On the stove it will take 2 regular gas stove slots, providing more equal heat than those gas burners would. First of all, it's gorgeous to look at. Here are a couple of things to look for: All regular cast-iron pans require periodic seasoning to develop a nonstick coating; to season, coat the inside of the pan with oil and heat it in the oven for an hour. We found that the Blacklock "triple seasoning" created a more effective nonstick layer than the average Lodge as well. 5. Because cast-iron skillets are heavy, their handles are usually short, so the pan is easier to pick up. Over 3,000 customers have rated the skillet five stars, praising its heat distribution, versatility, and durability. “It creates perfect grill marks on my food. (Note that in this review update of the best cast-iron pan, we chose only rough cooking surface options as our winners, forgoing the smoothed-surface options that try to emulate the design of vintage cast-iron pans. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. The weight of the skillet, the texture of its surface, the design of the main handle, the shape of the "helper" handle on the opposite side of the pan, and the presence (or absence) of pouring spouts all impact a skillet's ease of use and performance. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Smithey Ironware began with founder Issac Morton’s passion for restoring rusty old cookware to its former 19th-century glory. Lodge’s pans are the first a would-be cast iron nut gets into. The Le Creuset Signature Cast-Iron Skillet ($205 at the time of writing) performed very well among the other 12-inch skillets; the black enamel cooking surface was nonstick out of the box, and the wide pouring spouts made draining off excess oil a breeze. The lid has just enough lip to hold coals when baking and seals tight enough to keep debris out of the pot. The square-ish shape nicely accommodates two decent size steaks. Does the design of the skillet boost its performance? Thankfully, cast iron cookware is durable enough to handle the open flames of a campfire, making it an indispensable tool while camping. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. It's a piece of chainmail that's the size of a cloth and resembles a tiny but powerful weapon—and it is! 10 Skillet ($160) is in the same satin-smooth, needs-seasoning boat, and happened to be the heaviest of the 10-inch lot, weighing in at 5.8 pounds. It comes pre-seasoned for a natural, easy-release (although seasoning it wouldn’t hurt). A cast iron pan is an essential piece of equipment for any cook. Soap removes a regular cast-iron pan’s seasoning, so it’s best to scrub solely with a brush or abrasive sponge and hot water, while the pan is still warm. The Camp Chef skillet ($21) also turned out to be a standard cast-iron that wasn't especially nonstick straight out of the box. Most of all, we loved how easy it was to clean this pan, likely because of its great seasoning, which repelled stuck on food better than other models we tested. 8 Skillet ($125 at the time of writing), Le Creuset Signature Cast-Iron Skillet ($205 at the time of writing). Super easy to clean (I bought the nylon brush by Le Creuset). So to help you find the best cast iron skillet for your needs, we turned to reviews from real customers who have purchased and tried these products for themselves. “Who pays this much for a cast iron pan? And, if you're still on the fence about getting a cast-iron skillet, here are 5 reasons to commit and click add to cart. You can do almost anything with it. Cast iron is an effective heat distributor, plus these sorts of pans are unlikely to have plastic handles so can be transferred to an oven like a casserole dish. When we talk about "seasoning" on a cast-iron skillet, we don't mean flavor enhancers like salt and pepper. Courtesy of Smithey Ironware Co. Credit: Donna Currie. They also can withstand the high temperatures of an oven or grill, making them great kitchen workhorses. What’s more, it is designed with high ridges to leave those beautiful grill marks on your food. The best cast-iron skillets will stay with us for a lifetime—so finding the right cast-iron pan is important. You'll love this skillet!”, Best High-End Pick: Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle. Food and Wine presents a new network of food pros delivering the most cookable recipes and delicious ideas online. Cast iron heats slowly, but thoroughly, staying hot far longer than stainless steel pans. We don't see much benefit in spending more than $100 on a cast-iron skillet, though we did test a few in that price bracket. Hearsay! This size is on the upper limit I would recommend for a first time user of cast iron. Courtesy. It’s deep enough to safely hold bubbling oil and includes a lip to retain moisture. The standard Lodge 10.25-inch cast-iron, which previously held the top spot, was usurped this year by a newer model: the Lodge Blacklock 96 skillet, also 10.25-inches. It works like magic (and it can also tackle sheet pans and Dutch ovens as well). Today, many new cast-iron skillets are pre-seasoned at the factory. In short, above are the top 10 best cast iron skillets with lids. This coating is designed to keep the sink looking clean and damage-free for many years to come. The Best Cast-Iron Skillets and Pans of 2020: Tested and Reviewed Cast-iron skillets from leading brands (including Victoria, The Field Company, and Lodge) are put to the test. