminum-stainless

-Stainless 18/8 cooking surface

-Induction compatible 

-Oven safe to 400F

-Red and blue

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-About $250 w/glass lids, about $700 w/stainless lids.

Recommended, but probably discontinued: Set pieces are good. No open stock available.

7-Ply Titanium/Stainless 10pc Set 

see it at Sur la Table

see it at Viking.com

Viking 7 Ply 10pc Set wTitanium

-7 ply s-a-a-a-a-a-Ti

-Induction compatible

-Oven safe to 600F; lids safe to 300F

-Good set pieces

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-About $1500 for 10pc set.

Not recommended: Too thin for the price (2.5mm). 

Viking 5ply Hard Stainless Sauce Pan

-ha-a-a-a-s 

-18/8 stainless cooking surface

-Induction compatible base

-Volume markings on deep pcs.

-18/8 stainless lids

-Oven safe to 500F

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-About $800 for 10pc set.

Recommended! Thick and heavy for excellent heating.

Viking Contemporary 3-ply 10pc set

-3 ply copper-alum-stainless

-18/8 stainless cooking surface

-Induction compatible

-Oven safe to 600F/lids to 400F

-Volume markings on deep pcs.

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-About $250 for 13pc set.

Not recommended: Copper layer is thin (probably plating). If you want copper heating, go with brand like Mauviel. If you want durability, clad stainless is a better choice (Viking Contemporary).

3-Ply Black and Copper Set

see it on Amazon

see it at Viking.com

Viking 3-ply Black and Copper 10pc Set

-3-Ply hard anodized alum-alum-stainless

-Domed, vented glass lids

-Oven safe to 600F; lids to 350F

-Induction compatible

-Volume markings on deep pcs.

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-About $900 for 11pc set.

Recommended: Like the 2-ply colored stainless sets above but with anodized aluminum exterior so it's got a higher oven safe temp and is more durable.

Viking PerformanceTi 12pc cookware set

-4-ply stnlss-alum-titanium-titanium

-Laser titanium nonstick cooking surface, chemical free

-Stainless lids and handles

-Oven safe to 600F

-Induction compatible

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Dishwasher safe

-Made in China

-12pc set $1500/10" skillet $280.

No recommendation: We haven't tested. Very expensive, but maybe a decent choice for people with nickel allergies. 

Viking Hybrid Plus skillet set

-Tri-ply stnls-alum-stnls base, PTFE nonstick coating and steel lattice overlay.

-Skillets only

-Stainless handles

-No lids available

-Oven safe to 500F

-Induction compatible

-Metal utensil and dishwasher safe

-Limited lifetime warranty

-Made in China

-10" skillet about $110.

Not recommended. A Hexclad knockoff, too expensive for a pan with a PTFE coating.

*Recommended by The Rational Kitchen.

Viking also makes some specialty cookware pieces you can find at different retailers:

Viking roasting pans 

Viking stainless Multipot cooker w/steamer 

Viking 3-ply stock pot 

Viking 8 qt. stove top pressure cooker 

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Who Is Viking?

Viking is an American manufacturer of luxury appliances owned by the Clipper Corporation. They are best known for their commercial-size gas ranges. In addition to ranges, Viking makes refrigerators, range hoods, dishwashers, and outdoor grills and cooking equipment. They've been in business since 1987.

You can read more about Viking appliances at their website.

Viking cookware is made by a subdivision of Viking called Viking Culinary. In addition to cookware lines, Viking sells bakeware, knives, stainless steel utensils, and heavy duty pot racks. 

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Is Viking Cookware Made in the USA?

Viking Professional 10pc Set

Viking Professional is beautiful cookware.

People assume that Viking cookware is made in the USA. Today, only one line is: the Viking 5-ply stainless Professional line. All other Viking cookware is now made in China, including the Titanium line, the new high-end PerformanceTi line, and the new Hybrid Plus line.

