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Skillets

Skillets: where home cooks and r/BuyItForLife agree

Only the skillets that home cooks and r/BuyItForLife have independently backed. A product one group praises and the other has never mentioned does not appear here.

12 people we have grounds to call home cooks and r/BuyItForLife make 164 quoted claims about skillets across 26 sources. Membership of each group is recorded per person with its own evidence, and authority is scoped to skillets rather than to fame.

Which skillets do both home cooks and r/BuyItForLife recommend?

Endorsements and objections about skillets from home cooks and r/BuyItForLife, together, strongest evidence first.

Matfer carbon steel pan

5 voices 22 claims 6 objections

3:31 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
I loved this pan so much that when I was testing it, before I was even done, I was like, "I want this pan," and I ordered one for myself, which I never do. So I've had mine for several years and I love it. I cook in it all the time.

durability owns and uses it daily Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

1:30 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
We tested eight pans, and believe me, they were not all good. Some of them were real clunky, some really just never took to seasoning. They had sides that were too high, really off in balance. They just were not worth it. This one's our favorite. It's Matfer Bourgeat 11 7/8-inch Black Steel Frying Pan.

best in class tested it Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

3:31 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
It also really took to seasoning well. It basically got seasoned and kept getting more and more non-stick. Some of the other pans seemed to really take a step back occasionally. You'd go through the whole seasoning process, cook something, and it would just come up. This really just kept building.

performance tested it Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites seasoning durability

4:01 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
One other factor that was important with skillets, especially ones that you're gonna be searing in and that you might be baking in or cooking in, is rivets, the way the handle is attached to the pan. A lot of them had big, lumpy rivets, and they actually acquired a lot of schmutz, basically. This is nice and smooth.…

handling tested it Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites build quality, ease of cleaning

2:00 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
There are several things that we really loved about this pan and one is you want some space to cook. This is 12 inches or 11 7/8 rim to rim and that's how they measure it. Then, the sides come down, and some of these tapered down like a wok to this little tiny space at the bottom. This one gives you a good broad…

use-case fit tested it Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites even heating, size and capacity, handle

Finally, the angle of the handle, this goes up a little bit. A lot of European pans do that. They tend to angle up. American pans, for whatever reason, tend to go flat. This is a French pan. It is angled up a little bit, but not so high that it was hard to get into the oven. When we were making tarte Tatin, you start…
23:46 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great

recommendation tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

really happy with these map for pans I would say to me for good carbon steel that's a 10 out of 10. I would highly highly recommend them
24:16 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
and if this is a pan that gets you out of non-stick then my job's done so that's why I'm telling you about these pants today

use-case fit tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites induction compatible

if you're on induction I'm leaning this way you know even though I'm a mineral B seller I sell the product this if I'm going to sell something in the future is the way I'm going to go for induction because this is proving itself as the right pan for induction
0:30 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
they now are putting into a plastic bag and coming with a little moisture absorbent um little pillow inside to allow you to get a pan that is basically raw from the factory so seasoning should be a lot easier

performance tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites coating, ease of cleaning, handle, heat control, heat resistance, induction compatible, maintenance, non-stick surface, oven safe, shape and form, warp resistance

and the thing that's great with the matte fur is that the handle can go into whatever temperature into the oven we want
it now is kind of kind of turned like a golden orange color because it's oxidizing a little bit so it's very obvious that that pan is being exposed the raw metal is being exposed to the air
and now the new matte fur come without anything on them they're really nice and easy to clean
but this guy is definitely you know non-stick on there there's no doubt about that right
so looking at these two pans we've got that this was the first time that I ever cooked on them you know that you know nothing's really stuck on here
this guy here behaved a lot better in being at a preheat of 250 previously like I was saying I was at 250 preheat it looked like I got too hot I went down it got too cool and it wasn't a great result this guy's looking quite perfect at the moment sitting at 250
so that's a really nice result right there doing its thing induction burner gets a little bit mad when you do that this guy here same thing so great result okay so definitely that factor of that first cook with a new pan you know seedling that surface definitely helps so our second result here is really great
right now there is zero spinning from this is the one that was abused this is the one that was not and they are not spinning whatsoever
okay so clean and cool cool zero spinning so that is great that cheap what I think is kind of crappy induction cooktop I have been able to make spinners out of other carbon steel with that cooktop um it does make spinners these guys didn't that's a tremendous result so super stoked
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great
23:46 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great

