Like many home cooks, you’ve probably delved into researching all types of pans and each one’s materials. What kind of pan is the healthiest? Which works best for your lifestyle? Should you invest in nonstick pans for the convenience, or a cast-iron pan for the longevity and ability to take it right from the stovetop to the oven? You could opt for a stainless-steel pan to get away from the harsh chemicals often found in other pans, but you’ll be giving up the convenience of a natural nonstick surface. 

It’s all very confusing, and it’s a decision that even professional chefs like me have to make for their home kitchen. Of course, there is no one-size fits all approach, and the best pan for you will depend on your needs and lifestyle.

However, there is one option you may have overlooked, and it’s one that I think is very much worth considering: carbon steel cookware! 

I recently tried a carbon steel skillet for myself, and I was absolutely impressed with the results! I got my very own NITRO Carbon Steel 12-Inch Skillet from PotsandPans.com and it’s quickly becoming my new favorite skillet. So let’s dive into all the reasons why I love this pan, and why this often overlooked cooking surface might be perfect for your own personal home use. 

About the PotsAndPans.com Company

PotsandPans.com is a company that has been curating a wide array of top-quality kitchenware for over 20 years. With trusted brands like Kitchenaid, Anolon, Circulon, Rachael Ray, Farberware (just to name a few), PotsandPans.com keeps home cooks ahead of the game by providing them with reliable and innovative cooking technology. They have it all: ultra nonstick, extra durable hard-anodized aluminum, stainless steel… you name it! And they don’t just carry pots, pans, and skillets. They also provide the best in kitchen utensils, food storage, bakeware, and more. 

What I really love about their company is that they carry a variety of products in a range of price points that suits almost every need, whether you’re looking to purchase a gift for friends or family, or seeking out high value items for your own cookware collection. They truly have something for everyone.

About the NITRO Carbon Steel 12-Inch Skillet With Helper Handle

This carbon steel skillet has a lot to offer. Let’s dive into what sets carbon steel apart from other pans and why this one is particularly special. 

What is Carbon Steel and Why is it a Good Cookware Material?

Durability & High Temp Ability: Carbon steel pans are very similar to cast-iron skillets. So similar, in fact, that they’re made of 99% iron and 1% carbon. This combo of materials makes carbon-steel pans very durable and able to withstand high temperatures, something that non-stick varieties like ceramic cannot achieve. Because of their higher thermal conductivity, they retain and distribute heat more evenly than stainless steel, making searing, grilling, and stir-frying a breeze. 

Lighter Than A Cast Iron Skillet: If you’re a fan of the benefits and versatility of cast iron, but the weight of holding a heavy pan bothers you, carbon steel skillets just might be the perfect solution. They’re known for being lighter than cast iron and have sloped sides, which makes it easier to flip or toss your food without using utensils, if that’s your vibe. Carbon steel skillets can also be used on a variety of heat sources, including induction cooktops, AND they carry the same ability to be interchangeably used between the stovetop and oven just like cast iron pans.

Non-Toxic: Carbon steel is non-toxic, with no risk of leaching harmful chemicals in your food. Because they’re uncoated, they don’t contain any per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

One Consideration Though: If you’re looking for the no-hassle instant convenience that traditional non-stick cookware offers, carbon steel pans might not be for you. Because they don’t contain any sort of coating, carbon-steel cookware isn’t instantly non-stick, BUT they gradually develop a natural non-stick surface with proper seasoning over time. The initial seasoning process generally involves coating your carbon steel pan with a thin layer of oil and heating it up to create a smooth surface that improves with use. If you’re an avid cast iron or stainless steel user, this is probably not a deal breaker for you.

What is NITRO Carbon Steel and Why is it Special?

Not all 12-inch carbon steel pans are the same. Let me tell you why this one is special. 

NITRO Carbon Steel takes your traditional carbon-steel skillet to the next level. KitchenAid’s nitro heat treatment hardens and seals the pan’s surface (making it 22% harder than regular carbon steel pans!), enhancing its durability and making it resistant to rust and scratches, so you don’t have to be as mindful about which utensils you use with it. NITRO Carbon Steel skillets also boast better non-stick properties right from the first use (compared to regular carbon steel pans), and reduce your need for extensive seasoning. In my opinion, nitrided carbon steel skillets are some of the best carbon steel pans you can get. 

Some of My Favorite Things About This Skillet

This was actually my very first time trying a NITRO Carbon Steel Skillet, and there were so many things I loved about it.

The Quality: Sometimes new skillets, especially non-stick ones, can feel a little janky, or there’s an obvious looseness from the handle to the actual cooking surface. But not with this KitchenAid pan. The first thing I noticed as I pulled it from the box was how solid it was. There was nothing loose or plasticky about it. From the dual-riveted cast stainless steel handle (finally a comfortable handle!) to the iron cooking surface, this skillet has a quality feel that you know is going to last. There is a weight to it that also feels quality without being unwieldy like a cast iron. (The weight distribution makes cast iron pans feel so awkward sometimes!)

