How Long is a Lifetime Warranty?

Whether you’re in the market for a new set of cookware or have encountered some trouble with your current pots and pans it’s always important to understand if they’re covered by any type of warranty.

If you’re like me you have pre-set notion of how long something should last. Sometimes it’s based on the cost of the item or the materials it’s made from. One thing we can likely agree on is that we all expect our cookware to be built so that it can withstand the rigors of our home kitchen.

Since warranties are written by lawyers they sometimes can be confusing and not straight to the point. Understanding the warranty coverage for your cookware can mean the difference between getting a free replacement vs having to throw out your defective cookware and spending more money to buy a new set.

Cookware warranties typically cover the original purchaser against defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the item under normal household use. Many also require that the items are purchased from an authorized retailer.

We researched how product warranties work and took a deep dive into 20 well-known cookware brands and are pleased to share our findings in this article.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

It would seem straightforward to say that a lifetime warranty should cover a product for the lifetime of its owner.  That being said, there is often much confusion about lifetime warranties and who or what they actually cover. The term “lifetime” can be used several ways.

For example, a company that warranties a specific part on a product may intend for the “lifetime” warranty to exist for the life of the product on which the part is used.  This would mean that the warranty would be transferable if the product was sold or gifted to another person and wouldn’t expire until the product ceased to exist.

Another example, although considered an inaccurate use of the term “lifetime” is when a company considers the “lifetime” warranty to apply to the time which the original purchaser owns the product on which the warrantied part is installed.

A third example and arguably the least common way that “lifetime” is used to describe a product warranty is the actual lifetime of the original purchaser of the product.

Manufacturers can and should avoid confusing consumers by specifically stating the intention of the life of the products warranty or guarantee directly on the packaging or clearly written within the product literature.   

While full warranties still exist for products today, limited lifetime warranties are much more common.  Such warranties are limited to specific defects, problems with build quality or workmanship that effects the products ability to perform as its intended to.  Warranties are also considered limited if the full or partial cost of repair is the responsibility of the consumer.  When it comes to cookware, as you’ll find below, most manufacturers offer a limited lifetime warranty. 

Time Specific Warranty

Cookware is designed to be used over and over again and to be able to withstand normal household use but not all cookware manufacturers are willing to offer even a limited lifetime warranty. 

It’s the manufacturers choice when it comes to the type of warranty that they’re willing to offer and there are a number of cookware manufacturers that offer time specific warranties ranging from 1 to 10 years.

Such companies that offer time specific warranties are Caraway, Xtrema, Ninja, Pampered Chef, Granitestone Diamond and Gotham Steel. You shouldn’t be deceived or think any less of these companies as a result because in many cases these warranties offer excellent coverage during the warranty period.

One thing we tend to say in our home is that very few things today are designed to last forever, so cookware should be no different. Although, when you follow proper use instructions and gently care for your cookware rest assured you will have it for many years to come making these warranties no more than an insurance policy against manufacturer defects.

Read The Small Print

While federal law requires manufacturers to include a written warranty either on the packaging or within it may not be the easiest to find or even understand.   We recommend saving a copy of the original product warranty along with the proof of purchase or receipt. Note the warranty’s term and any exclusions so that you’re prepared in the event that you have an eligible claim. 

Since sometimes it’s just easier to “Google It”, we’ve designed our guide below to be a quick and easy reference to give you just the information you need. It’s our intention to periodically update this information so that it remains up to date with the latest warranty information for each manufacturer including contact information. 

Is a Cookware Warranty Transferable?

An increasing number of cookware companies now state that warranty coverage only applies to the original purchaser or a consumer that receives the cookware new and unused as a gift.  This implies that warranty coverage would terminate if the cookware were to be sold or “transferred” to another individual.   While it may be difficult to prove the actual owner based on a brick-and-mortar retailer receipt, an email receipt would most likely contain this information and could limit a warranty claim to the person that actually purchased the item.

Something to consider if you receive a hand me down or purchase a gently used Le Creuset Dutch oven on Facebook Marketplace.

Are Purchases Made from Unauthorized Dealers Covered Under the Warranty?

