Top 15 Best Carbon Steel Pans in 2024
Alex Mata May 11, 2024 5:43 PM
We tested 5 of The Best Carbon Steel Pans for use in restaurants and at home over the course of eight weeks while sautéing, baking, deep frying, searing, and boiling a variety of meals to determine the best ones for your kitchen.
Overviews
Cast Iron Pans have long been a common kitchen staple, despite the current rise in popularity of carbon steel pans among professional cooks worldwide. Compared to stainless steel or aluminum, carbon steel is more heat-resistant and can withstand higher temperatures.
After being seasoned, carbon steel will provide you with a nonstick surface that won't be scratched by metal cooking utensils. Carbon steel requires constant maintenance to retain its seasoning, just like cast iron, but when done properly, it will last for a very long time.
Look through our list of below top products to see which ones are best for you.
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Best Overall: Made In Cookware - 12" Blue Carbon Steel Frying Pan
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Best Value: Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Fry Pan (8 5/8)
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Best Purchased Product: De Buyer MINERAL B Carbon Steel Crepe
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Best Value Product: De Buyer MINERAL B Carbon Steel Fry Pan - 12.5”
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Best Affordable Product: Joyce Chen 22-9938, Pro Chef 14 Inch 10 Piece
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Most Sustainable: OXO Obsidian Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel, 12" Wok Pan
Material
Cast iron and carbon steel are frequently compared because of their many similarities in terms of tenacity and adaptability. The distinction between cast iron and carbon steel is that cast iron has between 2 and 3.5 percent carbon, whereas carbon steel only contains 2 percent. Both are created from alloys that contain iron. As a result, carbon steel is fairly flexible and may be stretched, hammered, and shaped. Due to its iron component, carbon steel can be used on induction cooktops, and with time, the flat surface will develop a patina that makes it inherently nonstick.
Weight
A 12-inch Lodge cast iron skillet weighs about eight pounds, compared to less than five pounds for a 12-inch Lodge carbon steel pan. Pans made of carbon steel are substantially lighter than those made of cast iron. If moving heavy cast iron cookware in and out of storage is a problem, this is a great option.
Construction
A metal sheet is typically heated, pressed, and molded into the proper shape to create carbon steel cookware. A normal pan can be 2 mm to 3 mm thick, with 3 mm being thicker and more comparable to a cast iron pan. Handles are frequently forged separately and riveted together, in contrast, to cast iron, which is made of a single piece.
Heating Capacity
Most carbon steel pan makers can withstand temperatures of up to 800 degrees, however, others can withstand temperatures as high as 1200 degrees. For routine use on the stove and in the oven, this is more than adequate, but some cooking techniques require pans that can endure even the most intense cooking fires.
Versatility
You can bake in the pan or, if necessary, finish a dish under the broiler because carbon steel is oven-safe. Carbon steel can be used to prepare braises and sauces, but heating acidic foods may cause a reaction that stains the surface or starts to wear down the seasoning of the pan.
Brands
- Lodge: As the oldest and most reputable cast iron manufacturer in the United States, Lodge has built a solid reputation thanks to its wide assortment of affordably priced cookware made of cast iron. From the limited selection of carbon steel items offered by Lodge, a skillet and paella pan can be used both indoors on a cooktop and outside on a grill or campfire.
- De Buyer: For almost 200 years, De Buyer has been the leading producer of cookware and kitchenware in France. By producing one-of-a-kind, heirloom-caliber products that are made to last, from the well-known "Mineral B" carbon steel fry pan to Prima Matera induction-compatible copper cookware, it upholds France's culinary heritage.
- Made In: In September 2018, this Austin-based business unveiled its line of premium stainless steel cookware intended for domestic usage. Products made of carbon steel, copper, and nonstick are now available. Additionally, these premium products can be found in the renowned Michelin-starred kitchens of Grant Achtaz's Alinea and Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin.
Mauviel
This venerable company was founded in 1830 and is located in Normandy, France. It is well-recognized for its upscale copper cookware and specialist copper bakeware. In addition to its standard copper line, Mauviel also makes more goods in aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel. The company's collection of carbon steel components, branded as M'Steel, are created to the same exacting standards as its professional-grade copper products.
Maintenance
If you already know how to maintain cast iron, you can care for carbon steel right away. Like with cast iron, carbon steel shouldn't be washed with dish soap or put in the dishwasher because doing so will remove the seasoning. Once the oil has been wiped away with a paper towel, your pan is prepared for storage.
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Last update on 2024-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. What is the proper way to season a carbon steel pan?
Remove any protective coating from a carbon steel pan before seasoning it; many pans have a layer of beeswax to protect the surface during shipping. Dry the surface, spread a thin coating of oil or fat over it, and bake the pan at 300 degrees for an hour. Remove from the stovetop, then dab any leftover oil with a paper towel.
2. How often should you re-season a carbon steel pan?
You should re-season your pan if it shows any signs of rust or feels like it has a buildup of old food. If you ever wish to "start again," remove any roughness by scrubbing the surface with an abrasive sponge (or heat the pan just a little before cleaning with a salt-and-oil mixture), then repeat the seasoning method. Normally, your pan will continue to develop seasoning with use.