The Best Cast Iron Skillets For 2024
By, Katie FinnUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Lodge L8SK3 10-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet
One 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet, Pre-Seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil, for searing, sautéing, baking, broiling, frying or grilling. Use to sear in the oven, on the stovetop or over a campfire. Includes the L8SK3 pre-seasoned skillet with its own unique design and features. Read Review
2. Runner Up: Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan, Square, Black, 10.5 Inch
The Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan is what you need for your next cooking adventure. It's made from cast iron and is ready to use upon purchase. Use it on all cooking surfaces such as grills, campfires, ovens and more. This pan also features a stay-cool handle so that you can safely sauté, sear, fry or bake with it. Read Review
3. Best Quality: Utopia Kitchen 12.5 Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet - Frying Pan
The secret to cooking food like the pros is using a cast iron skillet. With its superior heat retention, your mouth will be watering for food long after it's cooked. Simply hand wash before first use and dry immediately; rub with a light coating of vegetable oil after every wash and you can cook like a pro! Read Review
4. Best Adjustable: Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
Utopia Kitchen Cast Iron Skillet is a unique and durable cookware. These skillets are pre-seasoned and come in different sizes that allow you to cook almost anything. These pans are durable, easy to care for, and will last you a lifetime. With handles on the side of the pan, these pans are easy to transport and store in your kitchen cabinet. Read Review
Cast iron is a great material to cook with because it gets super hot and retains heat really well. Like, once you’ve used cast iron you’ll only use it for cast iron again kind of deal. It’s expensive, but so worth it in the long run.
If you haven’t bought your first cast iron skillet yet, let me help you find the best one for you. Today I want to introduce you to your new best friend… your cast iron skillet! When buying a new skillet, there are several things to keep in mind. Because the quality of cast iron varies from brand to brand, you should look for specific features when making your purchase. Let me break down the most important things to check when shopping for a new or used cast iron frying pan.
You are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to the Lodge L8SK3 10-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet as our top product. Or you can check the Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan, Square, Black, 10.5 Inch as the other great option, even if the first option didn't meet all of your requirements.
RELATED: Discover the best non stick skillets for your cooking needs. Save time and energy with our top picks for the most durable skillets that won't stick.
Our Top Picks
- One Lodge Pre-Seasoned 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet
- Item Shape: Round
- Use to sear, sauté, bake, broil, braise, fry, or grill
- Great for induction cooktops
- Included Components: Lodge L8Sk3 10-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet
- Pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil
- Unparalleled heat retention and even heating
- Use in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, or over a campfire
- Foundry seasoned, ready to use upon purchase
- Oven safe
- Sauté, sear, fry, bake and stir fry to heart's content
- Made in the USA
- Use on all cooking surfaces, grills and campfires
- Its superior heat retention will keep your mouth watering food warm for a long time
- Iron deficiency is fairly common worldwide especially among women so cooking food in a cast iron skillet can increase iron content by as much as 20%
- Hand wash before first use and dry immediately; rub with a light coating of vegetable oil after every wash
- These 12.5 inches skillet pan are suitable for both stovetop and oven for evenly cooking variety of different meals; Cast iron cookware is less smoother than the Non-Stick cookware
- Allow cast iron skillet to cool completely before washing them in hot soapy water with a sponge using a regular dish washing liquid soap; it is not dishwasher-safe
- VERSATILE USAGE – The skillet pans are highly compatible, as they can be used on any heating source. You can also use them for grilling, frying, sautéing, roasting, braising, and broiling meats, vegetables, and more.
- CAST IRON PAN SET - The bundle of three includes 10, 8, and 6 inches pre-seasoned frying pans; ideal sizes for domestic and outdoor use. Our cast iron pan set comes with unique handles for easy maneuvering and pouring.
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS – Cool the skillets completely before washing in hot soapy water with a sponge using a regular dishwashing liquid soap.
- EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION – Our premium quality non-toxic cookware set is coated with an extra layer of protection that ensures the equal distribution of heat for an improved cooking experience.
- SEASONING GUIDE – Our skillets are pre-seasoned but it is recommended to season the cast iron pan set with any vegetable oil before use. After washing, rub some oil over your cookware's surface and place it in an oven at low temperature for the oil to seep in.
- Always use hot-pads, oven mitts, or potholders while moving or removing cast iron cookware on or from the stove or oven.
- Dimensions: 15-inch diameter
- Pre-seasoned cast iron skillet with flared side edges; oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cast iron for even heat distribution and retention; pre-seasoned products don't have non-stick function; hand wash only
- Suitable for use on all heat sources Oven, Gas or Electric stovetop, induction, campfire, BBQ. Not suitable for use in the microwave.
- With ample cooking surface and an ergonomic dual-assist handle design, this 12” Lodge cast iron skillet is at home in the oven, on the stove top, on the grill or over the campfire.
- A good seasoning makes all the difference. Lodge seasons it’s cast iron cookware with 100% vegetable oil, no synthetic coatings or chemicals. The more you use your cast iron cookware, the better the seasoning will get.
- Brutally tough for decades of cooking, Lodge Cast Iron cookware is unparalleled in heat retention and even heating.
- Lodge Cast Iron skillets are considered an essential kitchen tool by leading chefs and generations of home cooks. It’s the right tool to sear, saute, bake, broil, braise or fry.
- INCLUDED SILICONE HOT HANDLE HOLDER & TEMPERED GLASS LID – This cast iron skillet comes complete with a non-slip, heat-resistant handle cover to keep your hand safe while cooking or serving food. (Silicone grips get hot: Always use an oven mitt or a towel when handling cast iron).