handling tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites handle

Matt fur makes sense if you love no rivets awesome
0:00 supports Autodidactically Yours Food Writer
i bought it in april it's now january so after a few mishaps there's been about six months in between this being a stripped silver pan and now being completely black

durability owns and uses it daily Black Carbon Steel Pan in JUST 6 MONTHS (3 EASY STEPS)

Owned 9 months

Cites seasoning durability

i have a new larger style mat for carbon steel pan here that i got for christmas and i've used about less than 10 times and you can already see the seasoning is developing on it
18:39 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
this guy as we know was the one that got overly preheated at the beginning so it looked like it had like damage but it's not damaged it has discoloration in the middle

durability tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites durability, heat resistance

26:46 notes Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
I am a big fan of of the mineral B pen they work extremely well but there's really no difference here you're splitting hairs

comparison tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

5:34 objects Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
these guys have gone a tiny little bit more blotchy than I'm used to but you know this doesn't really matter seeing the blotchiness is is not a big deal

appearance tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites appearance (against)

this guy as we know was the one that got overly preheated at the beginning so it looked like it had like damage but it's not damaged it has discoloration in the middle

Lodge cast iron skillet

4 voices 32 claims 8 objections

2:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
The best part is that you can get a Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet that will last a lifetime for under $30.

value tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites durability, price

Besides cast iron skillets, they make enameled cast iron Dutch ovens that perform like Le Creuset but cost much less.
Instead of paying over $400 for a Le Creuset Dutch oven, you can get a Lodge that's made of the same materials and is actually thicker for under $100.
0:30 objects Papa Mau Cooking YouTube
The main complaint about lodge cast iron pans is always the same.

performance relaying someone else The Uncomfortable Truth Behind Lodge Cast Iron Pans

Cites surface finish (against), heat control (against), non-stick surface (against)

So rough that some people say it makes them impossible to cook on.
Out of the box is so rough that I can literally grate cheese on it.
I cooked two eggs and the pan was clearly too hot.
I had to abort the mission and start again.
1:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Because of the thick construction, it heated slower than the thinner skillets, but it retained heat well.

performance tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites heat retention, non-stick surface

Despite the rough cooking surface, the egg didn't stick at all. It didn't slide quite as freely as it did on some of the smoother skillets, but the difference was pretty minor.
This skillet performs great, but I'm not a huge fan of the handle.
2:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
There are many other cheap cast iron skillets on the market, but Lodge is made in America, has been in business for over a century, and has high quality standards. So you know you're getting a good product.

recommendation tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites build quality, country of manufacture

1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.

use-case fit tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.

performance tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites heat retention

They may not have a perfectly smooth polished surface like some of the expensive artisan cast iron brands, but they perform just as well, and, in my experience, the rougher surface holds seasoning better.
Besides cast iron skillets, they make enameled cast iron Dutch ovens that perform like Le Creuset but cost much less.
1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.

durability tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites build quality, durability, seasoning durability

They may not have a perfectly smooth polished surface like some of the expensive artisan cast iron brands, but they perform just as well, and, in my experience, the rougher surface holds seasoning better.
Instead of paying over $400 for a Le Creuset Dutch oven, you can get a Lodge that's made of the same materials and is actually thicker for under $100.
1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
I can't talk about great quality, low-cost cookware without talking about Lodge.

