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De Buyer
In Stock
Commercial Black Iron Frying Pan | 20cm Skillet | Heavy Duty Cookware | De Buyer HP596
£39.50
/ exc vat
£47.40/ inc vat
- Blued Iron Construction
- Firmly Riveted Handle
- Optimised for Searing
- Natural Patina Surface
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Product Overview
When your kitchen demands cookware that can keep up, the de Buyer black iron frying pan 20cm is the answer. This isn't just another pan; it's a classic piece of French engineering, built from heavy-duty blued iron to handle the intense heat and relentless pace of a professional environment. It’s designed for chefs who understand that the right tool is essential for creating exceptional food, offering unparalleled performance for searing, browning, and grilling.
Perfectly suited for gastropubs, bustling restaurant kitchens, and culinary artisans, this 20cm skillet excels at cooking individual portions, from a perfectly seared scallop dish to a sizzling steak. Its robust construction ensures it won't warp under high temperatures, and as you season and use it, it develops a natural non-stick patina that gets better with age. This is the workhorse pan that you'll reach for day in, day out.
Forget flimsy, disposable cookware. This professional black iron frying pan is an investment in quality and consistency. With its superb heat diffusion for even cooking and a sturdy riveted handle, it gives you the control and reliability needed to execute dishes flawlessly. If you're serious about your craft, this is the pan that will work as hard as you do.
Key Features and Benefits
- Blued Iron Construction: Offers exceptional durability for a truly long service life.
- Firmly Riveted Handle: Provides a solid, secure grip that's safe for oven use.
- Optimised for Searing: Achieves that perfect, delicious crust on meats and fish.
- Natural Patina Surface: Becomes naturally non-stick with seasoning, improving with every use.
- 2mm Thickness: Perfectly balances heat retention with responsive temperature control.
- Excellent Heat Diffusion: Cooks food evenly right across the base, eliminating hot spots.
- Versatile Hob Use: Performs brilliantly on most hob types, from gas to electric plates.
- Commercial Grade Build: Designed to withstand the toughest demands of a professional kitchen.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: De Buyer
- SKU: HP596
- Material: Blue Steel
- Diameter: 20cm
- Thickness: 2mm
- Weight: 0.92kg
- Colour: Grey
- Handle: Riveted long iron handle
- Hob Compatibility: Suitable for most hob types (excluding induction)
- Cleaning: Hand wash and season only
Expert Review and Insights
The de Buyer iron pan is a true classic for a reason. It feels substantial and honest in your hand. The heat response is magnificent—it gets screaming hot and stays that way, giving you a sear that coated pans can only dream of. It’s a pan that demands a bit of respect and care, but it rewards you tenfold in performance and longevity.
Sophie Brooks – Chef Tools View Profile →
- Pro: Unbeatable heat retention for a consistent, professional-quality sear every single time.
- Con: It requires proper seasoning and is not suitable for induction hobs.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The Gilded Truffle, a popular bistro in central Manchester, was struggling with consumer-grade pans that would warp and lose their coating under the pressure of a busy dinner service. They needed a de Buyer iron pan for restaurant-level durability and performance.
"We were replacing our non-stick pans every few months. Since switching to these de Buyer iron pans, we haven't had to replace a single one. The heat control is in another league, and our chefs love the sear they get on the scallops. It has genuinely elevated the quality of our dishes."
Robert Finch – Head Chef
The switch resulted in a more consistent finish on their signature dishes and eliminated pan replacement costs in the first six months.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- First, give the pan a good scrub with very hot water to remove its protective factory coating.
- Dry it thoroughly, then place it on the hob over a medium heat.
- Add a centimetre of neutral oil and heat until it starts to smoke slightly. Discard the oil and wipe the pan clean with paper towels.
- Your pan is now seasoned and ready for its first use!
Keeping It Going
- After cooking, deglaze the warm pan with water and wipe it clean. Avoid using washing-up liquid as it strips the seasoning.
- For stubborn bits, use hot water and a stiff brush. Never use abrasive scourers.
- Always dry the pan immediately after cleaning by placing it on a low heat for a minute or two.
- Wipe a very thin layer of cooking oil inside before storing it in a dry place to prevent rust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I season this pan for the first time?
A: Wash it with hot water, dry it completely, then heat it with a small amount of oil until it smokes. Let it cool, wipe it out, and it's ready. The surface will darken and become more non-stick over time.
Q: Is this pan non-stick straight out of the box?
A: No, it is not. It builds up a fantastic natural non-stick 'patina' through a process of seasoning and regular use. This surface gets better the more you cook with it.
Q: Can I use this frying pan in the oven?
A: Yes, the iron handle and robust construction make it completely oven-safe, which is perfect for finishing a steak or baking dishes like a tarte Tatin.
Q: Why isn't it suitable for induction hobs?
A: While iron is a ferrous metal, the base of this specific pan is not perfectly flat, which is required for an efficient connection with an induction hob.
Q: Can I cook acidic foods like tomatoes in it?
A: It's best to avoid cooking highly acidic foods for long periods, especially when the pan is new, as it can strip the seasoning. Once well-seasoned, short cooking times are generally fine.
Q: My pan has developed rust spots. How do I fix it?
A: Don't worry, it's easily fixed! Just scrub the rust off with a scourer and a little water, then re-season the pan as if it were new.
Q: Is this the same as a de Buyer Mineral B pan?
A: This is part of de Buyer's blued iron range, which uses thermal treatment for initial protection. The Mineral B line uses an organic beeswax coating. Both are fantastic and develop a superb patina with seasoning.
Q: Can I put this pan in the dishwasher?
A: Absolutely not. Dishwashers will completely strip the seasoning and cause the pan to rust. Always hand wash and dry thoroughly.
The De Buyer Legacy: An Investment in Culinary Craft
Choosing a de Buyer pan is about more than just buying a piece of cookware; it's about investing in over 180 years of French manufacturing heritage. De Buyer has been crafting tools for culinary professionals since 1830, and that experience is forged into every single pan. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, this is a pan designed to become an extension of the chef's hand. Its real-world durability means it won't buckle or flake, reducing replacement costs and kitchen waste. This pan represents a commitment to traditional cooking methods, where the tool itself contributes to the flavour and texture of the food. For a professional kitchen, this translates to unmatched reliability, consistency, and a piece of equipment that will not only endure but improve, service after service, year after year.
Explore more from De BuyerWhy 'Blued Steel' is a Chef's Secret Weapon
Ever wondered what the 'blued' in blued iron actually means? It's not just for looks. It refers to a process called thermal treatment, where the pan is heated to a specific temperature to create a layer of black oxide (magnetite) on the surface. Think of it like pre-treating a canvas before painting. This blue-black layer provides initial protection against rust, giving your pan a head start before it's even seasoned.
This is crucial because it makes the initial seasoning process more effective. The oil can bond more readily to this treated surface, helping you build that slick, naturally non-stick patina much faster. It's a small detail that makes a huge difference in the pan's long-term performance and durability in a busy kitchen.
Who Should Buy This?
- Independent Bistros & Restaurants: Ideal for perfectly searing single-portion steaks, fish fillets, and creating classic pan sauces with reliable, even heat.
- Culinary Schools: An essential, durable tool for teaching students the fundamentals of classic cooking techniques and proper pan care.
- High-End Breakfast Cafés: The perfect black iron skillet 20cm for cooking sizzling bacon, gourmet sausages, and fried eggs to perfection.
- Street Food Vendors: A robust and reliable pan that can handle high-heat cooking for flash-frying ingredients at outdoor markets and events.
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