What is the Best Carbon Steel Skillet?

by Robin Hood | Last Updated:  August 18, 2021
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When I first started to look at carbon steel pan reviews there were so many variations that it started to get confusing. I asked myself “What is the best carbon steel pan or skillet to buy?” What I should have asked is “Why would I purchase one carbon steel pan over another?”

The mistake I made was to buy two pans from two different manufacturers. Well, it really was not a mistake, it was just that each pan was different from the other. I took out my ruler and started to take measurements. Here is what I found with the carbon steel pans I bought from Amazon. I bought one Matfer Bourgeat 06202 and one de Buyer carbon steel pan described below.

Since 1814

Carbon Steel Cookware is proud to present the Matfer Bourgeat line of fine French carbon steel fry pans. Cooking with the Matfer Bourgeat carbon steel skillet has to be experienced in order to be appreciated. You will find that you will be more focused on monitoring and manipulate the transformation of ingredients in your culinary creation when you cook with this carbon steel skillet. Cooking with carbon steel skillets will draw you closer to cooking with perfection.

Matfer Bourgeat 062002 Black Steel 9 1/2″ Gray

[amalinkspro type=”showcase” asin=”B000KELL54″ apilink=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KELL54?tag=rhood09-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1″ new-window=”true” addtocart=”false” nofollow=”true” sc-id=”8″ img-sizes=”500:281,500:333,500:281,500:281,500:333,500:281,500:331,500:331,333:500″ imgs=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21E+eIiTO8L._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/315Uxk0rmhL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/215m5RnVPrL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/218mqkQbTBL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31wx9LFjZxL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/219kzvd2sWL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vEOSG3a+L._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ZeHnyTQFL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51at8r-xhGL._SL500_.jpg” link-imgs=”false” btn-color=”#ff9900″ btn-text=”Buy on Amazon” alignment=”aligncenter” hide-prime=”0″ hide-image=”0″ hide-price=”0″ hide-button=”0″ width=”750″ api=”true”]Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Fry Pan, 9 1/2″[/amalinkspro]

Read the Customer Reviews on Amazon about this 062002 pan to see other buyer’s comments.

Matfer Bourgeat 062005 Black Steel Round Frying Pan, 11 7/8-Inch, Gray

[amalinkspro type=”showcase” asin=”B000KENOTK” apilink=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KENOTK?tag=rhood09-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1″ new-window=”true” addtocart=”false” nofollow=”true” sc-id=”8″ imgs=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21E+eIiTO8L._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/315Uxk0rmhL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/215m5RnVPrL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/218mqkQbTBL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31wx9LFjZxL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/219kzvd2sWL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ZeHnyTQFL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51at8r-xhGL._SL500_.jpg” link-imgs=”false” btn-color=”#ff9900″ btn-text=”Buy on Amazon” alignment=”aligncenter” hide-prime=”0″ hide-image=”0″ hide-price=”0″ hide-button=”0″ width=”400″ api=”true”]Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Fry Pan, 11 7/8"[/amalinkspro]

Voted the #1 frying pan in Cook’s Illustrated Magazine! Cook’s Illustrated has named the Matfer Bourgeat 11-7/8″ non-stick frying pan the best frying pan due to its material and durability. Whether you’re cooking eggs, steaks, or anything in-between, this black steel pan will exceed your expectations.

I purchased the 62002 skillet but the Matfer 62005 is the top seller of the Matfer Bourgeat line. Both of these pans will add a new dimension to your cooking. The responses have only been positive on the performance of this pan.

Read the Customer Reviews on Amazon about this 062005 pan to see other buyer’s comments.

There are several reasons why I like this 062002 Matfer Bourgeat skillet:

Skillet Weight

Handle Height

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Handle Hole

Skillet Racks

Range Kleen CW6001 Stainless Steel Hanging Oval Pot Rack 1.5 H by 33 W by 17 D

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Range Kleen installed in a kitchen above. See Reviews.

          Old Dutch Wall-Mount Bookshelf Pot Rack with Grid & 12 Hooks, Graphite, 36.25″ x 9″ x 11.5″

Handle Length

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Handle Width

Handle Rivets

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Cooking Area

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Skillet Height

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I love this pan. I use it every morning to fry my eggs, sunny side up, or scrambled. My pan is seasoned so well that eggs never stick to the bottom. It is a joy to use this Matfer Bourget pan.

De Buyer – Omelette Pan – Mineral B Element 9½”

[amalinkspro type=”showcase” asin=”B00F2GYNA0″ apilink=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F2GYNA0?tag=rhood09-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1″ new-window=”true” addtocart=”false” nofollow=”true” sc-id=”8″ imgs=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/217T8h8-RiL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51c8sRUs-mL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51NJgEgJ0CL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SZJzoVdAL._SL500_.jpg” link-imgs=”false” btn-color=”#ff9900″ btn-text=”Buy on Amazon” alignment=”aligncenter” hide-prime=”0″ hide-image=”0″ hide-price=”0″ hide-button=”0″ width=”400″ api=”true”]De Buyer – Omelette Pan – Mineral B Element 9½”[/amalinkspro]

Since 1830

De Buyer is one of the best French carbon steel fry pans. Cooking with carbon steel pans is something to be experienced. Whether you find cooking with carbon steel pans from the de Buyer’s line of pans or crepe pans, you will not be disappointed.

For example, the iron MINERAL B ELEMENT fry pan is a 100% natural material with a protective organic beeswax finish. It is guaranteed coating-free (no PFOA or PTFE). There are no added chemicals and are made with an environmentally friendly manufacturing process. These pans are robust, recyclable, and professional products. The fry pan reaches high temperatures and quickly seals the food, thereby preserving vitamins and nutrients. Ideal for Sealing, Browning, Grilling. Seasoning: the more you use the frying pan, the better it cooks. The blacker it gets, the less it sticks.

Read the Customer Reviews on Amazon about this de Buyer pan to see other buyer’s comments.

There are several reasons why I like this Mineral B pan by de Buyer

Skillet Weight

Handle Height

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Handle Hole

Handle Length

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Handle Rivets

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Handle Width

Cooking Area

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Skillet Height

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What Cooking Oils are Recommended for Cooking With Carbon Steel Cookware?

To enhance your cooking with our French carbon steel fry pans we recommend using our handpicked cooking oils from Amazon. I have a fine selection of oils I have handpicked from Amazon. Here is a tip… read the reviews next to each selection. Note that number that precedes the Reviews was the number of reviews at the time of writing this post.

If you do not use high heat on your pan, you can use any kind of oil that you want. I use a lot of butter when cooking eggs and vegetables. I also like to use coconut oil because it gives the food a nice flavor. To see the smoke points of some of the more common oils check this link on my site for more information on smoke points.

Final Comments

There are slight differences between the two pans described above, but I don’t think you could go wrong with either one. Each pan has its pros and cons and only you can decide which one is best for you.