- INCLUDED SILICONE HOT HANDLE HOLDER & TEMPERED GLASS LID – This cast iron skillet comes complete with a non-slip, heat-resistant handle cover to keep your hand safe while cooking or serving food. (Silicone grips get hot: Always use an oven mitt or a towel when handling cast iron).
- Easy-grip handles for secure control
- One Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 5 Piece Set
- Unparalleled heat retention and even heating
- Great for induction cooktops
- Use to sear, sauté, simmer, bake, broil, braise, roast, fry, or grill
- Pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil
- Use in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, or over a campfire
- Cast iron cover features self-basting tips
- SEASONED COOKWARE. A good seasoning makes all the difference. Lodge seasons its cookware with 100% vegetable oil; no synthetic coatings or chemicals. The more you use your iron, the better the seasoning will get
- FAMILY-OWNED. Lodge is more than just a business; it’s a family. The Lodge family founded the company in 1896, and they still own it today. From environmental responsibility to community development, their heads and hearts are rooted in America
- MAKE EVERY MEAL A MEMORY. Lodge knows that cooking is about more than just the food; it’s about the memories. This dynamic 2-loop handle skillet can be used for slow weekend mornings with bacon and eggs or summertime BBQ’s with roasted veggies
- 17 INCH CAST IRON SKILLET. This seasoned cast iron skillet is ready to use and extremely versatile with a diameter of 17 inches and a 2-inch depth. With ample cooking surface and an ergonomic 2 handle design, it is perfect for the campfire, the oven, and the tabletop
- MADE IN THE USA. Lodge has been making cast iron cookware in South Pittsburg, Tennessee (pop. 3,300) since 1896. With over 120 years of experience, their cast iron is known for its high quality design, lifetime durability, and cooking versatility
- Enameled cast iron delivers superior heat distribution and retention
- Ready to use, requires no seasoning
- Compatible with all cooktops and oven-safe up to 500°F
- Black satin interior enamel is specially formulated for higher surface temperatures to enhance cooking performance
- Safe for dishwasher and metal utensils
- Easy-to-clean and durable enamel resists dulling, staining, chipping and cracking
- Lightest weight cast iron by quart on the market
Which Characteristics To Consider On Selecting best cast iron skillets For 2024?
To make a practical purchase, you guys need to be aware of best cast iron skillets ultimately. Several key factors must be taken into account and evaluated. Of course, there are some challenges for you during the process of studying products. So we are available here to provide you with comprehensive advice and support.
Thanks to the evaluation supported by high technology, we have come up with some significant features for you to go through. Let’s check it below!
Heat Distribution
Size
Cleaning
Materials
You should use enameled and bare cast-iron pans for high-heat cooking. They can heat up quickly and resist higher temperatures. Stainless steel can be used to create sauces or braise meats. You can clean nonstick pans easily, but it's important to note that they have a lower heat threshold than some other materials.
Ease Of Use
RELATED: Are you looking to buy the best large nonstick skillet in 2024? We provided helpful advice and reliable information in this article.
FAQs
Do Stainless Steel Skillets Warp?
An oven is less likely to be warp if its cladding is good. The thickness of 5-ply (or 7-ply) makes it less likely that a skillet will warp than 3-ply. America's Test Kitchen's stainless steel skillets induction wrought some warping, as we mentioned elsewhere, but this was not an issue for us with our top choices.
How Do You Clean A Cast Iron Or Carbon Steel Skillet?
Cast iron is very similar in materials and maintenance to carbon steel, so it's best to clean them both the same. Here's the quick summary: After letting your pan cool off, clean it with a brush or scrubber. After drying the skillet, apply a bit of oil to it and then heat the skillet on the stove. Use a cloth or towel to apply the oil to the inside of the skillet to retain the seasoning. Here are more instructions.
What Can You Cook In A Stainless-steel Skillet?
You can't go wrong! These skillets, which are both heat-responsive and a good conductor of heat, are perfect for two types of stovetop cooking: sauteeing (or searing). The skillets' solid construction makes them great for roasting in an oven. It is best not to use them for cooking that involves a lot more liquids, such as braising.
Can You Put A Skillet In The Oven?
In general, the answer is yes. You should check that the pan you purchased is safe for the oven. Also, make sure to note the heat limit. Carbon steel and cast iron are able to tolerate very high heat (600 degrees or more), while stainless steel (450 to 600 degrees) can usually withstand slightly lower temperatures. Nonstick, however, is typically in the lower temperature range (335 to 450 degrees depending on which nonstick coating) Refer to your manufacturer's instruction manual as a guide.
What Is A Fully Clad Skillet?
If the pan's internal core, the part that heats, is fully clad, it covers both the bottom as well as the sides. They are usually more expensive than fully-clad ones, but the savings can be well-worth it. If the stainless steel skillets you have are prone to scorching around their edges, then they may not be fully clad.
What's The Difference Between A Skillet, Frying Pan, And Sauté Pan?
It all depends on where you live and whom you ask. Although some people interchange the terms, they are almost identical. They have high-quality, straight sides (or slightly angled), and an enclosed lid that helps keep moisture and heat in the pan.
In everyday language, a frying pan is sometimes called a skillet. However, the lidless pans have flared, lower sides to allow you to access your food with a spatula. They also feature curved sides that make it easy for you to slide foods onto a plate, such as pancakes and omelets.
All in all, you guys now are able to stay up to date on best cast iron skillets of 2024 with new information. As mentioned, on top of that, the fluctuation of sources like websites and forums, you must be aware of which is best reliable for you.
Honestly, we are delighted to have the chance to support you with product-related issues and additional concerns as well. So it would be best if you didn't hesitate to contact us. Feel free for that!
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About Katie Finn
