Made In carbon steel pans update

[Hulagn1971]

Some of you may remember I purchased a couple carbon steel pans from Made In about a month ago, a 12" and 10" skillet. They have performed extremely well except for a problem with the 12" pan. The bottom has warped ever so slightly that it does not sit 100% flat full contact on my glass cooktop. I noticed this last week and finally got around to calling Made In about it. At first, I was a little put off because every time I called I'd be put on hold waiting in line and the call would drop a few minutes later. I then tried to email them using the link they provided and the site wasn't recognized. I tried again to call, was put on hold and finally got a representative. He was foreign but not difficult to understand. The rep was very pleasant and sorry I was having a problem. He said he'd send me an email and it was going to ask me a few questions. Here is the email:

Hi Frederick,
Thank you for reaching out to us here at Made In Cookware. This is Patrick. We spoke over the phone.
I understand how frustrating it must be to cook with a warped pan, but don't worry, we've got you covered under our warranty. However, before we proceed with a replacement, I'll need some information from you to help our QA team investigate the issue.
1. How do you typically bring the pan to heat?
2. What is your shipping address?
3. Please share a short video demonstrating the issue
Once we have all the necessary information, we'll send you a new pan. If you have any questions or concerns along the way, please let me know.
Thank you,
Patrick
Made In Cookware

I took a video when I got home last night of the pan slightly rocking side to side and front to back and sent it with my reply. I do heat the pans on low to medium low to get them started.

When I woke up this morning, to my surprise, I received a notification that my new pan was being prepared for shipping. An hour or so later I received his reply email:


Hi Frederick,

Thank you for confirming this information! Great news! I've arranged for a replacement pan to be on its way to you within the next 3-5 business days. You should find an order confirmation in your inbox already. Here's your new order #xxxxxxx.
And guess what? You don't need to return the original pan. It's all yours to keep, reuse, or recycle. If you happen to have access to a gas stovetop, grill, or smoker, the warped pan can still be a star performer in those settings. When you receive your new pan, just a friendly reminder to gently preheat it on a low to medium-low setting before cranking up the heat to your cooking temperature.

If there's anything else you need or any questions you have, we're just a message away. Happy cooking!

Patrick ,
Made In Cookware

I was at the very least expecting to return the pan but instead get to keep it. How awesome is that?? I just have to pass this wonderful experience with Made In to everyone here. Top notch customer service and warranty to boot. They've really done good.

[Mosca]

Boos could take some lessons from Made In. I still haven’t heard back from them after answering all their delaying and stalling questions.

[Draznnl]

Mosca Have you considered an email complaint directly to the corporate president? I’ve found they usually have someone in their office assigned to getting customer complaints cleared up.

[Mosca]

Not yet. I don’t want to step on Hulagn1971’s topic, so I’ll stop here. Made In is a stand up company for sure, though!

[fzxdoc]

I was just wondering about that yesterday, Mosca . Boo to Boos customer support, so far.

Kathryn

[Smoker_Boy]

Hi Frederick,
Thank you for reaching out to us here at Made In Cookware. This is Patrick.

Sorry - couldn't resist..

[LA Pork Butt]

My thought as I was reading the email was this is AI generated. If so chalk one up for AI!

[Uncle Bob]

If you had an acetylene torch you could experiment with the now free pan they don't want back. Some high heat in the center of the "bubble' and a quick cool might shrink it back to flat.

[Hulagn1971]

That's a great idea!

[Mosca]

I was thinking the same, a little “paintless dent repair” on it.

[Oak Smoke]

Doing a bit of home stress relief could work wonders. I would gently heat it with a torch to a very dull red or stop as soon as a magnet won’t stick top it. Now you need to let it cool as slowly as you can. I’d be tempted to bury it in dry sand and leave it 24 hours. If you go too hot you’ll burn some of the carbon out and it will be mostly ruined. Just come to temp slowly while keeping the torch moving to avoid hot spots.

