Matfer Bourgeat Cookware: best choice for carbon steel and copper
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Darrian Wilkins
- Last update: September 20, 2021
Any of the listed products will be great additions to your kitchen repertoire, though the Matfer Bourgeat frying pan is the best overall for value, versatility and durability, whether you’re new to carbon steel cookware or not.
- Versatile shape and size allows you to truly cook anything
- Can go from stove to oven without damage
- Lighter than cast iron without sacrificing durability
- Becomes nonstick with proper seasoning
- Cannot be used on an induction cooktop
- May arrive damaged and need to be exchanged
As featured in America’s Test Kitchen, Matfer Bourgeat Cookware is a French family-owned industrial group with a long history of providing quality professional kitchen utensils. The long history is no exaggeration: Matfer Bourgeat has been around for centuries, and in the USA for over thirty years.
When looking for cookware they are a great place to start if you are looking for professional quality pieces that prioritize functionality. They are consistently rated high by both professional and home cooks, so you can find cookware that will suit your unique needs and kitchen. Matfer Bourgeat will gladly accept exchanges and returns, so don’t put off investing in a solid pan that will last a lifetime!
Best Matfer Bourgeat cookware products
1. Matfer Bourgeat Carbon Steel Frying Pan
- AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN TOP-RATED CARBON STEEL FRY PAN: The pan that "has it all." Brings top-notch heat distribution and temperature control, preserving the vitamins and nutrients in your foods, making it excellent for searing meats, browning omelets, grilling fish, and cooking a wide range of dishes, even desserts
- NATURAL NON-STICK MATERIAL: Made of of black carbon steel, a natural mineral material promoting healthy cooking making this pan free of any harsh chemicals or coatings, PTFE and PFOA free , and once seasoned, becomes exceedingly non-stick
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: The steel handle is welded to pan's body for extra strength and security, is free of rivets, ensuring sanitary use and its angled design makes it ideal for easily sauteing, stirring, and mixing your dishes
A true all-purpose pan for amateurs and pros alike, versatile enough for eggs, meats, veggies and sauces. This is a great gateway pan for anyone looking to take the leap into the world of carbon steel cookware and is the overall best choice for a combination of value, versatility and durability.
It should be noted that most negative reviews had a common theme: warping on induction cooktops. This pan just shouldn’t be used on an induction burner and must be properly maintained and seasoned to avoid rusting and sticking.
This pan is a perfect tool for broiling meats and making pan sauces or even baking fruit crumbles as it is able to transfer from stovetop to oven and even broiler without warping or even worse, melting. Though the handle can get hot, other pans with silicone or plastic on the handles can melt if used for anything other than stovetop cooking, so this pan truly gives you the flexibility to use it for every kind of recipe.
Bottom line – this pan is selected as the best option for sheer durability and versatility. When cared for properly, this pan will last for many years and can be used for pretty much anything. You could buy it as an upgrade to your current department store brand, or add it to your growing collection of professional-grade tools.
Pros
- Versatile shape and size allows you to truly cook anything
- Can go from stove to oven without damage
- Lighter than cast iron without sacrificing durability
- Becomes nonstick with proper seasoning
Cons
- Cannot be used on an induction cooktop
- May arrive damaged and need to be exchanged
2. Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel Round Frying Pan
- AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN RECOMMENDED: The pan that "Has it all." Brings top-notch heat distribution and temperature control, preserving the vitamins and nutrients in your foods, making it excellent for searing meats, browning omelets, grilling fish, and cooking a wide range of dishes, even desserts
- NATURAL NON-STICK MATERIAL: Made of of black carbon steel, a natural mineral material promoting healthy cooking making this pan free of any harsh chemicals or coatings, PTFE and PFOA free , and once seasoned, becomes exceedingly non-stick
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: The steel handle is welded to pan's body for extra strength and security, is free of rivets, ensuring sanitary use, and its angled design makes it ideal for easily sauteeing, stirring, and mixing your dishes
This is a pan ideal for searing meats and sautéing. It is constructed from black steel, which is both durable and distributes heat evenly without being as bulky as cast iron. The handle is made from an extra-strong steel strip that won’t get hot, avoiding absent-minded burns.
This pan is available in multiple sizes and will work on all stovetops and hobs, so appropriate for both gas and electric stoves. When seasoned it becomes nonstick, which may be helpful if you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional nonstick coating.
