Cast iron is a type of cookware that can be used for just about anything in the kitchen. An ultra-durable alloy of steel and carbon, cast iron pans cook evenly while resisting scratches, nicks, and dents typically found with other kinds of pans. The versatility of cast iron allows its use for everything from searing steaks to deep-frying and even baking cornbread.
More than a dozen popular cast iron pans, from skillets to grill pans, were tested side by side in our test kitchen, rated on heat conductivity and distribution, comfort and maneuverability, and nonstick capability. Many of the cast irons seared steaks and baked cornbread similarly, but a few were outstanding. Furthermore, we tested these pans at home as well so we could see how they performed in everyday life.
1. Victoria Cast Iron Skillet Large Frying Pan
Victoria skillets are truly top-of-the-line cookware because of their superior seasoning that sets them apart from the competition. Cooking your favorite meals won’t require additional fat when you use 100% flaxseed oil – a good high-heat oil.
You need the stunning Victoria skillet in your kitchen, with its long curved handle, wider help handle, and dual pour spouts. Hands stay cooler long after using the long handle because it keeps their hands away from the stove. The pour spouts feature drip cutters to avoid spills and to make clean-up even easier. While the surface may be rough initially, it will become smooth with time.
It has high-quality material, is durable, and is affordable. In addition to being suitable for gas stoves, campfires, ovens, grills, etc., the product can also be used on other types of cooktops. Better leverage, better value, and flavorful cooking– this cookware is well worth your investment!
2. Amazon Basics Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
There’s no doubt that this is the best 12″ deep cast-iron skillet out of all of them. This Amazon Basic skillet features an extra depth, making braising and tenderizing large pieces of meat super-easy and enjoyable. All the flavorful juices are trapped by the depth of the pan.
In addition to the pan’s signature over-sized and slightly curved handle, it is an easy pan to manage on the stove or on the counter. Moreover, it features an extra-large helper handle, which makes cooking comfortable and safe. Eggs, pancakes, or light crepes might not be the best choice for this cast iron pan, but those dishes can still be cooked in it perfectly.
Pre-seasoned with pouring spouts on both ends, the pan is convenient to use. You can enjoy the low smoking point of the pan for the first few uses. However, it will need to be reseasoning occasionally to stay non-stick. With a 1-year warranty, a comfortable grip, and a durable design, these gloves offer a great value.
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3. Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5 Piece Skillet
This Lodge 5-piece cast iron skillet set is the perfect solution when one skillet isn’t enough. With this collection, you receive an 8-inch and a 10.25-inch skillet (plus a 10.5-inch griddle), all the basic cooking utensils you’ll need to cook anything. Three out of the four pans are compatible with the lid, which has spikes that help baste the bottom of the pan with condensation.
Due to their durable cast iron construction, they work on just about any stovetop, from gas to induction, as well as on grills and on open fires. It’s nice to have the cookware already seasoned, so you can get started cooking without taking extra steps to prepare it. Despite its small size, the 10.5-inch skillet was the perfect size for searing steaks while the 8-inch skillet was perfect for frying eggs.
Pizza, bread, and buns could be baked on the griddle, and it also functioned as a flat-top grill for items that didn’t release excessive moisture. The Dutch oven has many uses, including cooking soup, baking bread, and making sauces. At a wonderfully reasonable price, this set could do anything, and it’s certainly worth the money.
4. Cuisinart CI30-23CR Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Pan
Although a grill pan is less versatile than a traditional cast iron pan (you won’t want to pour batter in here), it gives you grill marks at an affordable price. The 9.25-inch square option is a top choice for quality; not only is the exterior enameled, so you won’t have to season it, but it is also coated with porcelain enamel, so odors and flavors won’t be absorbed by the pan.
While this cast iron pan takes longer to heat, it distributes heat evenly and stays hot for an extended period of time due to its hefty size. However, the handle got too hot for comfort, and despite the easy-grip shape, the shiny finish of the pan made it a bit slippery. The grill marks were a little tricky to achieve, but once we figured them out, meats and vegetables came out perfectly.
This cast iron pan can be cleaned in the dishwasher, but a brush works best for loosening food trapped between the ridges. A grill pan may require a little more maintenance than nonstick pans, but the beautiful, even results are worth it, and it should last forever if properly maintained.
5. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Skillet
Le Crueset cookware is more expensive than most people expect, but the product value they offer makes it worthwhile. A skillet with an 11-inch diameter proves the brand’s superior design and attention to detail. The pan’s black enamel interior provides natural resistance to scratches, rust, and stains.
You can prepare any kind of food in it, even highly acidic dishes and sauces. Due to the hole in the handle, it is easy to dry it over a rack by hanging it. This pan features spacious, dual pour spouts and a large loop for tossing and moving food safely. The enamel coating ensures the pan retains heat for a long time and distributes heat evenly. Additionally, this skillet can be washed in the dishwasher and is easy to clean.
The long handle of this brand and its excellence have been praised. In addition to being relatively lighter than most of its competitors, the skillet is also durable and attractive. You can also choose from a range of colors to suit your kitchen style!
6. Simple Chef Cast Iron Skillet 3-Piece Set
Simple Chef Cast-iron skillet is a cookware wonder because of its sleek and simplistic design. Featuring dual pour spots and hanging holes, the pans make storing on the kitchen counter easier. Due to its heavy-duty cast-iron construction, this skillet stands the test of time. Factory-seasoned pans are far more effective than seasoning them at home, as they are ready-to-use.
