Carbon Steel pans are one of the best cookware to cook your foods in. Carbon steel is a great material for kitchen cookware because it heats quickly and evenly, making for perfectly cooked food without the need to constantly stir or flip it. The best carbon steel pans are those that heat evenly and release food easily.
Carbon is such a material that makes your pans less malleable, but carbon steel pans only have about 1% of it, which is why it is more malleable than cast iron! Any pan made out of carbon steel is lightweight and easy to lift and carry.
It also has a natural nonstick quality, meaning that you don’t have to use as much oil or butter when cooking, and your food will come out cleanly every time. In addition, carbon steel is a very durable material so your pan should last for years with proper care.
Plus, they’re relatively inexpensive compared to other types of pans on the market. In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at 10 of the best carbon steel pans on the market. We’ll be discussing their features, pros and cons, and overall performance.
The 10 Best Carbon Steel Pans In 2023
Contents
Best Overall: Lodge 12-Inch Carbon Steel Skillet
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Runner Up: Matfer Bourgeat Carbon Steel Pan
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Best Versatility: Misen Nonstick Frying Pan
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Best Saute Pan: BK Pre-Seasoned 12″ Frying Pan Skillet
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Best with High Sides: De Buyer Mineral B Fry Pan
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Best Hybrid: Made In Blue 10″ Carbon Steel Frying Pan
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Best Budget: Merten & Storck Carbon Steel Pan
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Best Durability: Uno Casa Carbon Steel Pan
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Best Wok: Joyce Chen 10 Piece Wok Set
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Best Frying Pan: Yosukata Carbon Steel Wok Pan
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Best Overall: Lodge 12-Inch Carbon Steel Skillet
The Lodge is one of the most popular brands on the market, renowned for its durable and well-made products. A Lodge carbon steel skillet is the perfect tool for any kitchen. It’s ideal for cooking up a quick meal or large feast. Whether you’re frying, sautéing, or baking, this versatile skillet will help you create delicious dishes that your family and friends will love.
It is made with 14 gauge carbon steel, this skillet heats quickly and evenly, making it perfect for cooking up your favorite meals. Plus, the sturdy construction ensures that this skillet will last for years to come. Plus, the natural finish means you can use it on any surface without worrying about scratches or damage.
Pros
- Distribute Heat Evenly
- Made With Durable Material
- Comfortable Grip
Cons
- Rough Surface
Runner Up, Best Overall: Matfer Bourgeat Carbon Steel Pan
Matfer Bourgeat brand pans are made with high-quality materials and construction. This durable pan is made of carbon steel, which conducts heat evenly and efficiently. Plus, it has a non-stick coating that makes cooking and clean-up a breeze. This top-of-the-line pan is perfect for anyone who wants the best in heat distribution and temperature control.
This handy tool is perfect for everything from sautéing to searing to frying, and it gives you plenty of options when it comes to cooking. Its angled design makes it ideal for searing and browning meat, vegetables, and more. Plus, its superior heat conductivity ensures even cooking.
Pros
- Solid Handle
- Gives Variety In Uses
- Easy To Clean
Cons
- Poor Quality Control
Best Versatility: Misen Nonstick Frying Pan
Misen nonstick frying pan has definitely made a difference in the quality of your cooking. This pan is fantastic for so many reasons – it heats evenly, and is easy to clean. It has been used for everything from frying eggs to making stir-fry. This nonstick pan comes with a 10-inch cooking surface. With its superior nonstick coating, you’ll be able to cook without the worry of sticking or burning.
Made with a special nonstick coating, this pan is great for cooking eggs, fish, and other sensitive ingredients. With its ergonomic stay-cool handle, it makes cooking a breeze while preventing accidental burns. Plus, its sleek design makes it a great addition to any kitchen.
Pros
- Valuable
- Attractive Design
- Ergonomic Design Handle
Cons
- Sticks Easily
Best Saute Pan: BK Pre-Seasoned 12″ Frying Pan Skillet
BK frying pan skillet is made of cast iron and comes with a pre-seasoned coating that promises to make cooking an effortless task. With its large size and flared sides, it’s great for cooking up a big batch of veggies. This premium skillet is made with durable construction, provides even heat distribution.
Plus, it comes with a comfortable grip handle for easy maneuvering. It’s also oven-safe up to 600F so you can easily bake or broil your food. Plus, the sleek design will look great in any kitchen. The black steel material is three times denser than traditional steel, making it durable and warp-resistant.
Pros
- Good Heat Distribution
- Easy To Clean Up
- Versatile
Cons
- Coating Is Not Long Lasting
Best with High Sides: De Buyer Mineral B Fry Pan
De Buyer mineral b fry pan is made with carbon and stainless steel, it offers the perfect balance of durability and cooking performance. The extra-thick base ensures even heat distribution, while the flared sides make it easy to toss and turn foods. And has a natural non-stick coating that makes it easy to clean. It conducts heat evenly and efficiently.
