Yeti Just Dropped the Swiss Army Knife of Cookware. It’s Not Cast Iron

The brand’s new everyday pan isn’t just cheaper than its cast-iron skillet. It’s better in almost every way that matters.

Close-up of a black YETI frying pan with a silver metal handle on a blue background.

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By Jack Seemer

Published 2 hours ago

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There is perhaps no everyday staple more misunderstood than cast iron.

True, few things can sear like a properly preheated skillet. And yes, cast-iron pans make for sentimental hand-me-downs — or, at the very least, highly aesthetic Instagram posts.

But they’re heavy, hard to clean and more brittle than most people realize.

Unsurprisingly, many professional cooks prefer carbon steel, especially when it comes to everyday tasks where speed, ease and flexibility are paramount.

Black frying pan with a seasoned meat roll cooking over an open flame grill outdoors. — Carbon-steel skillets have many of the same attributes as their cast-iron counterparts, but they’re lighter and generally easier to use.

Well, it looks like Yeti finally got the memo.

After acquiring Butter Pat Industries and debuting its first in-house collection of cast-iron cookware, the brand has now expanded across the aisle with the release of the Carbon Steel Pan.

Black frying pan with metal handle on a wooden table next to sliced bacon, scallop shells, herbs, and garlic. — Available in one size at launch, the Carbon Steel Pan is Yeti’s first crack at cookware beyond cast iron.

Steakhouse sear, in-house versatility

Available in one size, measuring 10.4 inches in diameter, the multi-purpose workhorse promises many of the same attributes found with its best-in-class cast-iron skillets.

It’s naturally nonstick without chemicals and safely cook at blister-high temperatures, making it perfect for weeknight ribeye.

Black nonstick frying pan with a silver metal handle on a white background. — The pan measures 10.4 inches across and weighs 3.3 pounds.

Black nonstick frying pan with a long silver metal handle on a white background. — The Carbon Steel Pan is more than 30 percent lighter than a comparably sized cast-iron skillet from Yeti.

But at 3.3 pounds, its more than 30 percent lighter than Yeti’s cast-iron skillet in a comparable size, making it easier to maneuver for flambés and simple stir fries, not to mention easier to pack in a camp kitchen.

It also features an ergonomic handle designed to stay cool to the touch.

Black Yeti frying pan with cooked fish, potatoes, and greens being taken out of an oven. — The ergonomic handle is designed to stay cool to the touch.

Black nonstick frying pan with a silver metal handle embossed with "YETI" on a white background. — A hanging hole in handle makes it easy to display in the kitchen.

The best part? At $150, it’s about 25 percent cheaper than a cast iron skillet from Yeti.

Don’t worry: thanks to carbon steel’s inherent durability, you can still pass it down one day.

Black nonstick frying pan with silver metal handle engraved with "YETI" on a white background.

Yeti Carbon Steel Pan 10

$125 at Yeti

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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