The Best Carbon Steel Skillet: Top Picks 2024
By, Katie FinnUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet, Pre-Seasoned, 12-inch
When you want a cookware set to last a lifetime, look no further than the Lodge 12-Inch Carbon Steel Skillet. With its pre-seasoned carbon steel construction, this skillet heats evenly and quickly for even cooking. The long, comfortable handle allows you to easily maneuver from stovetop to table. Read Review
2. Runner Up: Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Fry Pan (11 7/8)
Matfer Bourgeat's non-stick fry pan is carefully crafted from carbon steel, a natural mineral material that promotes healthy cooking and is free of any harsh coatings or chemicals. Once seasoned, it becomes exceedingly non-stick and allows for easy, healthy cooking with your favorite ingredients. Read Review
3. Best Easy To Clean: de Buyer - Mineral B Carbon Steel Omelette Pan
This wonderful nonstick pan is made from carbon steel, which is durable and easy to clean. It has a beeswax finish that protects against oxidation and has a natural nonstick coating once seasoned. This pan is designed for convection cooking, with a wide base for even heating. The de Buyer Omelette Pan will deliver excellent performance every time you cook. Read Review
4. Best Durable: Lodge Manufacturing Company Carbon Steel Skillet, Black/Orange
This carbon steel skillet features a durable, natural, easy-release finish that collects seasoning from use. The heavy-duty 12 gauge carbon steel is hand riveted with steel handles for durability and easy cleaning. This seasoned cast iron skillet can be used on the stovetop or over an open flame for searing, sauteing and roasting. With its unique silicone hot handle holder, this pan is safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Read Review
If you love cooking and have had an urge to own a set of high-quality skillets, forget about imitation pans. Instead, consider investing in some good quality carbon steel skillets. They are the best pan for any serious cook because they not only last long but are also very versatile too.
When it comes to choosing the right brand of skillet, you must be asking yourself: Are All Carbon Steel Pans The Same? Of course not! Different brands manufacture their products using different materials and coatings. This guide will help you determine which is the best brand of carbon steel pan and why. Keep reading to learn all about what distinguishes one from another and why you should choose one over the other when purchasing your next set of pans.
We think the product that comes highly recommended for best carbon steel skillet is Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet, Pre-Seasoned, 12-inch. In case you need more alternatives and more in-depth guidance, you may explore the following.
RELATED: Our best oven proof skillet comparison and reviews here. Take a close look at the following products for 2024. Don’t pay for any item before reading these reviews.
Our Top Picks
- 14 GAUGE CARBON STEEL heats quickly and retains heat for even cooking; best for searing and browning
- Use on gas, electric, induction stovetops, outdoor grills or open fire
- Made in USA; Approx. 12" diameter rim to rim/9.875" bottom
- Seasoned with oil for a natural, easy-release finish that improves with use. Its lightweight design and long, comfortable handle makes it easy to maneuver from the stove to the table
- Easy care: hand wash, dry immediately, rub with cooking oil
- VARIETY OF USES: Brings top-notch heat distribution and temperature control, preserving the vitamins and nutrients in your foods, making it excellent for searing meats, browning omelets, grilling fish, and cooking a wide range of dishes, even desserts
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: The steel handle is welded to pan's body for extra strength and security, is free of rivets, preventing bacteria from being trapped certifying sanitary use, and its angled design makes it ideal for easily sauteing, stirring, and mixing your dishes
- HIGHLY COMPATIBLE & VERSATILE: This steel pan can also withstand and maintain exceedingly high temperatures, as it can be used on all hob and stove types, even induction
- NATURAL NON-STICK MATERIAL: Made of of black carbon steel, a natural mineral material promoting healthy cooking making this pan free of any harsh chemicals or coatings, PTFE and PFOA free , and once seasoned, becomes exceedingly non-stick
- MADE IN FRANCE: Ensures high standards for durability, performance, and hygiene for both commercial and residential use
- About de Buyer: French maker of premium kitchen accessories, pastry equipment, and cooking utensils
- Nonstick Kitchen Essentials: Has natural nonstick once seasoned; Follow seasoning care instructions
- Made in France: Engineered and manufactured following the most stringent quality requirements
- Carbon Steel Pan: 99% iron and 1% carbon, slippery with better sear, without any synthetic coating
- The Darker The Better: Signature beeswax finish protects against oxidation
- Seasoned for a natural, easy-release finish that improves with use
- Heavy-duty 12 gauge carbon steel with steel riveted handles
- The right tool to sear, saute, grill, roast, fry; great for induction cooktops
- Silicone hot handle holder protects Hands from heat up to 500-degrees F; dishwasher safe
- NATURAL NON-STICK. Before first use, season the pan per manufacture recommendations. The pan will build up a natural nonstick property and darken overtime.
