by Furnishly | Jun 1, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Barbecue season is officially underway, which means it’s time to break out your favorite rubs and marinades and fire up the grill. We’re always in search of grilling essentials to make this year’s recipes the tastiest yet, including the best grills (plus indoor and portable picks for more flexibility) and useful accessories like this editor-loved meat thermometer. However, there’s one under-the-radar tool in particular that we want to draw your attention to because it’ll truly revolutionize the way you grill.
Meet the Made In Blue Carbon Steel Grill Frying Pan, the grill pan that can go right over the fire to prevent food from falling through the grates. It’s officially back in stock just in time for the summer, so you can grab yourself one — and might as well grab one as a thoughtful grill gift for Father’s Day! You can both get ready to make delicious charred veggies, shrimp, and more without losing a single piece again.
Able to withstand up to a whopping 1,200°F, this grill frying pan is uniquely designed with 62 holes. Because this frying pan is made to sit right on your grill grates, the perforations actually allow your food to stay contained while still coming in direct contact with the flames. So yes, you can finally grill loose veggies that often fall between the grates like asparagus and zucchini spears with ease.
But possibly the most important aspect is this grill pan’s material. Made In applied their award-winning carbon steel to this pan so it’ll hold up to the intense heat and develop a slick nonstick surface over time. Carbon steel, after all, is the material that most pro chefs work with because it’s lightweight and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Made In has become famous for their line of carbon steel cookware, bringing this professional-quality material right to home cooks’ kitchens. And, because we already adore their star Blue Carbon Steel Frying Pan, we’re positive this version will be just as impressive.
The best part is that you can grill anything in this pan. While veggies are an obvious choice, you can also use it to grill steaks or salmon to avoid food sticking and having to scrub your grates after. Reviewers spoke to how quickly it heated up, praising how well it stands up to high temperatures, unlike other grill baskets that burn. And because it’s lightweight, it’s easy to bring with you on camping trips for grill or campfire cooking.
If you’re searching for one simple way to maximize your grilling recipes this year, look no further than this essential Made In grill frying pan. It’s an investment that will last for years to come and make you even more excited to get to grilling!
Erin Cavoto
Commerce Writer
Erin writes about all things shopping-related for The Kitchn, including highlighting small cookware brands, testing cool products, or scoping out need-to-know sales. She’s also a regular at the Trader Joe’s cheese section and has a never-ending supply of tea at home.
by Furnishly | Mar 10, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
There are a few brands that cause major buzz around here any time they queue up a new launch, and direct-to-consumer cookware brand Made In is definitely one of them. From their mega-popular carbon steel skillet to their stylish Dutch oven, the brand keeps churning out chef-worthy gear that is sure to be a staple in your kitchen for years to come.
Well, we’ve got good news (you knew it was coming!): Begining today, Made In is launching yet another winner—this time, a more petite version of their popular Chef’s Knife. If you haven’t made the foray into Made In‘s cutlery yet, you’re seriously missing out. All of their impressive pieces are precision-engineered for expert slicing and dicing and superior comfort when in hand. Like a child or a pizza topping, it’s hard to pick a favorite out of their current lineup, but our Senior Commerce editor Danielle swears by Made In’s Santoku knife, while others on our team rave about their cleaver, sushi knife, and steak knives.
Still, if you’re going to invest in a singular knife for your home, it should always be a chef’s knife — and now Made In boasts not one but two options. In addition to their traditional chef’s knife, which comes in at 8 inches, they’re now releasing a smaller version that’s just 6 inches long. Forged in Theirs, France (fun fact: the knife capital of the world), this nimble and lightweight model is ideal for making quick work of smaller vegetables and other everyday cooking tasks that an 8-inch chef’s knife just feels too hefty for.
Like all of Made In’s knives, the new 6-inch chef’s knife is forged from a single rod of nitrogen-treated metal, making it nearly indestructible and sure to stay sharp slice after slice. It also boasts a unique Micarta handle, which is extra durable, waterproof, and exceptionally lightweight. Put it to work chopping up veggies for a yummy stew, or rely on it for those close-to-the-bone cuts necessary when spatchcocking a chicken.
