De Buyer Mineral B Pro Frying Pan, 28 cm

Nice skillet but I wasn't paying enough attention when I ordered this small size. No fault of the company. It was completely my error but truth be told, I really didn't need a skillet quite this small. It is just the right size for a grilled cheese sandwich using typical American white bread slices. If you do want a very small skillet, this one would be a good choice because it is well made with a good handle. it took a while to season, but now it's non stick and cooks very well. It's hefty enough to be durable but thin enough to heat up and cool down rapidly and that is generally an advantage.

Best pan I own!

This is my first carbon-steel pan, so I was very careful about following all the instructions. I must say, after a week of owning it, I REALLY love it, and it's now my go-to pan for everything! My favorite is sautéing onions & peppers, then adding eggs right on top. Flip them after a minute or two, then turn the stove off and let them sit while you finish toast. They are SOO good, and they fall right out of the pan when serving! I use a tad of avocado oil when sautéing the veggies, and if needed, I'll spray the pan with pam before the eggs. It's usually not needed. Everything tastes SO good! It sears like a cast iron, and it cleans better than one. So, if something does stick a little (usually my error), just add a little water at the end and use the spatula to ... MoreThis is my first carbon-steel pan, so I was very careful about following all the instructions. I must say, after a week of owning it, I REALLY love it, and it's now my go-to pan for everything! My favorite is sautéing onions & peppers, then adding eggs right on top. Flip them after a minute or two, then turn the stove off and let them sit while you finish toast. They are SOO good, and they fall right out of the pan when serving! I use a tad of avocado oil when sautéing the veggies, and if needed, I'll spray the pan with pam before the eggs. It's usually not needed. Everything tastes SO good! It sears like a cast iron, and it cleans better than one. So, if something does stick a little (usually my error), just add a little water at the end and use the spatula to scrape the bottom. Rinse it, paper-towel it, put in a drop of oil and paper-towel it again. Ready for next time! Most of the time after the eggs, I just have to paper-towel it clean, add the drop of oil, and paper towel again.. Then it's already clean before we even eat the eggs! SOOO easy!I'm really glad I found these pans when I was looking for stainless steel. I never heard of them before, and I'm SOO glad I bought one! Thank you de Buyer!

Great Pan! Get the Pro Version for Easy Seasoning!

I purchased this pan several weeks ago and have enjoyed it so far. When my most recent set of coated non-stick pans began to chip/peel I decided that I wanted to try something that would last and hopefully be healthier - I wasn't sure what sort of exposures I was getting with my failing non-stick pans. I settled in trying the 11" Mineral B Pro fry pan and I've been very happy with the purchase! So far it's not as non-stick as pans coated with Teflon-like products but it performs well and when there's a little sticking it cleans up easily, even cooking eggs.In my opinion the 11" Pro version of the pan is well worth the extra $20 vs. the regular Mineral B pan without the stainless steel handle - not only does it look great, but the stainless steel handle is ... MoreI purchased this pan several weeks ago and have enjoyed it so far. When my most recent set of coated non-stick pans began to chip/peel I decided that I wanted to try something that would last and hopefully be healthier - I wasn't sure what sort of exposures I was getting with my failing non-stick pans. I settled in trying the 11" Mineral B Pro fry pan and I've been very happy with the purchase! So far it's not as non-stick as pans coated with Teflon-like products but it performs well and when there's a little sticking it cleans up easily, even cooking eggs.In my opinion the 11" Pro version of the pan is well worth the extra $20 vs. the regular Mineral B pan without the stainless steel handle - not only does it look great, but the stainless steel handle is oven-safe so it allows for oven seasoning. I seasoned 3 times in the oven prior to my first use and the pan worked well from the first use. And I understand it should just get more non-stick with time!I'm interested in DeBuyer stainless steel products as well but I haven't had the opportunity to try any of them yet.

HeχClad pans have NOTHING on the Mineral B Pro!

Love this pan for searing steaks and sautéing a ton of vegetables! The quality of this pan is A+. However be warned, the pan is HEAVY. But…that’s the way I like it! It will never warp. This is family heirloom quality and my kids will be fighting over this pan one day. Yes, it takes a little bit more cleaning effort than a nonstick type Teflon pan, but who cares. It’s a joy to take care of an a joy to cook on. I love it. Just use a chain mail scrubber if some food sticks to it. It really isn’t that difficult and the food cooks deliciously and without PTFE chemical residue, found on most Teflon coated garbage pans.

I like it - but it's heavier than I thought!

I bought this because I became very frustrated with how poorly made most non-stick pans are ... including high priced brands such as All Clad. I am older and can no longer deal with cast iron due to the weight. Although this pan is indeed lighter than cast iron, it's still pretty hefty. It also has less surface space than I expected. The bottom is only 7" wide I expected more cooking surface from a 9.5" pan! Unfortunately, because of the weight, I wouldn't be able to deal with the larger de Buyer pans ... so sadly, the search continues.It is good quality though and I have already used it several times both on the stove top and in the oven.

Loving Them!

