Table of Contents
- 11 Best Carbon-Steel Skillets You Can Trust
- How to choose the best carbon steel skillet?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Steel Skillets
Whether you are looking to buy a single cookware item or revamp your kitchen, it’s always a good idea to know what items deserve a space in your house. There is a lot of hearsay about Carbon steel pans and cast-iron items in the market.
While both are excellent choices and getting them home has its perks, they each have their respective share pros and cons too. If you want to buy a best carbon steel pan or are even remotely interested to know why you should be considering them over other pans, then read along to make an informative decision.
It is no secret that De Buyer coats its pans with beeswax to protect them from oxidation. Interestingly, this also acts as a seasoning for their carbon steel pans.
Every professional out there has a soft corner for these pans because of their durability and ease of cooking. Not only are these the best carbon steel frying pans in the market they also retain the minerals and vitamins in the food and are toxic-free in nature. The handles are ergonomically designed and placed on both sides for ease of maneuvering.
Specifications:
- Size: 12.6 inch
- Item weight: 5.79
- pounds
Pros:
- Lighter than a cast iron pan.
- Heats up quickly and evenly.
- Convenient to clean and use.
Cons:
- Slightly high maintenance.
- Deglazing is required periodically.
Heavy-duty steel skillets are preferred by professionals because of their durability and excellent heat retention capabilities. Well, a seasoned carbon-steel skillet is a multipurpose tool. It can be used for braising, searing, baking, frying and so much more. If you are looking to invest in a single skillet then this one is the best carbon steel fry pan in our opinion! The handle is elevated at an angle to provide the ultimate cooking experience.
Specifications:
- Size: 12 inch
- Item weight: 4.1 pounds
Pros:
- Perfect for indoors and outdoors alike.
- Even Heating.
- Good for professional and residential cooking.
Cons:
- Has a grainy surface.
- Difficult to clean.
When it comes to food, traditional methods of cooking are trendy and also liked by many. This traditional Craft Wok pan is hand-beaten using traditional techniques by Chinese professionals! The wooden handle gives you the necessary grip required to maneuver a heavy pan such as this whilst also ensuring the excellent flavour of the food. Once the pan is seasoned, you can go ahead and cook your favourite dishes with ease.
Specifications:
- Size: 14 inch
- Item weight: 4.6 pounds
Pros:
- Recommended by professionals.
- Sturdy in nature.
- Hand-hammered to ensure perfection.
Cons:
- Quite heavy.
- Difficult to maintain.
- May potentially rust if not well-maintained.
If you are looking for a skillet that is a notch higher compared to the rest of the lot, then this black steel pan is the right way to go. It is highly durable and compatible with all kinds of cooking. The black carbon coating material is toxic-free and ensures even heating throughout the pan. The handle is welded directly onto the pan to increase its strength and promote ease of cooking.
Specifications:
- Size: 11.88 inch
- Item weight: 4.11 pounds
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Suitable for all kinds of meat.
- Extra black carbon coating.
Cons:
- Quite heavy.
- Difficult to maintain..
Every once in a while you come across utensils that are no less than gems and it is your duty to hold on to them no matter what, this carbon steel wok pan is one such beauty! Unlike other wok pans, this has a flat bottom and can be easily used on all kinds of kitchen tops, be it electric or gas. The printed hammered texture is absolutely gorgeous and along with the steel spatula and a wooden lid, this carbon steel pan is a one-stop solution for all your Asian cooking. The steel handle comes with a loop, so storage is not going to be a problem at all!
Specifications:
- Size: 12.5 inch
- Item weight: 5.37 pounds
Pros:
- Easy to clean and non-stick.
- Suitable for large families.
Cons:
- Required periodic seasoning.
- Heavy-weighted.
French cuisines are devoured all around the world. One reason for their excellent taste and flavour is the French cookware. These utensils get better and better with age and can be passed down as family heirlooms. After the ritualistic seasoning of carbon steel pans, they can be used for all kinds of cooking, from searing to frying and stirring. The carbon steel pan comes pre-seasoned with beeswax to protect it from rusting and the iron handle is sturdy and durable. Lastly, the skillet is a great conductor of heat, the black steel ensures that heat spreads evenly throughout the pan and also gives it a nonstick coating.
Specifications:
- Size: 11 inch
- Item weight: 1 pound
Pros:
- Easy to clean and non-stick.
- Light-weight and durable
Cons:
- May warp if not maintained well.
- Requires periodic seasoning.
Talking about pre-seasoned woks that are at par with traditional Chinese woks, this black steel wok is a must-have! The round-bottomed skillet is professional-grade, heavy-duty and works great on open-fire and gas. The seasoned carbon steel ensures that the flavours of the food stay intact and fresh. The wooden handle is welded directly into the pan for optimum handling of the utensil and easy maneuvering.