Basically, the sky’s the limit with this pro-worthy knife in your arsenal. You know what does have a limit, though? The stock on these bad boys. Because this is a limited-edition launch, Made In has a modest run of 4,000 pieces to kick things off — and their stuff routinely sells out. No matter which way you slice it, you’re going to want to move quickly on this one.
by Furnishly | Feb 1, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
It’s no secret our team loves Made In cookware. The direct-to-consumer company offers pots, pans, knives, bakeware — basically everything you need to outfit your kitchen — made by generations-old manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe but without the brand-name price tag. It’s like the Trader Joe’s of cookware.
Of course, we’re not the only ones who love it. The brand has cultivated a loyal customer base that includes big-name chefs like Tom Colicchio and Grant Achatz. Its fan-favorite blue carbon steel pans are always selling out, and when it launched its French-made chef’s knife in October 2018, it sold out within 24 hours.
Why am I telling you this? Because today, February 1, Made In is adding another piece to its lineup that might sell out just as quickly: a 6-quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven made in France. The retail price is $199, which is significantly less than the $350 to $399 price tags of other brand-name French-made pots.
Cofounder Jake Kalick, whose family has run a commercial kitchen outfitter for generations (Boston-based Harbour Food Service Equipment), says an enameled Dutch oven was the most requested item from customers over the last four years. His team would have happily brought one to market sooner but they couldn’t find the perfect manufacturer.
“We have been working on that project for three years,” he says. “And we’ve had a lot of false starts.” First, they tried to build a supply chain in the U.S. “What we learned was that it’s an incredibly difficult manufacturing process. Casting and enameling is difficult and needs to be done under one roof.”
So they turned to France, where they already do a lot of manufacturing with legacy brands. “We got ‘no’ from all these factories and partners for three years.” Made In doesn’t manufacture anything in Asia, so that was a no-go, then they finally found a French company that agreed to partner with them. “It’s an awesome factory that has been making enameled cast iron for over 100 years,” says Kalick. “It’s definitely been a passion project.”
Unlike the rainbow of hues and assortment of sizes offered by the brands you find in cookware stores, the Made In Dutch oven comes in one size and one color for now — sapphire blue with a gold knob — but Kalick says they plan to add more colors and sizes in the future. “This is the hero item. It’s nerve-wracking to launch seven items at once, and with all of our new categories, we try to get one product perfect, understand the customers’ needs, then we expand.”
My Honest Review of the Made In Dutch Oven
I got my hands on a pot to try it out in advance and was seriously impressed. It has the rounded lines of a Le Creuset and the black enamel interior and studs on the underside of the lid like a Staub (those studs help the condensation drip onto the center of the food during cooking). Are either of these brands the actual manufacturer? Kalick’s lips are sealed, but the Made In Dutch oven is definitely a very similar breed. It even weighs the same as a similarly sized Staub: about 14 pounds with the lid on.
I put the pot through its paces on the stove and in the oven, cooking rice, beans, veggie soup, braised beef ragu, and even whole chicken. I took note of any scorching (none), how evenly it heated (perfectly), how well it retained moisture with the lid on (just the right amount of evaporation), how easy it was to use (big, wide handles make it super easy to lift), and, most importantly, how well it seared (beautifully).
My biggest pet peeve when searing meats for a stew or braise in a Dutch oven is how sometimes the meat wants to steam on the second side rather than take on color, even when I take care not to crowd the pan. I’ve noticed the rough black enamel interior of my Staub pot is far superior at searing meats than the white enamel of my other pots, and the Made In is similarly great. I don’t know the science behind why the black enamel is so much better for searing — is it the rough texture? — but in the Made In Dutch oven, my meat got deeply and evenly caramelized, and yet the surface deglazed instantly with a splash of wine.
