de Buyer Mineral Pan, Fry Pan
4.8
5
97
102
These are seriously excellent pans...
I purchased these for my husband for Christmas as he loves to cook. These pans are excellent for searing meats and then pop into the oven for final cooking time. They are extremely well made, dense pans and have the added benefits of being made of iron, but with a steel type finish so it's the best of both worlds. Chef's Catalog had the very best price for these pans as I searched for a better deal and could not find one. Consequently, they were on backorder until after Christmas, but my husband did not mind.
January 18, 2012
Absolute Non-stick Solution
I wanted pans that would be non-stick but that could also be placed directly from stovetop to a very hot oven without concern for handle integrity or potential degradation of the non-stick coating. As well, I was tired of replacing relatively expensive high-quality pans every number of years when their coatings began to chip or flake. I also wanted a pan with which I could use metal utensils without the concern of damaging the pan. De Buyer to the rescue!
I will caution that the pans should be seasoned using the method (using potato peels) that is demonstrated in de Buyer's You Tube video that is inexplicitly not included with the product. That said, I seared beef only twice on the 12" pan (bought the 3-piece set) before doing a large batch of scrambled eggs that simply slid off the pan when they were done. Not a morsel stuck to the pan. Just recently I made a German style pancake that starts on the stovetop but finishes in the pan in a 450 oven. It, too, slid right off the pan when done. Although I haven't used the small pan yet, the 10" pan gave the same results as the 12".
The construction of the pans is so sturdy that I'm certain they will last for my lifetime & probably be handed down after that. My only regret is that I hesitated buying these for over a year; my loss. I love that I can use metal utensils without damaging or scratching the pans; they heat evenly and quickly; they clean up easily and can be nested for easier storage.
My only negative comment is that the best method of seasoning the pans is not included with them ... makes no sense. I have two cautions regarding use of the product not provided by de Buyer; although they may look in photos that they are much lighter than cast iron, they are only minimally so (my wife cannot handle the 12" pan one-handed); being pure iron, they hold their heat for a VERY long time, so take care handling after cooking.
I have to highly recommend this product. As a home chef, I can frankly say that I haven't been this thrilled by a cookware's performance since the advent of induction cooking.
January 17, 2012
Beautiful Product
I bought these pans recently for my husband's birthday (he is the cook in the family). He was so excited to finally have "real" cookware that you would have thought I'd given him a new car. I was tired of constantly buying new pans because none of them lasted but I can tell these will last the rest of our lives.
November 23, 2011
Must Have
I have purchased three sets of these pans. I'm now giving them as gifts to other frustrated chefs. They are amazing and just keep getting better with use. Better than aluminum and teflon coated pans. They heat evenly on a flame. We love them!
November 2, 2011
Surprising quality
I'm amazed at the quality of these pans. I thought I'd have to pay much more to get something that performs so well. They're sturdy and heavy without being as cumbersome as cast iron. We followed the pre-seasoning instructions and they were nearly non-stick from the first use. They distribute heat evenly so that even a large trout which was bigger than the gas burner browned evenly.
October 28, 2011
Outstanding pan!
Got the 8" as a gift from my wife. Seasoned it, used it, LOVE it!! Love it so much, ended up buying the 10" pan!!! These things saute', fry, broil...go from the burner to the oven and back without breaking a sweat...great searing pan...just remember, when it is in the oven, use a mit to get it out...Also have the grilling pan, love that one too!
September 6, 2011
Better than expected
The photographs in the catalog don't do them justice. They're extremely well made and we're happy we bought them. It was a pleasant surprise.
March 25, 2011
awesome product
as a chef for the last 10 years i have used countless pots and pans. these pans by far are my favorite. i was able to cook over easy eggs out of the box. 6 hours later i am searing a rib roast for dinner. even heat, easy to clean, and just sexy. looks like the french have done it again.
January 6, 2011