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Carbon steel skillets are a go-to choice for a significant portion of the culinary community. They are the best alternative to a wide variety of other cooking utensils, such as omelet pans, springform pans, and crepe pans.
This is due to the fact that they are equipped with a number of characteristics that make them ideal for frying, searing, and sautéing.
If you’re looking for a non-stick alternative to Teflon or other non-stick coatings, the finest carbon steel skillet is your best bet. Teflon pans are also quite useful, but it is important to keep in mind that they are not the healthiest choice.
Skillets made of carbon steel are able to resist high temperatures without deteriorating and posing a threat to the user’s health.
Skillets made of carbon steel have a devoted following for a number of reasons, including their cost and long-term sturdiness.
Your time spent in the kitchen will be much less stressful and more enjoyable if you have a trustworthy skillet made of carbon steel on hand.
Today, we looked at three carbon steel skillets and discussed how pleased we were with each after putting them through their paces.
You will learn our advice as well as our analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of each option as you continue reading this paragraph.
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1 – Matfer Bourgeat 62005 frying pan
If you want the best skillet made of carbon steel, this is the one you should choose. It’s ranked number one.
In addition to this, it is constructed out of steel, which contributes to its dependability and longevity.
One of the material’s many beneficial properties is that it disperses heat in a highly uniform manner.
Using this skillet, you can have a wonderful time preparing all of your go-to meals.
In addition to this, it is suitable for use with any kind of hob, including induction cook tops.
Because the strip handle on this pan is so lengthy, it is able to remain cold even while you are using it. This skillet is made of carbon steel, and it has a wonderful overall quality; we had a lot of fun using it.
It’s a terrific bargain that this pan is available in such a broad selection of sizes, ranging from 8.5 inches all the way up to 17.3 inches. These pans vary in height from 1.1 inches all the way up to 3.4 inches in height.
Before you use the skillet for the first time, just as with any other carbon steel skillet, it needs to be seasoned.
You also have the option of seasoning it on a regular basis in order to make it non-stick. In addition, carrying out these steps will make the skillet more long-lasting.
PROS
- Black steel substance – good quality
- Compatible with all hob types
- The long handle is designed for both ease and security.
CONS
- The cost is a little bit excessive.
- There is a warping problem with several of the units.
2 – Lodge CRS10 Carbon Steel Skillet
This skillet is made by Lodge, a very well-known brand, and it’s made of carbon steel.
We did not anticipate anything less than outstanding, and our expectations were amply fulfilled.
The first thing that strikes you about this frying pan is how durable it seems to be.
It is composed of carbon steel that has a gauge of 12, and it is durable enough to survive significant abuse.
Not only does the skillet heat up quite rapidly, but it also keeps heat extremely evenly and distributes it very evenly as well.
The skillet may be used on any kind of stove or cooking surface, even open flames, and it will perform adequately. Because the handles are so much longer than average, you won’t have any trouble getting it too hot.
As with any other carbon steel skillet, you will need to season this one as well. However, this shouldn’t provide too much of a challenge for you.
The surface of the pan will eventually become smooth if it is used often enough. To get the most life out of it, you should hand wash it whenever possible.
You are able to utilize spatulas made of metal as well as those made of wood with this skillet, which is yet another advantageous characteristic of this cooking utensil.
PROS
- Its heavy-duty build ensures that it can withstand repeated uses.
- Very versatile for cooking
- Compatible with any kind of surface for cooking
CONS
- The amount of space in the pan that may be used is insufficient.
3 – Matfer Bourgeat 062003 Black Steel Round Frying Pan
This is another another high-quality skillet made of carbon steel. This skillet by Matfer is made of carbon steel and has everything you might want in a frying pan.
The heavy-duty construction of the pan’s plate is accomplished with the use of black steel.
Because of the remarkable way in which heat is distributed, we have placed it at the very top of the list.
The pan may be used on any kind of stovetop, including induction cooktops, thanks to its universal compatibility.
The diameter of the pan is ten inches, and its depth is two inches. The pan has an excellent strip handle, which is another nice feature.
Because it is so exceptionally long, it will not become too hot throughout the cooking process.
Before it can be used for the first time, the pan has to be seasoned, as is typical for most skillets made of carbon steel.
On the other hand, the procedure is not very difficult. You shouldn’t run into any problems if you follow the instructions that were given to you at the time of purchase.
In general, this pan is simple yet has a high degree of efficiency. It produces excellent cooking, which is the primary concern of ours. And there is just no higher praise we can give it.
PROS
- Heavy-duty baking dish
- Compatible with each and every kind of stovetop.
- A lengthy handle for the sake of convenience.
- Extremely simple to clean up.
CONS
- The cost is a little bit excessive.
- It is not easy to maintain the seasoning.
The Verdict
If you are a chef of any degree, you absolutely must have a skillet made of carbon steel of a high grade in your arsenal. This multipurpose implement makes it possible to prepare practically any dish imaginable. This sort of pan is versatile enough to be used for frying, roasting, braising, simmering, and almost any other cooking method.
In comparison to the other three skillets made of carbon steel that we have on our list, the Matfer Bourgeat 62005 frying pan stands out as the one that offers the best value both in terms of its quality and its cost.
FAQs
Is blue or black carbon steel better?
Both carbon steel and blue carbon steel are capable of withstanding very high temperatures and producing flawless sears. On the other hand, carbon steel that has been through the annealing process is referred to as “Blue.” As a direct consequence of this, Blue Carbon Steel has a level of corrosion resistance that is marginally superior to that of standard Carbon Steel.
How thick should carbon steel pans be?
A crepe pan made of carbon steel will have a thickness of roughly 1 millimeter (1/16 inch). It heats up really quickly but does not hold on to the heat. The thickness of the majority of pans ranges from 2 millimeters to 3 millimeters (up to 1/8 inch). The thicker variants provide a level of heat retention that is almost on par with that of cast iron.
What is the best oil to season a carbon steel pan with?
When seasoning and cooking with carbon steel pans, use an oil that is neutral in flavor and has a smoke point in the middle range. Canola oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, maize oil, and vegetable oil are some of the oils that fall within this category. It is best to steer clear of cooking oils that have a high smoke point since carbon steel cookware warms up extremely rapidly and may cause the oil to smoke.
Which carbon steel is best?
4 Best Carbon Steel Pans, Tested by Food Network Kitchen
- Best Overall Carbon Steel Pan: Merten and Storck Carbon Steel Pan.
- Best Value: OXO Carbon Steel Obsidian Pan.
- Best Splurge: de Buyer Carbon Steel Pan.
- Best for Searing: BK Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Pan.