How do carbon steel pans compare to cast iron?

Whether you love to cook and do it often, or cook only occasionally, the type of pans you choose to do it with matters.

In particular, the material of your frying pan is important. For example, should you use carbon steel or cast iron pans?

Here are some of the reasons and ways that panning equipment is important:

• The type of pan you choose will have an impact on the right cooking oil to use. For example, if you have something like a stainless steel pan, you can use most types of oil, but your options may be more limited in a cast iron option.

• The correct frying temperature is influenced by the material of your pan. With a stainless steel pot, you can use medium-high temperatures for best results, but you need to make sure you preheat it completely before adding food.

• You can change the pan depending on what you are cooking. Certain meats, for example, are more likely to stick to certain types of casseroles. A stainless steel skillet goes well with things like steaks and fried potatoes.

According to Product Diggers, two of the most popular choices for pan material are carbon steel and cast iron, so how do the two compare?

What is carbon steel?

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, but it must contain less than 2% carbon to be considered steel. Stainless steel contains 1.2% carbon and carbon steel 2%.

Carbon steel has a matte finish, while a stainless steel pan has a glossy finish.

Carbon steel is harder than stainless steel, but it can corrode, unlike stainless steel.

If you are cooking with carbon steel, you will need to season the pan. Some of the things that can work well for carbon steel baking even include items that would typically stick in other types of pans, including eggs, pancakes, and omelets. Carbon steel can also be used for sautéing as it is quite light.

Some of the benefits of using a carbon steel pan include:

• The slanted sides of a carbon steel pan, along with the light weight, make them good for sautéing

• Relatively speaking, carbon steel is quite cheap

• You can lift a carbon steel pan with one hand

What is cast iron?

Cast iron pans are an alloy of carbon and iron, much like steel, but cast iron contains a greater amount of carbon.

Cast iron generally contains 2 to 3.5% carbon.

This high carbon content is what creates the rough feel of a cast iron pan.

Some of the benefits of cast iron include:

• Cast iron pans, once hot, hold the heat for a long time so you can use them both for quick searing or slow cooking.

• Cast iron has a naturally non-stick surface

• When you use a cast iron skillet, it can transfer minerals to your food, which is good for your health.

• When you take care of your cast iron stoves, they can last a long time and can even be passed down from generation to generation.

How are carbon steel and cast iron pans similar?

There are similarities between carbon steel and cast iron, including:

• Both types of pans can withstand high heat, so they are ideal for searing meat in this regard.

• You can use these two types of pans anywhere. For example, you can use them in the oven or on the stove and also over a fire.

• You season both cast iron and carbon steel with oil.

• Both pans are fairly easy to clean, using hot water and oil.

• Both will work on an induction cooker.

• No type of stove will work with anything very acidic. If you try to make an acidic sauce in either type of pan, it will break down their seasoning.

• Neither pot should be washed in the dishwasher or with harsh soaps.

How are carbon steel and cast iron pans different?

Here are some of the main differences between the two types of pans.

• Carbon steel is significantly lighter, in fact.

• Carbon pans heat faster but also cool faster.

• Cast iron pans are better at retaining heat, although they take longer to heat up than carbon steel. This means that cast iron can be good for roasting and especially pan frying, compared to carbon steel.

• The carbon steel pans have a smooth surface so you can prepare fish and cook vegetables.

Finally, the cast iron pans have a traditional design, with shorter handles so that they are easier to store and put in the oven.