Head-to-head · Best Carbon Steel Pans

de Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan vs Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel 10-Inch Frying Pan

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

de Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.5 vs 2.0). The gap is mostly about Sear-focused cooks willing to manage seasoning and temperature control — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Carbon Steel Pans

de Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan

3.5

7 sourcesall derived$60.17as of Sep 29

TestHut found that once properly seasoned, the de Buyer Mineral B offers excellent nonstick performance and food release comparable to chemical coatings. Isaac Carew noted it heats faster than cast iron with superior heat retention due to its thick construction, though this requires a dedicated maintenance routine to build the polymerized layer. The epoxy-coated handle strictly limits oven use to 400°F for ten minutes, and TestHut reported that the pan can heat unpredictably on induction hobs. This skillet suits cooks willing to manage seasoning and temperature control, while those seeking high-heat roasting or effortless maintenance should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— TestHut found that once seasoned, the nonstick properties are excellent and food release is perfect.
— Isaac Carew noted it heats faster and reaches higher temperatures than cast iron for superior searing.
— Prudent Reviews highlighted its thick construction which provides superior heat retention compared to thinner carbon steel options.

Watch-outs

— The epoxy-coated handle limits oven-safe temperature to just 400°F for a maximum of 10 minutes.
— Isaac Carew and TestHut reported that the pan can heat unpredictably or too quickly, especially on induction hobs.

$60.17 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Carbon Steel Pans

Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel 10-Inch Frying Pan

2.0

3 sourcesall derived$119as of Sep 29

The Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel 10-Inch Frying Pan arrives pre-seasoned to provide an immediate nonstick-like surface, eliminating the need for manual break-in. Helen Rennie found that its hollow stainless steel handle stays cool and reduces weight, though it is prone to staining from baked-on oils during use. The thin carbon steel construction heats rapidly but risks uneven browning if not carefully managed with proper preheating techniques. This lightweight pan fits cooks seeking responsive stovetop performance for searing or sautéing, while those requiring consistent heat distribution without vigilance should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Comes pre-seasoned with a nonstick-like patina, allowing immediate use right out of the box without manual seasoning.
— Constructed from carbon steel that is significantly lighter than cast iron while remaining durable and responsive to heat changes.
— Features a stainless steel handle designed to stay cool during stovetop cooking and reduce overall pan weight.

Watch-outs

— Stainless steel handles and rivets can become stained by baked-on oil during the seasoning process, affecting aesthetics.
— Thin construction may lead to uneven heating and hot spots if not managed carefully with preheating.

$119 · Buy at madeincookware.com Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

de Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan

This model features a thick construction that provides superior heat retention compared to thinner carbon steel options, but it heats unpredictably on induction hobs unlike the more consistent Made In pan. The epoxy-coated handle limits oven use to 400°F for ten minutes, whereas the Mauviel Carbon Steel Frying Pan allows safe stovetop-to-oven use up to 680°F.

Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel 10-Inch Frying Pan

The Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel 10-Inch Frying Pan arrives pre-seasoned for immediate use, unlike the de Buyer pans which require significant initial seasoning. It is oven-safe up to 1,200°F and features a hollow stainless steel handle that stays cool, offering far greater high-heat versatility than the Mauviel pan's iron handle or the OXO Obsidian's silicone sleeve.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	de Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan	Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel 10-Inch Frying Pan
Size	26cm	10-inch
Weight	1.9kg	3 lbs
Material	Carbon Steel	Carbon Steel
Handle Type	Steel with rivets	Stainless Steel
Surface Finish	beeswax-finished	Pre-seasoned
Oven Safe Temperature	400°F (10 mins)	1200°F
Cooktop Compatibility	All (gas, electric, ceramic, induction)	All Stovetops (including Induction)

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