- MADE IN FRANCE. Made of extra thick black steel /carbon steel. Iron handles. Excellent heat conduction –ideal for searing.
- CAN BE USED ON ALL COOKING SURFACES. Gas, electric, induction, halogen stovetops, and in the oven.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE. Commercial grade durability withstands high temperature allowing for longer preheating and excellent searing capabilities.
- Pre-seasoned with oil, this pan comes with a thin silicone wax coating that’s much easier to remove than a thick layer of beeswax or grease, so it’s ready to use after a quick wash with soap.
- Designed to develop a natural nonstick patina layer, this is a pan for life. The more you use it, the better and more nonstick it becomes.
- Since 1851, BK is the Royal Founder of the Dutch oven and known throughout at the world for a heritage of innovation.
- Metal utensil safe, oven safe up to 600°F
- The heat-responsive design means you get the same great searing results as cast iron without the hassle.
- Black Steel is three times denser than aluminum, corrosion and stain resistant, as well as stronger and more durable than traditional grey carbon steel
- Lightweight and quick heating carbon steel delivers cast iron performance without the weight or the wait
- Oven safe up to 600°F
- Pre-seasoned, Merten & Storck Carbon develops a nonstick patina with use: the more you cook the more nonstick it gets
- Metal utensil safe
- Triple-riveted steel handle provides a sturdy grip, Given diameter is outer diameter
- 【ALL-IN-ONE DEEPER PAN 】Super versatile and absolutely beautiful. As it is deeper（1in deep than general pans）, the handy pan can braise, strain, sauté, fry, sear, steam, boil food, and more. Our all-in-one pan can replace your fry pan, sauté pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, nonstick pan, spatula, and spoon rest. The cast iron skillet has flat bottom , Margin deeper, Less likely to spill when cooking gourmet food.
- 【COMPATIBLE WITH ALL STOVE TOP 】The cooking essential can be used on all heat sources, including induction, gas, glass, and electric, and is oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Please note that the wooden handle needs to be removed before putting it in the oven.The pan is easy to disassemble without tools.
- 【HIGH QUALITY CARBON STEEL PAN 】Carbon steel wok is a durable pan that distributes heat evenly, allowing you to sear foods with less risk of burning. The carbon steel pans are very good at Thermal conductivity, Conducts heat quickly and evenly, retain heat longer, saves energy and time which allows it to be placed evenly over heat source.
- 【 100% SATISFACTION SERVICE 】WACETOG aims to offer you a worry-free shopping experience! And all the Iron Wok from WACETOG enjoys 60 days money back and lifetime technical support. If you have any dissatisfactions about this Carbon Steel Wok, here is a professional customer service team to help you.
- 【NON-STICK & EASY TO CLEAN 】The skillet is PFOA free for healthy diet cooking. A frying pan with a non-stick feature is a good choice as its non-stick coating reduces the risk of the food getting burnt, making it easy to clean , much healthier ! With more stable build and smoother surface than the cast iron skillet, carbon steel pan will appeal to you.
- 【EASY TO MANAGE & STORE 】WACETOG frying pan has a rounded, ergonomically solid wooden handle that's a pleasure to hold. The pan's sturdy stick handle and proper weight make it easy to maneuver when you're sautéing or transferring it from the stovetop to oven. The handle has a hanging ring, which can be hung on the wall easy storage.