If you want to buy American-made cookware, the Professional 5-Ply line is the only Viking option. 

see viking professional cookware on amazon

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What to Look for When Buying Cookware

We go into detail about how to buy cookware--especially clad stainless cookware--in other articles, such as A Guide to Induction Cookware, Stainless Steel Cookware Sets: A Detailed Buying Guide, and The Top 5 Brands of Stainless Steel Cookware

In short, the factors we look at are:

  • Heating: thermal conductivity and heat retention.
  • Durability: how well it holds up to use and abuse.
  • Safety and stability: How safe and non-reactive the cooking surface is.
  • Design and usability: Subjective category that looks at weight, handle design, lids, pan shape, etc.
  • Ease of care: nonstick isn't necessarily the right pick.
  • Budget: Cost-per-year-of-use is more important than initial expense.

*Review: Viking 3-Ply Contemporary Clad Stainless Steel Cookware

Viking Contemporary 3-ply 10pc set

Overall Rating: 4.0

Heating Properties: 4.0

Durability: 5.0

Safety/Stability: 5.0

Ease of Care: 3.0

Design/Usability: 4.0

Budget: 3.0

  • 18/8 stainless cooking surface with induction-compatible exterior (18/0)
  • 3mm walls with thick aluminum interior for excellent, even heating
  • Angled Windsor shape
  •  Induction compatible
  • Tall, stay cool handles
  • Helper handle on deep sauté pan
  • Vented glass lids
  • Oven safe to 600F (lids to 450F)
  • Internal volume markings in deep pots (not skillets)
  • Sealed edges (dishwasher safe)
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Made in China.

The first thing you notice about Viking Contemporary is how solid and well-built it feels. Or maybe that's the second thing after you notice how attractive it is, with its high gloss finish, bold signature Viking handle, and modern "Windsor" style angled walls.

The 10 piece set includes: 

  • 8 inch skillet
  • 10 inch skillet (weighs 2lbs, 14 oz.)
  • 2.4 quart sauce pan with lid
  • 3.4 quart sauce pan with lid
  • 3.6 quart sauté pan with lid
  • 5.2 quart Dutch oven with lid.

If you want a bigger skillet, you can buy a Contemporary 12-inch skillet separately.

Other open stock pieces are available, including a Viking steamer insert that works with 2-4 quart Viking sauce pans. (See steamer insert on Amazon)

The 3.6 quart deep sauté pan is a great piece.

What we liked:

The Contemporary pans have sides that angle outward in a Windsor design. This increases the amount of flat cooking surface: the 10-inch skillet's bottom surface is just over 8 inches (likewise, the 8-inch skillet has about a 6-inch cooking surface and the 12-inch has about a 10-inch cooking surface). 

The angled sides make it easy to get a turner in to flip food. 

The pans are heavy: the 10-inch skillet weighs almost 3 pounds (compare that to the All-Clad D3 10-inch skillet, which weighs just over 2 pounds). This is an indication of high quality cookware.

Contemporary pans are thicker than All-Clad D3: 3mm versus 2.6mm. This extra thickness means more aluminum, more even heating and better heat retention than D3. Our testing bore this out: these pans heat as evenly as D3 and hang onto heat longer. 

The pans are completely sealed, so there's no aluminum visible around the edge. This makes them dishwasher safe. 

The volume marks on the deeper pots are great. 

What we didn't like: 

You can see in the photo how high the handles arc above the pans. The tall handle stays cooler on a gas range, but some testers found the height made the pans hard to handle. 

We also don't like the vented glass lids. Stainless lids are more durable, and though the vents help prevent boil overs, you can't build pressure when you want to. Pressure helps food cook faster. 

Performance and Handling

We tested the 10-inch Viking Contemporary skillet and overall were pleased with the performance. The pan heated evenly, and heat retention was good. The temperature didn't crash too badly when we added food to the pan.

We pan seared a steak and got good results:

Pan Seared Steak Viking Contemporary

The sear from Viking Contemporary.

We made a stir fry, scrambled eggs, burgers, chicken breasts, and more, all with good results. Heat-up time was good and the heat was even. 

There was some sticking with the eggs (scrambled), but that is to be expected with stainless. Butter kept sticking to a minimum. 

Cleanup was easy. You can use an abrasive scrubby pad, which made quick work of the scrambled egg residue.

The handle is comfortable, looks good and makes it easy to stabilize the pot. However, as we mentioned, it's tall, and some testers thought it made the pan harder to use. On smaller pans, you may find the handle weight pulls the pan over so it doesn't sit levelly. (We didn't have this issue, but some Amazon reviewers did.)

