Comparison: Best De Buyer Affinity Frying Pan (Updated | Nov 10th)
If you’re on the hunt for the **best De Buyer Affinity frying pan**, you’re not alone—this French-made favorite has been winning hearts in professional and home kitchens alike. But with so many claims about performance, durability, and that coveted non-stick finish, how do you know which model truly delivers? We’ve put several versions to the test, comparing heat control, build quality, and everyday usability, so you can skip the guesswork and invest in a pan that earns its place on your stovetop—every single time.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for pro-grade sear: De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 9.5” Diameter
- Best for helper-handle versatility: De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Country Fry Pan with Helper Handle – 12.5” Diameter
- Best for spacious sear pan: De Buyer MINERAL B Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 12.25” Diameter
- Best for mid-size mastery: De Buyer MINERAL B Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 11” Diameter
- Best for omelette perfection: De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Omelette Pan – 9.5” Diameter
- Best for compact carbon fry: De Buyer MINERAL B Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 9.5” Diameter
- Best for mini pro sear: De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 8” Diameter
- Best for pro omelette pan: De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Omelette Pan – 11” Diameter
- Best for blue steel pro: De Buyer – Blue Carbon Steel Fry Pan 2mm Thick – 10.25” Diameter
- Best for stainless sauté master: De Buyer Professional 24 cm Stainless Steel Affinity Straight Edge Sauté Pan
Product Comparison: Best De Buyer Affinity Frying Pan
Pro-Grade Sear
De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 9.5” Diameter, 6.9” Cooking Surface – Ideal for Searing, Sauteing & Reheating – PFAS, PFOA & PFOS Free – Made in France
De Buyer
- CARBON STEEL FRY PAN – The MINERAL B Pro Fry Pan is perfect for searing meat & seafood, sauteing vegetables, reheating leftovers & cooking eggs. It’s made of carbon steel, one of the most natural cooking materials, praised by chefs around the world.
- OVEN-SAFE HANDLE – This MINERAL B Pro pan features a cast French curve stainless steel handle with a heat stop, which is oven safe and primed for any culinary challenge.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS – Lighter, more heat responsive than cast iron & better adapted to high heat than stainless steel. Naturally non-stick after seasoning, this pan is free from PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS and made without any chemical coatings.
- EASY TO SEASON – Handwash to remove the beeswax coating, dry. Gradually heat to med-hi. Apply a thin layer of oil to coat bottom & sides. Heat approx. 10 mins. or until it begins to smoke. Cool 10 mins., drain & wipe dry. Reheat to med-hi for 2 mins.
- USE & CARE – Hand wash only & avoid harsh soaps that can strip the seasoning. Can be used on all cooking surfaces, including induction. Oven safe for up to 10 min at 400F.
- ROOTED IN FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION – Crafted with passion and precision since 1830, we design and manufacture premium cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools that elevate the cooking experience for both professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Helper-Handle Versatility
De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Country Fry Pan with Helper Handle – 12.5” Diameter, 9” Cooking Surface – Ideal for Sauteing, Simmering, Frying – PFAS, PFOA, PFOS Free – Made in France
De Buyer
- CARBON STEEL COUNTRY FRY PAN – With its high sides, the MINERAL B Pro Country Fry Pan is perfect for sauteing, simmering, deep frying & stir frying. It’s made of carbon steel, which is one of the most natural cooking materials.
- OVEN-SAFE HANDLE – The main handle is made from oven-safe cast stainless steel, ergonomically designed for comfort and control, while the additional helper handle makes it easy to lift.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS – Lighter, more heat responsive than cast iron & better adapted to high heat than stainless steel. Naturally non-stick after seasoning, this pan is free from PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS and made without any chemical coatings.
- EASY TO SEASON – Handwash to remove the beeswax coating, dry. Gradually heat to med-hi. Apply a thin layer of oil to coat bottom & sides. Heat approx. 10 mins. or until it begins to smoke. Cool 10 mins., drain & wipe dry. Reheat to med-hi for 2 mins.
- USE & CARE – Hand wash only & avoid harsh soaps that can strip the seasoning. Can be used on all cooking surfaces, including induction. Oven safe for up to 10 min at 400F.
