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The Spruce Eats / Chloe Jeong
The Made In Carbon Steel Frying Pan is awarded the spot for best overall. Our tester was pleased with how quickly it heated up and how lightweight it is in comparison to a cast iron pan. A solid budget-friendly option to try is the BK Cookware 12-Inch Black Carbon Steel Skillet for its above-average performance.
Cast iron pans have been a popular kitchen staple for years, but professional chefs around the world have come to love pans of a different material: carbon steel. This alloy is made from steel and carbon (just like cast iron) but in slightly different proportions. When used to create cookware, the result is a lighter, less brittle, smoother metal that performs almost exactly like cast iron. Compared to stainless steel or aluminum, carbon steel can withstand higher temperatures and are better at retaining heat.
Once carbon steel has been seasoned, it will give you a nonstick surface that stands up to metal cooking tools, so you won’t have to worry about scratches. You’ll be able to use a carbon steel pan for searing, frying, sautéing, and broiling on just about any cooktop, including induction, grills, and on a campfire. Like cast iron, carbon steel does require some mindful maintenance in order to retain its seasoning, but when it's properly cared for, it will last for the long haul.
To help you decide which one is perfect for your cookware collection, we researched top-rated carbon steel pans and sent several to our experienced at-home testers to evaluate their design, heating capacity, ease of cleaning, and more.
Best Overall
Made In Blue Carbon Steel Frying Pan
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Made In
Super-slick surface post-seasoning
Sloped sides make flipping food easy
Great depth for pan-frying
Heats up fast and evenly
Pricey
8-inch pan is only available unseasoned
The Made In company is making a name for itself with quality kitchen gear, so it’s no surprise that its blue carbon steel frying pan is a favorite. While the blue color is distinctive when the pan arrives, it darkens with additional seasoning and with more use, as it should. The sloped sides make it easy to flip food in the pan, and the arched handle offers a firm, balanced grip. A hanging hole on the handle makes it easy to hang the pan on a hook to keep it at hand.
Though it can ship unseasoned, we tested out the pre-seasoned option to save us time and energy. We found that the initial seasoning of the pan was spotty, but noticed an improvement in its nonstick quality with continued use and seasoning between cooking sessions. It heated up fast and even, which was most notable when used to sear a steak. Like all carbon steel pans, this does need some maintenance, but it wiped clean with just a paper towel.
The pre-seasoned version of this pan is available in both 10-inch and 12-inch diameters, while the smallest 8-inch version is only available unseasoned. Both options are also available as complete sets, and, if you're looking to replace cookware, you can ship your old stuff back to Made In for recycling. Lastly, all of Made In's cookware is backed with a lifetime warranty.
Price at time of publish: $100
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Oven Safe Temperature: 1200 degrees | Pre-Seasoned: No | Sizes Available: 8 inches, 10 inches, 12 inches | Weight: 2 pounds, 3 pounds, 4.31 pounds
"The food cooked evenly, and the pan did an impressive job when we seared a steak in a smoking hot pan." — Donna Currie, Product Tester
Runner Up, Best Overall
Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Fry Pan
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Wayfair
Available in multiple sizes
Heats evenly with no hot spots
Welded handle makes it easy to clean
Takes elbow grease to get beeswax coating off
This all-purpose pan by Matfer Bourgeat is made in France and is designed for commercial and home use. Constructed of unseasoned black carbon steel, you’ll have to first remove the beeswax coating, which will take some time and elbow grease, and then season it yourself. The steel handle is welded securely to the body of the pan, and since it does not have traditional rivets, it is easier to keep clean since there’s nowhere for food particles and residue to hide.
We loved how light this pan was compared to cast iron, and that it heated quickly and evenly with no hot spots. Seared chicken thighs easily browned and eggs didn't stick at all once the pan had been properly seasoned. The only issues arose when cooking sugary syrups, which resulted in some caramelization and left behind residue.