If you’re considering purchasing your cookware from a discount store, online retailer or marketplace we recommend first checking the manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty will specifically state if the purchase must be made from an authorized retailer to be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty (we’ve gathered this information for a large number of cookware manufacturers below). 

If the manufacturer does require that the cookware be purchased from an authorized retailer you should do these two things:

• Verify with the seller that they are authorized by the company to sell their products.
• Check with the manufacturer that such retailer or third-party seller is authorized to sell their products. 

If you’re shopping on Amazon.com or Walmart keep your eye out for third-party sellers that sell brand name products. It’s important to know that you’re purchasing from one that is officially authorized to sell the cookware product that you’re looking to purchase. Confirming this will ensure that you’ll be covered under the product warranty and also help you avoid purchasing counterfeit items.

Company Warranty Directory

We’ve compiled the chart below to compare the cookware warranties for 20 well-known brands. You’ll find information on each company’s specific coverage and any exclusions that may apply. We’ve also included several forms of contact for each company where available including phone number, email address, web form and social media accounts.

Following the chart we dive deeper into each company’s specific warranty including the claims process, replacement cost and exclusions if any.

Cookware Brand Warranty Guide

Le Creuset

Le Creuset has earned its spot as the gold standard of premium cookware. The company is known primarily for its colorful cast iron enameled cookware that is still to this day manufactured at its facility in Fresnoy-le-Grand in northern France. Owners of the cookware oftentimes claim that the cookware will outlive them and you’ll find that Le Creuset products have in fact been passed down from generation to generation.

However, even when it comes to the best of the best, we know that problems can arise and when you’re shelling out over $200 for a skillet or Dutch oven you want to know that the company you’re purchasing it from will stand behind it.

Le Creuset covers its Enameled Cast Iron cookware under its limited lifetime warranty.  This means that they’ll cover your cookware if you followed their care and use instructions and did not use it for commercial means.  

(It should be noted that for its Stoneware, Toughened Nonstick PRO and Tri-Ply Stainless Steel cookware lines normal wear and tear isn’t covered under the limited lifetime warranty.)

Now, what exactly does all this mean?

For starters, it may seem obvious but you should remove any labels that were affixed, wash the cookware with hot soapy water and dry it thoroughly.   Enameled surfaces are not suitable for dry cooking and should only be used with your choice of liquid, butter, fat or oil that should completely cover the pan surface before warming it.

• Use only heat resistant silicone utensils or heat resistant plastic or wooden tools. (Use of metal utensils can leave marks over time and knocking the metal against the enamel can cause it to chip.)
• Do not cut directly on the enameled surface or any non-stick surface
• Retrain from using any type of electric mixer on your cookware. Use of such devices will damage cooking surfaces.
• Let cookware cool after use before washing it with hot and soapy water. Once clean, rinse and dry it.
• Do not add cold water to a hot pan or submerge hot cookware into cold water to avoid thermal shock which will cause significant damage.
• Do not use metallic pads or harsh abrasive cleaning agents as they will not only damage the enamel but also the patina of the trim.
• To remove light stains and light surface metal trail marks, use Le Creuset’s Cookware Cleaner to be sure damage during cleaning won’t occur.
• Don’t store pans while they are still wet or damp and ensure to store them in a cool dry place away from cooking steam.

So now, if you’ve followed all the above instructions and you’ve still encountered a problem with your Le Creuset cookware, go ahead and contact them for a warranty claim. 

One another important thing to note, Le Creuset’s limited lifetime warranty technically only covers the original purchaser or a person that receives the cookware new and unused as a gift from the original purchaser. This means that if you’ve purchased your cookware second hand or it was passed down from a grandparent that would void the warranty. 

Pampered Chef

If you’ve ever been to a Pampered Chef party, chances are you didn’t leave without purchasing at least one item from their professional grade cookware or kitchen accessories.  While its products are sold by independent cookware consultants, don’t be fooled, these are the real deal.  While in a different class than Le Creuset, these products are designed to last a lifetime and for many consumers they actually do. 

