When it comes to high-heat cooking, there’s one cookware material that chefs reach for time and time again: carbon steel. Thought of as the European equivalent to cast iron, carbon steel is the workhorse of professional and home kitchens across the globe.
We knew from the day we started selling pans that our lineup needed a material that could handle serious heat, develop a naturally nonstick surface over time, and withstand the demands of both chefs and home cooks—and all of these combined led us to carbon steel. That said, bringing this product to life was more than just a business decision, it was a leap of faith that paid off in ways we never expected.
Why Carbon Steel?
When Made In was first coming to fruition, co-founders Jake Kalick and Chip Malt asked themselves: What material would give our customers the best high-heat cooking experience? The answer was clear. While cast iron has its place, carbon steel offers a unique combination of durability and versatility. Made from the same core ingredients—iron and carbon—as cast iron, carbon steel is lighter weight, heats up faster, and becomes naturally nonstick with proper seasoning.
Unlike stainless or aluminum pans, which can scorch food (or the pans themselves) when exposed to extreme temperatures, carbon steel thrives under pressure and can take whatever you can dish out. Its thin walls heat quickly and evenly, making it perfect for searing steaks, charring vegetables, and achieving restaurant-quality results at home.
A Risk That Paid Off
Made In was just a one year-old company when our first Carbon Steel Pan launched—so needless to say, we weren’t confident how customers would respond to a material that, while beloved in professional kitchens and home kitchens across Europe, was less commonly known in America. But within the first two days, our entire initial batch sold out. It was clear: home cooks were ready for carbon steel.
That early success fueled the growth of our Carbon Steel Collection, which has since become a major collection encompassing Griddles, grillware, and more. Today, we’re proud to say we are the number one carbon steel cookware brand in the United States.
Designed for Performance
Carbon steel is a material that’s stood the test of time, trusted by generations of chefs for its unmatched performance. Whether you’re cooking for your family or serving hundreds of plates in a professional kitchen, Carbon Steel delivers.
Professional chefs and home cooks alike need pans that can handle intense, continuous heat without warping or breaking. That’s why we designed each piece of our Carbon Steel Collection to be as tough as the environments they’re used in. The same pans we sell to home cooks are the ones you’ll find used in some of the world’s best restaurants.
The Design Details That Matter
Each detail that goes into our Carbon Steel Collection is thoughtfully considered, from the slope of the handle to the curve of the pan wall. We chose to rivet our stainless steel handles into the pan (rather than weld them onto the edge) not just for their sleek look, but because they’re more durable, easier to clean, and capable of withstanding high pressure without warping. And thanks to our preseasoning process, your piece of carbon steel cookware will be ready to cook right out of the box.
Because carbon steel is made by punching discs from sheets of metal (rather than pouring molten metal from a cast) it allows for thinner walls when compared to cast iron. This makes carbon steel both lighter weight and easier to maneuver, while still delivering the high heat retention and quick responsiveness that chefs love. To illustrate this, our 10” Carbon Steel Frying Pan weighs in at 3 pounds, while our 11” Enameled Cast Iron Skillet clocks in at 5.8 pounds—an almost 93% difference.
Built to Last a Lifetime
Carbon steel isn’t just durable, it’s practically indestructible. No matter whether your pan is rusted, blasted over high temperatures on the grill, or has splotchy seasoning, you can easily strip it and repeat the seasoning process. We once left a pan outside for 30 days and could easily restore it to its former glory—check out the above video to see how.
Moral of the story is: carbon steel is heirloom-grade cookware that you can feel empowered to pass down for generations. The more you use your carbon steel cookware, the better it gets thanks to the patina that develops with every meal and enhances its naturally nonstick properties.
And as a bonus, maintenance and care is simple: a quick wipe after use is often all it needs.
Ready to Shop?
- Seasoned Carbon Steel Frying Pan
- 10"
- $109
Carbon steel may seem like just another cookware material, but it’s so much more than that. It’s an almost indestructible tool that connects generations of chefs across the globe through its timeless design and unbeatable performance. We’re so proud to be a small part in bringing this world-class material to a new generation and new audience—join this not-so-exclusive club and explore our full collection to find the perfect piece for your kitchen.
