Matfer Bourgeat 062005 Frying pan, Steel, Gray

Product Information

Carbon steel, with it’s lower carbon content, is more malleable (bendable) than cast iron, which is why it can be manufactured with thin, lightweight walls.

Carbon Steel Cookware Pros and Cons (Complete List) - Prudent Carbon Steel Cookware Pros and Cons (Complete List) - Prudent

In fact, many people are iron-deficient, so carbon steel may actually provide a healthy dietary supplement. It’s versatile but reacts to acidic food, so you have to avoid cooking tomatoes, wine, vinegar, citrus, etc.To give you a better idea of how much lighter carbon steel cookware is compared to cast iron, let’s take a look at a few examples.

Matfer Bourgeat Carbon Steel Skillet Review | The Kitchn

Seasoning is built up in layers by applying a very thin film of oil to the pan surface and then heating the pan to 'bake on' the oil. When heated, the oil forms cross-linked bonds and cures to a solid film. Flax, grape seed, and soy oil form hard, smooth seasoning layers," says Burdett. "More and more, carbon steel pans are being sold with seasoned already applied, providing the home chef with a solid foundation on which to build. In most cases, you can start cooking with pre-seasoned pans right out of the box." Over time, if properly maintained, the seasoning will be bolstered by regular use. Another option is to sand off the factory seasoning and season the pan yourself, as many reviewers did. This defeats the purpose of buying a pre-seasoned pan, but it is a means to an end (and the pre-seasoning is going to need more seasoning anyway, so it's not a big deal if you want to sand it off). Pre-seasoned carbon steel skillets can be convenient because you probably won't have to remove a protective coating that bare carbon steel skillets are shipped with (though some seasoned pans have a protective coating, too). This is great, but they may not work as well as you'd expect them to, so be sure to use plenty of cooking oil or butter at first. You may have to re-season them anyway, but if you use enough cooking fat, you may be able to get away with not having to re-season.There are no chemicals coatings, no pigments, no nothing—just carbon and iron. The Cons of Carbon Steel Cookware This is a frequently asked question, but one with a simple answer—yes, carbon steel cookware is completely safe. Carbon steel cookware is an excellent choice for daily cooking because it’s lightweight, easy to use, versatile, and durable — but the advantages don’t end there.