I bought the whole line up as a first time carbon steel owner. Anything to get rid of the teflon coated pans I have been using...and continuously replacing! I have been so excited to use them each and every day with great success. I operate on a electric stove and seasoned them inside the oven. Recommend utilizing canola, grape seed or an oil which falls just below the 500 degree mark, so you can readily achieve smoke point and season in one shot in the oven. Worked great, as I immediately started cooking with them and have been able to continuously improve there seasoning attributes with every use. I also love the professional look of the Pro series with the stainless steel handles, as they do not heat up on the stove verse the steel handles of some of there ... MoreI bought the whole line up as a first time carbon steel owner. Anything to get rid of the teflon coated pans I have been using...and continuously replacing! I have been so excited to use them each and every day with great success. I operate on a electric stove and seasoned them inside the oven. Recommend utilizing canola, grape seed or an oil which falls just below the 500 degree mark, so you can readily achieve smoke point and season in one shot in the oven. Worked great, as I immediately started cooking with them and have been able to continuously improve there seasoning attributes with every use. I also love the professional look of the Pro series with the stainless steel handles, as they do not heat up on the stove verse the steel handles of some of there streamed lined restaurant used carbon steel. In the restaurant business, one is use to having a towel in hand for moving hot pans on the stove, but at home, I do not like having to reach for a hot pad each and every time I tend to my dishes on the stove. They are very thick and durable, which is a sign of quality. I plan on passing these down to future generations and definitely played a part in my decision in purchasing the Mineral B PRO Carbon Steel Fry Pans. You will not be disappointed.

Non stick Bliss

I am getting out of nonstick cookware and have invested in mineral B pans to help with that journey. This Pro model is a very substantial pan much heavier than they look in the picture. The key to nonstick is to season the pan with high temperature oil like grape seed at medium high temperatures causing the oil to stick to the pan and change the color of the pan to a coppery patina that produces the nonstick properties. They say the more you use and season the pan the more nonstick it becomes. It has worked well on this small pan, I have an 11 inch that is still a work in progress but it is getting better. A great alternative pan to nonstick.

Pro or non-pro both great pans

Have a smaller one in the non-pro version. Essentially the same pan except for the handle. The non-Pro has some coating on the handle than can't 'handle' the oven whereas the pro can go in the oven. Curiously, the seasoning instructions for the pro are the same as for the other and don't mention the oven. Either way, the pans both have excellent, smooth, and thick metal that seasons nicely. Now that I've had the experience with both handles however, I might be inclined to choose the non-pro only because the pro handle, while beautifully polished stainless, becomes narrower leading away from the pan which is slightly awkward for me. This is the only minor flaw I can find. I tried two other brands, one french and one US and this beats both of them hands down. ... MoreHave a smaller one in the non-pro version. Essentially the same pan except for the handle. The non-Pro has some coating on the handle than can't 'handle' the oven whereas the pro can go in the oven. Curiously, the seasoning instructions for the pro are the same as for the other and don't mention the oven. Either way, the pans both have excellent, smooth, and thick metal that seasons nicely. Now that I've had the experience with both handles however, I might be inclined to choose the non-pro only because the pro handle, while beautifully polished stainless, becomes narrower leading away from the pan which is slightly awkward for me. This is the only minor flaw I can find. I tried two other brands, one french and one US and this beats both of them hands down. Understanding the limits of carbon steel being the same as cast iron, you won't be disappointed.

Quality and Craftsmanship

Finally,I have pans worthy of the hype around carbon steel. I've tried others, they all have serious deficiencies.De Buyer Mineral Pro pans are the real deal, easy to season, quality from the word go and an excellent product for price, in the long run (a lifetime). Thanks de Buyer,, It is a shame these are so hard to get (always out of stock) but the pans are worth the wait, don't change processing speed to put out a more albeit probably lesser pans. Quality and Craftsmanship count. BTW, the Mineral Pro handles are excellent, and not so long as to create storage issue, plus they give the product the quality to finish the cooking in the oven at the required temperatures.

Really wanted to like it, but sticks & very heavy

We purchased this pan based on the solid reviews, but came into the experience knowing that the seasoning process was a make or break situation when it came to avoid any sticking — especially with eggs. We were quite diligent with doing a seasoning session 4 times before an actual use. It was tricky to get the seasoning to cover the whole interior. The seasoning did help where it was covered, but not much better than a classic stainless steel pan we have.However, the weight of the pan was ultimately the part that convinced us to return it. We knew the pan was on the heavy side, but thought it wouldn’t be much of an issue with the side handle. However, while it wasn’t a huge deal in general moving the pan, we underestimated how cumbersome it would be in cleaning ... MoreWe purchased this pan based on the solid reviews, but came into the experience knowing that the seasoning process was a make or break situation when it came to avoid any sticking — especially with eggs. We were quite diligent with doing a seasoning session 4 times before an actual use. It was tricky to get the seasoning to cover the whole interior. The seasoning did help where it was covered, but not much better than a classic stainless steel pan we have.However, the weight of the pan was ultimately the part that convinced us to return it. We knew the pan was on the heavy side, but thought it wouldn’t be much of an issue with the side handle. However, while it wasn’t a huge deal in general moving the pan, we underestimated how cumbersome it would be in cleaning the pan — especially when you also need to be gentle cleaning it. Combine this with our always feeling like we needed to baby this heavy beast from cracking our glasstop electric cooktop, it just wasn’t worth the hassle.