One of the benefits of carbon steel is that it performs like a cast iron pan without the added weight, so we wanted to make sure that each pan was easy to handle and maneuver. We assessed the weight and feel of each pan and how balanced it felt from handle to body. We also considered how hot or slippery each handle felt in our hands. But, if if you acquire a pan second-hand, or the one you bought doesn’t come with instructions, follow the steps I covered previously. Con: Not as Prevalent as Other Cookware Types Compared to copper, carbon steel is lighter. Copper has a higher density of 8.96g/cc, so unless its very thin copper cookware, it will be heavier than most carbon steel. It’s nice to put cookware into the dishwasher and let the machine do all the hard work. Unfortunately, carbon steel cookware is not dishwasher-safe.

Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Blini Pan, 4 3/4 Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Blini Pan, 4 3/4

As carbon steel skillets gain popularity among home cooks, more design options are becoming available. Made In's carbon steel skillet is shaped more like a traditional home skillet but has a flatter handle than their stainless steel pieces. The sides angle up from the bottom like traditional carbon steel, but the angle is a little gentler. (It's a nice pan, but it's overpriced).As the marketplace changes and more people discover the benefits of carbon steel, we expect to see more carbon steel cookware on the market, possibly entire sets. You can use it for many different recipes, ingredients, and cooking methods, but not all (more on that in a minute). Why a well-ventilated area? Because some free radicals are released during the seasoning process, and you should not breathe them in. If you already have a cast iron skillet, you won’t gain as many benefits. However, if you’re looking for a lighter version that’s easier to use and heats up faster, carbon steel is a great alternative.

Carbon Steel Cookware Pros and Cons (Complete List) - Prudent Carbon Steel Cookware Pros and Cons (Complete List) - Prudent

For example, the ICON 12-inch carbon steel pan can handle up to 800 degrees F, and the Made In carbon steel set is oven-safe up to 1200 degrees F. It’s versatile but reacts to acidic food, so you have to avoid cooking tomatoes, wine, vinegar, citrus, etc. You’ll likely have to scrub off eggs and any food that caramelizes. It’s also sensitive to acidic or abrasive ingredients. Most carbon steel pans are oven safe up to any temperature. However, if they have a silicone handle, they will have a lower rating and some (such as Viking) are rated to just 450F for reasons we don't understand.If you’re looking for a recommendation, you can’t go wrong with the Made In 12-inch frying pan for all the reasons I explain in my in-depth review of it. Prices of carbon steel pans are similar to a cast iron, but when comparing it to high-end stainless steel frying pans, they’re a fraction of the cost. Shape and cooking area: The shape of the pan will affect the cooking. A gentle slope to the sides makes it easier to shake and toss foods, and it keeps the pan open so that liquids will reduce easily. But sloped sides can eat into the flat cooking surface at the bottom of the pan. We've noted when pan on this list had a cooking surface that felt smaller, but some is up to personal preference and the kinds of foods you cook most.

Matfer Bourgeat USA Kitchen Utensils Products | Matfer Bourgeat USA Kitchen Utensils

While carbon steel as a metal is all stovetop compatible, not all carbon steel pans are. This is because some pans do not have a perfectly flat base or because they contain other materials that they have been combined or coated with. The same applies to oven compatibility. If you have a need for these features, then ensure that your carbon steel pan choice can offer them to you. Handle Carbon steel cookware doesn’t heat as evenly as stainless steel, it requires seasoning, it’s susceptible to rust, and it reacts to acidic food. Coat the entire inner surface of the high carbon steel with oil, lard or butter. Apply it with a barbecue brush that is designed to withstand high temperatures. In contrast, the Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet weighs 8 pounds, the Victoria 12-inch cast iron skillet weighs 6.7 pounds, and the Le Creuset 11.75-inch cast iron skillet weighs 6.8 pounds. If you look at the images above, you can see that the Matfer Bourgeat handle is low, rising just an inch or two above the pan. In fact, most carbon steel skillet handles are about this same height above the pan: between 1-3 inches.

As the pan gets use, the steel gets stronger and more resistant to warping. It may still warp after several uses, but the chances are less likely. When you’re cooking on the stove, the angle of the flame and the height and length of the handle will determine whether the handle gets hot and how hot it gets. Is the pan light enough to handle easily (or heavy enough for searing steaks, depending on your priority)?

Carbon Steel Pans - the rational kitchen The Best Carbon Steel Pans - the rational kitchen

HIGHLY COMPATIBLE & VERSATILE: Oven safe, excellent for high-heat cooking and compatible with all hob types, including induction Cost is the main reason we don't recommend it. Remember: all carbon steel pans provide essentially the same performance, so there's no reason to pay more for the same thing. But that’s where carbon steel cookware triumphs. It’s generally much lighter and, therefore, easier to use.

First Things First

She particularly loves all types of fusion cooking, mixing the best of different food cultures to make interesting and unique dishes.