This pan features a beeswax finish that protects against oxidation, making it long-lasting. With a deep, sloped design, it’s great for frying, sautéing, and browning. This versatile pan is available in a variety of sizes, so you can easily find one that suits your needs.
Pros
- Heat Resistant
- Durable
- Synthetic Coating Free
Cons
- Rust Easily
Best Hybrid: Made In Blue 10″ Carbon Steel Frying Pan
Made In 10″ frying pan is made of carbon steel, which makes it tough and durable. It also has a non-stick coating, which makes cooking and cleaning a breeze. Plus, it comes with a silicone sleeve for extra protection. Plus, the 10-inch size makes it perfect for small or large meals.
This high-quality pan is oven safe up to 1200F, so it’s perfect for all your cooking needs. Plus, the carbon steel construction ensures even heat distribution and superb results every time. This pan has a unique handle design that is made for comfort and easy gripping.
Pros
- Fast Cooking
- Light Weighted
- Compatible For Indoor And Outdoor Uses
Cons
- Needs Seasoning
Best Budget: Merten & Storck Carbon Steel Pan
The Merten & Storck carbon steel pan is absolutely amazing. It’s lightweight and easy to handle, and it cooks food evenly and perfectly every time. Plus, it’s really easy to clean – even if it does start to rust a little bit. Plus, they’re dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze.
It is pre-seasoned. This premium pan is made from durable carbon steel and features a non-stick surface that makes cooking and cleanup a breeze. Plus, the pan is specially coated to prevent rusting, so you can enjoy years of use. This carbon steel pan is oven safe up to 600°F, so you can cook whatever you want however you want.
Pros
- Pre Seasoned
- Long Lasting
- Easy To Store With Hanging Hole
Cons
- Sticks Easily
Best Durability: Uno Casa Carbon Steel Pan
Uno Casa pan heats up quickly and cooks food evenly, making it perfect for everything from stir-frys to pancakes. Plus, the simple design means it’s easy to clean. Its specially treated blue surface bonds quickly with oil, delivering better cooking performance every time. Plus, its rust-resistant design means this pan will last long.
This pan is compatible with any cooktop, making it a perfect addition to your kitchen. With its superior durability, this pan is sure to make cooking a breeze. The long handle gives you plenty of leverage and protection from the heat. Plus, our stylish design will make your kitchen look great!
Pros
- Great Heat Retention
- Energy Efficient
- Long Handle
Cons
- Everything Sticks
Best Wok: Joyce Chen 10 Piece Wok Set
This Joyce Chen wok set is perfect for the home chef who loves to cook Chinese cuisine. This wok set is perfect for making delicious stir-fry dishes, and it comes with everything you need to get started. Plus, the non-stick coating makes cleanup a breeze. This set is affordable, durable, and heats up evenly.
This high-quality carbon steel wok is coated with a non-stick material, making it ideal for cooking at high temperatures. The set includes a lid, tempura rack, bamboo spatula, tongs, rice paddle, cooking chopsticks, 6 pairs of table chopsticks, steaming rack, and recipe booklet. The lighter weight makes it easier to maneuver, while the stronger construction ensures even heat distribution and prevents sticking.
Pros
- Easy To Hang
- Made With Quality Material
- Solid Handle
Cons
- Handle Rivets Must Be Strong
Best Frying Pan: Yosukata Carbon Steel Wok Pan
Yosukata carbon steel pan is specially designed for stir-frying and is perfect for those who want to create authentic Asian cuisine. With its large size and flat bottom, this will allow you to cook large portions or multiple dishes at once. Plus, they’re easy to clean and maintain. It’s easy to handle and store.
This is specially designed to lock the juice and flavor inside ingredients, so you can create delicious and nutritious meals with ease. It’s made from high-quality carbon steel and pre-seasoned at extremely high temperatures, so it’s ready to use. Plus, the curved design ensures even heating and prevents sticking.
Pros
- Smooth Grip
- Heavy Duty Construction
- Very Convenient To Carry
Cons
- Not Well Coated
Things You Need To Know About Carbon Steel Pans
Sure Carbon steel has a lot of benefits and is definitely a must-have in the kitchen. Here is a list of some other things that you must know about the pans made of Carbon Steel.
Carbon Steel pans are extremely compatible with all cooktops be it an oven, grill, or stove. They work well with even electric inductions and electric cooktops (since carbon steel is a ferromagnetic metal).
Carbon steel pans are also super-safe to cook in, especially if you’re a beginner who is skeptical. It is made of non-toxic materials, no other harmful chemicals, and coatings – just iron and carbon!
Even though Carbon steel has these advantages, it is better than before investing you know these too:-
Carbon steel pans require seasoning to make them non-stick and it also prevents cookware from getting rusted.
