Compare Frying Pans
Which scores higher on safety? R3 breaks it down.
The most important dimensions, side by side.
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.
The cooking surface is bare carbon steel — no synthetic coatings, no PFAS compounds, just iron that develops a natural nonstick layer through seasoning. This is one of the safest material choices available for everyday cooking.
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.
Oven-safe to 800°F without the silicone handle sleeve — handles any home cooking technique including high-heat broiling with room to spare.
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 riveted stainless steel handle conducts less heat than bare steel but will still warm up during extended stovetop cooking. The removable silicone sleeve adds comfort for daily use.
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.
Solid single-material construction provides excellent heat retention and even distribution once the pan reaches temperature. Great for searing and maintaining steady heat — the slight trade-off is slower response to temperature changes.
Works on every cooktop type — gas, electric, ceramic, and induction. Carbon steel is naturally magnetic, so there's no special base plate needed.
Works on all cooktops including induction — no adapters needed.
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.
See the detailed scoring breakdown for this criterion.
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.
Hand-wash only. Requires rinsing while warm, drying immediately, and periodic maintenance to protect the cooking surface.
At $100 with a lifetime warranty, this is competitive pricing for a professional-grade carbon steel pan. You're paying less than All-Clad and getting a pan that restaurants actually use — and it'll last decades with basic care.
See the detailed scoring breakdown for this criterion.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
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.
You want the best all-around carbon steel pan with the most practical handle design
You cook for one to three people and want a lightweight pan you can toss food in with one hand
You need high oven temperatures up to 800°F for finishing and broiling
You want a carbon steel pan that comes pre-seasoned and ready to use out of the box
The main thing to know
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.
The 10-inch size is genuinely small for family cooking — if you regularly cook for four or more people, you will need a larger pan for most meals.
Skip this if you...
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.
You cook for families of four or more — the 10-inch size will be too small for most meals
You want the lowest possible price — Matfer Bourgeat delivers similar cooking performance for $55
You need a dishwasher-safe pan — carbon steel requires hand washing and immediate drying
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 Made In and Misen across 3 independent criteria: Safety (78%), Efficacy (16%), Usability (6%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
Both scored close to 8.8/10, so the better choice depends on your priorities. 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.
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