The angled sides make it suitable for a variety of uses, from stir-frying to sautéing, and you’ll be able to use this on just about any cooking surface, even induction. Be sure to wash the pan thoroughly with a bristle brush and mild dish detergent to remove the protective coating before first use.
Price at time of publish: $87
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The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
Oven Safe Temperature: 750+ degrees | Pre-Seasoned: No | Sizes Available: 8.63 inches, 9.75 inches, 10.4 inches, 11 inches, 11.88 inches, 12.63 inches, 14.13 inches, 15.75 inches, 17.75 inches | Weight: 2.12 pounds, 3.1 pounds, 3.1 pounds, 4.2 pounds, 4.11 pounds, 5.19 pounds, 6.14 pounds, 8.2 pounds, 9.8 pounds
"The pan heats rather quickly and distributes that heat evenly, with no hot spots. The pan also cooled off a lot faster, hence giving precise control when making the pan-fried fish where I wanted to start off with high heat, but then lower it to let the fish cook through." — Renu Dhar, Product Tester
Best Budget
BK Cookware 12-Inch Black Carbon Steel Skillet
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Sur La Table
Gets hot quickly
Well-balanced for easy maneuvering
Comfortable handle
Cast-iron handle is slightly heavy
Patina isn't even
If you’re not sure you’ll love cooking with carbon steel, this affordable 12-inch skillet is a good starter piece. It’s pre-seasoned, so you can use it right after giving it a preliminary wash to remove the protective wax and it’s a nice size for searing a few small chops for dinner. The handle is coated cast iron, and shaped to give you a comfortable hand-hold while you cook.
We found that it was amazingly nonstick on arrival, that the pan was well-balanced, and allowed our tester to flip food in the pan while cooking. It shined in every test from cooking eggs to baking biscuits in a hot oven (where she was sure it was sticking). At this price point, it's a solid started piece for an initial foray into carbon steel cookware.
Price at time of publish: $60
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Oven Safe Temperature: 600 degrees | Pre-Seasoned: Yes | Sizes Available: 10 inches, 11 inches, 12 inches | Weight: 3.13 pounds, 3.43 pounds, 3.79 pounds
"While cast iron gets more and more nonstick with extra seasoning and continued use, this pan was amazingly nonstick right away." — Donna Currie, Product Tester
Best with High Sides
De Buyer Mineral B Fry Pan
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Amazon
Long handle that stays cool
Helper handle for easy maneuvering
Good for high-heat and low-heat cooking
Seasoning video available (in French)
Enamel-coated handle limits oven use
Poorly balanced and heavy
This pan straddles the line between a low-sided frying pan and a wok, with medium-high sides that will keep your food contained when you’re stir-frying, yet it won’t eat up storage space. This pick is made in France and comes with a beeswax coating that protects the metal as the pan travels from the manufacturer to your door.
The pan has a long, ergonomic handle that is securely riveted to the pan's body, to help you toss the ingredients as you cook and easily hang the pan when it's not in use. Out of the box, we found this pan slightly heavy and unbalanced, and often had to grab the handle with both hands while cooking. It did heat quickly and extremely evenly, whether the heat was high or low. For the most part, food slid right out of the pan, but there were a few instances of sticking. The pan did come clean though with a hot water rinse.
Our tester noted that it is oven limited—because of the epoxy coating on the handle, you can only use this pan in the oven for a maximum of 20 minutes at 400 degrees. For those who want a truly ovenproof version, the de Buyer Mineral B Pro is equipped with a cast stainless steel handle so it can handle longer stints in the oven.
