Compare Frying Pans
Tramontina Signature Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan 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 cooking surface is the same medical-grade 18/10 stainless steel you find in pans costing three times as much. No coatings, no chemicals, no degradation — it is inherently safe at every temperature.
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.
Rated to 500°F, this pan handles everything from oven finishing a steak to roasting vegetables. That is the full range of what most home ovens can do.
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 handle is sturdy and well-balanced, but it does warm up during long cooks on the stovetop. An oven mitt or silicone grip is a smart companion.
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 core runs through the entire pan — not just the base — so heat spreads evenly across every inch of the cooking surface. America's Test Kitchen named it their Best Buy pick for good reason: it cooks like a pan that costs three times more.
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 every cooktop — gas, electric, ceramic, and induction. Future-proof if you upgrade your kitchen.
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.
At just under 3 pounds, this is one of the lightest fully-clad 12-inch pans you can buy. Easy to lift, easy to toss food, easy to handle with one hand even when loaded.
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.
Unlike most premium stainless pans, Tramontina officially rates this one dishwasher-safe. After a long dinner, just load it up and walk away.
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 safest possible cooking surface with professional-grade even heating and do not want to pay All-Clad prices
Dishwasher-safe convenience matters to your household routine and you need a pan that can handle busy weeknight cleanup
You use an induction cooktop and want a lightweight fully-clad pan under 3 pounds
You trust America's Test Kitchen recommendations and want their long-standing Best Buy pick in stainless steel
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 riveted stainless handle gets warm during extended stovetop cooking — same as every all-metal-handle pan in this category. Keep a towel or silicone grip handy for longer sessions.
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 strongly prefer nonstick convenience and do not want to learn stainless steel cooking techniques
You need a handle that stays completely cool during extended high-heat cooking — consider a silicone-wrapped handle design instead
Brand prestige and a lifetime warranty matter more to you than saving over $100 on equivalent construction
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 Tramontina 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 Tramontina Tramontina Signature Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan - it scored 9.6/10 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.
