The Best Carbon Steel Pans

In the past, carbon steel pans were really only used in restaurants and other professional cooking settings. Today, however, they are widely used among home cooks and restaurant kitchens alike.

1. Lodge 10-inch Carbon Steel Skillet

KEY FEATURES

Takes high heat for best browning/searing
12 gauge carbon steel heats quickly and retains heat for even cooking
Brutally tough for decades of cooking

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This carbon steel skillet from Lodge is one of the more affordable options available. Lodge, a well-trusted kitchen accessory company, is known for its high-quality cast iron skillets. Their carbon steel options are just as great, but not as popular.

This carbon steel pan comes pre-seasoned and can distribute heat quickly and effectively. A pre-seasoned pan is hard to come by, making this product stand out among its competitors. Because the pan is ready to go at all times, it’s perfect for at-home use or even when camping outdoors.

The skillet is seasoned with a natural soybean oil coating that will improve the non-stick surface with every use. The carbon steel material will work to maintain heat levels throughout the pan, whether high or low. These features make it a convenient, effective cooking aid.

Pros

This carbon steel pan can be used for many different cooking techniques, including simmering, braising, searing, sauteing, roasting, and frying.
It’s made of a 12-gauge carbon steel material, which is the ideal choice in professional restaurant kitchens.
You can use metal utensils on the surface, without the risk of damage.
It can be used on top of campfires and in gas or electric ovens and stovetops.

Cons

This pan cannot be placed in the microwave.

2. Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel Frying Pan

KEY FEATURES

VARIETY OF USES
NATURAL NON-STICK MATERIAL
DURABLE CONSTRUCTION
HIGHLY COMPATIBLE & VERSATILE

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This pan can keep food’s natural flavors, vitamins, and other nutrients preserved while increasing heat to extremely high temperatures. With other pans, this can cause certain foods to be drained of their authentic taste.

This pan can be used on many different types of foods, like delicate meats, eggs, seafood, and much more. The black carbon steel material will ensure the surface of the pan is distributing heat evenly and effectively. It has a natural nonstick coating, making the pan free of any harsh chemicals and other manufactured materials.

The pan is designed with a steel handle that will increase its overall durability and strength. Because of the sturdy construction, it’s long-lasting and can be used for cooking a plethora of different dishes.

Pros

This pan is free of PTFE and PFOA.
It can maintain and withstand extremely high temperatures with every use.
It can be used on all stovetops and oven types, with induction, gas, or electric heat sources.
This plan is designed for both residential and commercial use.

Cons

There have been reports that this carbon steel pan warps over time.

3. Blanc Creatives 9-Inch Carbon Steel Skillet

KEY FEATURES

Great for the oven, electric or gas stovetop
Seasoned and ready to use right out of the box
Non stick surface

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This carbon steel skillet comes with a heavier price tag compared to other options, but it’s made completely by hand and in-house. It’s built to last for generations, while maintaining its quality and effectiveness.

It’s great when making eggs, meats, fish, or really any sort of food. The handle only contains two points of rivets, helping to slow any drastic changes in the temperature, while evenly disturbing the heat throughout the pan.

This is a smaller sized pan, meant for flipping and tossing food without the need for a spatula or other kitchen utensils.

Pros

This pan is made completely from high-quality, durable steel.
It has a 6-inch flat cooking surface, which allows food to cook evenly on every side.
The base of the pan is thick, helping to maintain heat, whether at a high or low temperature.
The handle is quite long which can be seen as a safety precaution but also helps when flipping certain foods.

Cons

This item is expensive.

4. De Buyer Mineral B Round Carbon Steel Fry Pan

KEY FEATURES

100-Percent Natural and 99-Percent Pure Iron. Care - deglaze and Do not use detergents
Bee Wax was discovered by deBuyer as a by-product in nature to help protect these pans against oxidation and assist in seasoning
Product has two handles.

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This mineral B frying pan is made from 100% natural material; no chemicals are added to the nonstick coating. It’s an authentic product that does a great job of cooking all sorts of meals.

This pan is even handmade in the De Buyer factory located in France. Each pan is designed to withstand high-temperature settings, while properly searing foods on each and every side. It can contain heat quite well, which will be a helpful aid during the cooking process.

The high, even heat helps to preserve the natural minerals and vitamins in food. It’s a healthy method of cooking certain dishes, as you won’t have to drench the surface in a cooking spray or high-fat oil because of the natural nonstick layer.

Pros

The more you use this pan, the more nonstick it becomes. With other pan-types, the opposite effect actually takes hold.
The pan is free of any PTFE and PFOA.
The surface has a natural beeswax finish.
The rivets are thoughtfully placed, preventing them from loosening over time. They will even expand as the pan does from heat.
It is warp-resistant and can be used in induction-based heat.
The handle is curved to allow for an easy grip and steady balance when lifting.

Cons

There is no warranty with this product.

5. MageFesa Carbon Steel Paella Pan

KEY FEATURES

Carbon on Steel
Long life & Easy to clean.
Suitable for alimentary firewood, gas & oven. Also Available in different sizes.

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This pan was specifically designed to cook paella, but it can actually be used on other food types as well. It’s made by a Spanish cookware company, who specializes in developing quality pans in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and features.

This pan, in particular, comes with either a 13-inch diameter or 9-inch diameter cooking surface. The bottom of the pan is dimpled, which allows for food to get crisper and crunchier. It even has two handles, which makes it easy to move throughout the kitchen when adding additional ingredients. This pan can simplify the overall cooking experience.

Pros

This product is built with a traditional design, just as cooking professionals prefer.
The double-handle makes this product easy to use and maneuver throughout the cooking process.
It comes in a few different sizes, helping to accommodate the number of people you’re cooking for.

Cons

While the double handle feature makes this product easy to use, it also poses some trouble when storing, especially if you have limited space.
This carbon steel pan cannot be put in the dishwasher and must be carefully hand-washed with select, gentle cleaning products and utensils.

Conclusion

Because of the natural, non-stick surface, this pan does an amazing job of distributing heat throughout its entire body. Even with its high-heat capabilities, the carbon steel will not get damaged or warped in any way, for a long period of time that is. It’s practically indestructible.

Additionally, a carbon steel material can be used on a variety of heat sources, from a convection stovetop to inside an oven. It’s very flexible in that respect.

It’s quite similar to cast iron, another durable cooking aid, in that both are composed of carbon and iron. The difference lies in the percentage of each material used to construct the pan. All-in-all, they’re both highly durable products that are commonly used in intense, restaurant settings.