best in class tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

2:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
They may not have a perfectly smooth polished surface like some of the expensive artisan cast iron brands, but they perform just as well, and, in my experience, the rougher surface holds seasoning better.

appearance tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites surface finish (against)

De Buyer carbon steel pan

3 voices 12 claims 5 objections

0:00 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
not like to buy air in the the mineral B that comes with a beeswax coating that comes off really easily and actually helps with the seasoning process process Matt fur was problematic

performance owns one DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “even though I'm a mineral B seller I sell the product” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites coating, ease of cleaning

of course you know I am a big fan of of the mineral B pen they work extremely well
1:00 objects Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
so it's not like the the buyer mineral B that I have seasoned in the oven but the epoxy handle you can get blistering in the oven too you need to be very very careful with that the mat for no problem

durability owns one DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “even though I'm a mineral B seller I sell the product” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites handle (against), heat resistance (against)

Field cast iron skillet

2 voices 21 claims 12 objections

0:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
it's incredibly lightweight at just 5.5 lb, and because the construction is thinner than most cast iron skillets, it heats up much faster.

performance tested it Field Company Review: Best Lightweight Cast Iron?

Cites heating speed, non-stick surface, stovetop compatibility

I tested it against Lodge, Calphalon, and Stargazer, and it was the fastest to boil water on both induction and electric cooktops.
It has a smooth polished cooking surface that provides excellent non-stick performance, especially for eggs.
3:31 supports Uncle Scott Beginners
It's [music] got three layers of grape seed seasoning on it. So, you can just give it a wash and just start cooking.

performance tested it Field Cast Iron Review: Egg Problems & Great Gratins

Cites heat retention, maintenance, non-stick surface, searing and crust

the field turned out some nice cornbread, no sticking and a nice crust.
this field cranked out an absolutely delicious [music] grten with no sticking on the potatoes.
Butter potatoes. Those brown up pretty nicely and they did not stick. That's a good thing.
But the field did okay here and I think it helped with the browning that both the potatoes and the okra, they get moved around a little bit.
I think you did an okay job with bacon. Just a little bit of pulling on there, but the um the card says uh bacon can actually stick a little bit early on. So, with that in mind, I think it did uh just fine. I started it out in a room temperature pan, brought it up to heat, some early [music] flips, and mostly…
Um I mentioned that the pan doesn't have as much thermal mass as maybe some other cast irons or carbon steels for that matter, but I am still getting a good sear and browning here.
And here, summoning every bit of egg sliding mojo that I could muster, [music] I got a moderately decent sliding egg. It released even did okay on the flip. You know, cast iron skillets are not really known for flipping eggs, so the side walls are too tall, etc., etc., but it's still released on that second side, and…
2:01 objects Uncle Scott Beginners
I think that lack of heaviness, lack of thermal mass, lack of metal, however you want to um describe that, uh for me anyway, I think it made the pan a little bit more difficult to cook in. It's difficult to get it heated evenly. I feel like um it's responsive, which is great for a uh copper skillet, for example. But…

performance tested it Field Cast Iron Review: Egg Problems & Great Gratins

Cites base and rim (against), even heating (against), heat retention (against), non-stick surface (against), size and capacity (against), surface finish (against)