Fun fact: Many people don’t know this but Pampered Chef is actually owned by Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway corporation and when it was acquired was the largest branded kitchenware company in the U.S.

In the event that your Pampered Chef cookware product did not perform as intended and use and care instructions were followed, don’t worry as you’re covered under the cookware’s limited lifetime warranty.   Misuse and abuse such as failure to or improper cleaning, overheating or using the incorrect diameter size on stoves, use of abrasive cleaners or nonstick cooking spray will unfortunately void your warranty. 

While Pampered Chef’s Skillets, Fry Pans and the much-loved Multipot are backed by a lifetime guarantee, it’s Rockcrok Everyday Pan and Dutch Oven are backed by a still reasonable 5-year guarantee.

If you believe that the issue you’re having with your cookware is being caused by a defect in materials or workmanship you should contact Pampered Chef directly. You can also reach out to your Pampered Chef sales consultant for more information.  

Caraway Home

Founded in 2018, Caraway Home is one of the newest cookware brands on the scene.  Rising to fame for its mission to bring simplicity and sustainability to the kitchen, Caraway offers a line of ceramic coated aluminum cookware that is non-Teflon and therefore free of PFAS, PTFE and PFOAs. The entire cookware line consists of 4 pieces, a fry pan, sauté pan, saucepan and Dutch oven. 

Caraway Home is one of the few companies that doesn’t offer a limited lifetime warranty and instead offers a one-year guarantee to the original purchaser on the products purchased directly or from an authorized retailer.  Proper care and use instructions must have been followed and the products are covered if they were used under normal non-professional use. 

The cookware has an excellent reputation, but the verdict is still out on its longevity since it’s only been around for a few years.  The pans and Dutch oven are priced between $95-$135 and they give you $100 off if you purchase the set of 4.  While it’s not the most expensive cookware we’ve written about here, no one wants to replace their pots and pans every 2-3 years. 

We reached out to Caraway Home directly about their paltry one-year guarantee and were told not to worry.  They assured us that each claim is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and handled accordingly. This leads us to believe that they want to keep customers happy and would make an exception if an issue occurred outside of the warranty period.

Misen

Pronounced “Mee-Zen”, the company’s name comes from the important culinary term ‘mise en place’ which means “to put in place”. Chefs practice mise en place every day when they measure out their ingredients, prep them and prepare their workstations before they start cooking.  Since launching via Kickstarter in 2015 with one chef knife, Misen has introduced a full line of knives, cookware and kitchen tools. The company’s mission is to offer cookware that delivers “premium” results at an affordable price. You won’t find Misen products at retail stores either as they keep their prices low by selling direct.

Misen products including its knives, Stainless Steel Cookware, Carbon Steel Cookware and Dutch Ovens include a lifetime warranty. Misen’s warranty covers flaws such as warping, chipping, severe discoloration and cracks. Proper care and use must be followed.    One exception to the lifetime warranty is for its Nonstick Cookware line which isn’t covered. 

Since the company’s website didn’t provide any information about the warranty for the Nonstick Cookware line we reached out directly and learned that outside of the 60-day trial period there is no coverage.  They did say that we could send in a photo or video of the issue and they would do their best to help. 

All-Clad

All-Clad which began its existence as a company that manufactured coins for the U.S. mint and avionics parts only transitioned to cookware by accident when its founder, a metallurgist created a pan for his personal use. In fact, All-Clad derived its name from its patented cladding process which it uses to manufacture its pans.  Having been around now for over 50 years and priding itself on being manufactured in the USA, All-Clad has proven that its cookware is made to last.

Offering a fairly standard limited lifetime warranty, with a guarantee that your All-Clad cookware will be free of defects in material, construction or workmanship for the lifetime of the product provided that normal use and care instructions were followed.  The cookware must have also been purchased from All-Clad directly or from one of their authorized retailers and must not have been used commercially.

All-Clad will not cover problems that have occurred from normal wear and tear. In addition, damage from thermal shocks, discoloration, warping or metal separation due to prolonged exposure to high heat are not covered. To obtain warranty service you’ll need to contact All-Clad’s consumer department either by phone or their website and set up a warranty evaluation.