- ROOTED IN FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION – Crafted with passion and precision since 1830, we design and manufacture premium cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools that elevate the cooking experience for both professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Spacious Sear Pan
De Buyer MINERAL B Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 12.25” Diameter, 9” Cooking Surface – Ideal for Searing, Sauteing & Reheating – PFAS, PFOA & PFOS Free – Made in France
De Buyer
- CARBON STEEL FRY PAN – The MINERAL B Fry Pan is perfect for searing meat, sauteing vegetables, reheating leftovers, or cooking eggs. It’s made of carbon steel, which is one of the most natural cooking materials, praised by chefs around the world.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS – Lighter, more heat responsive than cast iron & better adapted to high heat than stainless steel. Naturally non-stick after seasoning, this pan is free from PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS and made without any chemical coatings.
- EASY TO SEASON – Handwash to remove the beeswax coating, dry. Gradually heat to med-hi. Apply a thin layer of oil to coat bottom & sides. Heat approx. 10 mins. or until it begins to smoke. Cool 10 mins., drain & wipe dry. Reheat to med-hi for 2 mins.
- USE & CARE – Hand wash only & avoid harsh soaps that can strip the seasoning. Can be used on all cooking surfaces, including induction. Oven safe for up to 10 min at 400F.
- ROOTED IN FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION – Crafted with passion and precision since 1830, we design and manufacture premium cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools that elevate the cooking experience for both professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Mid-Size Mastery
De Buyer MINERAL B Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 11” Diameter, 8.3” Cooking Surface – Ideal for Searing, Sauteing & Reheating – PFAS, PFOA & PFOS Free – Made in France
De Buyer
- CARBON STEEL FRY PAN – The MINERAL B Fry Pan is perfect for searing meat, sauteing vegetables, reheating leftovers, or cooking eggs. It’s made of carbon steel, which is one of the most natural cooking materials, praised by chefs around the world.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS – Lighter, more heat responsive than cast iron & better adapted to high heat than stainless steel. Naturally non-stick after seasoning, this pan is free from PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS and made without any chemical coatings.
- EASY TO SEASON – Handwash to remove the beeswax coating, dry. Gradually heat to med-hi. Apply a thin layer of oil to coat bottom & sides. Heat approx. 10 mins. or until it begins to smoke. Cool 10 mins., drain & wipe dry. Reheat to med-hi for 2 mins.
- USE & CARE – Hand wash only & avoid harsh soaps that can strip the seasoning. Can be used on all cooking surfaces, including induction. Oven safe for up to 10 min at 400F.
- ROOTED IN FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION – Crafted with passion and precision since 1830, we design and manufacture premium cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools that elevate the cooking experience for both professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Omelette Perfection
De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Omelette Pan – 9.5” Diameter, 7.7” Cooking Surface – PFAS, PFOA & PFOS Free – Made in France
De Buyer
- CARBON STEEL OMELETTE PAN – Make the perfect omelet with this pan, a de Buyer signature shape: its rounded edges allow you to easily roll & slide food onto your plate. It’s made of carbon steel, which is one of the most natural cooking materials.
- OVEN-SAFE HANDLE – This MINERAL B Pro pan features a cast stainless steel handle, which is oven safe and primed for any culinary challenge.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS – Lighter, more heat responsive than cast iron & better adapted to high heat than stainless steel. Naturally non-stick after seasoning, this pan is free from PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS and made without any chemical coatings.
- EASY TO SEASON – Handwash to remove the beeswax coating, dry. Gradually heat to med-hi. Apply a thin layer of oil to coat bottom & sides. Heat approx. 10 mins. or until it begins to smoke. Cool 10 mins., drain & wipe dry. Reheat to med-hi for 2 mins.
- USE & CARE – Hand wash only & avoid harsh soaps that can strip the seasoning. Can be used on all cooking surfaces, including induction. Oven safe for up to 10 min at 400F.
- ROOTED IN FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION – Crafted with passion and precision since 1830, we design and manufacture premium cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools that elevate the cooking experience for both professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Compact Carbon Fry
De Buyer MINERAL B Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 9.5” Diameter, 6.9” Cooking Surface – Ideal for Searing, Sauteing & Reheating – PFAS, PFOA & PFOS Free – Made in France
De Buyer
- CARBON STEEL FRY PAN – The MINERAL B Fry Pan is perfect for searing meat, sauteing vegetables, reheating leftovers, or cooking eggs. It’s made of carbon steel, which is one of the most natural cooking materials, praised by chefs around the world.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS – Lighter, more heat responsive than cast iron & better adapted to high heat than stainless steel. Naturally non-stick after seasoning, this pan is free from PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS and made without any chemical coatings.
