This carbon steel pan from Made In delivers exceptional cooking performance with craftsmanship that rivals pans twice its price. After extensive testing, I found its perfectly flat cooking surface, ergonomic handle, and pre-seasoned finish make it an ideal upgrade for serious home cooks who want professional-quality results without the weight of cast iron.
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Serious home cooks who have struggled with the weight of cast iron will appreciate this pan's lighter 4.31-pound construction that still delivers exceptional heat retention and searing capability up to an impressive 1200°F.
- Men concerned about chemical coatings in their cookware will value the pre-seasoned natural surface (with shea nut and coconut oils) that creates a non-stick cooking experience without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, or other potentially harmful substances.
- Cooks who have experienced the frustration of wobbly, unevenly heating pans will immediately notice the perfectly flat, stable Swedish-crafted base that ensures consistent cooking results and eliminates dangerous splashing.
- Culinary enthusiasts who regularly cook bone-in meats, stir-fries, and pasta dishes will benefit from the thoughtfully angled handle and 9.25" diameter cooking surface that makes flipping and tossing techniques effortless.
- Value-conscious shoppers who have replaced non-stick pans multiple times will recognize this $129 investment as cost-effective over time, with proper care resulting in a heirloom-quality piece that develops an increasingly non-stick surface with each use.
Carbon Steel Performance and Care
Carbon steel occupies a fascinating middle ground in cookware materials. It offers the heat retention and natural non-stick capabilities of cast iron while delivering the responsiveness and lighter weight of stainless steel. At just 4.31 pounds, this 12" pan is substantially lighter than its cast iron counterparts, making it easier to maneuver during active cooking techniques.
The pre-seasoning (with shea nut and coconut oils) gives you an immediate head start on developing that coveted naturally non-stick surface. While it differs from a chemical non-stick coating, it provides a solid foundation that only improves with use.
Key care information for this Made In Carbon Steel pan:
- Hand wash only – never use a dishwasher
- Safe for stovetop, grill, and oven use up to 1200°F
- Requires seasoning to maintain its non-stick properties
- Works with all cooktops including induction
- The seasoning process helps protect against rust and corrosion
- Pre-seasoned design allows for immediate use out of the box
Swedish Craftsmanship Meets Culinary Function
Made In has built its reputation on sourcing exceptional products from regions known for specialized craftsmanship. Just as their chef knives come from a renowned French knife-making town, this carbon steel frying pan is crafted in Sweden, a country with its own storied tradition of metalwork.
What immediately sets this pan apart is its construction quality. The perfectly flat base provides stability that cheaper alternatives simply cannot match. Anyone who has dealt with a wobbly pan knows the frustration – uneven heating, dangerous splashing, and inconsistent cooking results. This Made In pan eliminates those concerns entirely.
Performance That Justifies the Price
Where this pan truly shines is in its versatility. During testing, it handled everything from searing pork chops to creating silky alfredo sauce for pasta. The sloped sides and wide cooking surface (9.25" diameter) make it particularly adept at tasks requiring movement – sautéing vegetables or tossing pasta to coat it evenly with sauce.
The thoughtfully designed handle deserves special mention. Its angle and attachment provide excellent leverage for flipping and tossing techniques. The stainless steel construction means it can transition seamlessly from stovetop to oven (up to 1200°F), offering flexibility that few other pans can match.
This last part in particular is a huge advantage of carbon steel for any man who loves the reverse sear method of cooking steaks --- and something I dearly miss after a couple years of having to bench my good cast iron pans.
This Carbon Steel Pan Is A Lifetime Investment
Unlike disposable non-stick pans that need replacement every few years, this carbon steel pan is designed to become a family heirloom. With proper care – hand washing only and following the seasoning guidelines – it should develop an increasingly non-stick surface that performs better with age.
It achieves this without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, or other potentially harmful chemicals, making it an appealing choice for health-conscious cooks. In an era when we are increasingly aware of what goes into our food, it is reassuring to know what is not going into our cookware.
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Made In Can Take You From Kitchen Rookie to Culinary Pro
For men who take their cooking seriously – whether they are weekend warriors or everyday home chefs – the Made In 12" Seasoned Carbon Steel Frying Pan represents a significant upgrade from standard cookware. It bridges the gap between professional-grade equipment and home kitchen practicality, offering performance that justifies its premium price point.
While I received this pan for review purposes, I am genuinely considering purchasing additional pieces from the carbon steel line – perhaps the strongest endorsement I can offer. If you have been teetering on the edge of upgrading your cookware from disposable non-stick to something more substantial, this pan makes a compelling case for taking that leap.