Staub (Zwilling)

The 2^nd premium French enameled cast iron cookware manufacturer on the list Staub bas been in existence for over 40 years.  If you ask cookware connoisseurs, you’ll find die-hards split on which brand is more desirable. In 2008 Zwilling J.A. Henckels purchased the company but for good reason decided to keep Staub as an independent brand.

Staub cookware comes with a limited lifetime warranty.  Warranty claims are being fulfilled by Zwilling. Coverage applies to defects in material and workmanship and is in effect for as long as the original purchaser owns the product.  Normal wear and tear aren’t covered.  To be eligible for the warranty, the Staub product must have been purchased from an authorized seller. 

Staub asks that purchasers who need to make a warranty claim do so by returning the item to the brick and mortar or online retailer where it was originally purchased.  If it’s not possible to return to the store or online retailer you should contact Zwilling directly to initiate a warranty claim for the product. 

You can find Staub (Zwilling’s) customer care information in the table above.

Calphalon

Arguably one of the leading producers of premium quality cookware for the home chef, Calphalon began its rise in popularity by gaining the trust of the restaurant industry over 50 years ago.  The company’s founder Kaspezak is credited with inventing hard-anodized aluminum cookware which was monumental in making the cookware more durable and resistant to corrosion and warping.

Calphalon’s limited lifetime warranty covers you against material defects and workmanship under normal household use after following proper care instructions. Calphalon requires you to cover the shipping cost of returning your defective cookware item.  If they determine that no defect is found they’ll return your cookware to you with a note stating why. Shipping will not be refunded though.

While most of Calphalon’s current cookware lines offer a desirable lifetime warranty not all are covered by it. For example, their Pots and Pots line, a special set offered over 10 years ago was only covered by a 10-year warranty that has since lapsed. Also, some of the lower-priced lines such as the Simply Calphalon non-stick set, Select by Calphalon and Calphalon Classic Oil-Infused ceramic fry pans each carry a 10-year warranty. 

If you purchased the Unison cookware line or the Accucore line, these have both been discontinued by Calphalon and are no longer being manufactured. We reached out to Calphalon directly and confirmed that these were still covered by their lifetime warranties and that should a replacement be needed, Calphalon would substitute it with a piece from one of their current cookware lines.

All cookware should have the warranty period displayed either on the box, website description or on a piece of paper within the packaging.  If you’re having trouble with your Calphalon cookware you can find their contact information in the table above.

Farberware

Although originally founded in 1900 by Russian immigrant Simon Farber, the company didn’t begin manufacturing its unmistakable line of stainless-steel pots and pans which became known as Farberware until 1944.  The Meyer Corporation currently owns the license for cookware produced under the Farberware name.

Farberware cookware is warrantied against any material defects in both materials and workmanship if used under normal domestic use for the lifetime of the product.

Anolon, Circulon and Rachael Ray Cookware

All 3 brands are owned by the Meyer Corporation, the largest cookware distributor in the United States and second largest in the world.

As with Farberware, the Meyer Corporation stands behind its Anolon, Circulon and Rachael Ray cookware lines with a limited lifetime warranty. You’ll rest assured knowing that any defects in materials or workmanship will be covered for the lifetime of the cookware under normal household use.

Cuisinart

The brand that became synonymous with the food processor went through a major expansion of its cookware lines in 2001. It now boasts a wide range of cookware options from enamel coated stainless steel stockpots to its hammered copper collection. 

Cuisinart cookware is backed by a standard limited lifetime warranty covering it against any defects in material or workmanship from the original date of purchase throughout the lifetime of the product.

Lodge Cast Iron

Founded in 1896 making it the oldest cookware manufacturer on this list, Lodge has been producing its cast iron cookware in the same American factory in Tennessee since day one. To give even more perspective on the history of this company, they are actually the oldest and longest-running cast iron manufacturer in the U.S. continuing the same age-old process of making cast iron pans using sand molds.  This is where molten hot iron is poured into molds made of sand which are then broken when the pot or pan has cooled producing high-quality cast-iron cookware.

