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Home cooks who love the benefits of cast iron cookware, but want something a little lighter to handle, should consider snagging a carbon steel skillet, which combines the best of nonstick skillets and cast iron cookware. A great starting point is this Lodge modelwhich is currently for sale on Amazon.
the Lodge 12 inch Carbon Steel Skillet is made from heavy-duty 12-gauge carbon steel material, allowing the pan to reach high temperatures much faster than stainless steel and non-stick pans, and it retains heat very well. Once the skillet has been properly seasoned, it will be as smooth as a nonstick skillet (and will only get better with age), becoming the perfect vessel for frying eggs and even flipping pancakes.
Use this carbon steel skillet for a wide variety of kitchen tasks, including searing, sautéing, grilling, roasting, frying, and more. It’s compatible with just about any surface, including induction cooktops, and dishwasher safe, although many buyers recommend hand washing. The pan is finished with a handle which is secured with a removable silicone holder, protecting your hands from the high heat.
To buy: Lodge 12-inch Carbon Steel Skillet, $50 (originally $60) at amazon.com
Hundreds of Amazon shoppers have given the Carbon Steel Skillet a five-star rating, with many noting that they “replace cast iron” with this skillet. A reviewer wrote“It literally hasn’t left my stove since the day it arrived.”
Even a professional cook was impressed with this skillet, and wrote that as long as you treat the pan with care, “you will have this pan forever.” Another user whose arthritis was affecting his ability to cook wanted to choose cookware that was a little lighter, but still had the same benefits as cast iron. This carbon steel pan was the move, with the examiner explaining“I am very pleased with these pans and expect them to last for years!”
