As a kitchen staple, cast iron pans have been a long-standing favorite, but chefs around the world prefer carbon steel pans. Steel and carbon are in a slightly different proportion to this alloy than cast iron. In addition to performing nearly identically to cast iron, it is lighter, less brittle and smoother when used for cookware. Stainless steel or aluminum cannot withstand high temperatures and carbon steel can retain heat more efficiently.
Carbon steel becomes nonstick once seasoned, which makes it durable enough to handle metal cooking tools once it is seasoned. Carbon steel pans can be used for searing, frying, sautéing, and broiling on induction cooktops, grills, and campfires. If carbon steel is maintained properly, its seasoning will last a long time, but if it is handled correctly, it will last for years to come.
In addition to evaluating the design, heating capacity, cleaning ease, and other factors, at-home testers evaluated a number of top-rated carbon steel pans, helping you decide which is the right choice for you.
1. De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan
De Buyer fry pans come in six sizes to accommodate anyone’s needs. Each has a long triple-riveted handle for extra security. Additionally, the handle stays cool even when hot.
There is a helper handle on the larger pans, meaning that they are safe to use. These dishwasher safe pans are free of both PTFE and PFOA. Moreover, Bee Wax has been added to make them safer to use.
With this chemical-free component, De Buyer pans are treated to prevent oxidation. The pan also aids in seasoning, so you can be sure that your products are first-class.
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2. Lodge CRS12 Carbon Steel Pan
These pans are made from carbon steel 12 gauges thick. Due to its thick gauge, they are extremely strong, so they are ideal for both commercial and domestic use. All Lodge Seasoned products can also be used on stovetops, so you don’t have to worry about that either. The seasoning is compatible with induction cookers as well.
Having a Lodge pan preseasoned gives you the convenience of using it immediately after receiving it. We use natural soybean oil to season your Lodge pan.
These carbon steel pans come in a range of sizes, including 8, 10, 12, and 15 inches. You can choose from a selection of sizes that may suit your needs. Furthermore, the triple-riveted handle makes this pan sturdy and safe.
3. Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Fry Pan
Because of its ergonomic design and functionality, this pan is sure to meet your every need. It is also available in nine sizes so you can get the perfect fit every time.
The flat, magnetic base of this product is suitable for use on gas stovetops, but it is also compatible with induction stoves. Although the seasoning is almost for nothing, the use of this base is also very simple. Therefore, it is seasoned with non-stick before it leaves the factory to help it achieve this goal.
With its thick gauge carbon steel construction, the Matfer Bourgeat is designed for long-term durability. The ergonomic handle is designed for maximum durability and safety.
4. BK Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel 12″ Frying Pan
The BK Black Steel Skillet comes already seasoned, making it a good choice for those looking for a product they can start using right away. The skillet comes with a silicone coating, but you’ll have to remove it first.
For the price and quality of carbon steel, the BK Black Steel Skillet is hard to beat. At just over $50, this BK pan is considered one of the best options available in this price range. It has a nonstick coating that is better than that found on most carbon steel pans. The pan is ideal for electric stoves.
The BK Black Steel Skillet comes already seasoned, so it is a good option for users who wish to have the pan right away. However, you must remove the silicone coating before using the frying pan.
5. Garcima 15-Inch Carbon Steel Paella Pan
All-in-one pans with great design and multiple uses are what Garcima offers in a combination pan. This 15-inch skillet is ideal for entertaining and cooking small amounts. It is stovetop compatible.
A paella pan’s best feature is the ability to cook anything. It can be used to prepare chicken, fish, and other meals by hanging the pan over the grill. To make its versatility even greater, this pan can be used in the oven.
This product has two handles, so it’s easy to carry. The handles are cool, so you don’t have to worry about them. Besides its nice design, it’s also an excellent plate. Because the box is constructed of commercial-grade carbon steel, it is extremely durable. A recipe book is included with it, so you’ll learn about paella, among other things!
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6. JOYCE CHEN Classic Series 12-Inch Carbon Steel Nonstick Stir Fry Pan
You can find seasoned pans in a Chinese kitchen, where the cooking takes place at the bottom and is less seasoning at the top. Carbon steel is one of the traditional materials for pans in Chinese cooking.
Home-use pan with a flat bottom that’s perfect for any cooktop. It doesn’t require a wok ring to cook on gas ranges. The long handle makes it convenient to hang the wok for storage, or to use the helper handle to move it around, even when cooking fried rice.
7. Mauviel M’Steel Black Carbon Natural Nonstick Frying Pan
A lifetime warranty assures you that this pan is high-quality. Thanks to its commercial-grade construction, it can last a lifetime. It comes in five sizes to meet the needs of everyone, ensuring the product’s usability.
Despite its ergonomic handle, the Mauviel M’Steel is easy to handle. The handle is triple riveted, so it is durable, and it is made of heavy-gauge iron, so it won’t bend or break. Besides being compatible with everything stovetop-related, it can be used in the oven, making it even more versatile.
Since it’s built with steel, it also develops a natural non-stick that strengthens over time. Despite this, because it’s thickened with beeswax, it won’t rust or oxidize.