And I think one of the reasons I've had so much trouble with eggs in that field is that um those grooves, they uh I think they have not filled in yet and um they're kind of gripping food a little bit when I try and slide it around.
There is [music] a very tiny uh ring around the bottom of the pan which makes it sit up just a little bit. It's barely even noticeable. The Brevel has a temperature sensor in the middle of the cooking surface there and it has to stick up and make contact [music] with the bottom of a pan. Um there's also a logo here in…
Uh, no matter what I tried, I was getting, um, different essentially different cooking zones. I couldn't get the pan heated very evenly and I would put an egg in and sometimes um, part of an egg would stick and part would slide and the egg would come apart. And I think that's because the pan is not heated evenly and…
This uh 10-in pan um I had to work in two batches.
It's [music] um too narrow to lay out strips of supermarket bacon, but it will hold four if you cut them in half.
Let's talk a little bit more about that uneven heating though here. Uh you can really see it with these grilled cheese sandwiches. Give them their first turn there. And you can definitely see where one half of the grilled cheese is toasted and the other uh the butter is melted, but there is no toasting on there. So,…
I've also made some breaded squash and zucchini. And I like these for testing pans because I can lay them out all around the pan. Then when I flip them, I can tell if they're hotter or cooler spots. You can definitely tell that um some of these zucchini are much browner than the others.
And it's just a little bit more uneven and a little bit more difficult to cook in this pan than some others I have reviewed.
And after doing a ton of work on the seasoning and doing a lot of cooking, circling back to eggs, and I got this. And I got to say, I have never seen that [laughter] fried egg before. It's almost like uh orbiting almost like a planet or something. I don't know if that counts as half of a fried egg. never had um a…
And finally, I got to where I found that, uh, just trying different temperatures, if I went really, really low, um, I could get an egg to release, and this is after three or four minutes of setting up very, very slowly. I could get an egg to kind of sort of release and it'll move around, but I still say that egg is…
1:00 supports Uncle Scott Beginners
It's really good at certain tasks such as hightemp sears, um, oven performance, grotens, cornbread.

use-case fit tested it Field Cast Iron Review: Egg Problems & Great Gratins

So people that have maneuverability issues, have trouble with the weight of cast iron, uh they're going to like the field.
I think if you are in the market for a lighter cast iron pan, you might really like the feel, especially if your cook top can get it heated evenly.

Smithey cast iron skillet

2 voices 11 claims 2 objections

What do home cooks and r/BuyItForLife say about skillets in general?

Not a recommendation for a specific product — technique, materials and what to look for in skillets. Citable on its own terms.

1:30 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
the non-stick pans that you buy are gonna gradually become less and less non-stick. So the great steering that you can get in this pan and its ability to become more and more naturally non-stick makes this a favorite here at The Test Kitchen. All of our Test Cooks love this pan and we love to use it. In fact, we kind…

best in class uses it professionally, daily Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites coating durability, heat retention, maintenance, non-stick surface, versatility

As we saw with the burgers, the carbon steel pan has certain traits that really make it a great all-around pan. It definitely has that nice heat retention and heat transfer of a cast iron pan. It has that nice release of a non-stick pan. This is a great all-around pan, does almost anything you want it to do, it's…
0:30 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
Retains a lot of the properties that we love in cast iron, this ability to retain heat and really put a nice sear on food, but it's much easier to handle.

performance owns and uses it daily Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites ergonomics, heat control, safety, ease of cleaning, even heating, heat retention, non-stick surface

Other secret of this pan is its ability to become naturally non-stick. So the smooth grain of this takes to seasoning a little faster than cast iron and it becomes very rapidly non-stick when you season it. And you can cook in it with just a little bit of fat, and food will just come right out. So if you're really…
Stainless steel or, in particular, a fully clad pan where there are layers of stainless steel, aluminum, and stainless steel is really known for its ability to make even, uniform heat. The aluminum transmits heat very quickly, stainless steel much more slowly. The stainless retains it so it spreads, and you get this…
In the carbon steel, I think we got the sort of Goldilocks moment. You get this really beautiful golden brown crust that is deeply brown, and nice, and crusty. Inside is nice and pink. And you really get this nice contrast between the brown crust and the cooked interior that is nice and juicy. So I thought it was a…
When we were done, there was almost nothing in the pan. It was just, I wipe it out, rinse it out, and we're good to go.
8:33 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
First, a broad cooking surface. We preferred pans that offered at least 10 inches of flat cooking surface.

recommendation tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites handle, shape and form, size and capacity