We like that the deep sauté pan has a helper handle, but the 12-inch skillet should have one, as well.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Heavy duty 3mm walls for even heating and good heat retention
  • Design is attractive and easy to work with
  • Volume marks on deeper pots for easy measuring
  • Ergonomic, stay-cool handles
  • Induction compatible
  • Good set pieces
  • Completely sealed edges (safe for dishwasher).
Cons
  • Very tall handles
  • Vented glass lids
  • No helper handle on 12-inch skillet
  • Expensive for Chinese-made cookware.

Recommendation

Recommended, with a few reservations.

We were surprised how much we liked this cookware. It's beautiful, cooks evenly, and is built like a tank. It's expensive for Chinese-made cookware, but the quality is good. It should last a lifetime. 

buy Viking Contemporary cookware:

Amazon buy button

Other Viking Tri-Ply Options

Some Viking 3-ply are available on Amazon that are not Contemporary. Some may be from the Sam's Club set, and some may be the last pieces of US-made 3-ply still around. It's hard to know for sure, but here are the links.

Viking 13pc TriPly Set Sam's Club

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Review: Viking 5-Ply Professional Clad Stainless Steel

Viking Professional 10pc Set

Overall Rating: 3.6

Heating Properties: 3.0

Durability: 5.0

Safety/Stability: 5.0

Ease of Care: 3.0

Design/Usability: 3.5

Budget: 2.0

  • 18/10 stainless cooking surface with induction-compatible exterior (18/0)
  • 3 internal layers of aluminum
  • Straight sides with pouring lip on skillets only
  • Induction compatible
  • Tall, stay cool signature Viking handles
  • Helper handle on deep sauté pan
  • Stainless lids, slightly domed
  • Oven safe to 600F
  • Internal volume markings in deeper pots
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • NSF certified (suitable for restaurant use)
  • Made in USA.

The Viking Professional line is Viking's flagship cookware line: built in the USA, with features desired by professional chefs, such as stainless lids and NSF certification. Unfortunately, the Professional pans are disappointing.

They're only 2.5mm thick--compare this to All-Clad D3's wall thickness of 2.6mm, the standard against which all clad stainless cookware is measured. At 2.5mm, Viking Professional is closer to a mid-level cookware brand (like Calphalon).

The 10-inch skillet weighs 2 lbs, 10 ounces. This is more than the All-Clad D3 10-inch skillet, which weighs about 2 lbs, 4 oz. But because the walls are thinner, we attribute the weight to the heavier Viking handle. 

Some reviewers complained that the handle made the 10-inch skillet not sit level, but in our testing, the skillet sat level when empty. 

The 10 piece set:

  • 8 inch skillet
  • 10 inch skillet
  • 3.4 quart sauté pan with lid and helper handle
  • 2 quart sauce pan with lid
  • 3 quart sauce pan with lid
  • 8 quart stock pot.

The 5 piece set: 

  • 10 inch skillet
  • 6 quart stock pot w/lid
  • 3.4 quart everyday pan w/lid (a sauté pan with two short handles).

Performance and Handling

The pans are too thin to heat well. They did okay, but there are other brands that perform as well for less, including All-Clad D3.

We used the 10-inch skillet to sear steaks, stir-fry, make scrambled eggs, burgers, chicken breasts, and more. High heat searing produced a decent crust, but if you're looking for a good steak pan, you're better off with a $25 Lodge cast iron skillet.

Cleanup was fine. The stir-fry residue cleaned off easily, and the eggs came off with a scrubby pad. 

The stainless lids are great, with comfy handles and a snug fit. We like the Viking handle, which stays cooler than other brands on a gas range because it's so tall. It's comfortable and easy to grip. Some testers found the handle too tall, but most of us thought it was one of the best features on all the Viking cookware. 

The 12-inch skillet should have a helper handle (as found on All-Clad skillets). This is kind of a big miss on a pan that costs close to $200. 

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 18/10 satin finish
  • Stainless steel lids
  • Ergonomic, stay-cool handles
  • Induction compatible
  • Completely sealed edges (safe for dishwasher)
  • NSF certified (for restaurant use)
  • Made in USA.
Cons
  • 2.5mm walls are too thin for the cost of this cookware
  • Not great for high-heat searing (too thin)
  • Some testers disliked the tall handle made the pans hard to handle
  • No helper handle on 12-inch skillet
  • Very expensive, esp. for what you get.

