The Best Place to Buy Carbon Steel Pans

Lisa Appleton
Lisa Appleton
Lisa is a recipe writer at Blue Apron. She was formerly an editor with Better Homes and Gardens branded food magazines. She is an alumna of The Culinary Institute of America and The University of Missouri. She lives in Brooklyn.
published Oct 14, 2016
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(Image credit: Keith Freeman / Blanc Creatives)

If you’re a fan of cast iron, then you’ll want to try carbon steel

The difference between the two (and the main benefit of carbon steel) is that carbon steel pans tend to be thinner and lighter than their cast iron cousins. They can also be cheaper than cast iron pans to buy — especially if you know where to look.

The 5 Best Things You Should Buy at a Restaurant Supply Store (Image credit: Air Images)

Restaurant supply stores are a hidden secret for home cooks. You can get everything you need to feel just like a chef in a restaurant, including carbon steel pans.

In fact, since carbon steel is the go-to for professional kitchens, these supply stores are arguably the best place to find carbon steel pans. There are a wide range of sizes available to choose from, so you can buy the size best for what you’re cooking. (A 10- to 12-inch is usually the most versatile.) Plus, since restaurant supply store products are relatively inexpensive, they’re a great starting point for people who want to get familiar with the pans before they make a bigger investment.

Buy a pan or two and use them the next few times you cook to see if they’re your new go-to pan. Once you’ve decided carbon steel pans have a permanent home in your kitchen, you can explore other options.

Personally, we have our eye on this gorgeous carbon steel cassoulet pan.

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cookware
Tips & Techniques