- EASY TO SEASON – Handwash to remove the beeswax coating, dry. Gradually heat to med-hi. Apply a thin layer of oil to coat bottom & sides. Heat approx. 10 mins. or until it begins to smoke. Cool 10 mins., drain & wipe dry. Reheat to med-hi for 2 mins.
- USE & CARE – Hand wash only & avoid harsh soaps that can strip the seasoning. Can be used on all cooking surfaces, including induction. Oven safe for up to 10 min at 400F.
- ROOTED IN FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION – Crafted with passion and precision since 1830, we design and manufacture premium cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools that elevate the cooking experience for both professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Mini Pro Sear
De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Fry Pan – 8” Diameter, 5.5” Cooking Surface – Ideal for Searing, Sauteing & Reheating – Made in France
De Buyer
- CARBON STEEL FRY PAN – The MINERAL B Pro Fry Pan is perfect for searing meat & seafood, sauteing vegetables, reheating leftovers & cooking eggs. It’s made of carbon steel, one of the most natural cooking materials, praised by chefs around the world.
- OVEN-SAFE HANDLE – This MINERAL B Pro pan features a cast French curve stainless steel handle with a heat stop, which is oven safe and primed for any culinary challenge.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS – Lighter, more heat responsive than cast iron & better adapted to high heat than stainless steel. Naturally non-stick after seasoning, this pan is free from PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS and made without any chemical coatings.
- EASY TO SEASON – Handwash to remove the beeswax coating, dry. Gradually heat to med-hi. Apply a thin layer of oil to coat bottom & sides. Heat approx. 10 mins. or until it begins to smoke. Cool 10 mins., drain & wipe dry. Reheat to med-hi for 2 mins.
- USE & CARE – Hand wash only & avoid harsh soaps that can strip the seasoning. Can be used on all cooking surfaces, including induction. Oven safe for up to 10 min at 400F.
- ROOTED IN FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION – Crafted with passion and precision since 1830, we design and manufacture premium cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools that elevate the cooking experience for both professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Pro Omelette Pan
De Buyer MINERAL B Pro Carbon Steel Omelette Pan – 11” Diameter, 8.3” Cooking Surface – PFAS, PFOA & PFOS Free – Made in France
De Buyer
- CARBON STEEL OMELETTE PAN – Make the perfect omelet with this pan, a de Buyer signature shape: its rounded edges allow you to easily roll & slide food onto your plate. It’s made of carbon steel, which is one of the most natural cooking materials.
- OVEN-SAFE HANDLE – This MINERAL B Pro pan features a cast stainless steel handle, which is oven safe and primed for any culinary challenge.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS – Lighter, more heat responsive than cast iron & better adapted to high heat than stainless steel. Naturally non-stick after seasoning, this pan is free from PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS and made without any chemical coatings.
- EASY TO SEASON – Handwash to remove the beeswax coating, dry. Gradually heat to med-hi. Apply a thin layer of oil to coat bottom & sides. Heat approx. 10 mins. or until it begins to smoke. Cool 10 mins., drain & wipe dry. Reheat to med-hi for 2 mins.
- USE & CARE – Hand wash only & avoid harsh soaps that can strip the seasoning. Can be used on all cooking surfaces, including induction. Oven safe for up to 10 min at 400F.
- ROOTED IN FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION – Crafted with passion and precision since 1830, we design and manufacture premium cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools that elevate the cooking experience for both professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Blue Steel Pro
De Buyer – Blue Carbon Steel Fry Pan 2mm Thick – 10.25” Diameter, 7.3” Cooking Surface – Oven Safe – PFAS, PFOA & PFOS Free – Made in France
De Buyer
- BLUE CARBON STEEL FRY PAN – Superior quality, professional performance at an exceptional value. Oven safe with a welded French curve handle. Sear steaks, seafood, and chicken, sauté veggies, or fix an omelette; you will reach for this pan every time.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS – Lighter, more heat responsive than cast iron & better adapted to high heat than stainless steel. Naturally non-stick after seasoning, this pan is free from PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS and made without any chemical coatings.