That extra height is really necessary for containing hot oil and food, such as when frying donuts and shallow frying chicken.
but we preferred those with wide broad loops that we could really hang onto, especially when wearing oven mitts
Generally though, we recommend buying a 12 inch skillet if you can. It's always good to have the option of a bigger pan for recipes of different sizes
3:01 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
Artisan makers often cast their to have thinner sides, but a thicker bottom which cuts down on the total weight of the pan, but keeps that heat retention capability.

performance tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites heat retention, non-stick surface, surface finish, weight

Most artisan makers will also take the time to hand polish their pan surface, which makes it naturally non-stick much faster than a mass produced pan.
2:01 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
Generally being a single piece of metal also makes these skillets very sturdy.

durability tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites build quality, coating, durability, ease of cleaning, maintenance, rust resistance

These cast iron pans start out like traditional cast iron, but then they're coated in a glass like vitreous glaze that seals the pan from air and moisture that could cause rust
their enamel coating makes enamel cast iron pans virtually maintenance free. You never have to season them and you can soak, use soap and scrub as much as you'd like.
Okay, that is my buying guide for these wonderful lifetime pans.
0:30 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
In terms of cooking, there's very little these pans can't do.

performance tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites even heating, heat conduction, heat retention, searing and crust, versatility

Its superpower is that it can retain and conduct plenty of heat for deep browning of food.
like regular cast iron, these pans have excellent heat retention, so they'll sear, fry and braise well maintaining the heat you want without undesirable temperature dips as food is added or flipped
Though all of these are gonna sear a great steak.
A thick heavy pan has the mass and density to hold more heat than a thinner pan does, and once preheated will cook more evenly than a thinner and lighter pan
0:00 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
Cast iron skillets are one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can buy since they work on the stove top in the oven, even on the grill.

use-case fit tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites acid resistance, induction compatible, maintenance, oven safe, stovetop compatibility, versatility

Best of all, you can cook almost anything, even acidic foods that need to be simmered for a long time like a tomato sauce because the enamel seals the cast iron making the pan rust proof and non-reactive.
While both regular and enameled cast iron pans are induction compatible, the smoother enameled bottoms can be a little gentler on glass cooktops
Enameled is for the person that never wants to think about seasoning their pan. Enamel doesn't need it.
0:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Most cast iron skillets today come pre-seasoned so you can start cooking right away

performance You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites acid resistance, ease of cleaning, even heating, heat retention, maintenance, non-stick surface, rust resistance, seasoning durability

When you do need to season it, all you have to do is clean it, dry it, rub it with a thin layer of oil, and bake it in the oven. Although the baking portion takes an hour or so, the actual work you need to do takes less than 5 minutes. It’s not a big deal and it’s not difficult
But the reality is that seasoning isn't just oil; it's polymerized oil that's been bonded to the cast iron. It's hard and tough and as long as the dish soap doesn't contain lye or sodium hydroxide, a few drops won't hurt
I always recommend using a chainmail to clean cast iron, but if you cooked an especially messy meal and chainmail is not doing the trick, mild dish soap is okay
As you can see, the soap didn’t impact the seasoning at all
Cast iron develops non-stick properties over time with proper seasoning, but it's not totally non-stick like a Teflon-coated pan
But flavoring food with a small amount of acidic ingredients, such as a splash of wine, vinegar, or lemon juice, won't cause any issues
If you're not cooking highly acidic foods for a long time, like over 30 minutes, the seasoning should be fine
To prove this point, I squeezed a whole lemon into this cast iron pan and let it simmer for about 4 minutes. After removing the lemon juice and wiping the skillet, you can see that the seasoning wasn't affected at all
One of the reasons I love cast iron is that it retains heat exceptionally well
Once it's fully preheated, it retains heat well, so your food will cook evenly
That may be true, but in my experience, this step is completely unnecessary. If the skillet is well-seasoned and you dry it thoroughly, it shouldn’t rust, and you don't need to oil it after each use
1:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Carbon steel, with its lower carbon content, is more pliable. In other words, it can be bent and shaped without cracking.