Also, carbon steel cookware can get rust and may also discolor. Rust happens because carbon steel is such an alloy that does not contain chromium enough to form a rust-free layer.
One thing more is that Carbon Steel pans contain handles that can get pretty hot sometimes.
What To Look For In A Carbon Steel Cookware?
Price
The prices of a carbon steel pan are not that high, and you should really have a look at the price you’re paying to make the purchase worth it.
In short, they are an affordable piece of thing your kitchen should have. Many times we see people being in a dilemma because they don’t want to spend a huge dollar but also want a good utensil, carbon steel pans are just perfect for them!Heating Capacity
A good carbon steel pan must have a good heating capacity and must be able to heat the pan enough for a sound cooking experience.
Carbon steel pans can also bear high heat for periods to cook anything longer. Most carbon steel pans can bear up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit heat, so always check the heat tolerance level of the pan you’re buying.
Also, these take significantly less time to heat than the others. It is always advised to let the pan cool before cleaning, and with carbon steel pans, you don’t have to wait long as the heat cools down fast compared to others!
Having said that, you might want to note that cleaning a carbon steel pan is comparatively easy.Material
The carbon steel pans are extremely safe to use, they are made without any toxins like BPA. Coming to the material of the base, the base is made of carbon and iron, which makes it durable and at the same time very malleable in comparison to the rest.
Construction
A carbon steel pan is constructed with 99% iron and only 1% carbon. Since it contains only a little carbon, that is, the construction is made with great care to give it lighter weight, and a smooth and less brittle surface.
Weight
If you have seen other pans, you might have an idea about how heavy they are. In the process of making a cooking pan durable, the amount of heavy metals that are put into it makes a pan extremely heavy and not so easy to use. Carbon pans, on the other hand, don’t face this issue. They are extremely lightweight to carry or lift. They have a thickness of about 2mm – 3mm.
Versatility
Carbon Steel pans are known for their versatility! They can be used for cooking a variety of things, starting from grilled chicken to just a simple dish like smashed eggs. Check whether the pan you’re buying is versatile enough. If you are looking for a pan that can be of a rounder purpose, go for a carbon steel pan.
Warranty
Never ever buy a cookware piece or set without a warranty. Always check whether they come with a warranty or not. Cooking pans are an investment you make for a longer period so warranties and guarantees are extremely important for their long-lasting usage!
FAQs
How Do You Get The Rust Off A Carbon Steel Pan?
Rusting is another major problem that you have to face if you’re buying a carbon steel pan. It needs seasoning, for the surface to not discolor and rust. Rust occurs when the surface comes into contact with moisture and reacts with oxygen. To remove the rust off the pan, scrub and scrub with a scrubber, let it stay for some time, and season it again.
To season the pan, in short, you have to keep the pan on high flame, put oil in it and take the pan down after a few moments. You can then wipe the oil off and your pan is seasoned! Seasoning is a very commonly used method to remove the rusting.How Do You Season A Carbon Steel Pan?
A carbon steel pan needs to be seasoned in order for it to be non-stick and avoid rust and discoloration. Seasoning prevents a pan from rusting and makes it a long-lasting one to use. It is no big deal to season a pan, it takes just a few minutes! To season your pan, here are a few steps to follow-
- First, you need to put the pan on the cooktop till it starts getting hot.
- Once the pan starts to turn brown and gives a smoke, add some oil.
- Spread the oil evenly throughout the pan with a cloth or spatula.
- Increase the heat level and remove the pan after some time.
- Wipe out the excess oil that has stayed once it is cooled.
That’s it, your carbo pan is now seasoned!
Can You Use A Carbon Steel Pan On Any Cooktop?
Yes, a carbon steel pan is very very versatile and can be used on any kind of cooktop like electric, gas, inductions, grills, and many more.
How To Re-season A Carbon Steel Pan?
You know it is time to re-season your carbon steel pans if they start to discolor or rust starts getting into them. Also, if you find your food sticking to the pan, know that it needs seasoning again. First, scrub the surface with a sponge or you can heat the pan and scrub with oil. Once this is done, you can go ahead with the seasoning process again which is just mentioned above!
Can You Use A Carbon Steel Pan On An Induction Stove?
Yes, like we just mentioned above, a carbon pan can be used anywhere you like. It is super versatile, which is why it is worth investing in a carbon steel pan rather than investing in multiple other pans for different usages.
How Do You Get The Coating Off A New Carbon Steel Pan?
To get the coating off the pan, take hot water and soap. Start scrubbing your pan with copper wire as it minimizes the chances of scratches. If the coating is still not removed, then let it stay again in hot water and repeat the process again.
Conclusion
We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best carbon steel pans based on our personal experience and reviews from other consumers. Each of these pans is made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, so you can be sure they’ll last for years to come. So if you’re looking for a durable, versatile pan that will last a lifetime, check out one of these top-rated carbon steel pans.