8. Paderno Heavy Duty Carbon Steel 8 Inch Frying Pan
The paderno pan is known for its heavy-duty carbon steel construction, which is very durable without compromising its excellent heat conduction. Its thick walls maintain its shape even at extremely high temperatures because of their thickness.
Carbon steel pans are also suitable for oven use, making them extremely versatile. In addition to having universal stovetop compatibility, there are ten different models of the Paderno Heavy Duty. Each one comes with tri-riveted handles that ensure your safety at all times. Furthermore, the handle remains ever-cool at all times to make you comfortable.
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9. MAGEFESA Carbon Steel paella Pan
This skillet has a slightly larger diameter than the average frypan and two large handles that make it easy to carry. In addition, the pan comes with a dimpled bottom that provides an even distribution of heat, which is essential for cooking paella properly. It can also be used on firewood.
If you’re from Valencia, you know how important it is to use a specific pan when cooking paella. Paella is a well-known dish in Spanish cooking. Paella pans are traditionally intended for use on gas burner stoves, are shallow, and have sloping sides so that the rice cooks evenly and retains its flavor.
Fortunately, most carbon steel skillets do not meet all of these requirements, so anyone wanting to cook this dish successfully needs to ensure they have the right pan. The Spanish manufacturer MegaFesa has a very affordable and high-quality carbon steel pan that you can use to make your own Spanish Paella.
Things Consider To Buy Carbon Steel Pans
Material
Several manufacturers take advantage of the benefits of other materials to coat their carbon steel pans. Check to ensure you are not purchasing a pan that contains harmful additives. Even though carbon steel pans are best left without coating to function at their best if you want to avoid the need to season them, buy an enameled carbon steel pan.
Your best bet is to buy one that’s been naturally seasoned. By doing so, you can enjoy it right out of the box.
Size
This is an important point to keep in mind. Make sure you choose the right size or group of sizes for your needs. Make sure you also look at the wall height of the pan. The diameter of two pans can be the same, but a pan with a taller wall will hold much more content.
Handle
To make this feature more comfortable, it needs to be ergonomic. It should also be cool and comfortable to enhance your comfort. A pan should also be fixed in place properly to support its weight.
When considering a larger frying pan, one with a helper handle is recommended. In light of their weight, frying pans with helper handles are both safe and most practical to use.
Stovetop Compatibility
Despite carbon steel being a metal that works on any stovetop, all carbon steel pans may not be. This is due to the fact that some pans don’t have perfectly flat bases or they have been coated with materials that have changed their composition. This is also true with regard to oven compatibility. Choose a carbon steel pan that can offer you these features, if you need them.
Maintenance
It is necessary to apply multiple layers of oil or grease at high temperatures to season a high-carbon steel pan. Depending on its quality, a carbon steel pan might last many years with minimal maintenance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can carbon steel pans be nonstick?
Unlike chemically coated pans, carbon steel pans develop a nearly nonstick surface with use, and do not need to be replaced every few years. While carbon steel pans have smooth cooking surfaces, they cannot compare to Teflon’s nonstick properties. Ceramic coatings and Teflon, considered a durable product, degrade over time and can’t be repaired.
Carbon steel pans are best for cooking?
A carbon steel pan is a good alternative to nonstick pans coated with chemicals, according to the founder of Fourneau cookware. It is ideal under the broiler as carbon steel is oil-seasoning, so you don’t have to worry about scraping Teflon with metal cooking tools, as it is oil-seasoning.
Most chefs say carbon steel performs like a wok because of the thin, seasoned steel used in most woks. In comparison with steel pans, cast iron pans are less responsive based on the thickness of the pan. You can fry eggs, scramble eggs, omelets, french toast, and stir fry with this stove.
Is there a way to season carbon steel pans?
As a result of adding oil to the pan surface and baking it, seasoning layers are formed. Oil crosses-links when heated and cures into a solid film. The flax, grape seed, and soy oils are hard, smooth layers of seasoning.
It is becoming increasingly common for carbon steel pans to be sold pre-seasoned, giving home cooks a solid foundation from which to build. Pans that have been pre-seasoned can often be used straight out of the box. If the seasoning is properly maintained, it will improve over time.
What is the best way to remove rust from a carbon steel pan?
As they are made from steel, they will rust when exposed to oxidized steel. Light rust can be removed with fine steel wool or a three-millimeter abrasive pad. Using a brush, rub off the rust and degrease the pan several times before washing and seasoning it. The pitting of steel surfaces can be removed with a wire brush if they become rusty.
Do you know how to clean a carbon steel pan?
When using carbon steel pans, it is necessary to hand wash them. Some surfaces can be cleaned with paper towels after light use. If a pan is heavily soiled, it should be free of stuck food bits and carbonized bits – these don’t contribute to seasoning. Scrubing with a bamboo scraper or chainmail scrubber is effective.
It is possible to clean most dishes with a sponge and a little light detergent. The pan should be dried after it has been cleaned. After the cooking surface has been oiled, rub a very thin layer of oil over the pan. Heat the pan on the stove on low heat until both sides are dry. It shouldn’t be stored wet.
