The Best Carbon Steel Cookware, From Budget to Chef-Quality

Loved by top chefs (looking at you, Gordon Ramsay) and passionate home cooks alike, carbon steel cookware is gaining in popularity. It’s versatile, it’s durable, it’s efficient, and it’s easy to use, too. What’s not to love? Find out more about the benefits of carbon steel cookware below, as well as some of the best pans on the market right now. 

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Is carbon steel cookware good?

According to Forbes, carbon steel, which is made from an alloy of iron and carbon, is the “lighter cousin” of cast iron, and has “a lot to offer the average home cook.” While cast iron can be heavy and dense, carbon steel is often used to make cookware that is lightweight, sleek, and easy to move around the kitchen—essential when you’re in the middle of a more complicated recipe choice.

It’s also good at heat conductivity and will distribute the heat across the surface of the pan quickly and evenly. It’s important to note that carbon steel cookware should be seasoned for best results. This helps to create a nonstick surface and will help to prevent the pan from rusting prematurely.

Merten & Storck

RELATED: 7 Essential Cast Iron Skillets for Non-Toxic Home Cooking

How long do carbon steel pans last?

Just like a cast iron pan, with the right care, a carbon steel pan can last a lifetime and then some. 

Seasoning is important to prolong the life of a carbon steel pan. While most cookware will come pre-seasoned if you buy a skillet, wok, or pan without a protective layer, you can add one yourself by applying a thin layer of medium-smoke-point oil to the entire surface of the pan and heating it until it starts to smoke, and then letting it cool. 

According to Masterclass, which provides more detailed seasoning instructions here, you should repeat this process three times. “Repeating this seasoning process will turn your pan dark brown and then black, which builds up a protective coating and ensures your food won’t stick and will cook evenly,” the platform notes.

You should also take care to clean your pan carefully and regularly, *without* soap, which might strip away the seasoning. Just use hot water, a brush and a sponge. If you want to use soap, opt for a small amount of mild dish soap to reduce any potential damage.

Be a little careful with acidic foods, too. Tomatoes, for example, may break down the seasoning on your carbon steel pan. If that happens, you might have to start the seasoning process again.

The best carbon steel cookware options, from budget to premium

If you want to try carbon steel cookware for yourself, there are many, many different options on the market. Below, we’ve picked out a few of the best, with real customer reviews to help you make your decision, too.

Merten & Storck

Best budget carbon steel pan

Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel 10” Frying Pan Skillet, $35

This pre-seasoned pan gives “cast iron performance without the weight or the wait,” says Merten & Storck. All you need to do is take it out of the box, give it a rinse, and start cooking. At just $35, it’s a good pan to start with if you’re new to carbon steel, or you don’t want to break the bank on new cookware.

Reviewers say: “Bought this because cast iron is getting too heavy. It really does cook like cast iron.”
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Best carbon steel pan for beginners

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Skillet, $56

Lodge seasons its carbon steel cookware with 100% natural vegetable oil, so you don’t need to worry about the seasoning process with this carbon steel skillet. It’s also easy to handle thanks to the lightweight design, and it’s simple to clean. You can use a little warm soapy water and a nylon scrub brush, followed by an oil rub, for best results.

Reviewers say: “I am thoroughly impressed with its performance, versatility, and exceptional cooking results” and “This is the best frying pan I have ever owned, period.”
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Best chef-quality carbon steel pan

Vollrath French Style Carbon Steel Fry Pan, $49.66

Renowned chef Ramsay once noted in a YouTube video that the best pans are “high-quality nonstick with a thick, heavy base” and “will distribute the heat evenly.” He didn’t name the pan, but according to some detective work from The Kitchn, the chef is a fan of Mauviel M’Steel’s carbon steel skillets. 

Unfortunately, those pans are coated with beeswax, so they’re not suitable for vegan home cooks. However, this one from Vollrath is also loved by chefs for its strong welded handle, its compatibility with various heat sources, and its excellent heat retention and distribution. 

Reviewers say: “This Vollrath 12.5” carbon steel pan checks every box” and “for anyone who’s a fan of cast iron - please give a carbon steel pan a shot. Seasons up the same and performs better than non-stick at a fraction of the weight.”
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Best carbon steel pan for high-heat cooking

Yosukata Carbon Steel Wok Pan, $65

Woks are already suited to high-heat cooking, due to their flat bottom design, but this version from Yosukata is next level. That’s all thanks to the heavy-duty black carbon steel material and the pre-seasoned surface. While it will still require more seasoning before the first use to develop its full non-stick properties, the pre-seasoning helps enhance its performance right out of the box.

Reviewers say: “It’s huge but light and great quality” and “I love it. I was worried about seasoning and cleaning but it is easier than expected.”
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Made In

Best premium carbon steel pan

Made In Cookware 12” Blue Carbon Steel Frying Pan, $109

According to Made In, this carbon steel frying pan can handle heat up to 1200F. It’s popular with chefs, and it’s light, sleek, and efficient, too. At more than $100, it’s a little pricier than the others on this list, so it’s best for those who know and love carbon steel pans.

Reviewers say: “I’ve had this pan about a month and couldn’t be happier with it so far” and “I was very surprised at how easy it is to clean right out of the box.”
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