Most Recognized 9 Best Carbon Steel Pans In 2023

Carbon steel pans are unique in the way they can mimic both cast iron and nonstick skillets. This cast iron is lightweight and warms up quickly, however, unlike typical cast iron. You will find it easy to accept carbon steel into your family of cookware if you’re used to casting iron. Once properly seasoned, it becomes nonstick-and this becomes increasingly true with time. Cooks both professional and home alike use this pot’s high heat retention for searing, frying, sautéing, and even baking a wide range of dishes, from steaks and tofu to the silkiest scrambled eggs.

A partner and chef at Washington’s The Red Hen and All-Purpose, Mike Friedman swears by this type of cookware, claiming he uses it almost exclusively when it comes to preparing food. In spite of their increasing popularity with US home cooks, their popularity still falls far behind that of stainless steel, aluminum, and cast iron.

Due to its mainstream status, the options seem to be endless. Check out our roundup of the best carbon steel pans in 2023, ranging from an affordable, pre-seasoned option under $30 to a perforated option perfect for the next cookout.

1. De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan

A De Buyer fry pan is available in six sizes to ensure that there is something for everyone. Each of these has a long, triple-riveted handle for added security. Additionally, this handle stays cool even when hot.

However, the pans that are larger come with a helper handle for both safety and comfort. This dishwasher-safe pan is free of both PTFE and PFOA, making it safe to use. Furthermore, Bee Wax has been added to its composition.

Using this chemical-free component, De Buyer pans are treated in order to prevent oxidation. The pan also helps in seasoning, so you can be certain that you will only find the best products here.

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2. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Pan

A carbon steel pan of this quality is constructed with 12 gauge carbon steel. As this is a thick gauge, it is very resistant and is an excellent choice if you want to use it in a commercial or domestic environment. All Lodge Seasoned products are also compatible with stovetops, so no worries there. Even induction cookers can use the seasoning.

This pan comes pre-seasoned for your convenience. We use natural soybean oil for our seasoning. As a result, you can use your Lodge pan as soon as it arrives.

A range of sizes for this carbon steel pan is available, including 8, 10, 12, and 15 inches. You can then choose one or a set of cards that fit your needs best. Additionally, you can feel safe using this pan since the handle is triple-riveted.

3. Matfer Bourgeat Carbon Steel Fry Pan

This pan is sure to meet your every need thanks to its ergonomic design and functionality. It’s even better since it’s available in nine sizes for maximum fit.

And it’s all stovetop compatible as well. This flat, magnetic base will make good contact with the gas stove even on induction. And while it’s the seasoning of it is almost for nothing, the use of this base is also very straightforward. As a result, it is pre-seasoned with non-stick before it leaves the factory to help it achieve this.

To achieve long-term durability, the Matfer Bourgeat is manufactured from thick gauge carbon steel. To ensure safety and durability, the ergonomic handle has a thick gauge for maximum durability.

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4. BK Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Frying Pan

Additionally, the BK Black Steel Skillet comes already seasoned, making it a good option for those who want a product that they can use right away. Although the frying pan comes with a silicone coating, you will have to remove it before use.

It’s hard to beat the BK Black Steel Skillet for an affordable price tag and high-quality carbon steel. Despite being priced at just over $50, this BK pan is considered to be one of the better options in this price range. Its outstanding nonstick coating also rivals that found on most other carbon steel pans. This is the perfect pan for electric stoves.

Additionally, the BK Black Steel Skillet comes already seasoned, making it a good option for those who want a product that they can use right away. Although the frying pan comes with a silicone coating, you will have to remove it before use.

5. Garcima Paella Carbo Steel Pan

An all-in-one pan with great design and multiple uses. That’s what Garcima’s team has gathered in one place and put up for you. A 15-inch skillet holds a lot while also allowing you to cook in smaller quantities. You get all stovetop compatibility from this pan.

Made with the best paella pan structure, you can cook anything you like with it. It can also be hung over the grill for cooking chicken, fish, and other meals. To make its versatility even greater, it is also oven-friendly.

To make carrying this product even easier, it features two handles. The handles are cool, so there’s no need to be concerned. Also, its nice design makes it a good table serving dish. One of its strongest points lies in its durability, which is due to its construction in commercial-grade carbon steel. A recipe book is included with the box. This will open your eyes to paella, among other things!

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6. Joyce Chen Non-Stick Carbon Steel Pan

When you look into a Chinese kitchen, you will likely see pans that are seasoned well at the bottom of the bowl, where the cooking occurs, and less seasoning towards the top. Carbon steel is one of the traditional materials for pans.

This pan is designed for home use and has a flat bottom so you can use it on any cooktop. You won’t have to worry about using a wok ring on your gas range. Using the long handle, you can conveniently hang the wok for storage or use the helper handle to move it around, even when cooking fried rice.

7. Mauviel Steel Fry Pan

By offering a lifetime warranty, you can be assured of the quality this pan provides. Considering that it is made of commercial-grade materials, it can last a lifetime or more. It is available in five different sizes to fit users’ needs, extending its functionality to everyone.

You can easily handle the Mauviel M’Steel thanks to its ergonomic handle. All three rivets are triple-riveted to make the handle durable. It is made of heavy gauge iron, which means that it will not bend or break. It’s compatible with anything stovetop-related – even the oven, for even greater versatility.

This steel pan also develops a natural non-stick that strengthens over time, as do other pans. Despite this, this one will not rust or oxidize, since it is coated in beeswax.

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8. Paderno Carbon Steel Frying Pan

A Paderno pan’s name suggests that it has a heavy-duty carbon steel construction. By using this gauge, it is very durable without sacrificing excellent heat conduction. Thanks to its thickness, it retains its shape even at very high temperatures.

It is also suitable for oven use, which makes this carbon steel pan very versatile. It has universal stovetop compatibility. Among the Paderno Heavy Duty’s 10 sizes are 10 different models. Each one of these has tri-riveted handles for your safety. Furthermore, the handle remains ever-cool to facilitate your comfort at all times.

9. MageFesa Carbon Steel Pan

Typical of carbon steel skillets, this skillet has a slightly larger diameter than the average frypan, as well as two large handles that make it easy to pick up and move. Furthermore, the pan comes with a dimpled bottom which provides the even heat distribution necessary to properly cook paella. You can also use it over a firewood fire.

Anyone from Valencia will tell you that cooking paella correctly requires a special type of pan. Paella is one of the most well-known dishes in Spanish cuisine. Traditionally, paella pans are meant for use on gas burner stoves, are shallow in-depth, and have sloping sides to ensure that rice cooks evenly and retains its flavor.

In most carbon steel skillets, however, all these requirements are not met, which means anyone hoping to cook this dish successfully will need to ensure they have the right pan. It is, fortunately, possible to make your own Spanish Paella using a high-quality and very affordable carbon steel pan made by the Spanish manufacturer MegaFesa.

Typical of carbon steel skillets, this skillet has a slightly larger diameter than the average frypan, as well as two large handles that make it easy to pick up and move. Furthermore, the pan comes with a dimpled bottom which provides the even heat distribution necessary to properly cook paella. You can also use it over a firewood fire.

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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