Just like a carpenter requires the best possible equipment to get the job done, chefs also need to be armed with outstanding pots, pans, utensils, and kitchenware.
This not only helps to achieve better results but will also allow you to prepare your meals faster.
Two of the most crucial components of every kitchen are pots and pans, and there are countless types and companies to pick from.
Among the many choices, De Buyer arises as one of the very best companies around, trusted for their superior range of high-quality products.
De Buyer has two lineups that are considered to be top-notch – De Buyer Mineral B and Carbone Plus are undoubtedly two of the best. Our upcoming breakdown supplies a detailed comparison between these two popular lineups.
De Buyer Mineral B Vs. Carbone Plus Comparison
| De Buyer Mineral B | De Buyer Carbone Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Carbon Steel Composite Comprised Of 99% Iron & 1% Mixed Metal | Non-Stick Coated Carbon Steel Composite Comprised Of Stainless Steel & Iron |
| Highlights | Performance And Durability Of Cast Iron Without Weight, Lifelong Durability When Well Cared For, Outstanding Heat Retention, Excellent Heat Conduction, Oven Safe, French Curve Handles, Beeswax Coating Upon Delivery | Performance And Durability Of Cast Iron Without Weight, Non-Stick Coating Ensures Reliable Non-Stick Performance Without Seasoning Needed, French Curve Handles, Slightly Better heating & Temperature Retention Than Mineral B Range |
| Best Uses | High Performance, High Heat Searing, Browning And Grilling | High Performance Grilling & Frying |
| Product Range | High Performance Grilling & Frying | 13+ Pots & Pans, Utensils |
| Considerations | Mineral B Range Requires Seasoning Before Use And Reseasoning After Cleaning | Utensils Only Oven Safe For Quick Durations | Pirated De Buyer Products Are Common So Beware Of Ripoffs And Only Buy From Reputable Sellers | Decide Whether Non-Stick Is Suitable For Your Preferences (Requires Less Work To Keep In Good Condition) | Verify Original DeBuyer Carbone Plus Hardware Not Cheap Knockoff |
| Affordability | Competitive High-End Price Point, Only Slightly Higher Cost Than Mid-Range Not Near Cookware “Ceiling” Price, More Affordable Than Carbone Plus Range | More Expensive Than Mineral B, Well-Priced High-End Cookware |
De Buyer Mineral B vs Carbone Plus
As any seasoned chef will know, cooking on carbon steel is a pleasure. Both De Buyer’s Mineral B and Carbone Plus product lines are filled with outstanding cookware and utensils.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s available, the type of quality to expect, and how these two outstanding high-end cookware lines compare to each other.
De Buyer Mineral B
There are few carbon steel pots and pans that can compare to the performance and lifelong durability of De Buyer’s Mineral B range. Here are all its highlights and info so that you can decide whether a Mineral B pot or pan is for you.
Composition
Every item in the De Buyer Mineral B range is a recycled metal composite called carbon steel that contains 99% pure iron and a variety of other metals, making up a percentage point in total.
De Buyer prides itself on being the original carbon steel which is, to this day, always handcrafted in France. Cookware ranges in thickness between 2.5 to 3 millimeters thick while the rivets are made from the same carbon material as the cookware.
Highlights
The De Buyer Mineral B range offers the functionality of cast iron without the weight. The natural cooking surface is designed to last a lifetime.
Pots, pans, and woks in the Mineral B category are thin and lightweight, which gives them superb heat retention and direct heat conduction. All products within the range with the exception of utensils are oven safe.
All cooking surfaces in the Mineral B range come coated with beeswax to protect them during transit.
The handles of pots and pans in the Mineral B range all come with the signature French curve that makes sauteing, stirring, flipping much more practical given the extension and shape.
Best Uses
De Buyer’s Mineral B range offers some of the best searing, browning, and grilling performance around. It has the heat and heat retention of cast iron without any of the drawbacks and a far lower chance of getting the temperature wrong and causing the food to stick.
Product Range
The De Buyer Mineral B range includes:
- Round Frying Pan
- Element Triple Blini Pan
- Round Omelet Pan
- Blini Pan
- Round Poffertjes & Mini-Blini Pan
- Round Griddle Pan
- Round Peasant Pan
- Round Crepe Pan
- Round Steak Pan
- Single Handle Wok
- 2-Handled Wok
- Removable Round Frying Pan Without Handle
- Removable Peasant Pan Without Handle
- Removable Pancake Pan Without Handle
- Rectangular Plancha
- Oval Roasting Dish With 2 Riveted Stainless Steel Handles
- Paella Pan With 2 Riveted Stainless Steel Handles
- 2 Handled Peasant Pan
And a universal lid across various diameters matching the entire range.