Reviewers overall loved the lightness and durability, though some customers had experiences with the pan arriving warped on the bottom or becoming warped after seasoning. To prevent warping when seasoning, avoid using cold water during the process. If it arrives warped, Matfer Bourgeat will accept a return or exchange and even offered some customers a discount for their damaged products if they didn’t feel like completing a return.
Pros
- Light but durable
- Even heat distribution
- Handle won’t get hot
- Can transfer from stove to oven
- Works on all cooktops
- Becomes nonstick with regular seasoning
- Good return policy
Cons
- Sometimes warps when seasoned improperly
- Sometimes damaged during shipping
3. Matfer Bourgeat 8-piece Bourgeat Copper Cookware set
- THE ULTIMATE 8-PIECE SET: Combines all of your favorite copper cookware pieces into one 8-piece set, including the Copper Casserole Pot, Copper Sauce Pan, Copper Flared Sauce Pan, Copper Heavy Saute Pan, along with all of their matching lids
- VARIETY OF USES: This set has a piece for every recipe and technique. Simmer your favorite sauces, saute foods like vegetables, seafood, and grains, and braise lean meats like brisket and short ribs, and much more!
- HIGH QUALITY MATERIAL: Combines the optimum heat conductivity of copper with the easy cleaning properties of a stainless steel interior, and the addition of even cooking thanks to its 2.5mm thickness
The price is a little shocking at first but is quite reasonable for a set of copper cookware from a professional grade line. This set is as much about function as it is about the form, and seems to blur the line between cookware and home decor with it’s beautiful, shiny copper exteriors.
Copper is a fantastic material for conducting heat, and reviewers were pleased with how evenly the cookware heated up without hotspots. This is another set that is not compatible with induction stovetops, and require a little extra care to maintain the shine on the polished copper exterior. If you don’t mind a little patina that comes with age and use, these will be a low maintenance heirloom you can pass along for generations.
Reviewers praised the quality of craftsmanship and the simplicity of design that really allows the copper to shine without extra bells and whistles. The pans are lined with stainless steel to help with sticking, and the cookware features sturdy cast iron handles that can take the heat of transferring from stovetop to oven.
A true investment, this set is a great idea for a wedding gift or the serious home cook who wants to up their game with beautiful, professional-grade cookware. Some reviewers had some negative experiences with shipping damage or a missing piece such as a lid or brazier, but Matfer Bourgeat has a customer service team who are always prepared to help replace or refund products that don’t meet their rigorous standards.
Pros
- Elegant design, beautiful to keep on display in the kitchen
- Excellent heat distribution
- Cast iron handles mean you can transfer pans from stovetop to oven
Cons
- Copper exteriors require some extra care for maintaining shine
- Sometimes pieces are missing from shipment and must be replaced by Matfer Bourgeat
4. Matfer Bourgeat Nonstick Round Frying Pan
- Nonstick round frying pan by Matfer Bourgeat
- The model number of this product is 670308
- Height of the item is 1. 5-Inch
If you’re not quite ready to make the leap to seasoning your own cookware or want an option you’re more familiar with, this nonstick pan might be for you.
There are four layers of nonstick material, which means less flaking if you accidentally scratch it- remember, avoid using metal utensils with a nonstick pan! After washing this pan is ready to go, and perfect for cooking fish, eggs and vegetables with or without oil.
It is durable but light enough that you can toss veggies and sauté like a pro. A feature, not all nonstick pans have is a handle that can take the heat, so you can transfer the pan from stovetop to oven without fear of melting or warping. The only caveat is that this pan cannot be used on induction stovetops, but electric stoves and gas ranges are compatible with this easy to clean pan. Available in multiple sizes.
Pros
- Nonstick coating doesn’t require seasoning
- Durable but light
- Can transfer from stovetop to oven
- Available in multiple sizes
- Good return policy
Cons
- Nonstick coating requires wooden or silicone utensils to avoid scratching
- Not compatible with induction cooktops
5. Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel Paella Pan
- Oven safe
- VARIETY OF USES: Designed for making classic Spanish paella, its broad surface and sloped walls are also excellent for sautéing, shallow frying, use on outdoor grills, and more
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: High quality welded steel handle is free from rivets to prevent stuck or burned pieces of food or bacteria
Because of the shape of this pan and the loop style handles, this is technically a paella pan but can be used for so many other things. Think a large serving of bacon and eggs for a table full of friends, a big batch of fried rice, multiple pancakes at a time, or even a sheet pan dinner.