Specifications:
- Size: 14 inch
- Item weight: 3.88 pounds
Pros:
- Excellent for professionals.
- Greater longevity and durability.
Cons:
- Unsuitable for beginners.
- Slightly high maintenance.
Hand-hammered by craftsmen in China, this flat-bottomed carbon-steel wok is the ultimate Asian wok you need to cook all your Asian dishes. Conducive for gas and electric kitchen tops, the carbon steel pan has the superior heating capability and evenly sears, fries and heats veggies and all kinds of meat with ease. To manage the heavy body of the carbon steel pan, the handle is fastened to the wood directly with tightly fitted screws. Additionally, the flat bottom ensures that the contents of the pan do not spill or slip out during cooking.
Specifications:
- Size: 14 inch
- Item weight: 3.36 pounds
Pros:
- Suitable for professional and residential cooking.
- Designed by craftsmen using special techniques.
Cons:
- Heavy gauge body.
- Difficult to maneuver for beginners.
Anyone who loves cooking swears by De Buyer cookware. The utensils are top-grade and enhances the flavour of your food. This round country chef pan is perfect for searing meat and frying veggies, the depth of the skillet ensures that the oil does not spill out. It is well-known that De Buyers coats it’s utensils with beeswax to protect them from oxidation, so this pan also comes pre-seasoned which makes it super easy to sear or cook food. This is the best carbon steel pan there is and although it is not dishwasher safe, it can easily be washed with hot water and wiped with a cloth before storage.
Specifications:
- Size: 9.5 inch
- Item weight: 4.27 pounds
Pros:
- Maintenance is the same as cast-iron.
- Easy to use and store.
Cons:
- Slightly high maintenance.
- Heavy-weighted.
Light-weight wok pans are not a thing of the future anymore, they are here and function at power with the heavy-duty gauge works! This 12.5-inch pan is toxic-free, non-stick, hand-hammered to perfection using traditional Chinese methods and is perfect for a large family. Suitable for induction, electric and gas stoves alike this pan has a detachable vintage bakelite handle that is ergonomically designed for heating, searing, boiling and all kinds of cooking requirements. To add an element of surprise the non-stick carbon-steel skillet also comes with a wooden lid and spatula.
Specifications:
- Size: 12.5 inch
- Item weight: 5.64 pounds
Pros:
- The pricing is affordable.
- Non-stick and easy to use.
Cons:
- May potentially rust if not maintained well.
- Heavy-weighted.
Coming from the Dutch brand BK, which gave the world Dutch ovens and revolutionized the cookware industry, this nature carbon frying pan is a classic kitchen tool. Coated with a non-stick patina layer the light-weight skillet works on all heating sources and hence is suitable for all kinds of kitchen tops. The beechwood handle is designed to sear, fry and boil food items to perfection and for easy maneuvering of the pan. The maintenance and cleaning of the carbon steel pan are absolutely easy and hassle-free.
Specifications:
- Size: 12. inch
- Item weight: 3.09 pounds
Pros:
- Extremely light but sturdy and durable.
- Non-stick and easy to clean.
Cons:
- Material is thin.
- May rust if not well-maintained.
How to Choose The Best Carbon Steel Skillet?
Although carbon steel pans are fairly easy to manage, there are certain ways to choose the best one for you.
Shape and Size
Carbon steel pans come in multiple shapes, ranging from extremely flat to curved to curved with a flat bottom (the ones used for woks!) and so on. You need to know your purpose well before making a purchase. For example, if you were to sear or fry meat and regular veggies you could go in for a flat bottomed medium-sized pan. However, for Asian cooking wok style, curve-bottom pans are apt.
Seasoning
Carbon pans need to be seasoned prior to usage. Most pans today come pre-seasoned, however, after repeated usage these too need seasoning. Hence, it is better to use pans that can be seasoned easily.
Maintenance
Although carbon-steel pans are easier to maintain compared to cast-iron, they still need to be cared for. You need to wash it with a little hot water and very mild soap before cleaning and storing it. If you think you have that kind of patience and interest then carbon-steel is the way to go!
Frequently Asked Questions About Best The Carbon Steel Skillets:
Can Carbon Steel Skillet Be Used On A Glass Stove Top?
Definitely! Carbon steel can be used for glass stoves as well as for electric, gas and induction. Just like iron-cast skillets and other non-stick pans, carbon-steel is easy on maintenance and usage.
Conclusion
Carbon steel pans are an absolute bliss to use when it comes to searing and frying cooking items. On most occasions, it is used in place of iron-cast pans, as it is lighter and more versatile compared to iron-cast. Recommended for professional and residential cooking alike, carbon-steel evenly heats up, is durable and budget-friendly. Since carbon-steel pans get better with every seasoning, they often serve as family heirlooms and are passed on from one generation to the other.
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