This skillet is very easy to clean and will never need to be put in the dishwasher. It has a sturdy, durable, and scratch-resistant coating. It will need helper handles to handle large portions of food, however, so it won’t work well for large portions. While the long-lasting seasoning guarantees a delicious meal, it also ensures it will be aromatic, flavorful, and juicy. You can use it on stovetops, in ovens, in campfires, and even as a slow cooker.
Despite switching off the stove, the surface continues to heat evenly. The pan might be shallow in comparison to most skillets, but it’s more versatile than most because of its high-strength design. For quick cooking, such as searing meat, frying eggs or frittatas, or stirring-frying vegetables, this skillet is ideal.
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7. T-fal E83407 Pre-Seasoned Nonstick Durable Cast Iron Fry Pan
There are three pieces included in this best-selling cookware set. T-fal offers three different sizes of their cast iron skillet, which can be used for frying, sautéing, browning, and searing. Because it holds up well to juices and flavors, it is perfect for cooking delicate cuts.
T-fal cast iron pan is most notable for its state-of-the-art design and aesthetic appeal. With an extra-long handle, two side helper handles, and a handy thumb rest, this iron skillet is easy to use, clean, and carry. Cooking with it is unimaginably easy because of its comfort factor. In order to distribute oil evenly while browning onions, for example, the pan must be moved in circles. A step-by-step guide is included with the product that helps you re-season the pan for future use.
Cast iron skillets from T-fal have outstanding heat retention and can tolerate temperatures up to 400 degrees. Because it distributes heat evenly, the pan has pouring spouts, making transferring juices and curries between dishes effortless. Cooking with cast-iron skillets like this is fast and easy, without sacrificing quality.
8. Jim Beam Su Set of 3 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set
No other cookware company can beat Jim Beam’s versatility. Jim Beam Su pan has excellent heat retention and distribution, which makes it ideal for cooking a variety of foods. Large portions of food can be fried, braised, sautéed, and roasted without any hassle.
JimBeam’s skillet is perfect for making dry chop sueys, well-braised American steaks, or comforting skillet-lasagnas. A skillet that comes pre-seasoned, is durable, and is aesthetically pleasing will last for years to come. With just a little warm water and dish soap, you don’t have to spend hours scrubbing away the residue on these skillets.
You can buy it as three pieces, 6″, 8″, and 10″ in sizes that are spacious enough for a large meal or a quick snack. Due to the skillet’s pre-seasoned vegetable oil, it can be used with different amounts of food. In addition to its superior iron health benefits, you can expect jim beam skillet to last you a lifetime.
9. VonShef Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Frying Pan
The Von Chef cast-iron skillet is the product that combines performance, versatility, and affordability. There is a skillet for every size and quantity of food you need to cook. Von Chef products can stand up to all kinds of hot surfaces, including roasting, frying, searing, and baking. No matter what type of cooktop it is, this skillet can handle it with ease, because of its natural cast-iron seasoning.
Featuring a smooth finish, the coating provides excellent heat retention. Heat is evenly distributed on the surface, so your food will be hot and delicious within minutes. Cooking with this cast iron pan is a breeze due to the nonstick surface which is chemical-free and offers a tremendous cooking experience.
10. Camp Chef 12″ Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
This 12″ Camp Chef skillet will satisfy your cravings for a skillet without all the fancy features. Even though the product is simple and affordable, it is easily on par with the high-end skillets in this list. There is a special emphasis on simplicity in the cookware made by Camp Chef.
The skillet comes with comfort grips that make carrying it and transferring it between the stove and counter extremely easy. The dishwasher-safe finish is ready-to-use, preseasoned, and smooth. Furthermore, it features a comfortable, easy-to-use handle for lifting and transferring contents.
A budget-friendly option for those new to cast-iron cookware is Camp Chef. In addition to their dual pour spouts, these spouts will make it easier for you to cook. With this skillet, you’ll save hours of prep time since the seasoning heats up quickly and maintains the moistness of your food.
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FAQs
Is there anything you shouldn’t cook in cast iron?
Cooking acidic foods for long periods of time can wear down the coating on uncoated cast iron cookware, which causes food to taste like metal. It’s therefore best not to simmer acidic foods, like tomatoes for sauces. The cast iron surface also gets extremely hot and retains heat well, so delicate fish that will break easily should not be cooked in it. Last but not least, before your cast iron pan is properly seasoned, try to stay away from sticky foods.
Is it possible to remove seasoning from cast iron pans?
As long as the cast iron pan can reach high temperatures, you shouldn’t need to remove the seasoning, but if you do, you can place it in your oven on the cleaning cycle or heat it on the grill. Following removal of the seasoning, the pan should be cleaned, dried, and seasoned as if it were new.
What is the best way to clean a cast iron pan?
Cast iron that has not been coated needs special care when cleaning. Generally, scrape out all bits of cooked-on food from the pan (you can use boiling water to loosen it) and then wash it with mild soap and hot water using a stiff-bristled brush. Despite some people’s opinions, mild soap will ensure that grease (not seasoning) is removed from the pan. Hot water and kosher salt can also be used.
Ensure that the pan is well dried after washing. A thin layer of oil can be applied after cleaning to prevent rust if it is not well seasoned. The pan can be heated on the stove again to improve the seasoning if you wish. There is no need to be careful when cleaning enameled cast iron, and some pans (like the Cuisinarts and Le Creusets on this list) can even be cleaned in the dishwasher.