Recommendation

Not recommended due to high cost and okay-but-not-great heating.

At this price, go with All-Clad Copper CoreDemeyere Industry 5, Demeyere Atlantis, or save and go with All-Clad D3. 

Viking Professional 10pc Set

Buy Viking 5-ply professional cookware on amazon:

Amazon buy button

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Review: Viking Hard-Anodized Nonstick

Viking Nonstick Skillet

Overall Rating: 3.3

Heating Properties: 4.0

Durability: 2.5

Safety/Stability: 2.5

Ease of Care: 5.0

Design/Usability: 4.0

Budget: 2.0

  • Hard anodized aluminum exterior with aluminum interior and PTFE nonstick coating (3 layers)
  • Available in black or gray (the gray is the same cookware but costs more)
  • Induction compatible base
  • "Metal utensil" and "dishwasher" safe (but do not do either for best results
  • Tempered glass lids (not vented, as some other lines of Viking lids are)
  • Volume markings on sauce pans and stock pots (not on skillets)
  • Stay-cool, ergonomic handle.
  • -Oven safe to 400F/lids to 350F
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Made in China.

The Viking Hard Anodized Nonstick cookware is good quality, heavy duty anodized aluminum on the outside, a thick layer of aluminum that's covered with 3 layers of PTFE ("Teflon") coating; about 3mm thick.

This is good, but similar to other nonstick pans we like that are cheaper. 

The set price is higher partially because the Viking skillets are bigger: you get a 10-inch/12-inch combo in the 10 piece set, and the 2-piece combo sold separately also includes two big skillets; if you want the 8-inch skillet, you have to buy it separately. 

However, the Viking 8-inch nonstick skillet goes for around $50--about the same as All-Clad's 8-inch/10-inch Essentials set.

The glass lids are not vented, as they are on some other Viking lines.

We recommend buying skillets only, which benefit the most from a nonstick coating.

The 10-piece set of Viking Hard Anodized Nonstick cookware contains:

  • 10-inch skillet
  • 12-inch skillet
  • 2 quart sauce pan w/lid
  • 3 quart sauce pan w/lid
  • 4.5 quart sauté pan w/lid and helper handle
  • 5 quart Dutch oven w/lid.

Viking makes a steamer insert that works with all of their 2-4 quart saucepans. A steamer insert is an excellent piece that you will likely get a lot of use out of. (See steamer insert on Amazon)

Performance and Handling

Viking Hard Anodized nonstick performed well. The handles were less tall than on other Viking lines, were comfortable and had good grip. 

We made fried eggs, scrambled eggs, and fish--the foods we use a nonstick skillet for--and all came out well. Eggs didn't stick at all. Pans heated quickly and evenly. Residue wiped out easily. 

Performance-wise, these pans are as good as any nonstick we've tested. But they're not any better than brands that cost less. 

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 3mm walls of thick aluminum for fast, even heating
  • Excellent nonstick performance
  • Anodized exterior tougher than stainless
  • Volume marks on deeper pots for easy measuring
  • Ergonomic, stay-cool handles
  • Induction compatible
  • Good-sized pieces in set (10"/12" skillet)
  • Open stock pieces and skillet sets available
  • Metal-utensil and dishwasher safe (though we recommend using wood or plastic and hand washing).
Cons
  • More expensive than comparable pans we've tested
  • No helper handle on 12-inch skillet
  • Like all PTFE nonstick, terrible for the environment.

Recommendation

Viking Hard Anodized Nonstick is as good as any nonstick cookware we've tested but it's no better than less expensive brands like Anolon Copper Nouvelle. The skillet set contains two large skillets (10 in./12 in.), which is great, but more expensive. Get skillets, not a whole set.

Viking Nonstick Skillet

Buy Viking hard anodized nonstick cookware:

Amazon buy button

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Review: Viking Cast Iron Skillets and Dutch Ovens

Viking Cast Iron Skillet

Overall Rating: 3.7

Heating Properties: 3.0

Durability: 5.0

Safety/Stability: 5.0

Ease of Care: 4.0

Design/Usability: 3.0