Yeti’s New Kitchen Workhorse Is Lighter, Cheaper and More Versatile Than Cast Iron

The biggest name in outdoor gear doubles down on its in-house cast iron alternative that many chefs prefer.

Hand holding an orange cloth gripping the handle of a smoking black frying pan with steak cooking over a wood fire.

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By Jack Seemer

Published May 12, 2026

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A good cast-iron skillet can sear a big steak, cook a mean cornbread and, if cared for properly, outlast its owner.

But it’s not exactly unique in those properties, and in many ways it lags behind other cookware options for everyday utility. Cast iron is heavy, brittle, fussy and, let’s be real, it takes a long time to preheat properly.

Which is why, when it comes to getting dinner on the table during a busy service or random weeknight, many professional chefs turn to carbon-steel pans, instead.

It seems like someone at Yeti knows their way around the kitchen.

Black YETI frying pan with silver metal handle and helper handle on a white background. — Yeti doubles down on its carbon steel offerings with the release of a larger pan.

After acquiring Butter Pat Industries to launch its own lineup of premium cast-iron cookware, the company is doubling down on its own alternative with the release of the Carbon Steel Pan 12.

Like the existing 10-inch version, quietly released toward the end of 2025, the new pan arrives with a naturally nonstick finish suited to a variety of different dishes, including eggs.

It also boasts the same ergonomic handle designed to stay cool to the touch.

Person lifting the lid off a frying pan with four eggs cooking on a gas stove. — The Carbon Steel Pan 12 comes with a naturally nonstick surface suitable to delicate foods like eggs.

Close-up of a metal handle attached to a black pan with rivets, against a blurred background. — The ergonomic handle is designed to stay cool to the touch.

That said, it’s more than just a larger version of last year’s release.

The Carbon Steel Pan 12 features a clever helper handle on the far edge, which makes it easier to maneuver from stovetop to oven or in an outdoor kitchen setting.

Two black frying pans with gray handles, one smaller and one larger with an additional loop handle, on a white background. — The Carbon Steel Pan 12 (right) features a larger surface for families or batch cooking.

Person holding a black YETI frying pan with cooked vegetables inside over a kitchen counter. — It also features a helper handle for easier handling.

And thanks to durable nature of steel over cast iron, which can crack if dropped, it’s probably the better option for weekend camping trips, too.

Person holding a black frying pan with steak cooking over an outdoor fire pit with smoke rising. — Unlike the surface of traditional nonstick pans, carbon steel is durable enough for outdoor cooking.

Availability and pricing

The Carbon Steel Pan 12 is available now. It costs $180, making it $70 cheaper than Yeti’s cast-iron skillet in a comparable size.

Black nonstick frying pan with a white handle and helper handle on a white background.

Yeti Carbon Steel Pan 12

$180 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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