Lodge warranties its cast iron and porcelain enamel on cast iron to be free from material defects and workmanship from the date of the purchase for the lifetime of the original owner (not the cookware in this case).  It applies to normal domestic use provided use and care instructions were followed. 

Given the build quality of these pans we can’t imagine one of them failing but if you have an issue Lodge will stand behind their product. 

Lodge requires you to send your defective cookware along with your proof of purchase, your mailing address and a short note explaining the defect to the following address: Shipping will unfortunately be at your expense and with the weight of these pans you may have to make the choice of whether it pays to send it back or just purchase a new one since a replacement is all you will receive.    

If you’d like to speak to someone in their customer care group first you can find their contact information above or you can write to Lodge at the following address:

Lodge Manufacturing Co.

204 E. 5th Street

South Pittsburg, TN 37380

Attn: Customer Service

Ninja

Chances are you’ve heard of the Shark vacuum or have seen once of their commercials.  Formerly known as Euro-pro, and now SharkNinja, the company has been bringing to market innovative products for the home for over 20 years taking a keen focus on how customers were modifying existing products to meet their needs to home.  Ninja entered the kitchen with its Ninja food processor which became an instant hit.  Now to the cookware… Ninjas Foodi Neverstick cookware line is said to be manufactured at a temperature of 30,000 degrees F vs the traditional non-stick pan which is only made using a temperature of 900 degrees.  Ninja claims this difference will make the Ninja pans slip right past the competition (no pun intended!) The Ninja Foodi non-stick pans can also go from stovetop to oven like cast iron and are safe up to 500 degrees.

We mentioned above that Ninja cookware was one of the companies backed by a time specific warranty.  Ninja’s warranty covers the original purchaser for the original product for 10 years against defects in material, construction or workmanship yadda yadda…. Fairly standard language except for the time period.

While normally this would be a negative in our view, what separates Ninja cookware from many of the other non-stick cookware makers is that they offer a NEVERSTICK 10-year guarantee on purchases made from authorized retailers.  YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY.  Ninja guarantees that their non-stick cookware will not stick chip or flake when used according to their care and use instructions for 10 YEARS!!!

THE GOOD PART, Ninja will gladly replace your cookware under the warranty period. They’ll even cover the cost for you to ship the defective cookware back to them.  AND THE BAD PART…. Ninja will charge you a $19.95 fee for the replacement pan.

To initiate a claim with Ninja you must call them (contact info above) and have your receipt handy as they will ask to verify it.

From Our Place – Always Pan

If you have an Instagram account, chances are you’ve heard of this cookware company and The Always Pan.  The pan that was created by female entrepreneur Shiza Shahid who launched the brand in early 2020 and has seen tremendous success right out of the gate.  The pan was brilliantly designed to take the place of nine pieces of cookware and utensils in the kitchen: the saucepan, skillet, non-stick pan, sauté pan, frying pan, spatula, saucier, steamer and spoon rest.

Interesting, Our Place is fairly vague about the pans warranty.  Although. When we reached out to them directly, we were pleasantly surprised with their excellent customer service and willingness to help. Their response about the products lack of warranty was the following:

Hi! Rather than a warranty, we are always happy to help if you run into any issues or your cookware isn’t living up to your expectations within the first year of purchase. 

They also offered the following advice on how to use and care for the cookware to get the longest life out of it: “To get the most out of your cookware, we recommend using the wooden utensil included, cooking at low to med-low heat, using high-smoke-point fat with each use (extra virgin olive, refined coconut, avocado, and peanut oils as well as clarified butter or ghee are great options!), and allowing your cookware to cool before gently hand-washing. We also recommend avoiding cooking sprays as those can create a layer of sticky residue that can be difficult to remove.” If you run into any issues, drop us a note at [email protected]

If you need to reach out to them for additional information or to initiate a return you can find Our Place’s contact information and a link to initiate a return above.

