Black Steel Round Fry Pan 11 7/8"

Score: 9.2/10 | Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel is the professional restaurant choice for carbon steel cookware. Heavier gauge than de Buyer provides superior heat retention. Made in France with the same PFAS-free, coating-free design that makes carbon steel the safest high-performance option.

This review uses the R3 Cookware Methodology v1.0.0, which evaluates cookware across six pillars: Safety (35%), Efficacy (30%), Value (15%), Usability (10%), Sustainability (5%), and Suitability (5%).

Like all carbon steel, Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel has no synthetic coating:

• 100% PFAS-free - pure carbon steel construction
• No ceramic or PTFE coatings to worry about
• Naturally develops seasoning through polymerized oil
• Nothing to degrade at any temperature

The black color is not a coating - it develops from seasoning. New pans arrive with a bare steel surface that you season yourself, giving you complete control over what contacts your food.

Matfer Bourgeat differs from consumer-focused brands in several ways:

The heavier construction means better heat distribution and retention, but also a heavier pan. The 12" Matfer weighs about 5.5 lbs versus 4.5 lbs for comparable de Buyer.

This is where Matfer Bourgeat truly excels:

• Restaurant-grade heat retention holds temperature when food hits the pan
• Superior searing creates professional-quality crusts
• Excellent heat distribution across the cooking surface
• Unlimited oven temperature - broiler safe, grill safe, campfire safe

Professional chefs prefer Matfer specifically because the heavier gauge maintains heat better during high-volume service. For home cooks, this translates to better browning with less technique required.

Matfer Bourgeat has manufactured professional cookware in France since 1814:

• Supplies major restaurant chains and Michelin-starred establishments
• Commercial-grade construction designed for daily professional use
• Consistent quality across production runs
• Industry-standard specifications trusted by culinary schools

At $65-75 for the 12" pan, Matfer Bourgeat offers good value considering:

• Commercial durability means 50+ year lifespan
• Heavier gauge provides better performance than cheaper options
• Professional pedigree at consumer pricing
• No replacement cycles unlike coated cookware

Compared to de Buyer ($80+) or Made In ($90+), Matfer often provides better value for comparable or superior quality.

The heavier gauge is both advantage and disadvantage:

Benefits:

• Better heat retention
• Less temperature drop when cooking
• More stable on cooktop

Drawbacks:

• 5.5 lbs is significant for one-handed use
• Harder to toss or flip food
• Storage considerations

For cooks who primarily use two hands or utensils to flip food, the weight is a non-issue. For those who like to toss vegetables or flip crepes, consider the lighter de Buyer.

Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel is the professional-grade choice for families wanting commercial kitchen quality at home. The heavier gauge provides superior heat performance compared to consumer carbon steel brands. Like all carbon steel, it is completely PFAS-free and develops naturally nonstick seasoning over time. The weight trade-off is worth it for serious searing.

Score: 9.2/10 | Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel is the professional restaurant choice for carbon steel cookware. Heavier gauge than de Buyer provides superior heat retention. Made in France with the same PFAS-free, coating-free design that makes carbon steel the safest high-performance option.

This review uses the R3 Cookware Methodology v1.0.0, which evaluates cookware across six pillars: Safety (35%), Efficacy (30%), Value (15%), Usability (10%), Sustainability (5%), and Suitability (5%).

Like all carbon steel, Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel has no synthetic coating:

• 100% PFAS-free - pure carbon steel construction
• No ceramic or PTFE coatings to worry about
• Naturally develops seasoning through polymerized oil
• Nothing to degrade at any temperature

The black color is not a coating - it develops from seasoning. New pans arrive with a bare steel surface that you season yourself, giving you complete control over what contacts your food.

Matfer Bourgeat differs from consumer-focused brands in several ways:

The heavier construction means better heat distribution and retention, but also a heavier pan. The 12" Matfer weighs about 5.5 lbs versus 4.5 lbs for comparable de Buyer.

This is where Matfer Bourgeat truly excels:

• Restaurant-grade heat retention holds temperature when food hits the pan
• Superior searing creates professional-quality crusts
• Excellent heat distribution across the cooking surface
• Unlimited oven temperature - broiler safe, grill safe, campfire safe

Professional chefs prefer Matfer specifically because the heavier gauge maintains heat better during high-volume service. For home cooks, this translates to better browning with less technique required.

Matfer Bourgeat has manufactured professional cookware in France since 1814:

• Supplies major restaurant chains and Michelin-starred establishments
• Commercial-grade construction designed for daily professional use
• Consistent quality across production runs
• Industry-standard specifications trusted by culinary schools

At $65-75 for the 12" pan, Matfer Bourgeat offers good value considering:

• Commercial durability means 50+ year lifespan
• Heavier gauge provides better performance than cheaper options
• Professional pedigree at consumer pricing
• No replacement cycles unlike coated cookware

Compared to de Buyer ($80+) or Made In ($90+), Matfer often provides better value for comparable or superior quality.

The heavier gauge is both advantage and disadvantage:

Benefits:

• Better heat retention
• Less temperature drop when cooking
• More stable on cooktop

Drawbacks:

• 5.5 lbs is significant for one-handed use
• Harder to toss or flip food
• Storage considerations

For cooks who primarily use two hands or utensils to flip food, the weight is a non-issue. For those who like to toss vegetables or flip crepes, consider the lighter de Buyer.

Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel is the professional-grade choice for families wanting commercial kitchen quality at home. The heavier gauge provides superior heat performance compared to consumer carbon steel brands. Like all carbon steel, it is completely PFAS-free and develops naturally nonstick seasoning over time. The weight trade-off is worth it for serious searing.