durability Carbon Steel Pans EXPLAINED (What They Don’t Tell You)

Cites acid resistance, durability, ease of cleaning, flexibility, maintenance, scratch resistance, seasoning durability

carbon steel pans are made thinner and significantly lighter than cast iron while still being incredibly durable.
For acidic foods, stainless steel and enameled cast iron are better options since there's no seasoning to damage and those materials are non-reactive.
For acidic foods, stainless steel and enameled cast iron are better options since there's no seasoning to damage and those materials are non-reactive.
But you don't need to do it often and after you do it once, you realize how easy it is.
In my experience, mild dish soap does no harm.
One of the biggest advantages of carbon steel is its durability. It won't crack or break if you drop it, which can happen with cast iron.
And there's no coating or enamel that can wear down or chip.
You can use metal utensils and even cut food in it, although I try to avoid that because the sharp edge will scratch the seasoning.
It’s one of the rare products that gets better with age. The more you use it, the better the seasoning develops.
1:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
The higher carbon in cast iron makes it harder but also more brittle. That's why cast iron has such thick walls - thinner walls would be prone to cracking.

durability owns and uses it daily Carbon Steel Pans EXPLAINED (What They Don’t Tell You)

Cites acid resistance (against), dishwasher safe (against), durability (against), maintenance (against), rust resistance (against), scratch resistance (against), seasoning durability (against), warp resistance (against)

The one major limitation with carbon steel pans is acidic foods. A squeeze of lemon or a splash of wine won’t hurt, but prolonged exposure to acidic foods, like tomato sauce, will strip the layer of seasoning right off the looking surface.
Bare cast iron pans have this same issue.
Carbon steel consists primarily of iron, which rusts when exposed to water and air.
The fact that you need to season carbon steel pans may seem like a major downside, and for some, it's a deal-breaker.
The two rules that I do highly recommend following are, one, don’t put carbon steel pans in the dishwasher. The hot water, steam, and dish detergent will ruin the seasoning.
And two, always dry your pans completely after washing them. Even a well-seasoned pan can rust if moisture is left on it for long periods.
if you notice tiny black bits on your food when you cook with carbon steel, or if you wipe the pan with a paper towel and the paper towel turns black, that's a sign that you need to deep clean your pan. Those black bits are either tiny pieces of the seasoning flaking, burnt food, or both.
One of the biggest advantages of carbon steel is its durability. It won't crack or break if you drop it, which can happen with cast iron.
You can use metal utensils and even cut food in it, although I try to avoid that because the sharp edge will scratch the seasoning.
The one thing you need to be cautious about is warping. If you expose it to drastic temperature changes, like rinsing it under cold water when it's piping hot, the metal can expand and contract unevenly, which leads to a wobbly, unusable pan.
3:38 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
In my experience, cast iron works perfectly fine on electric glass cooktops. I know this because I've cooked hundreds of meals in cast iron on my electric cooktop without any issues

use-case fit owns and uses it daily You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites heat retention, seasoning durability, stovetop compatibility

Also, I've never experienced problems with the cookware radiating excessive heat back onto the cooktop, nor have I heard of this being a common issue from others
Bacon cooks really well in cast iron skillets, and cooking fatty meats like bacon can contribute to the seasoning process
2:08 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Cast iron develops non-stick properties over time with proper seasoning, but it's not totally non-stick like a Teflon-coated pan

performance You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites acid resistance (against), even heating (against), heat conduction (against), heating speed (against), non-stick surface (against)

But a well-seasoned cast iron pan still needs to be greased. And even when it is greased, eggs can sometimes stick if the temperature of the pan isn’t right
For example, simmering tomato sauce or braising short ribs in red wine for extended periods will damage the seasoning and make your food taste like metal
But when people say it heats evenly, they're wrong. The truth is that iron is a terrible heat conductor. Because it has a much lower thermal conductivity than other cookware materials like aluminum and copper, it doesn't heat as fast or evenly
But it takes a while to get there, and as it heats up, the middle of the pan closest to the heat source will be significantly hotter than the sides
0:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Although cast iron without seasoning will rust, the seasoning process is easy and you don't need to do it often

durability You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites durability (against), rust resistance (against)

