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- Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 6-Piece Starter Set. affordable. expert-recommended. preseasoned. comes with two pan scrapers and a hot handle holder. What We Don’t Like.
- Smithey Ironware Founder’s 3-Piece Set. unique polished finish that makes the pans easy to clean. preseasoned. designed with pour spots and helper handles.
- Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron 5-Piece Cookware Set. enameled and preseasoned. available in ten colors. two of the pieces come with lids, complete with ergonomic, heat-resistant knobs.
- Great Jones The Cast Iron Family. Dutchess and Dutch Baby are dishwasher-safe. preseasoned. comparatively affordable. What We Don’t Like. exterior of Dutch ovens can stain easily.
- Our Favorite Cast Iron Skillets
- How We Tested Cast Iron Skillets
- Factors to Consider
- Other Cast Iron Skillets We Tested
- Our Expertise
Our Best Overall winner was the Lodge 10.25-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, which is no surprise given the brand's reputation for inexpensive, quality cast iron skillets that stand the test of time. We also loved the versatility of the Stargazer 10.5-inch Cast Iron Skillet.
In our tests, we sought to evaluate each skillet based on its heat conduction, heat retention, and heat distribution. We assessed how quickly and evenly they heated on the stovetop and then measured the temperature at the center and edge of the pan. We seared pork loin pieces to observe the cast iron's performance when searing at high heat to evalu...
Type
Buying a standard frying panis definitely a little different from shopping for cast iron, which comes in various finishes, such as bare, seasoned, and enameled finishes. Most of our recommendations are pre-seasoned, but others may require a seasoning process. The texture of cast iron pans is also a consideration, as some are finished smooth, and others are rougher. Also, ensure that your cast iron is safe for glass or induction stoves if you have one, as some are not. There are also cast iron...
Size
Cast iron skillets come in various sizes, ranging from 5-inch miniature pans to 15-inch options. Chef Willis recommends a 10-inch cast iron skillet for most households, as it provides enough diameter for everyday tasks like making pancakes, frying chicken, and baking cakes. "I like something I can use to make tried and true buttermilk cornbread but can also use to roast a small chicken or sear two pork chops," she said.
Care and Maintenance
Wash your cast iron with water and soap after each use and air dry. It's good to get into the habit of oiling your cast iron after it is washed and dried after use. Neutral oils rather than olive oil are preferred. A cast iron chainmail scrubber is another easily washable tool you can reuse and pop in the dishwasher to remove stubborn bits. If your cast iron rusts or you have other issues, we've got an article to help. Some may think cast iron is indestructible, but Willis reminds us it is no...
Strong Contenders
Marquette Castings Skillet ($250 at Marquette) This cast iron is a professional-grade pan that can handle any tasks you throw at it, from searing, braising, cooking vegetables, and cornbread. Its price is the only thing that may deter home cooks. However, it is so well-made it should last a long time with great care. Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillet ($23 at Amazon) This is an excellent skillet for a home cook who wants the most value for their money without many bells and whistles. Though the small...
What Didn't Make the List
Not every cast iron pan we tested passed muster. Many failed with heat evenness, and others were destroyed after a few cooks. Some skillets didn't make the list because of excessive heft, and others were awkward to use during tests, like pouring oil from the pan. 1. Lodge Chef Collection ($34 at Lodge) 2. Victoria Cast Iron Skillet ($25 at Amazon) 3. Lancaster Cast Iron Skillet ($175 at Amazon) 4. Lodge Pro-Logic Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet ($70 at Amazon) 5. Nest Homeware Cast Iron Skillet ($...
Jennifer Zymanis a Senior Commerce Writer for Food & Wine and a former restaurant critic with a culinary school degree and over 15 years of food writing experience. Her work has appeared in Atlanta Magazine, Bon Appetit, Eater Atlanta, The Kitchn, Local Palate, National Geographic, Simply Recipes, Southern Living, and Thrillist. To write this story...
- Jennifer Zyman
Mar 11, 2024 · The best cast-iron skillet: Lancaster Cast Iron No. 8. No. 8 Lancaster Cast Iron Skillet, 10.5 Inches. $175. Lancaster Cast Iron. $175. Amazon. $175. Etsy. For a long time we were in the (very ...
- Sara Klimek
- Lodge. It's no surprise that our top-performing cast iron brand is Lodge. The New York Times rated Lodge's products as the best cast iron on the market for their affordability, durability, and quality — especially the 12-inch Chef's Collection skillet.
- Victoria Cookware. The Victoria Cookware skillet offers a similar design, shape, and quality as skillets three to four times its price. However, this skillet was one of the stickier brands of the cast iron pans we've reviewed; it may require extra seasoning to prevent residue.
- Smithey Ironware. Smithey Ironware is a notable name within the cast iron industry. The brand produces unique, ornate, and beautifully-designed cookware.
- Utopia Kitchen. Utopia Kitchen sets come in a 6-inch, 8-inch-and 12-inch skillet on Amazon for $26.99. This bundle is a no-frills cast iron set that can be used for both cooking and baking.
Jan 4, 2024 · Cookware sets; Skillets; Cast iron skillets ... and we think the Lodge Chef Collection 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet is the best. It's lighter than other cast-iron skillets, better at searing, comes ...
Mar 11, 2024 · Best Overall: Victoria 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet. Best Overall Runner-Up: Lodge Pre-Seasoned 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet. Best for Camping: Ozark 3-Piece Cast Iron Skillet Set. Easiest to Maintain ...
People also ask
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May 13, 2024 · The answer: fast. Five saw an average temperature increase of 34% after one minute, while the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet -10.25 inch went up by a whopping 53.4%. The Smithey No.10 Skillet and the Smithey No.10 Chef Skillet were the slowest, increasing by 18% and 13.6%, respectively, in the first minute.
