It is called a black steel pipe because it has a dark surface formed by iron oxide during the manufacturing process. Next, the pipe fitting supplier will explain the differences between black steel pipe and carbon steel pipe.īlack steel pipe is made from steel that is not coated with a base material such as zinc or paint. The earliest method of producing tubes was introduced in the early 1800s and has steadily evolved into the modern process of today. It is then made into a tube by stretching the steel into a seamless tube or by pressing the edges together and sealing them with a weld.

In both methods, raw steel is first cast into a more workable initial form. Despite being heavier, Cast Iron is also more brittle due to its fabrication and can break if dropped.Steel pipes are produced by two different methods, which ultimately result in either welded or seamless tubes.It is harder to control the temperature of a Cast Iron pan, and they can be prone to hot spots or uneven cooking.Cast Iron skillets have shorter handles, which also hold a lot of heat.While it does hold heat longer than Carbon Steel, Cast Iron is slower to heat up.A typical Cast Iron skillet weighs almost twice as much as a Carbon Steel one.Like Carbon Steel, Cast Iron needs to be thoroughly dried as it can easily rust.There are several factors to consider when using Cast Iron pans. Cast Iron skillets can last for generations with the proper cleaning and care.Cast Iron has high heat retention properties, meaning it can get and stay very hot for an extended period of time.Because of its heat retention, it's well-suited for cooking on an open fire but its weight limits its portability.Īs a staple of American frontier cooking, Cast Iron is a popular cookware choice for many reasons. Often used in traditional American cooking, you are likely to see Cast Iron skillets and griddles, as well as some specialty shapes for baking. This means that when a Cast Iron pan heats up, all of it, including the handle, gets very hot. It also makes it more brittle-the reason that it's so thick is so it won’t break, and it is still susceptible to cracks if dropped.Ĭast Iron is forged from a single piece of metal, which starts out as a liquid before being poured into a mold and fired.

The elevated carbon content is what gives Cast Iron its signature bumpy textured surface. Cast Iron also contains more carbon than Carbon Steel, usually 2–3.5%. Because the pores are shallower than Cast Iron, the seasoning is much less dense and acidic foods can strip this more easily.Ĭontrary to its name, Cast Iron is not pure iron but is another alloy of iron and carbon. Because of its surface, it is not recommended that you use Carbon Steel to cook large quantities of acidic ingredients.This won't ruin your Pan, but will require re-seasoning. Carbon Steel is susceptible to corrosion and rust, especially if exposed to water or kept in a humid environment.There are a few things to consider when it comes to cooking with Carbon Steel, especially if you're using this cookware material for the first time. The long, stainless steel handles of our Carbon Steel Frying Pans stay cool for a longer period of time.Due to its composition, Carbon Steel is very durable and will last for years with proper care.A Lodge Cast Iron Skillet of the same size weighs almost 8 pounds. Carbon Steel is more lightweight than Cast Iron, with the 12-inch Frying Pan weighing in at 4.5 pounds.Once seasoned, a smooth, non stick surface makes Carbon Steel easy to cook with.Carbon Steel heats up significantly faster than Cast Iron.Here are a few reasons why Carbon Steel may be a better choice for you than Cast Iron: The lightness and durability of Carbon Steel means that it’s perfect to cook with both in and outside of the kitchen.Ĭarbon Steel has been used in French kitchens for generations, and is just beginning to catch on elsewhere. Our Blue Carbon Steel earns its name from the annealing process that protects the pans from corrosion in transit, which both darkens the metal and lends it a blue tint. Most Carbon Steel Cookware, including ours, is composed of 99% iron and 1% carbon.Ĭarbon Steel has a matte, dark finish.

Carbon Steel is an alloy (meaning that it is composed of two or more metallic elements) of carbon and iron.

Black steel vs carbon steel