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.
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 T-fal's cooking surface uses PTFE — the same material as traditional Teflon. PTFE is classified as a PFAS compound and is already banned in cookware in eight U.S. states. It degrades above 500°F, and an empty pan on high heat can reach that temperature in just a few minutes.
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 400°F covers casseroles, roasted vegetables, and most standard recipes. You won't be able to use the broiler or finish steaks at high heat — but that limitation is consistent with the PTFE coating, which shouldn't be pushed above 400°F anyway.
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 plastic handle is the reason the oven limit is 400°F — it can't take higher heat. Over years of use, plastic handles loosen and degrade faster than metal alternatives. It stays cool on the stovetop, but it's the weakest link for long-term durability.
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.
The aluminum heating disk covers the base but doesn't extend up the sides. Expert testing found this design causes uneven heating — food near the sidewalls can scorch while the center is still cooking. Fine for eggs and pancakes, less ideal for searing or sauce reduction.
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 — the stainless steel base disk makes it compatible with modern induction ranges.
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.
One of the lightest pans in this size — you can flip food one-handed, pour from the rim without strain, and store it easily. Ideal for anyone who finds heavier pans like cast iron or carbon steel difficult to handle.
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.
Toss it in the dishwasher after cooking — no special care, no hand-wash routine, no seasoning to maintain. For busy weeknights, that's a real time-saver.
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 are comfortable with PTFE nonstick and consistently cook at medium or lower heat — never leaving an empty pan on a hot burner.
You need the lightest possible pan for one-handed cooking and want dishwasher-safe cleanup with zero maintenance.
You're on a tight budget and need a functional induction-compatible pan for under $35.
You view cookware as replaceable and prefer to swap pans every few years rather than maintain a seasoned or stainless pan for life.
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 PTFE nonstick coating is classified as a PFAS compound and is already banned in cookware in eight U.S. states — this is the single biggest factor in the low overall score.
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 want PFAS-free cookware — PTFE is definitionally a PFAS compound, and no amount of titanium reinforcement changes the underlying chemistry.
You sear at high heat regularly — the 400°F oven limit and PTFE degradation threshold make this unsafe for high-heat techniques.
You want even heat distribution for browning and sauce work — the disk-bottom construction creates hot spots near the sidewalls.
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 T-fal 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.
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