If you can’t arrange for pickup or buy your pots and pans in person, just eat the shipping cost and look at it as an investment. That, however, is not the only reason it made it onto our list. All pans were purchased online and appear in order of preference. It is pre-seasoned, but the seasoning wears off super quickly. With continued use, the pan will attain a smooth surface gradually. But we found a favorite seasoning method that is relatively easy. It is because they have a lot of features that are perfect for frying, searing and sautéing. This pan can handle high levels of heat for long periods of time, making it ideal for searing meats and other uses that require very high temperatures. But, also hopefully, we have set you on the journey toward finding the perfect carbon steel cookware to match your home, your kitchen, your needs, and your lifestyle. Another great feature of this skillet is that you can use it with wooden spatulas as well as those that are made of metal. The only caveat? Hopefully, we have given you a lot to think about. (Plus, perhaps, either a traditional or nonstick pan if we didn’t want to fuss with reestablishing the seasoning after cooking acidic dishes.). Like both of these types of pans, it can also go under the broiler. It is because they have a lot of features that are perfect for frying, searing and sautéing.. Perhaps you even want to rush out and buy a piece of cookware from off our list. This pan does not come pre-seasoned unfortunately, but it does come with easy instructions for seasoning it yourself. You need to season it just like any other carbon steel skillet. © 2020 America's Test Kitchen. We really love this pan and would have ranked it much higher on our list if not for a few faults, which we’ll get to later. Plus, once seasoned, we found that it held on to its new coating for a very long time. If you’re looking for the #1 carbon steel skillet, this is the perfect pick for you. The best carbon steel skillet is the ideal alternative to non-stick pans, particularly Teflon. Finally, it got a bit scratched after extensive use. However, it is a relatively easy process. Each time we cooked, more patina built up. If you are looking for a pan that works well but that is very affordable, look no further than this offering from American Metalcraft, a product line that does not get nearly enough credit. But it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. This pan comes in a wide variety of sizes ranging from 8.5 inches to 17.3 inches, which is a great deal. All Rights Reserved, Heavy-duty construction makes it durable to use, 3 - Matfer Bourgeat 062003 Black Steel Round Frying Pan, Best Dutch Oven for Bread Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks, Best Non stick Crepe Pan Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks, Best Stir-Fry Pan Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks, Best Wok for Electric Stove Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks, Best Deep Dish Pizza Pan Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks, Best Broiler Pan Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks, Best Tailgate Grill Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks, Best Instant Pot Springform Pan Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks, Best Pan for Searing Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks, Best Pancake Griddle Reviews 2020 – Top 5 Picks. Plus, it can be somewhat of a hassle. You will love cooking all your favorite dishes with this skillet. As is the norm with most carbon steel skillet, the pan requires seasoning before the first use. But if you want a pan that’s a showpiece as well, we also loved our runner-up. That way, you can have a fully stocked kitchen that is ready to carry you into the years to come. In fact, many of us would happily opt for just a carbon-steel pan in our own home arsenal. It is also made of steel, which adds to its reliability and durability. The lightest model in our lineup, this block was dangerously top-heavy when loaded with knives. In order to help provide you with that knowledge and power, we spend countless hours researching different products. They offer the versatility of a traditional pan, the heat retention of cast-iron at a lighter weight, and the slick release of a good nonstick skillet without the synthetic coating or the lack of durability. This smaller version of the Downtown Block secured all our knives nicely, though the blade of the slicing knife stuck out a bit. It could even lead to accidents or burns. You should also look at weight as you shop. Also, good cookware should last you for many years to come and should aid you in making many delicious meals. Even though DeBuyer is not a very well-known brand, it does make high quality products that are worth looking into as you shop for cookware. If it’s too heavy, this could make your job difficult. Comparison Table. If you’re not careful, it’s all too easy to burn yourself! Carbon steel skillets are a huge favorite among a good number of cooks.