Price at time of publish: $48
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Oven Safe Temperature: 400 degrees | Pre-Seasoned: Yes | Sizes Available: 8 inches, 9.5 inches, 10.25 inches, 11 inches, 12.5 inches, 14 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds, 3 pounds, 4.2 pounds, 4.8 pounds, 5.8 pounds, 7,8 pounds
"This pan acts much like cast iron, although it heats a bit faster thanks to being a little thinner than most cast iron pans." — Donna Currie, Product Tester
Best Crepe Pan
De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe & Tortilla Pan
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Amazon
Solid construction
Securely riveted handles
Works great for omelettes and pancakes as well as crepes
Protective beeswax coating can be challenging to remove
Handle can get hot if pan is in use for a long time
Made in France by a well-known, premium cookware company, this crepe pan comes with a protective beeswax coating that should be removed before seasoning the pan. Once it is seasoned, it provides a wonderfully nonstick surface and even heating to make crepes, pancakes, and omelets with minimal oil.
When we tested it out, the pan heated very quickly and needed to be used at a lower flame than expected, as its heat conductivity was almost too effective. For optimum results, start with a medium flame and adjust as needed, depending on your crepe batter. While this pan has low sides that make it easy to access and flip your crepes, it can also be used for searing proteins, making or heating tortillas, and cooking any foods that don’t require the higher sides of a traditional skillet or frying pan.
Like de Buyer's fry pan, this has an epoxy-coated handle that isn't exactly oven safe. It doesn't come with a batter spreader or crepe turner, so you'll need to pick those up too.
Price at time of publish: $55
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The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
Oven Safe Temperature: 400 degrees | Pre-Seasoned: No | Sizes Available: 9.5 inches, 10.25 inches, 12 inches | Weight: 2.5 pounds, 3 pounds, 4 pounds
"This pan conducts heat really well, so you can use it on medium-low to medium heat with excellent results." — Bernadette Machard de Gramont, Cookware Expert for The Spruce Eats
Best Frying Pan
Lodge 12-Inch Seasoned Carbon Steel Skillet
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Amazon
Heated quickly and evenly during testing
Available in three popular sizes
Securely riveted handles
Utilitarian looking
Smaller capacity than cast iron equivalent
Handle got hot during cooking
Lodge is well-known for its vast array of cast iron cookware, so it makes sense that the company would venture into making carbon steel cookware as well. Like Lodge's cast iron, this skillet comes pre-seasoned, so you can start cooking with it right away, but of course, more seasoning will make it more nonstick and more rust-resistant. The skillet comes three diameters—8 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches—and is also broiler safe.
We were surprised how quickly this pan heated up and our tester commented on its responsiveness as they turned the heat up or down. A design issue though is that the handle gets hot when cooking for extended periods of time, easily remedied with the use of an oven mitt or pot holder. It's also important to note that the overall design is very utilitarian and rustic, so it might not appeal to everyone. This can be used on all cooktops, including induction, as well as on a barbecue grill or campfire.
Price at time of publish: $67
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Oven Safe Temperature: Not specified | Pre-Seasoned: Yes | Sizes Available: 8 inches, 10 inches, 12 inches | Weight: 2.35 pounds, 3.49 pounds, 4.15 pounds
"The fact that this is lighter than cast iron makes it very appealing for anyone who has issues with lifting the weight of typical cast iron pans." — Donna Currie, Product Tester
Best Paella Pan
Magefesa Carbon Steel Paella Pan
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Amazon
Well-built, traditional style
Generous handles make it easy to move on and off the burner
Comes in a wide variety of sizes to accommodate any size party
Can be difficult to store
If you’re going to buy a paella pan, why not buy one from a Spanish cookware company like Magefesa? They’ve got the know-how and the experience to make a pan that will perform when you need it. Paella pans are often made from carbon steel, which helps to produce the socarrat—the crisp rice at the bottom of the pan—while the dimpled bottom on this pan also improves the cooking process.
You will need to do a bit of seasoning pre-paella as the pans ship unseasoned. While there's no specified hottest temperature for these pans, commenters state these can withstand over 400 degrees. The two generous metal handles make this one easy to move and carry as it goes from stovetop to oven to table. This option is available in a variety of sizes so you can scale your recipe to however many people you're serving.
