Not sure which Carbon Steel pan is right for you? This guide will help you find the perfect tool for the job.
At de Buyer we offer multiple carbon steel collections, which can make choosing the right one feel a little overwhelming. But fear not, because we’re going to help you understand the differences between each of our carbon steel guides. This guide will break down our MINERAL B, MINERAL B PRO, and Blue Carbon Steel Access lines, explaining the variations in weight, thickness, finish, price points, and more!
How to Use Your Carbon Steel Pan
There are so many ways to use a carbon steel pan. These truly qualify as day-to-day workhorses thanks to their versatility. Their non-stick qualities make them trustworthy for delicate jobs like whipping up a French omelet. As your pan is used more frequently, it develops a complex seasoned surface. This helps to develop the Maillard reaction, inspiring the natural sugars to caramelize. This gives meat and vegetables that signature golden “crust” that helps lock in flavor and moisture.
How to Season and Maintain Your Carbon Steel Pans
There are several different methods of seasoning a carbon steel pan, but we’ve got a simple, fool-proof method that’ll cut down on the fuss. First, wash the pan in a sink of hot water to remove the protective beeswax coating. Then, put your pan on the stove and put the heat to medium-low. Pour a thin layer of oil into the pan so it completely coats the surface, and let it sit for 10 minutes.
After 6-7 minutes, you’ll notice the color of the pan’s surface gradually changing. Turn off the heat and allow the oil to cool. Drain the oil and wipe it out of the pan. Next, put the empty pan back on medium-low heat and let it “cook” for 3 additional minutes. You’ll notice the surface colors browning. Remove from heat and you’re ready to go!
Types of Carbon Steel Frying Pans
Now that you're an expert on our different carbon steel lines, let us help you pick which carbon steel pan is right for you The de Buyer collection of carbon steel frying pans offers several options that are geared toward specific purposes. If you’re a breakfast aficionado who loves making fried eggs or crepes stuffed with fresh fruit, there’s a pan that’ll make the job easier for you. If you’re looking for that perfectly caramelized steak that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, there’s a pan for that, too!
Omelette Pan
A purpose-suited omelette pan is your best tool for working with the delicate texture of eggs. These pans have rounded edges on the inside, so the thin egg skin slides easily from the center and onto the plate. Carbon steel is perfect for the job since it offers a naturally nonstick way to cook your eggs using little to no oil.
Egg & Pancake Pan
That coveted, perfectly round fried egg is finally possible with our carbon steel egg & pancake pan. The small surface area measures 5” or 6”, depending on your preference. This size is ideal for a single fried egg or a crisp, clean pancake edge. Whether you’re making the perfect stack of flapjacks or an Instagram-able egg sandwich, this pan allows you to execute it with perfection.
Steak Pan
A purpose-suited omelette pan is your best tool for working with the delicate texture of eggs. These pans have rounded edges on the inside so the thin egg skin slides easily from the center and onto the plate. Carbon steel is perfect for the job since it offers a naturally nonstick way to cook your eggs using little to no oil.
Crepe & Tortilla Pan
In order to achieve a delicate, thin texture, space matters. That’s why these carbon steel crepe and tortilla pans were designed with large surface areas. This allows crepe batter and raw eggs to stretch and spread, and the naturally nonstick carbon steel surface ensures that they won’t stick on the way to the plate.
Country Fry Pan
For jobs that require more than just surface area, the country fry pan is the tool for the job. The high sides allow for mess-free stirring when you’re sautéing or simmering. This depth is perfect for slow cooking a savory pasta sauce and having the additional space to add your pasta without splashing a drop!
Wok
Having a wok that’s made of carbon steel can help your dish in a lot of ways. Generally, woks are used for cooking and mixing larger quantities of food. But with some cooking materials, the heat doesn’t always get distributed evenly. A carbon steel wok will ensure that the heat spreads throughout the pan, cooking your food uniformly.
Roasting Pan
A good roasting pan is about more than functionality. It should also look good so you can go straight from the oven or stovetop to the center of the table. There’s nothing more beautiful and rustic than a well-seasoned carbon steel roasting pan. Our carbon steel pans offer a large 14” surface area and can be used on any surface. Plus, they are totally oven safe so you can pop them in for that perfect finish.
Paella Pan
The ultimate family-style dish, paella deserves a pan of its own. And there’s no better pan for the job than a carbon steel paella pan. Cooking rice uniformly can be a tricky job, so this requires a large cooking surface that heats uniformly and a material that responds quickly to heat changes.
Aebleskiver & Poffertjes Pan
This unique pan is perfect for making breakfast blinis withsmoked salmon and creme fraiche or mini chocolate chip pancakes for the kids.The small, circular indentations ensure uniformity, while the nonstick surfacemakes clean-up a breeze.
Perforated & Outdoor Fry Pan
If you love cooking on the grill or over an open flame, then this pan can really take your cooking to the next level. These have small holes dotted throughout the surface, allowing you to mix and move food without worrying about losing anything to the flames. Our Blue Steel perforated pans are grill safe up to 500F.
The Legacy of Carbon Steel Cookware
The best thing about investing in a piece of carbon steel cookware is that it’ll be around forever. The second-best thing is that these pans only get better with age. The lifetime seasoning process just continues to improve the nonstick qualities of your pan, offering more ease with every use. If you’re looking for a trustworthy kitchen tool that’s endlessly versatile and uniquely durable, then you’re going to love cooking with carbon steel. While each of our caron steel lines has its own set of benefits, they are all guaranteed to impress!