It’s also really nice to know that, because it’s been through a nitro heat treatment, I don’t have to worry about the chance of it rusting like I would with a normal carbon steel pan. This treatment also makes it more resistant to scratches, so you can even use it with metal utensils! (Though, I still choose to use wooden or silicone utensils for all my cookware).

The Lasting Power: Because of its durability, I can rest assured knowing I won’t have to replace this pan any time soon. That’s not the case with many non-stick pans. It’s recommended that you change non-stick pans every 5 to 7 years, but as a chef, I do a lot of cooking, and non-stick coating tends to flake off with in a year or 2! That’s a lot of pans to go through, and it starts to feel like I’m just throwing money away. 

With KitchenAid’s NITRO Carbon Steel Skillet, I know I’m in for the long haul, and that’s a lot of time, effort, and money saved, as well less waste! And if that wasn’t enough, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty! It’s a great feeling to know that with this skillet, I’m set for life.

The Versatility: There are 3 ways you can use this frying pan – on the stove, in the oven / broiler, or on the grill! It really feels like it harnesses the power of stainless steel, cast iron, and nonstick cookware all in one. It’s also responds extremely well to heat, and heats up QUICK, so you don’t have to turn your heat source way up to get it to a high temperature. Though it can withstand high heat (it’s safe in the oven, broiler, and on the grill up to 750°F!), I recommend starting it at a medium-low heat and going up from there. This may take some getting used to, but once you do, it’ll spoil you when you go to use other pans and realize they take longer to heat up and you have to use a lot more heat.

The Helper Handle: Even though this pan has a lighter weight than a cast iron, it still has some weight to it, especially when there’s a ton of food in it. That’s where the amazing helper handle comes in and makes things SO much easier. I can easily maneuver the pan around with both hands and perfect weight distribution, which makes me feel safer and more confident about cooking hot food. This especially comes in handy when I’m pulling it out of the oven. 

The Size: I often cook for guests or for my kids when they come home from college or work, so having a 12-inch pan makes all the difference. I also really enjoy the depth of this pan. The high sides make stir-frying super easy! Most pans are just too shallow to achieve this, and I always appreciate when I can get many different uses from the same pan.

With any non-stick pan, there are some extra steps you have to take to make it work for you. Here are a few reasons why this pan might not be for everyone:

It’s Not Immediately Non-Stick: Though this pan has the capability to become non-stick, it doesn’t start out that way. You have to season the pan and use it a number of times before it can get there. The more you use it, the faster you’ll build up its non-stick qualities. If you expect to be cooking eggs with it right out of the box, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. But if you’re the kind of person who likes to build a relationship with their pan the way many cast iron enthusiasts do, this is the pan for you!

Non-Stick Carbon Steel Isn’t Pretty: When your pan does reach non-stick status, it’s going to go through a range of color changes and look a little brown. This is totally normal, but not the prettiest. If you’re someone who’s looking for an Insta-worthy pan you can show off, give this pan a pass. It’s not for you. If you’re fan of vintage cast iron pans and the well-loved aesthetic, you’re going to appreciate this pan even more.

Maintenance Considerations: In order to keep this pan (and your seasoning!) lasting for a long time, you’ll have to hand wash this baby with a little soap and a light sponge. Sorry, no dishwashing machines. Likewise, you’ll also want to avoid letting acidic foods sit in your pan for extended periods of time because they can wear away the seasoning you’ve worked so hard to build. That means no tomatoes (or tomato sauce), lemon, vinegar, or wine unless it’s a quick cook. It’s best to have a ceramic pan or stainless steel sauce pot dedicated to these ingredients. But with proper care, this pan (and its seasoning) will last you a lifetime!

For some people, these factors will be a deal breaker, while for others, they may further the pan’s appeal. It really just comes down to personal preference. As a seasoned chef, these factors are not a deterrent in my book. 

Conclusion

The NITRO Carbon Steel 12-Inch Skillet is the perfect addition to my cookware arsenal and has become my go-to pan. While it may not be the perfect pan for every low-maintenance lifestyle, I believe it will become a kitchen asset for professional and home cooks who enjoy building a relationship with their cookware, and especially cast iron pan enthusiasts. 

If you’re looking for a reliable, long-lasting pan that balances maneuverability, even heat distribution, and versatility, the KitchenAid NITRO Carbon Steel 12-Inch Skillet is the pan for you, and you can get your very own here. 

Do you already own a carbon steel pan? Does it work for your lifestyle? Let us know what you think in the comments. 

For those of you who don’t yet own a carbon steel pan, do you think it would work for you? What’s the first thing you would like to cook in a carbon steel pan? We look forward to hearing your answers below!

 

KitchenAid Nitro Carbon Steel Pan Review and Giveaway