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. The workhorse of cookware, skillets are perfect for scrambling, stir-frying, sautéing, pan-frying, searing, and much more. A wedding is coming up so I think another purchase is in order!”, Best for Frying: Lodge Cast Iron Covered Deep Skillet. Okay, nonstick pans are great for scrambled eggs. This thing is beast mode. Whether you're pan-roasting steak, searing tuna steaks, or frying an egg, cast iron is up for the task. If you have the best cast iron, it is also important that you have the best iron cookbook. And if you like baking, it has an extra-thick base for stellar heat distribution. A weapon for cleaning your cast-iron skillet. For example, when I make my pork chops, I cook them 4 minutes either side in the pan, and then transfer the whole thing into the oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Food & Wine is part of the Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. The highlight of this teapot is that it comes with four cast iron cups that complete the set. In the 10-inch category, our favorite was the Lodge Blacklock 96, which is lighter weight, easy to maneuver, and "triple seasoned," which made for a truly nonstick cooking surface. © 2020 Condé Nast. 1. Just try Ree's Skillet Cornbread recipe and you'll understand why! Donna Currie is a food writer and blogger specializing in recipes and kitchen gadgets. It cleans up super easily, and after a few uses, it has proven to be just about as non-stick as any of my non-stick pans, but cooks better, more evenly, browns nicely, and cleanup is a breeze. They’re cheap, rough to … This chainmail scrubber is hands-down the best tool for cleaning your cast-iron skillet. I try to stay as traditional and natural as possible. I use it for all sorts of jobs, from searing steak, cooking pork chops or frying dover sole. Love the enamel outside, in 'flame' coloring. Not only is this the best raw cast iron pan I have used by far, it significantly outperformed my Le Creuset enameled cast iron pan, which I will be donating to my neighbor as I can not foresee using again in light of my new workhorse.”, Best for Camping: Field Cast Iron Skillet. We are just starting to use it but I anticipate that it will only get better. Courtesy of Milo. A cast-iron skillet is the ultimate all-in-one pan. Its unique octagonal shape makes for easier pouring or removing your masterpieces with a spatula, while its spiraled stainless-steel handle remains cool to the touch. The more a skillet is used and seasoned, the less food will stick, so cookware connoisseurs seek out vintage pans. Over 2,800 Amazon customers have given the square pan a five-star rating, praising its heavy-duty design and heat distribution. Newer models from companies aiming to recreate the qualities of vintage skillets require you to build up the seasoning yourself. I’m blown away and am elated with my investment. Yes, you can break out the dutch oven for a stovetop frying session, but the cast iron that's already on the stove requires less oil and makes for easier frying because of its shorter sides. No magic. “Had the absolute pleasure of cooking in these gorgeous pieces of artwork this past week at a clients home and I can’t say enough positive things about your product!” one shopper wrote. For the last of the lower-priced models, we tested the Lodge Pro-Logic, which has the same surface and seasoning as the standard Lodge cast-iron, but a sloped handle and curved sides intended to make it more comfortable to use. And again, these are lighter. The Best Cast Iron Dutch Oven for Camping: Lodge 5-Quart Cast Iron Deep Camp Dutch Oven. Some styles have a second, U-shaped helper handle that allows the cook to lift the skillet with two hands. “If you can only have one piece of cast iron in your kitchen, this would be the one,” a user said. The French company is celebrated for its ultra-high-quality cast iron, and its enameled cast iron pans are no exception. 3.1 Weight: 3.2 … Well, at least I have this pan. Its three-finger handle is easy to grasp, and it features holes on both sides for hanging. To find the best cast-iron pans at every price and size, check theses out. Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson, Field Company's No. Cast iron is basically indestructible. The seasoning on a cast-iron pan is a built-up coat of hardened, polymerized fat that resists moisture and creates a nonstick surface. All rights reserved. Followed it up with a salmon omelette, no sticking and no residue! Personally, I take one with me when I go camping and cooking food over a camp fire on a cast iron griddle has one of the best smells and tastes. Hundreds. A cast-iron skillet's greatest asset is its versatility—it's the one-man-band of pans. 10 Cast Iron Skillet, Lodge 10.5-Inch Square Cast Iron Grill Pan. “I did my due diligence and read up on how to use and care for an iron pan, and to be honest, it is no worse than taking care of any other pan. Cast irons are a bit pricey, which is why it is important that you create recipes that can make the most out of your pan. They're well-suited to all cook-tops and can handle the high heat that will warp aluminum and steel. Ahead, you'll find our top choices, as well as the specifics of how we tested and what we looked for in a cast-iron pans. “I was reading a review about this pan, and couldn't believe the price,” a user wrote. As for stubborn stuck-on food, there's a tool called The Ringer that's a literal game changer. It will strip the pan of any debris, including grease. If a pan didn't have a factory seasoning, we didn't judge its performance in this round—we simply took the opportunity to help build up their natural seasoning. However, metal utensils can chip the enamel. To revisit this article, select My Account, then View saved stories. “It can do duty as a skillet, soup pot, dutch oven, baking pan and flipped over works as a griddle. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. You can cook virtually anything in a cast-iron skillet. Big enough to roast a whole chicken or sear multiple steaks at once, it features both an assist handle and a silicone holder that protects from heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The Amazon Basics pan, and the helper handle over 3,000 customers have the... What we found were eight skillets so beloved, customers couldn ’ weigh! Are heavy, ” a user wrote 's also easier to pick up thing. Buy Lodge cast iron is up for the task best cast-iron skillets heavy. 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