However, cast iron is actually brittle. It contains about 98% iron and 2% carbon. The carbon adds hardness but also makes the material more brittle
Unlike other metals like aluminum and steel, cast iron isn't ductile, which means it will break before it bends
If you drop a cast iron skillet or subject it to extreme pressure, especially against a hard or pointed surface, it can crack and break
5:01 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
One of carbon steel’s biggest strengths is its versatility. It’s compatible with all cooktops, even induction, and you can use it safely in the oven, under the broiler, and on a grill.

use-case fit Carbon Steel Pans EXPLAINED (What They Don’t Tell You)

Cites heat resistance, induction compatible, non-stick surface, oven safe, versatility, weight

Because of its high heat tolerance, it’s ideal for searing and browning.
Because it’s much lighter than cast iron, it’s great for sauteing vegetables, tossing food, and any other situations that require you to lift and maneuver the pan.
The lightweight construction, high heat tolerance, and relatively slick surface make it fantastic for one-pan meals and recipes that require searing on the stove and finishing in the oven.
7:32 objects Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
like cast iron, it rusts when it's bare. It requires seasoning or a process that bonds oil to the surface of the pan not only for protection, but also to start the pan on its journey to make it non-stick.

durability Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites dishwasher safe (against), rust resistance (against)

One thing you wanna note with carbon steel, you don't wanna put these pans in the dishwasher. The dishwasher will ruin the seasoning.
5:31 mixed Lisa Cookware Reviewer
Cast iron, that is a very heat-retaining material. Once we preheated the pan, we dropped that burger, it stayed pretty steady and it got quite hot. We got a deep brown crust almost to the verge of being almost burned, which is, I kinda like it that way, but not everybody does. By the time we were really ready to take…

performance tested it Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites flavour impact, heat control (against), heat retention, non-stick surface (against)

The stainless steel pan, as is their want, left some fond. It stuck a little bit. There was a brown spot where the burger had cooked, and that's great if you're gonna make a pan sauce or whatever. It's not a non-stick pan. It has none of the traits of non-stick the way cast iron or very well-seasoned carbon steel have.
1:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Unless you plan to use your Dutch oven over a campfire, get one that's enameled.

recommendation 10 Dutch Oven Buying Mistakes to Avoid

Cites browning visibility

Although I appreciate that a dark interior makes discoloration less noticeable, it's more important to be able to monitor your food's progress. So, if all else is equal, I prefer Dutch ovens with a light interior.
5:32 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
avoid the risk altogether by using cookware like carbon steel, cast iron, or enameled cast iron, which don't contain either of these elements.

recommendation Stainless Steel Cookware: The Health Risk No One Talks About

Cites safety

avoid the risk altogether by using cookware like carbon steel, cast iron, or enameled cast iron, which don't contain either of these elements.
avoid the risk altogether by using cookware like carbon steel, cast iron, or enameled cast iron, which don't contain either of these elements.
5:05 objects Luis J. Cookware Reviewer
in my experience that's not the case either because bacon as I said has nitrates has preservatives has sugars in it and it makes a gunky mess and none of that stuff is actually going to help out for your seasoning so with that said as well my experience with bacon in the beginning is a big No-No I wouldn't recommend…

recommendation owns and uses it daily Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet

Cites maintenance (against)

1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
However, because carbon steel pans are typically made thinner than cast iron, they heat up much faster and respond to temperature changes more quickly.

performance Carbon Steel Pans EXPLAINED (What They Don’t Tell You)