Price at time of publish: $22
Oven Safe Temperature: Not specified | Pre-Seasoned: No | Sizes Available: 8 inches, 9 inches, 10.5 inches, 12 inches, 13.5 inches, 15 inches, 17 inches, 18 inches, 24 inches, 28 inches, 32 inches, 36 inches | Weight: 11 ounces, 11 ounces, 1 pound, 1.58 pounds, 2 pounds, 2.42 pounds, 3.64 pounds, 4.31 pounds, 8.2 pounds, 16.12 pounds, 21 pounds, 27.3 pounds
Best Sauté Pan
Northwest Skillet Company Carbon Steel Sauté Pans
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Northwest Skillet Company
Straight sides create a larger cooking surface
Easy to hang or display
Handcrafted in Oregon
Expensive
Long shipping time
Sauté pans are very similar to frying pans, but while the sides on frying pans are flared, the sides of sauté pans are more vertical. This can make it easier to get under foods with a spatula since the straight sides act as a bumper. The straight sides also offer more cooking space at the bottom of the pan. These pans are made by hand in Oregon, so each is an individual piece of hand-crafted, functional art.
To make the pans just a bit more special, they are available with a choice of three artistically designed handles, each triple-riveted for security and each with a hanging hole at the end so they can be proudly displayed in the kitchen. The sauté pans are available in 8-inch and 10-inch sizes.
Price at time of publish: $195
Oven Safe Temperature: Not specified | Pre-Seasoned: No | Sizes Available: 8 inches, 10 inches | Weight: 2.3 pounds, 3 pounds
Best Roaster
Smithey Carbon Steel Round Roaster
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Enough space for a whole chicken
Hand hammered handles are easy to grip
Stylish farmhouse aesthetic
Does not include roasting rack
Expensive
This roaster weighs in at just around five pounds, making it a light but sturdy alternative to hefty multi-clad stainless roasters. Made of hand-forged, pre-seasoned carbon steel, this is ready to use out of the box and can go from stovetop to oven quite easily. Sear meats on the stove before finishing them in the oven for extra browning, then bring the roaster right to the table to add a rustic touch to your table. This roaster measures 12 inches in diameter with a 2-inch depth, great for roasting a whole chicken atop a bed of root vegetables.
While this roaster is on the expensive side, it is also built to last—special care is required to maintain its seasoning, but the extra effort is worth it as it can certainly be handed down as an heirloom later on.
Price at time of publish: $285
Oven Safe Temperature: Not specified | Pre-Seasoned: Yes | Sizes Available: 12 inches | Weight: 5 pounds
Best Wok
Joyce Chen Professional Series 14-Inch Carbon Steel Nonstick Wok Set
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Amazon
Sturdy construction
Flat bottom lets you use on any cooktop
Helper handles allow for easy transport on and off stove
Can be a bit bulky to store
Carbon steel is one of the traditional materials for woks, and if you peek into a Chinese kitchen, you may see woks in use that are well seasoned at the bottom of the bowl where the cooking occurs, with less seasoning towards the top.
This wok is made for home use, with a flat bottom that allows it to be used on any cooktop, so you don’t need to fuss with a wok ring on your gas burner. The long handle has a convenient hanging loop for storing the wok, and a helper handle so you can carry it easily, even when it’s full of your favorite fried rice recipe.
Price at time of publish: $83
Oven Safe Temperature: 350 degrees (with handles), 500 degrees (without handles) | Pre-Seasoned: Yes | Sizes Available: 14 inches | Weight: 4.32 pounds
Best Grill Pan
De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Grill Pan
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Wayfair
Great quality construction
Excellent heat conduction
Leaves beautiful sear marks on food
Heavy
Expensive
Just like the top-performing crepe and frying pans from de Buyer's Mineral B line, this grill pan has all the same attributes: it heats up quickly and gets hot enough to achieve a nice sear on proteins and vegetables. This pan is available in two sizes, 10.25 inches, and 12.6 inches, so you can find one that fits your cooking and storage needs. You'll be able to get beautiful grill marks on steaks or asparagus spears without having to leave the comfort of your kitchen.