Xtrema

Prior to our research for this article, we knew very little about Xtrema and its line of 100% ceramic cookware.  Interestingly to us, the founder of Xtrema spent a significant portion of his career working for Corning Glass Works, one of the most notable ceramic cookware companies in the world.  What makes Xtrema different than the other ceramic cookware manufacturers out there is that they’ve developed their products to be entirely 100% ceramic from the glaze that they use down to the core of the cookware.  The company really prides itself on the safety of their cookware and rigorously test it against California Prop 65 and FDA standards.  That is more than we can say we’ve seen from many other cookware manufacturers out there.

Now to the warranty… you’ll be covered against faulty workmanship and/or materials as long as the product was used for normal domestic use.  It’ll cover you against breakage from thermal shock at low to medium temperatures.  Pure ceramic covers and lids are excluded from the warranty.

Xtrema actually scores some bonus points in our book for what they call a FOREVER REPLACEMENT AGREEMENT FOR MISUSE OR ABUSE. Yes, you read that correctly! If you happen to damage your Xtrema ceramic cookware at any time during your ownership, you’ll have the option to purchase a replacement at a 45% off MSRP plus $9.95 shipping (international orders will be discounted at 50% plus shipping). In order to take advantage of this warranty Xtrema you’ll have had to have purchased the cookware from Xtrema.com. 

To initiate a warranty claim or find Xtrema’s contact information you can refer to the chart above.

T-Fal

What started out as an experiment with fishing rods turned into an innovation that enabled your morning eggs to slide right off your pan.  Tefal or T-fal (as its referred to as in the US) is credited with being the first creator of non-stick cookware. The company Tefal, based in France, sells it’s cookware line in the United States under the name T-fal due to a trademark dispute with Dupont who argued that it was too similar to its product Teflon.  If shopping for cookware in Canada and Japan you’ll also see it marketed as T-fal. 

Under normal care and use T-fal will repair or replace any cookware item found to be defective in material, construction or workmanship from the date of purchase. 

In order to initiate a warranty claim with T-fal you’ll need to contact their customer care department by website or phone and obtain a return authorization number (RAN). You can find T-fal’s contact information and link to website contact form above.

Green Pan

Developed in 2007 by The Cookware Company, a Belgium cookware firm that saw a competitive advantage in the market by creating an alternative to pans coated in Teflon.  They purchased the technology from a Korean firm that created heat-resistant nonstick ceramic coatings for industrial purposes. Today you’ll see that technology marketed under the name Thermolon. The verdict is still out on whether Thermolon is actually safer to use than Teflon, in fact there is actually a class action lawsuit against Green Pan arguing that the cookware still contains Toxins although its marketed as Toxin free but we’re not here to debate that.

Green Pan gives you a 2-year warranty specifically covering the Thermolon coating on your pan. Should anything occur that impacts the stickiness of the coating Green Pan will stand behind it provided that normal use and care instructions were followed. 

For all other warranty claims, the limited lifetime warranty applies. 

You can reach The Cookware Company regarding issues with your Green Pan using the contact information in the table above. 

Gotham Steel & Granitestone Diamond

If you’re a late-night television watcher, chances are good that you’ve seen an infomercial from either Gotham Steel or Granitestone Diamond. Both brands are owned by E. Mishan & Sons aka EMSON. E. Mishan & Sons handles the warranty coverage for both brands.

Both Gotham Steel & Granite Diamond cookware are warrantied for a period of 10 years to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use conditions. During the period if your cookware is found to be defective EMSON will repair or replace and if neither is feasible, will refund you the original purchase price less any shipping fees paid at the time. 

You’ll need your original sales receipt as part of the claims process so make sure you hold onto that. 

To obtain the replacement or repair, send your Gotham Steel or Granitestone product along with your receipt and include a note with your address and a statement of the problem to:

Emson, 230 Fifth Avenue, Suite 800, New York, New York 10001

Final Thoughts

Now that you have a better understanding of what’s covered (and what’s not) under your cookware warranty you can rest assured that you’ll have peace of mind when cooking. Just remember to save your receipt, a copy of the warranty that came with the cookware and to follow the care and use instructions. That way you can avoid thinking about it and enjoy many years and special meals with your new cookware.