Compare Frying Pans
Made In Blue Carbon Steel Frying Pan 12" scores higher on safety - here's why.
The most important dimensions, side by side.
The ceramic coating is genuinely free of PTFE, PFAS, and Teflon — a real improvement over traditional nonstick. The trade-off is that ceramic coatings wear down with regular use over one to three years. When the nonstick performance fades, you are cooking on a degraded surface rather than the clean metal of a stainless or cast iron pan.
Blue carbon steel contains absolutely no PFAS, PTFE, or synthetic coating — just iron and carbon. It builds a natural nonstick seasoning layer over time that gets better with use. Eight states have banned PFAS in cookware, and carbon steel is fully exempt.
Rated to 550°F, this pan handles stovetop-to-oven transitions for finishing steaks, roasting vegetables, or making frittatas. That temperature ceiling covers everything a home oven can do.
Safe to 1200°F — you can go from stovetop to oven to grill to open flame without thinking twice. This kind of heat tolerance is impossible with any coated pan, and it opens up techniques like broiler finishing and campfire cooking.
The stainless steel handle is sturdy and well-designed, but it does warm up during longer stovetop sessions. Keep a potholder nearby for extended cooking.
Made In's proprietary Stay Cool Handle uses a hollow stainless steel design that dissipates heat during stovetop cooking. You can grab it bare for quick flips and transfers — though for extended high-heat searing, a towel is still wise.
The heat distribution is solid in the center of the pan but less even around the edges and sidewalls. For eggs, pancakes, and everyday sauteing this is perfectly adequate. For serious searing where you need edge-to-edge even browning, a fully-clad pan will outperform it.
Carbon steel holds heat exceptionally well once it's up to temperature — perfect for getting a deep sear on steaks and chops. It takes a bit longer to heat up and cool down compared to tri-ply stainless, but that heat retention is exactly what makes it the go-to pan for restaurant kitchens.
Works on every cooktop type including induction — the stainless steel base plate makes it compatible regardless of the aluminum body.
Works on every cooktop type — gas, electric, ceramic, and induction. Carbon steel is naturally magnetic, so there's no special base plate needed.
At 2.7 pounds, this is one of the lightest pans in the category. Easy to lift, flip, and handle with one hand — great for everyday cooking tasks.
At 4.3 pounds, this pan is noticeably lighter than cast iron but heavier than aluminum nonstick or tri-ply stainless alternatives. You can flip food one-handed when the pan is empty, but loaded with a full meal you'll want both hands.
Hand wash only — the dishwasher will damage the ceramic coating and accelerate its degradation. The good news is that the nonstick surface makes cleanup quick: a soft sponge and warm water is usually all you need.
Hand-wash only — the dishwasher would strip the seasoning you've built up. A quick rinse with hot water and a light scrub is all it takes, but if dishwasher convenience is non-negotiable, this isn't the pan for you.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You specifically want PFAS-free nonstick convenience for eggs, pancakes, and delicate proteins that would stick to bare metal
Design and aesthetics matter to your kitchen and you appreciate Caraway's color options and magnetic storage system
You need a very lightweight pan under 3 pounds for easy one-handed cooking
You are comfortable replacing the pan every few years when the ceramic coating wears down
You want a completely coating-free cooking surface with zero PFAS or PTFE — just iron and carbon touching your food.
You sear steaks, chops, or stir-fry regularly and want restaurant-grade heat retention in a home kitchen.
You cook on induction and need a pan rated to 1200°F that moves from stovetop to oven to grill without limits.
You prefer a pan that improves with use — carbon steel seasoning builds a natural nonstick layer over time.
The main thing to know
The ceramic nonstick coating degrades with regular use over one to three years — unlike stainless steel or cast iron which last a lifetime. When the nonstick fades, you are cooking on a worn surface.
Carbon steel requires seasoning maintenance and hand-washing — if you want grab-and-go dishwasher convenience, this adds a daily care step that stainless steel pans don't need.
Skip this if you...
You want a pan that will last a decade or longer — stainless steel or cast iron will outperform any coated surface over time
Even heat distribution for serious searing is important to you — fully-clad construction outperforms disk-bottom significantly
You expected a nonstick pan to be dishwasher-safe — this one requires hand washing to protect the coating
You need dishwasher-safe cookware — carbon steel requires hand-washing to preserve its seasoning, every time.
You want a true nonstick surface for eggs, crepes, or delicate fish without learning seasoning technique.
You prefer the lightest possible pan for one-handed cooking — at 4.3 lbs this is manageable but noticeably heavier than aluminum nonstick.
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Frying Pans options at every price pointEvery Frying Pans in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated Caraway and Made In across 3 independent criteria: Safety (78%), Efficacy (16%), Usability (6%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
I'd start with Made In Made In Blue Carbon Steel Frying Pan 12" - it scored 8.8/10 overall in our scoring system. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Frying Pans across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects our weighted rubric, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
Not the right match? Explore these alternatives in the same category.
