If you like to cook, you will probably already know how important it is to have both a quality skillet (with non-stick properties) and a reliable cast iron pan in your kitchen.

A carbon steel skillet combines the benefits of both pans, making it a heavy-duty workhorse that's surprisingly slick and easy to clean. Chefs have heralded this lesser-known pan for years, but now it's time home cooks get in on the secret!

Functionality

A carbon steel pan should perform just as well in the oven as it does on the stove-top, and it should evenly conduct heat so that the centre of the pan gets as hot as the outer corners of the pan.  For example, you should be able to create a golden, evenly crispy skin on chicken thighs without having to use excess oil in the pan. Cookies/biscuits baked in the oven should be a breeze.  You can cook scrambled eggs in a well-seasoned carbon steel pan, but to test its non-stick ability with a new pan, try scrambling with just a little oil or butter, to see how slick the surface of the pan is and to get used to adjusting the heat accordingly. 

Look and Feel

One of the benefits of carbon steel is that it performs like a cast iron pan without the added weight, so a well-made carbon steel pan will be easy to handle and manoeuvre. Our carbon steel cookware is the ultimate in looks, performance and durability.

Durability

When searching for a good quality carbon steel pan, chances are you'll often hear the term "seasoning." Seasoning is the process of coating a pan with heated oil to create a protective barrier, which helps ensure a non-stick and rust-resistant surface. Like cast iron, seasoning carbon steel is a vital process, prior to cooking so it’s important to check whether your pan is pre-seasoned or whether you should follow the manufacturer's instructions if not. Our Nitri-Black carbon steel frying pans are pre-seasoned, so additional seasoning is not necessary, but if you prefer, follow our method for seasoning carbon steel cookware here on our website News/Blog page for the best results.

Maintenance

It is advisable to avoid using soap when cleaning your carbon steel pan. Generally, It is best to wash each pan with hot water and a scrub brush to help preserve the seasoning, but always check the manufacturer’s instructions for use and care to keep pans in peak condition.

Cost

Considering the benefits of carbon steel cookware, the cost is within the reach of an average budget to obtain a good quality pan.  It goes without saying, always buy the best you can afford and having two different size pans will give you ultimate versatility.