MINERAL B Carbon Steel Fry Pan 12.5 Inch Review

MINERAL B Carbon Steel Fry Pan 12.5 Inch Review | R3

How we scored it

5 criteria — open any layer to see exactly what we found

8.3

Safety

Great

6.5

Efficacy

Fair

3.7

Usability

Below average

Material SafetyCritical

50%

8.3▾

Criteria

Cooking Surface Material

Carbon steel (bare)10/10

Pure iron and polymerized oil is the only cooking surface where you know exactly what you're getting: iron and nothing else. No synthetic layer exists between your food and the pan — and no synthetic layer means nothing to leach, chip, or degrade into dinner.

Trade-off

Cast iron and carbon steel require active maintenance — they can't go in the dishwasher, and they need periodic re-seasoning when the surface looks dry or starts to stick
The payoff is a cooking surface with no expiration date

Third-Party Safety Certifications

6/10

No synthetic coating means no PFAS certification needed. Bare cast iron and carbon steel cooking surfaces are iron and polymerized oil — the ingredients are visible and the safety case is straightforward.

Seasoning Oil Type

1/10

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Heat VersatilityImportant

15%

8.2▾

Criteria

Oven-Safe Temperature

4007/10

400–499°F covers the majority of oven-finishing recipes. Most roasted proteins and vegetables are done at or below 450°F. The only gap is extreme high-heat applications like pizza stone recipes.

Trade-off

Nonstick coatings in this range are approaching their degradation thresholds — sustained use at 400–499°F in the oven accelerates coating wear.

Induction Compatibility

true10/10

Cooking CapacityImportant

10%

4▾

Criteria

Cooking Surface Diameter

94/10

8–9 inches is a single-serve pan. Adequate for cooking for one but requires multiple batches for family meals.

Trade-off

Limited utility for family cooking
Best positioned as a secondary pan for egg cooking or single-portion applications

Maintenance BurdenNice to have

13%

1▾

Criteria

Seasoning Maintenance Required

true1/10

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Dishwasher Safe

false1/10

band_boolean:false→1

Long-Term ReliabilityNice to have

13%

6.4▾

Criteria

Warranty Coverage

lifetime10/10

A lifetime warranty means the brand stands behind the pan for the life of the household. For Lodge ($30) and FINEX ($230), this signals exceptional confidence in durability — both carry lifetime warranties.

Trade-off

Warranty exclusions matter
Lodge's lifetime warranty excludes commercial use, accidents, misuse, dishwasher damage, and soaking damage — normal consumer use should be covered, but read the terms

Handle Heat Safety

Read the full methodology

De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan 12.5"

The bottom line

Safety research

How we scored it

Where to buy

Other Options to Consider

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