Non-stick pans are convenient until the coating begins to wear down—or worse, peel and chip—leaving you to scrape food off the surface and release microplastics. And when a recipe calls for high-heat searing, your non-stick pan simply can’t handle the temperature. What if we told you there’s a way to get healthy, pro-level cooking results with a never-degrading, naturally non-stick surface?
Made In Carbon Steel cookware is free of coatings, non-toxic, and chemical-free, offering a lifetime of naturally non-stick cooking. Each Made In piece comes preseasoned with two layers of cooking oil, so it’s ready to use right out of the box—but like all carbon steel, it requires proper care. More durable than traditional non-stick pans, Carbon Steel is built to last a lifetime, and we’ll show you why it’s the superior choice and how to take care of it.
What Makes Carbon Steel Special?
Made In Carbon Steel cookware is crafted from 99% iron and 1% carbon, making it lightweight, extremely durable, and excellent at retaining heat. Unlike non-stick pans, carbon steel does not have a PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) coating, which is a good thing.
Properly seasoned carbon steel will have a natural non-stick surface that improves over time, unlike non-stick pans. In fact, Made In Carbon Steel cookware is one of the few pieces of cookware that improves over time, rather than deteriorating. The natural non-stick surface also means you don’t need to use as much oil when cooking, especially if you follow a low-fat diet.
Safety concerns aside, carbon steel cookware is likely to become your go-to pan when experimenting with various cooking techniques. Made In’s Carbon Steel Pans can handle everything from searing to saucing with a focus on high-heat and even-temperature cooking.
Think of your Made In Carbon Steel as an investment. Made In Carbon Steel cookware is renowned for its durability and longevity, so you don’t have to frequently invest in cheaper pans that can be harmful to your health.
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What is Carbon Steel Cookware Good For?
Due to its heat retention, Made In Carbon Steel is ideal for fast cooking on high heat, ensuring an even cook. Carbon steel heats twice as fast as cast-iron pans and cools down just as quickly.
Made In Carbon Steel cookware can make perfectly seared steaks, caramelized vegetables with a char, and even simple scrambled eggs. It is also perfect for seared salmon and other delicate fish, given its non-stick properties.
How To Maintain Carbon Steel Without The Hassle
Maintaining your Made In Carbon Steel requires some TLC, but once you get the hang of it, it is the easiest and quickest pan in your kitchen to take care of.
Properly season your carbon steel over time
Your Made In Carbon Steel, unlike most competitors, comes preseasoned out of the box. Most Carbon steel cookware requires a lengthy seasoning process out of the box, but not Made In. Made In does the first two seasons, which are the hardest to accomplish, with their Swedish craftsmen, so you can get cooking right away. However, if you ever need to reseason your pan for any reason, simply follow the steps below:
- Preheat your oven to your oil’s smoke point. For example, sunflower oil has a smoke point of 450°F.
- Scrub your Made In Carbon Steel and dry it properly.
- Once your oven is at the right temperature, place your Made In Carbon Steel on the stove top over a low flame
- Use a paper towel to rub a couple of drops of your seasoning oil all over the surface.
- Transfer the Made In Carbon Steel from the stovetop and place it upside-down into the oven. Place a foil-lined tray underneath to catch oil drips.
- After an hour, turn off the oven and leave Made In Carbon Steel to cool completely before removing it from the oven.
Clean smarter
When cleaning your Made In Carbon Steel, avoid using harsh soaps and chemicals, and opt for warm water instead. Avoid harsh abrasives, as these can strip the seasoning. If you have stubborn food stuck to the pan, soak it in water for a few minutes to loosen the food, then gently scrape it off with coarse salt or use a metal spatula to pry off the burnt bits. The beauty of Carbon Steel is that you can use metal utensils directly on the surface without fear of hurting your pan.
Do not put Carbon Steel pans in the dishwasher. Always dry your Made In Carbon Steel Pan thoroughly with a towel or heat it on the stovetop until all the water has evaporated.
Store your carbon steel correctly
Prevent rust by storing your Made In Carbon Steel Pan in a dry environment. That means making sure your pans don’t sit overnight in the sink. Unlike non-stick pans, you can stack your Made In Carbon Steel pans when storing them, as scratching won’t be an issue.
How To Keep Your Carbon Steel as Good as New
Carbon Steel does require particular care, but if you’re smart about how you use it, you can ensure your Made In Carbon Steel is always in spectacular condition for a lifetime of use.
Control the temperature correctly
If you have an induction stovetop or electric stovetop, start with a low heat setting and gradually increase it to prevent hot spots and material warping due to thermal shock. You should avoid going directly to high heat if the pan is on these stove types.
When cleaning your Made In Carbon Steel pan, avoid plunging it into cold water while it's still hot, as this can cause warping.
Use the right fats
To achieve a non-stick surface, you’ll need to use oils with high smoke points, as they can withstand high temperatures without breaking down. Some good oil options are refined avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, and canola oil.
You can also cook fatty foods first, like bacon and steak, to develop a non-stick surface.
Limit cooking with highly acidic foods
Avoid cooking acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes, as the acidity from these foods can strip the pan’s seasoning. New and lightly seasoned pans are at more risk.
Don’t panic if you’ve cooked acidic foods in your carbon steel pan. A quick sauté is unlikely to strip all the seasoning from the food. For long-simmering acidic dishes, we recommend using a cast-iron or stainless steel pan.
Who Should Use Carbon Steel?
Made In’s Carbon Steel will be beneficial for anyone seeking durable cookware to handle a range of cooking techniques, from searing to whipping up a stir-fry. Made from carbon steel, this material is favored by searing enthusiasts and those seeking a naturally non-stick, no-coating cooking surface.
Ready To Shop?
Sure, carbon steel cookware requires care, but the rewards are worth it, including longevity, health benefits, and improved searing ability. Made In’s Carbon Steel is made with durable construction, making it easy to care for, so you don’t have to keep replacing cheap cookware and can take it from the oven, to grill, to stovetop with confidence.
Whether you’re searing steaks or scrambling eggs, Made In’s carbon steel is chef-loved and home cook-approved.
Experience the Difference — Shop Made In Carbon Steel