My takeaway? This is a fabulous piece of cookware that’s in the same echelon as French brands that cost nearly twice as much. I’m not a gambling type, but I’d be willing to bet it sells out in a jiffy.
Danielle Centoni
Contributor
Danielle Centoni is a James Beard Award-winning food writer, editor, recipe developer, and cookbook author based in Portland, Oregon. Her latest cookbook is “Fried Rice: 50 Ways to Stir Up The World’s Favorite Grain.”
by Furnishly | Nov 11, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Fact: A good nonstick pan is hard to find. Over the years, I’ve gone through a lot of frying pans that claim to be nonstick, but after testing, they really just don’t hold up. In fact, they make post-meal cleanup even more laborious, since some nonstick coatings require extra care when hand-washing to prevent scratches. About a year ago, however, one frying pan arrived at my doorstep and immediately stood out from the pack.
Enter: Made In’s Non Stick Frying Pan. Straight from the box, this Italian-made cobalt blue pan just looked gorgeous and felt super comfortable and lightweight in my hands. Crafted with a long, sturdy, riveted handle, this pan immediately made me feel confident. I was excited to test out this bad boy. Who wants eggs? Breakfast for dinner!
Using non-toxic pans is important to me, since, you know, no one likes to unintentionally ingest chemicals while cooking. For that reason, I’ll point out that this pan is made with a PFOA-free coating. Its nonstick surface is seriously slippery. Coated multiple times to be extra durable and resistant to degradation, this pan is my go-to for making any sticky egg dish, sautéed mushrooms and peppers, or delicate fish. Weekend clear-out-the-fridge omelettes and frittatas? The eggs slide right out. Seared salmon filets? No skin stuck to the bottom of the pan. I don’t even need to add cooking oil for most things I make in this pan, unless I want to add a bit of flavor or fat. I’m not alone in my love for this pan, either.
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Made In, and this Non Stick Frying Pan is, in my opinion, one of the best representations of the brand’s top-quality cookware. If you’re sick of tearing through nonstick pans that don’t actually work, this pan will change your mind. At under-$100 for the 10-inch option, this is a wise investment for any home cook.
Psst… it also makes a great kitchen gift for the holidays ahead. Make an omelette this weekend and then we’ll compare notes.
by Furnishly | Nov 5, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
You’ve likely already gathered that I’m a huge fan of Made In’s cookware and dinnerware (eyes on you, perfectly oversized Entrée Bowls)! Well, with the holidays right around the corner, there’s one piece of dinnerware every home cook needs on their Thanksgiving table: Made In’s Serving Platter. A newer release from the direct-to-consumer brand, I’ve owned this platter for about a year and have turned to it time and time again to serve hearty kale salads, seasonal pasta dishes, whole-roasted steak or salmon fillets, and root veggie sides. This platter makes virtually anything I cook absolutely shine.
Made in England, this platter is crafted from vitrified china which is then glazed, making it durable, strong, and (most importantly) chip-resistant when stacked in my crowded kitchen cabinets or during post-meal cleanup. Its 13-inch size and perfectly elongated oval shape makes it my go-to service platter whenever I’m cooking for my partner or a group of friends. Everyone always comments on how perfectly sized this platter is. During one birthday party in Prospect Park this past summer, I whipped up a super-simple watermelon, feta, and mint side salad to bring to a picnic and walked it over on this platter. I kid you not: At least three people stopped me at random and asked where I got it. This thing just makes everything I make look so much tastier. Major points for presentation.
Ranging from $50-$55 depending on the rim color (I have the red rim, but the navy and plain white are beautiful, too), this platter is one of those one-time kitchen investments that I personally think every home cook needs in their service arsenal. Serving a big portion of fried potatoes or scrambled eggs for brunch? Pop them on this platter. Roasting a big batch of root veggies for your Friendsgiving gathering this year? Again, pop ’em on this platter!
Scoop up this must-have piece of servingware for all your holiday hosting ahead. Just don’t forget to snap a yummy-looking pic for the ‘gram!