- EASY TO SEASON – Wash with hot water, dry thoroughly. Gradually heat to med-hi. Apply thin layer of oil to coat bottom & sides. Heat approx. 10 mins. or until it begins to smoke. Cool 10 mins., drain & wipe dry. Reheat to med-hi again for 2 mins.
- BLUE CARBON STEEL – The unique blue finish is achieved through a special heat treatment process. With proper care, the pan will develop a beautiful, dark patina over time, enhancing the non-stick properties and becoming a cherished kitchen heirloom.
- ROOTED IN FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION – Crafted with passion and precision since 1830, we design and manufacture premium cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools that elevate the cooking experience for both professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Stainless Sauté Master
De Buyer Professional 24 cm Stainless Steel Affinity Straight Edge Sauté Pan
De Buyer
- Multilayered stainless steel and aluminum combination balances lasting design with expert control
- Multilayered stainless steel and aluminum combination balances lasting design with expert control
- As one continuous piece of material heat is perfectly distributed throughout sauté pan
- Ergonomic riveted stainless steel handle experience comfortable grip sleek design and minimal heat
- Made in France de Buyer food service products include a 2-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What are the main material differences between the Mineral B carbon steel pans and the Affinity stainless‑steel sauté pan?
Mineral B pans are made of carbon steel, which heats up quickly, responds to temperature changes, and develops a natural non‑stick patina after seasoning. The Affinity sauté pan uses a multilayered stainless‑steel and aluminum construction, offering even heat distribution and a durable, rust‑proof surface without the need for seasoning. Carbon steel is lighter and better for high‑heat searing, while stainless steel provides a low‑maintenance, dishwasher‑safe option.
How does pan size affect cooking performance and what size should I choose?
Smaller pans (8–9.5 in) heat up faster and are ideal for eggs, single‑serve dishes, or sautéing small batches, whereas larger pans (11–12.5 in) provide more cooking surface for steaks, stir‑fries, or deep‑frying. Consider your typical portion size and stovetop burner size; a pan that overhangs the burner can create hot spots. For versatile home cooking, a 10‑12 in carbon steel pan offers a good balance of capacity and heat responsiveness.
Do I need to season the Mineral B pans before first use, and how does that compare to the stainless‑steel model?
Yes, all Mineral B carbon steel pans come with a beeswax coating that must be removed and the pan seasoned to develop its natural non‑stick layer. The process involves hand‑washing, drying, heating, and applying a thin oil coat, which takes about 20 minutes total. The Affinity stainless‑steel sauté pan is pre‑finished and does not require seasoning, making it ready for immediate use.
Are the handles on these pans oven‑safe, and can I use them on induction cooktops?
All Mineral B pans feature a cast stainless‑steel handle that is oven‑safe up to 400 °F for short periods, and the same handles work on induction, gas, electric, and ceramic tops. The Affinity sauté pan’s ergonomic riveted stainless‑steel handle is also oven‑safe and fully compatible with induction surfaces. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications for maximum oven time and temperature.
Which pan offers the best value for a home cook who wants professional performance?
The De Buyer Blue Carbon Steel Fry Pan combines a 2 mm thick steel body with a unique blue finish that resists staining and develops a beautiful patina, delivering professional searing at a moderate price point. For those preferring low‑maintenance cookware, the Affinity stainless‑steel sauté pan provides excellent heat distribution and durability without seasoning, though it is typically priced higher. Consider how much you value seasoning upkeep versus immediate ready‑to‑cook convenience.
What are the advantages of the helper handle on the 12.5 in Mineral B Country Fry Pan?
The helper handle adds extra leverage, making it easier to lift and maneuver the larger, deeper pan, especially when it’s full of food or when transferring from the stovetop to the oven. It also improves balance and reduces strain on the main handle during heavy use. This feature is particularly useful for stir‑frying, simmering, or deep‑frying larger quantities.
How do the non‑stick properties of seasoned carbon steel compare to chemically coated non‑stick pans?
Seasoned carbon steel develops a natural, ceramic‑like surface that improves with each use and contains no PFAS, PFOA, or PFOS, offering a healthier cooking experience. Chemically coated non‑stick pans provide immediate release but can degrade over time and may release fumes at very high temperatures. With proper care, a seasoned carbon steel pan can outperform synthetic coatings in durability and heat tolerance.