Carbon steel is the pan professional chefs reach for — and it’s just as good at home. This guide covers what carbon steel is, how de Buyer’s ranges differ, and how to season and care for your pan so it lasts a lifetime.
Carbon steel is an alloy of iron and a small amount of carbon (de Buyer’s is around 99% iron). It heats fast, holds high heat evenly, and — once seasoned — becomes naturally non-stick. Think of it as the lighter, more responsive cousin of cast iron: it sears a steak just as well, but it’s easier to lift and quicker to heat.
| Carbon steel | Cast iron | Stainless | Non-stick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Searing | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Poor (avoid high heat) |
| Weight | Medium | Heavy | Medium | Light |
| Non-stick | Yes, once seasoned | Yes, once seasoned | No | Yes (wears out) |
| Oven-safe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Usually low temp only |
| Induction | Yes | Yes | Usually | Varies |
| Lifespan | Decades | Decades | Decades | 1–3 years |
Carbon steel gives you cast-iron searing with more manoeuvrability, and unlike non-stick it improves with age rather than wearing out.
de Buyer make several carbon steel lines. The two you’ll see most:
Both are carbon steel and both season the same way. Within Mineral B you’ll find the Element frypan (curved everyday pan), the deeper Country frypan (one-pan meals and pan-frying), the heavy Steak frypan (a fierce, even crust), a low-sided pancake pan, and a rounded wok for stir-frying.
Yes. Every de Buyer carbon steel pan works on all hobs — induction, gas, ceramic, electric and halogen — and is oven-safe, steel handle included. You can start a dish on the stove and finish it in the oven.
Seasoning builds the natural non-stick layer. Mineral B arrives with a beeswax coat, so start there:
Cook fatty foods early on (bacon, or eggs in butter) and the non-stick only improves.
Carbon steel has one rule: keep it dry.
Does it stick at first? A little, until the patina builds. Use enough fat and medium-high heat, and it improves with every cook.
Can I use metal utensils? Yes — carbon steel is tough.
Is it dishwasher safe? No. Hand wash and dry straight away.
How long does it last? Decades, often a lifetime — it’s the last frypan you’ll need to buy.
Browse our de Buyer range — Mineral B and Blue Steel frypans, pancake pans, woks and more, delivered across New Zealand.
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