As a trained chef and recipe developer, I use a cast iron skillet almost every day, often multiple times a day. I can confidently say I have a sense of what makes a great pan, and the Made In Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet really is great. I’ve been testing it at home and it’s an excellent option, whether you’re a cast iron lover or a first-timer.
Made In makes one of our top-tested ceramic nonstick skillets, so it’s no surprise the brand’s cast iron pan is easy to work with, well designed, and long-lasting. Here’s what you need to know.
TL;DR: Made In Cast Iron Skillet at a Glance
- Made without PFAS (AKA ‘forever chemicals’) like Teflon
- Compatible with all cooking surfaces, including induction and live fire
- Thick bottom offers excellent heat retention, while thinner walls support better weight balance and maneuverability
- Can withstand temperatures up to 1000°F
- Comes in four practical sizes to suit most kitchens, or sold as a set of three
Is Cast Iron Non-Toxic? What to Know Before You Buy
At Organic Authority, we define non-toxic cookware as cookware made without PFAS and verified through independent lab testing. The Made In Cast Iron skillet is made without both PFAS and synthetic coatings, including ceramic. It develops its nonstick cooking surface naturally over time as cooking oils are repeatedly heated past their smoke point. This causes them to bond to the surface of the skillet, building a smooth patina that easily releases food.
The Made In skillet comes pre-seasoned, which means its nonstick surface is ready to go straight out of the box. However, if you notice food sticking or rust spots over time, you can reinforce the seasoning at home.
In my experience, the more you use the pan to cook with high-heat cooking oils, the better the seasoning becomes. In other words, the best way to achieve a nonstick surface on your cast iron skillet is to use it.
The Problem With Most Cast Iron Skillets
I’m a huge fan of cast iron for everything from simple eggs to elaborate desserts. The durable material heats evenly, retains heat well, and is free of coatings that can chip or impact the flavor of your food. It’s also safe to use on all cooking surfaces, including induction and even over a live flame.
Of course, cast iron still has its drawbacks. It’s heavy, especially compared to lightweight nonstick-coated aluminum pans (if you’re going for one of those, make sure you invest in a non-toxic option). It isn’t always immediately nonstick, and the cooking experience can vary based on its seasoning. Finally, it requires more maintenance than coated and stainless steel cookware, as cast iron can rust if not properly cared for.
How This Made In Skillet Fixes Common Cast Iron Problems
Machined to a Smooth Cooking Surface
To create the impressively smooth cooking surface on this skillet, the pan is sand-cast, then buffed by machine until it gleams. This surface is the perfect material for seasoning oil to bond to.
Thinner Walls for Ease of Use
What sets this cast iron pan apart from the rest is the shape of the skillet, which features noticeably thinner side walls compared to the base. These thin side walls make the pan lighter than typical cast iron pans of the same size and therefore much easier to work with, especially if you’re maneuvering the pan around the kitchen or from stove to oven. Thanks to the thick bottom, the pan still retains heat very well.
Pre-Seasoned With Flaxseed Oil
The pan comes pre-seasoned with organic flaxseed oil, which is a neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point. As a result, the skillet is already fairly nonstick straight from the box, but you won’t taste any off-flavors in your food (which can happen if you use more volatile cooking fats like butter or olive oil).
Ergonomically Designed
Made In is known for making attractive, highly functional cookware, and this skillet is no different. The pan has a “trigger grip handle,” which features a deep groove down its center that offers a place to comfortably rest your thumb. There is also a pour spout on each side, which is handy for pouring off liquids and transferring sauces (and even dry foods!) from pan to plate.
A Closer Look: Specs and Price
- Size options: 8-, 10-, 12-, and 14-inch
- Max temperature: 1000°F
- Weights: 3.6, 5.4, 8.2, and 11.4 pounds
- Lifetime warranty
- Purchasing options: Individual sizes and three-piece set (includes 8-, 10-, and 12-inch pans)
- Price:
How It Performed in My Kitchen
Eggs
The first thing I made in the Made In skillet was a mountain of scrambled eggs for breakfast. Without added oil, the eggs left only a thin film on the bottom of the skillet, which came right off after cooling.
Searing
Cast iron truly shines when it comes to searing proteins. The Made-In skillet produced a thick, crackly crust on a sirloin steak after about five minutes per side over medium-high heat. Skin-on chicken thighs became evenly golden brown without any glaring hot or cold spots on the cooking surface.
Oven Performance
I also love baking in my cast iron skillet — it’s a charming, cozy vessel that I can bring straight to the table for serving. I whipped up some skillet cornbread in the Made In pan and it came out evenly colored on the top and bottom with a fluffy, moist center.
Cleaning and Maintenance
In most cases, you can simply rinse out your cast iron skillet. When you need a little more power for caked-on food, a dab of mild dish soap, warm water, and a scrub brush will do the trick. The most important thing to keep in mind when washing the pan is drying it thoroughly when you’re done to prevent rusting. To be extra safe, I like to place mine over low heat on the stove until the water evaporates.
Criteria Breakdown
| Criteria | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safety & Materials | 5 | Bare cast iron seasoned with organic flaxseed oil |
| Heat Retention & Searing | 4.5 | Great for searing proteins, making eggs, and baking |
| Versatility & Compatibility | 5 | All cooktops, oven, and live fire up to 1000°F |
| Weight & Handling | 4 | Heavier than other cookware materials, but the ergonomic design and thinner side walls make it more comfortable than most cast iron |
| Ease of Cleaning & Care | 4 | Easy to clean, requires careful drying |
| Value & Price Point | 4 | Pricier than some competitors but good value considering design, performance, and durability |
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations
At the time of writing, this skillet has earned an impressive 4.9-star average from 112 consumers on the Made In website. Many users cite the smooth cooking surface and comfortable handle as winning attributes. Some say the pan is lighter than other cast iron cookware they’ve used without sacrificing performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
All Made In cast iron skillets are sand-cast and finished in the USA, specifically at a single foundry in Tennessee that the brand partners with to execute its specific designs.
Yes, you can clean your cast iron pan with a mild dish soap.
Acidic ingredients like tomatoes can react with iron, creating a slightly metallic flavor. However, proper seasoning can help mitigate this effect.
Yes, Made In cast iron is compatible with all stovetops. I have an induction stove at home and had great results using this skillet.
Enameled cast iron cookware has a cast iron core, but the pans are coated with a nonstick enamel finish. This can make the pan easier to clean and doesn’t require seasoning. However, enameled cookware generally doesn’t sear as well because the coating buffers heat transfer between the cast iron and the food. Bare or seasoned cast iron is also generally more durable than enameled cast iron, as the enameled surface is more prone to chipping, cracking, and thermal shock.
Is the Made In Cast Iron Skillet Right for You?
If you’re looking for a highly versatile everyday pan that will last for years (and may even become a family heirloom), this is a great choice. Cooks looking for the benefits of nonstick cookware without synthetic coatings and those who want to nail a beautiful sear on their next steak will appreciate the benefits of cast iron. We especially recommend it for cooks who have used cast iron in the past but found it too heavy — you might find yourself falling in love with the material after using this thinner-walled skillet. And of course, it also makes a great gift for the cook in your life.