[jfmorris]

That is great customer service!

[SheilaAnn]

Piggy backing on Patrick Star above…

[Santamarina]

I’m very pleased with the Made In pan we have. Great to hear their customer service is as good as their product!

Definitely won’t hesitate to add more Made In to our collection!

[Bkhuna]

In my experience with carbon steel pans, slight warping isn't all that uncommon using flat top ranges. When I use my Made in wok and skillet on my flat top at high heat I would get some warping. I started using my Iwatani portable butane cooktop and the problem went away. I believe it's because of the heat dispersion of flat tops isn't very well dispersed compared to open flame.

YMMV. Void where prohibited by law. Not valid in many states or territories or where taxed. Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls would scarcely get your feet wet.

[Hulagn1971]

I was just thinking it might be a good excuse to switch our range out for a gas unit...too bad we don't have a gas line near the house lol.

[Hulagn1971]

New pan arrived TODAY. Wow, extremely impressed by this company.

[Hulagn1971]

Just noticed over the weekend a small difference in the handles of the warped pan and the replacement pan. The first pan has a flatter and slightly wider handle with 3 rivets holding it on. The replacement has a thicker, more robust handle with 2 rivets. Just an observation. I did weigh the 2 pans and the old one was a little over 3 ounces heavier as well.

[jayjordan]

I got an email from MadeIn on 9/23 about their changing the handle on the Carbon Steel pans. That's probably the difference you're seeing.

[ecowper]

I really like the new handle on the Made In Carbon Steel ..... but I'm not going to pay to replace a perfectly functional pan dangit

[jayjordan]

Madein Carbon Steel handle change.

[Hulagn1971]

Ah, thanks for the clarification!

[Richard Chrz]

The handle change in design looks much nicer ergonomically,

How does it feel for you Hulagn1971

[Hulagn1971]

Richard Chrz honestly, the initial feel when picking up the pan hat tip goes to the original handle. It is wider and feels like I have a bit more control. I have yet to cook on the replacement as I just finished the second round of seasoning work on it last night. I'll be cooking with it next and will have to see. It is comfortable and if I initially received both pans with the new handle design I'd be pleased and wouldn't know any different. The new handle does feel sturdier, we'll see.

[Huskee]

Bum deal on the frustrating hold/disconnect/redial process, but that's good to read that they are good on their warranty after a rather simple vetting process.

I wonder if you didn't have a solid glass cook top, but instead had grates, if the wobble would be there or not? Are you interested in selling your old one?

[Hulagn1971]

I most definitely wouldn't notice the wobble on grates and don't think it would have been an issue. I was thinking of using it on my Blaze gasser outside but still have my trusty CI skillets. Shoot me a pm if you are interested in buying it, I didn't think of that tbh.

[dpearce]

This is definitely on my short list. However, just like my current pans, where I keep one or two set aside away from the kitchen, I'll be hiding this one so the kids don't f-it-up!

[ecowper]

We have had Made In cooking gear since August, 2023 and absolutely love this cookware. I just recently added the 8" and 10" carbon steel pans to our line up and will probably snag the 6 qt stockpot soon to round out the line up of pots .... 2 qt and 4 qt pots and 8 qt stockpot.

I'll also say if you don't have a saucier, you absolutely need one! :-)

I love hearing about Hulagn1971's customer service experience for sure. Just confirms how happy I am with this cookware. And I'll second the idea of using the old, slightly warped pan on the grills. Will be awesome for all sorts of stuff. We haven't had the warping problem with the carbon steel since we have a gas stovetop.

[Hulagn1971]

ecowper man I really appreciate your input from your personal experience! I've been eyeballing that saucier this past week and it is definitely my next pick for purchase.

[ecowper]

Hulagn1971 any sort of sauce you want to build, it works so much better and faster in the saucier than a regular sauce pan/pot. I make Cacio e Pepe in it all the time. Great for cooking your BBQ sauces, too