Manufactured in France, this pan is made of 99 percent iron and one percent carbon and it becomes more nonstick with use, allowing foods to release easily. This well-made pan comes backed by a lifetime warranty from de Buyer.
Price at time of publish: $115
Oven Safe Temperature: 600 degrees | Pre-Seasoned: Yes | Sizes Available: 10.25 inches, 12.6 inches | Weight: 3 pounds, 5 pounds
The Made In Carbon Steel Frying Pan takes the top spot because of its lightweight construction and professional-grade performance. We also stand behind the Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Fry Pan due to its amazing performance.
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The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
How We Tested
We've sent the many of the popular carbon steel pans directly to the homes of our expert food writers. Our reviewers spent weeks using them in the kitchen to see how they stood up to everyday cooking and cleaning. They were also able to offer additional insights including the ease of seasoning, how the carbon steel performed over time, and more. After testing, our writers submitted their feedback about what they liked and didn’t like and rated each one on its design, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value.
What to Look for in Carbon Steel Cookware
By Bernadette Machard de Gramont
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Material
Carbon steel and cast iron are often compared because they have a multitude of similarities in terms of durability and versatility. Both made from alloys that contain iron, but the differentiating factor is the amount of carbon in the alloy: cast iron contains anywhere from 2 to 3.5 percent, where carbon steel contains just 2 percent. This makes carbon steel fairly malleable so it can be molded, hammered, and stretched (by contrast, cast iron is fairly brittle and more susceptible to breakage.) Carbon steel’s iron content means that it is compatible with induction cooktops, and its smooth surface will eventually build a patina that makes it naturally nonstick. This material best suits silhouettes that are flat with flared sides—think saute pans, skillets, crepe pans, paella pans, and woks—so if you’re in the market for any of these pans, carbon steel is a fantastic option.
Weight
Carbon steel pans weigh considerably less than their cast iron counterparts—a 12-inch Lodge cast iron skillet weighs about eight pounds, while a similarly sized Lodge carbon steel pan weighs less than five pounds. If lugging heavy cast iron cookware in and out of storage might be a problem, then this is a great alternative. A good carbon steel pan still has enough heft to it to keep it from moving around on the burner but is still light enough to be very responsive to changes in heat.
Construction
Carbon steel cookware often starts out as a sheet of metal that is then heated, pressed, and shaped into the desired silhouette. Pans typically come in 2mm or 3mm thickness, with the latter being heavier and closer to a cast iron pan. Unlike cast iron’s single-piece construction, handles are typically forged separately and attached with rivets (ppt for this type of construction versus spot-welded handles that are more likely to loosen or detach over time). You’ll want to make sure that your handles are easy to grab and aren’t too short—they’ll get too hot on the stove—or too long to put into the oven or store away.
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Heating Capacity
Like cast iron, carbon steel has a very high heat tolerance and can be used with a variety of cooktops, including induction and open flame. Most carbon steel pans can withstand up to 800 degrees, while some brands can withstand temperatures up to 1200 degrees. While this is more than enough for normal household use on the stove and in the oven, certain techniques (like wok cooking) require that one’s pans can stand up to even the most powerful of cooking fires. Carbon steel is also prized for being very responsive to changes in heat, becoming hotter faster and cooling down quickly when the heat is lowered or removed.
Versatility
Carbon steel is great for all-purpose cooking, but it really shines with high-heat, dry-cooking methods like stir-frying, sauteing, and searing. Carbon steel pieces are oven-safe, allowing you to bake in the pan or finish a dish under the broiler if needed. While you can certainly use carbon steel for braises and making sauces, cooking acidic foods might cause a reaction that discolors the surface or may start to deteriorate the pan’s seasoning. (The good news is, you can easily build the seasoning back up and even out the patina.)