- Double-Riveted Viking Signature Cast Iron Handles
- Naturally Stain & Scratch Resistant
- Heavy Gauge Blue Caron Steel Construction for Fast Heating, Superior Heat Transfer & Retention
- Made In France - Proudly crafted by artisans in France from premium metals to ensure you receive the highest-quality, professional-grade cookware
- The Ultimate Hybrid - Combines the heat retention and slick properties of cast iron with the heat control, lightness and cooking speed of Stainless Steel.
- Ready for Anything - From stovetop to grill to open flame, this induction compatible pan is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use
- Incredibly Durable - Can endure decades of use and handle heat up to 1200F
- Total Diameter: 10.25” | Cooking Surface Diameter: 7.5” | Height (with handle): 4.5” | Depth: 2” | Length (with handle): 19”
What to Look For in a best carbon steel skillet?
The best carbon steel skillet is influenced by a multitude of factors, including all those stated below. Depending on the sort of product, the learning process differs. We'll be ready to aid you and propose solutions since we're here to support you.
It's necessary to remember the following ones before selecting best carbon steel skillet:
Ease Of Use
Size
Heat Distribution
Cleaning
Materials
You should use enameled and bare cast-iron pans for high-heat cooking. They can heat up quickly and resist higher temperatures. Stainless steel can be used to create sauces or braise meats. You can clean nonstick pans easily, but it's important to note that they have a lower heat threshold than some other materials.
RELATED: Before we make some specific things, here is some information and explanation about best cooking skillet for your preference.
FAQs
What Is A Fully Clad Skillet?
If the pan's internal core, the part that heats, is fully clad, it covers both the bottom as well as the sides. They are usually more expensive than fully-clad ones, but the savings can be well-worth it. If the stainless steel skillets you have are prone to scorching around their edges, then they may not be fully clad.
What Can You Cook In A Stainless-steel Skillet?
You can't go wrong! These skillets, which are both heat-responsive and a good conductor of heat, are perfect for two types of stovetop cooking: sauteeing (or searing). The skillets' solid construction makes them great for roasting in an oven. It is best not to use them for cooking that involves a lot more liquids, such as braising.
Do Stainless Steel Skillets Warp?
An oven is less likely to be warp if its cladding is good. The thickness of 5-ply (or 7-ply) makes it less likely that a skillet will warp than 3-ply. America's Test Kitchen's stainless steel skillets induction wrought some warping, as we mentioned elsewhere, but this was not an issue for us with our top choices.
How Do You Clean A Cast Iron Or Carbon Steel Skillet?
Cast iron is very similar in materials and maintenance to carbon steel, so it's best to clean them both the same. Here's the quick summary: After letting your pan cool off, clean it with a brush or scrubber. After drying the skillet, apply a bit of oil to it and then heat the skillet on the stove. Use a cloth or towel to apply the oil to the inside of the skillet to retain the seasoning. Here are more instructions.
Can You Put A Skillet In The Oven?
In general, the answer is yes. You should check that the pan you purchased is safe for the oven. Also, make sure to note the heat limit. Carbon steel and cast iron are able to tolerate very high heat (600 degrees or more), while stainless steel (450 to 600 degrees) can usually withstand slightly lower temperatures. Nonstick, however, is typically in the lower temperature range (335 to 450 degrees depending on which nonstick coating) Refer to your manufacturer's instruction manual as a guide.
What's The Difference Between A Skillet, Frying Pan, And Sauté Pan?
It all depends on where you live and whom you ask. Although some people interchange the terms, they are almost identical. They have high-quality, straight sides (or slightly angled), and an enclosed lid that helps keep moisture and heat in the pan.
In everyday language, a frying pan is sometimes called a skillet. However, the lidless pans have flared, lower sides to allow you to access your food with a spatula. They also feature curved sides that make it easy for you to slide foods onto a plate, such as pancakes and omelets.
Overall, we will research and update new info for the list of best carbon steel skillet regularly. On a frequent basis, please check our websites for the latest changes and updates.
Aside from best carbon steel skillet, we can bail you up. If you want further support, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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