The advantage of not having a long, protruding handle is that minimal storage space is needed. Like other black steel pans, it requires some patience and deliberate seasoning to become nonstick and oiling after use to prevent rust, which was named as a recurring issue for some customers in the reviews.
The size featured here is quite large for home cooking compared to a standard 12-inch frying pan but is perfect for batch cooking or feeding a crowd. It is durable without being super heavy like cast iron and works on all cooking surfaces, including induction cooktops and grills. In fact, multiple reviews recommended using it on the grill for its even distribution of heat. You can even pop the whole thing in the oven to keep a finished dish warm or to give the meat a golden crust under the broiler in its final minutes of cooking.
A continued theme with Matfer Bourgeat is damage from shipping, so be sure to thoroughly examine your new cookware for any scratches or dints that you can’t live with before you season your pan. Your paella pan may get dark with use, which is perfectly normal tempering of the pan.
Pros
- Large, deep pan for batch cooking, stirring
- Loop style handles allow for easy storage
- Can transfer from stove to oven
- Works on all cooking surfaces, including induction and grills
- Even heat distribution
- Multiple sizes available
Cons
- Lack of handle can take some getting used to
- Sometimes damaged during shipping and must be returned
- Requires regular seasoning and oiling to avoid rusting
- Can take a while for seasoning to make pan nonstick
6. Matfer Bourgeat Round Crepe Pan
- VARIETY OF USES: Brings top-notch heat distribution and temperature control, preserving the vitamins and nutrients in your foods, with a flat design perfect for crepes
- NATURAL NON-STICK MATERIAL: Made of of black carbon steel, a natural mineral material promoting healthy cooking making this pan free of any harsh chemicals or coatings, PTFE and PFOA free , and once seasoned, becomes exceedingly non-stick
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: The steel handle is welded to pan's body for extra strength and security, is free of rivets, preventing bacteria from being trapped certifying sanitary use, and its angled design makes it ideal for easily sauteeing, stirring, and mixing your dishes
Many reviews praised this black steel crepe pan for its even heat distribution, low sides for easy flipping, and minimal oil or butter needed to let eggs slide perfectly out of the pan.
Like previous black steel options, there may be a learning curve with seasoning to become nonstick, as many of the negative reviews expressed frustration with sticking, and experiencing hot spots when used on induction stovetops. However, many more reviews claimed eggs practically slid around the pan, so it would be worth a try if you are wanting a long-lasting, quality piece you are willing to season and maintain.
The advantage of this little pan is how light and thin it is, as it is designed for making crepes. This makes it slightly less versatile, as the lack of edges can be difficult if making stirfries or sautéing, but is perfect for pancakes, eggs, bacon, or anything else where a high edge can make it difficult to flip food off of the pan. The handle is quite long, which may or may not be an issue depending on your storage space, but provides the leverage needed for swirling crepe batter on the pan for its intended use.
Pros
- Light, thin, but durable
- Nonstick with minimal seasoning
- Low sides great for flipping eggs, crepes or bacon
- Long handle provides leverage for swirling and flipping
Cons
- A specialty item, less versatile because of low sides
- Requires regular seasoning to stay nonstick
- Not suitable for induction cooktops
- Long handle requires more storage space
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for professional-grade, high quality cookware that is lighter than cast iron but durable enough to become a family heirloom, Matfer Bourgeat is a reliable and time tested option.
Being informed and prepared will help you enjoy your cookware for many years, so be sure to thoroughly read the provided instructions on how to initially clean and continually season your pan when it first arrives.
Depending on where you live, the cookware could be traveling a great distance and there is a small risk of damage, so be sure to inspect your purchase before seasoning so you can contact Matfer Bourgeat for a return or exchange.
Most pans come with a wax coating to protect them during shipping, so be sure to thoroughly wash it off before beginning the seasoning process.
If you have an induction burner stove, be absolutely sure that the pan you are selecting is compatible to avoid warping! The paella pan is your best bet if you have an induction stove, and you can purchase it in smaller sizes if you don’t need the volume of the traditional size.
No matter what you pick, enjoy learning how to cook with professional cookware and have fun showing off your skills to friends and family for years to come!