Brands
Lodge
As the oldest and longest-running cast iron manufacturer in the U.S., Lodge has built a solid reputation on its extensive line of affordable, cast iron cookware. Lodge also has a small collection of carbon steel pieces, including a skillet and paella pan that can be used both inside on a stovetop and outdoors on a grill or campfire. Like the brand’s cast iron skillets and grills, the carbon steel pieces are all manufactured in the USA.
De Buyer
For nearly 200 years, De Buyer has been a leading producer of cookware and cooks tools in France. From the popular ‘Mineral B’ carbon steel fry pan to Prima Matera induction-friendly copper cookware, it celebrates France’s gastronomic traditions by making innovative, heritage-quality pieces that are meant to last.
Made In
This Austin-based brand was launched in September 2018 with a line of professional-grade stainless steel cookware meant for home use. Its collection now includes copper, carbon steel, and nonstick options. These high-quality pieces can also be found in the famous Michelin-starred kitchens of Grant Achtaz’s Alinea and Eric Ripert’s Le Bernardin. Its carbon steel line is manufactured in France and is oven-safe up to 1200 degrees.
Mauviel
Founded in 1830, this historic manufacturer based in Normandy, France, is best known for its premium copper cookware and specialty copper bakeware. In addition to their traditional copper collection, Mauviel makes other pieces in aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel. M’Steel is the brand’s name for its range of carbon steel pieces that are made to the same exacting standards as their professional quality copper pieces.
Maintenance
If you already know how to clean and care for cast iron, then you automatically know how to take care of carbon steel. Its tough finish can resist scratches and is compatible with metal utensils which makes it, for the most part, fairly low maintenance. Like cast iron, carbon steel should not be washed with dish detergent or placed in a dishwasher as it will remove the seasoning. Scrub away any particles, rinse with water, and wipe clean, then heat some oil in the pan until it starts to smoke. Wipe away the oil with a paper towel, and your pan is ready to store.
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FAQs
How do you season a carbon steel pan?
To season a carbon steel pan, you will want to first remove any protective coating—many pans come with a layer of beeswax to protect the surface in transit. DeBuyer recommends using hot water and a soft cloth to rub away as much of the beeswax as possible. Dry the surface, then coat it in a thin layer of oil or fat, then place the pan in the oven at 300 degrees for an hour. Alternately, you can heat the oiled pan over medium heat on the stovetop until the oil starts to bead. Remove from the stovetop and wipe away any excess oil with a paper towel. If your pan has arrived seasoned, you can skip this process, but you'll want to re-season your pan every now and again.
How often do you re-season a carbon steel pan?
You'll notice that you need to re-season your pan if there are any signs of rust, or if your pan feels like it's crusted with old food buildup. Typically your pan will keep building up seasoning with use, but if you ever want to "start over," scrub the surface with an abrasive sponge (or heat the pan slightly then scrub with a mixture of salt and oil), removing any roughness, then start the seasoning process over.
How do you get rust off a carbon steel pan?
Sometimes a carbon steel pan might show signs of rust if it was put away with any moisture on it or it's been sitting unused for a while. If this happens, simply scrub away any of the patina with an abrasive scrubber, wipe dry, then begin the seasoning process.
Can you use a carbon steel pan on any cooktop?
Yes. Carbon steel is one of the most versatile materials for cookware and can be used on electric, gas, and induction ranges as well as over open flames like campfires and BBQ grills.
What are the downsides to carbon steel?
Carbon steel has a lot of positives, but there are a few aspects to keep in mind. First, you will have to maintain the seasoning in order to avoid damage to the material, which includes not being able to clean carbon steel in the dishwasher. Additionally, the pans will always be lighter than their cast-iron counterparts, they'll always be heavier than the stainless-steel or nonstick version. While carbon steel is great at retaining heat, it's not as good at the initial distribution, so you need to watch out for hot spots.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is a food writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats. A self-professed "kitchen geek," she's written many roundups on a range of essential kitchen items, from the best induction burners to the top seafood kitchen tools of the year.
This piece was edited by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, an LA-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. She researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.
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