Searing
2 articles
Kitchen & Gear
Conductivity vs. Retention: How to Pick the Right Pan for Searing, Simmering, and Sauces
Cookware performance hinges on the trade-off between thermal conductivity (responsiveness) and heat capacity (retention). Understanding these properties helps you select the right pan material for techniques like searing, simmering, and delicate sauce-making.
Kurt Zimmerman·October 23, 2026
Chefs & Personalities
Top carbon steel pans sear best for professional chefs
In blind tests, a $75 carbon steel pan from a niche French manufacturer consistently outperformed a $250 competitor from a renowned German brand in achieving perfect steak crusts.
Finn Campbell·June 12, 2026