Considerations
Before buying any pot or pan from the De Buyer Mineral B range, keep in mind that you are buying pre-seasoned cookware, which will require regular reseasoning.
This means you’re going to have to clean the beeswax off that it arrives coated with using plain soapy water and a sponge or washcloth.
Before use, transfer the pot or pan to a stovetop on medium heat and pour in grapeseed oil until it coats the cookware to a 1-millimeter depth. Pour in a cup of kosher salt and shake it around to ensure that the pot or pan is evenly coated.
Turn up the heat to high and swirl the oil around infrequently to ensure that the whole pan, including the sides, stays coated. When the pot or pan reaches the smoking point, turn off the heat, pour off, and discard the excess oil.
Finally, wipe the pan clean using a paper towel until there is minimal oily residue and no salt left, and your pan is ready to cook on.
You’ll need to repeat this process after every cleaning session to ensure that your pan distributes heat evenly, which therefore prevents food from sticking.
While the metal composition of utensils is safe for flash usage in an oven, prolonged exposure will cause the handles to melt.
The De Buyer Mineral B range is pirated by a large number of illicit third-party vendors. Ensure that you order from a De Buyer certified stockist or a reliable, trustworthy seller.
Affordability
The De Buyer Mineral B range is a premium range of cookware and utensils which sells at a premium price.
It’s generally slightly more expensive than brands like BK and Lodge, but the superior quality more than makes up for the couple of dollars extra you’ll pay.
For the price of takeout on top of the average pan, you get a significantly cooking surface that could well last a lifetime. The De Buyer Mineral B is the more affordable product range out of the two compared.
De Buyer Carbone Plus
Like its more affordable counterpart, the De Buyer Carbone Plus range offers the benefits of carbon steel without all the excessive weight.
It’s the higher-end option for discerning cooks who are looking for durable, professional-grade cookware with a nonstick coating. Let’s take a closer look at this excellent selection of pots, pans, and utensils.
Composition
The De Buyer Carbone Plus range is made from a combination of carbon and stainless steel, making it a more durable, higher-quality cooking surface than is provided by the Mineral B collection.
Pots and pans come at 3 mm thickness standard and are suitable for all cooking surfaces. Unlike the Mineral B range, which is seasoned surfaces, the Carbone Plus range is covered with a durable nonstick coating.
Highlights
As cookware is made from a high-quality fusion of carbon and stainless steel, excellent heat distribution and retention can be expected. The Carbone Plus range heats quicker than the Mineral B.
It’s also easier for novices to cook with, without sticking occurring due to the nonstick coating. Working with a seasoned pan often takes practice to achieve the same results.
Although coated, the entire range is still oven-safe. Just like the more affordable Mineral B pots and pans, the Carbone Plus all come with French curve handles.
Best Uses
The Carbone Plus range from De Buyer is ideal for grilling and frying meat. It reaches exceptionally high temperatures but isn’t a raw seasoned surface like Mineral B. This gives it better all-around performance and better versatility.
Considerations
If the idea of cleaning and reseasoning your pan after each use is off-putting to you, rather go for the higher-priced De Buyer Carbone Plus.
Despite both varieties offering excellent performance and similar durability, the Carbone Plus is easier to handle without special care being necessary.
As with the Mineral B range, always be vigilant of con artists and make sure that you’re buying from a reputable supplier. Otherwise, consult the DeBuyer website for a list of reputable agents in France.
Product Range
The DeBuyer Carbone Plus range includes:
- Round Frying Pan
- 2-Handled Round Frying Pan
- 2-Handled Paella Frying Pan
- Wok, Crepe Pan
- Round Frying Pan Set
- Oval Frying Pan
- Blini Pan
- Triple Blini Pan
- Ground Griddle Pan,
- Rectangular Griddle Pan
Affordability
The De Buyer Carbone Plus range is more expensive than the Mineral B selection of cookware and utensils. Certain pots and pans can be up to twice the price of their Mineral B counterparts.
What Is The Difference Between De Buyer Mineral B Vs. Carbon Plus?
The main difference between De Buyer Mineral B and the Carbon Plus product line is that the more affordable Mineral B range is made from 99% iron and is seasoned, whereas the Carbone Plus is made from a combination of stainless steel and carbon and is covered with a nonstick coating.
Which Is Best Between De Buyer Mineral B Vs. Carbone Plus?
The best option between De Buyer Mineral B vs. Carbone Plus depends on whether you prefer cooking with a nonstick coated pot or pan or pre-seasoned cookware.
Both options are outstanding cookwares that’ll last a busy chef years. It’s up to your cooking style and preferences if you decide to pick one instead of arming your kitchen with both.