Cites heat control, heating speed, non-stick surface

The answer is responsiveness. When you turn the heat up or down, the temperature of the pan changes quickly. This gives you more control.
But in general, carbon steel is more responsive than cast iron, and in some cases, it's more responsive than stainless steel.
Certain meats might stick slightly, but if you leave them for a minute and allow a crust to form, they will naturally release from the pan.
A well-seasoned carbon steel pan releases food similar to a non-stick pan.
4:31 objects Yair Home Cooks
I feel from my friends that have iron cast pans and from videos I saw online, because before I bought this stainless steel one, I was thinking what should I buy, I had the feeling that iron cast pans are a bit like Tamagotchi that you need to take care of it, and you need to make sure to not cook specific things, like…

use-case fit relaying someone else I Switched to Stainless Steel Pans 3 Years Ago. No Regrets

Cites maintenance (against)

3:01 supports THE FOOD-DEE Professional Kitchens
these pans are built to last they will last your generation your kids generations you can pass them down to your great grandchildren and they'll still be around and still working great as long as you take care of them these things are meant to take a beating from my years of cooking we use cast iron pans and carbon…

durability owns and uses it daily Don’t Make this Mistake! Follow These Rules for Carbon Steel Cookware & Cast iron

Cites coating durability, durability, repairability

these pans are built to last they will last your generation your kids generations you can pass them down to your great grandchildren and they'll still be around and still working great as long as you take care of them these things are meant to take a beating from my years of cooking we use cast iron pans and carbon…
if you do for some reason scratch the coating off your pan and leave a big gouge in it don't worry it's not the end of the world all you need to do a little secret here all you need to do is cook with it that's it as you cook with it the oils are going to polymerize back to the pan and rebuild up that scratch piece…
your pan is rusted that's it it's over pans ruined throw it out get a new one no all you need to do is give it a good cleaning scrub all that rust off heat it up re-season your pan and continue cooking with it that's it hand recovered
2:31 objects Autodidactically Yours Food Writer
now this is obvious for anyone who's done any research on using a carbon steel pan you obviously do not want to put tomatoes or vinegar in the pan right

durability owns and uses it daily Black Carbon Steel Pan in JUST 6 MONTHS (3 EASY STEPS)

Cites acid resistance (against), seasoning durability (against)

another weird one raw spinach i did some research on it afterwards and apparently there is a acidic element in spin it raw spinach that strips the seasoning from the pan when you cook it in there
9:05 objects Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer
induction and carbon steel can be a bit problematic as most people have found out that have spinning pans or have seen a video where pans spin induction plates can be a problem I have already kind of proven that once in a video lots of people do complain about their pants becoming Spinners

performance tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cites induction compatible (against), warp resistance (against)

okay so clean and cool cool zero spinning so that is great that cheap what I think is kind of crappy induction cooktop I have been able to make spinners out of other carbon steel with that cooktop um it does make spinners these guys didn't that's a tremendous result so super stoked
6:01 objects THE FOOD-DEE Professional Kitchens
it is very important you don't soak your carbon steel pans to remove stuck on food they may be well coated but water will get to the metal and rush your pans if you leave it there so don't do that

durability Don’t Make this Mistake! Follow These Rules for Carbon Steel Cookware & Cast iron

Cites coating durability (against), rust resistance (against)

don't use a scouring pad when cleaning your carbon steel it will take off the seasoning if you scrub too hard
1:00 objects THE FOOD-DEE Professional Kitchens
everyone assumes that carbon steel or cast iron pan is super nonstick it's just not the facts are you if you're coming from teflon to a carbon steel pan you're going to want to make sure you give it a good seasoning and set your expectations it's not going to be super nonstick

performance Don’t Make this Mistake! Follow These Rules for Carbon Steel Cookware & Cast iron

Cites non-stick surface (against)

everyone assumes that carbon steel or cast iron pan is super nonstick it's just not the facts are you if you're coming from teflon to a carbon steel pan you're going to want to make sure you give it a good seasoning and set your expectations it's not going to be super nonstick