May. 13, 2024
If you’re not yet cooking with carbon steel, you’re missing out. And if you’re already in the know, and you’re ready to upgrade to the best carbon-steel pan, you’ve come to the right place. We tested 16 popular and top-rated brands to find the best options for searing, roasting, sautéing, and moving seamlessly from stovetop to oven—whether you want to spend $40 or $300.
For more information, please visit imesh.
Carbon steel pans offer the best of both worlds between stainless steel and cast iron. They are composed of an iron-carbon alloy and need extra care and seasoning. With proper care, they become almost nonstick. Carbon steel works on various heat sources, including induction, and is usually more affordable than stainless-steel skillets. Properly maintained carbon-steel pans are versatile, performing a wide range of tasks from frying eggs to moving directly from stovetop to oven.
Professional chefs, especially in Europe, have long favored carbon-steel cookware. Yet American home cooks have yet to fully embrace this material. This should change, given its value and utility. Our top pick, a carbon-steel pan from German brand Merten & Storck, costs about half of what our favorite stainless steel pan does and a third of our top cast iron skillet. We even found an excellent budget option.
Carbon steel pans are incredibly versatile and can handle any task a cast-iron pan does—with some additional advantages.
Carbon-steel pans have a smoother, more uniform surface compared to cast iron. This allows for a more consistent sear on proteins and helps develop a natural nonstick coating with seasoning. However, they don't handle acidic foods well until well-seasoned.
While cast iron pans have straight sides suitable for shallow frying, carbon steel’s sloped sides make it better suited for sautéing and stir-frying.
Like cast iron, carbon steel works on multiple heat sources. Because it is thinner, it responds more quickly to changes in temperature but can warp if exposed to extreme temperature changes.
Carbon steel is lighter than cast iron, making it easier to maneuver. A typical 10-inch carbon steel skillet weighs about 3.5 pounds, lighter than a comparable cast-iron skillet weighing about five pounds.
This German-manufactured skillet came ready-to-use with minimal seasoning, and a fried egg easily slid off the surface on the first use. With moderately sloped sides, it's ideal for a variety of cooking tasks. The stainless steel handle remains cool even after prolonged exposure to heat, making it user-friendly. Also, it is one of the lightest pans tested, allowing easy maneuvering with a single hand.
There is little to dislike about this pan other than its appearance, which may not be as aesthetically pleasing as some other high-end options.
Oxo's carbon-steel pan stood out for not requiring additional seasoning out of the box. The removable silicone handle makes it easy to use on a hot stove. This pan heats evenly and costs $20 less than our top pick, making it a fantastic bargain.
The non-stick coating is slightly stickier compared to the Merten & Storck pan, and it has a slightly smaller cooking surface, but these minor issues don't detract from its excellent value.
The Sardel skillet requires initial seasoning but allows for more control over the process. The Italian-made pan darkens beautifully and performs well with tasks like browning chicken thighs and frying eggs. Although lightweight, it remains sturdy, and its ergonomic handle offers a comfortable grip.
While functional, the handle gets hot during cooking. Seasoning and maintenance may also be less convenient for some users.
The Smithey skillet is both high-performing and visually attractive, making it a great display piece. Despite the price, it’s an excellent investment, especially for experienced cooks. The skillet arrives beautifully seasoned, and its handle offers a comfortable grip. Additionally, the extra helper handle allows for easy maneuverability.
Are you interested in learning more about custom OEM carbon steel sauce pot? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
The main downside is the price, but the skillet is built to last generations, making it a worthwhile investment if within budget.
We selected popular and well-reviewed carbon-steel pans available online or in U.S. stores. We favored 10-inch pans, which are common in home kitchens, and conducted tests by frying eggs, browning chicken thighs, and timing how quickly each pan boiled water.
Pans requiring seasoning outperformed pre-seasoned ones and developed a rich patina quickly.
The slope of a pan's sides can affect the cooking surface area. Higher sloped sides often resulted in a reduced functional area, impacting the quality of searing.
Thin pans heated quickly but often scorched food, while thicker pans provided even heat distribution.
We assessed handle texture, length, and grip. Pans with shorter, thinner handles and a small grip divot performed best.
Like cast iron, carbon steel should be cleaned without soap. The ease of cleaning and maintaining seasoning were important factors in our assessments.
Misen’s skillet, a previous top pick, offers well-balanced weight and ergonomic design. It includes a removable silicone handle sleeve for added comfort. Although thicker than many other pans, it provides even coloring and excellent heat responsiveness, making it a strong contender.
Favored by professional chefs, this French-made pan offers significant heft and heat retention. The seasoning process is laborious, but the results are worth it. Low sides make it easy to transfer food to a plate.
Made of nitrated carbon steel, the KitchenAid Nitro is highly durable and rust-resistant. Though heavier, it provides fantastic heat performance and has an ergonomically-designed handle.
Want more information on Handcrafted custom cookware? Feel free to contact us.
If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!
All Comments ( 0 )