Best Cast Iron Skillets

Generally speaking, the biggest strength of cast iron cookware is how simple and unassuming it is. That said, it never hurts to have an extra element or two that will help you prepare better meals and expand your cooking range. With that in mind, let's talk about the Cuisinart CI22-24CR. For the most part, what we have here is more or less your typical pan made of cast iron. But the model does have a feature or two that allows it to stand out from the pan crowd. First of all, there's the porcelain-enameled interior and exterior, with the former part being especially helpful as it allows the surface to avoid impacting flavors or absorbing odors.

Though most people prefer the generally unassuming look of cast iron kitchenware, we can't say that we have any complaints about the obligatory durable finish with a couple of attractive colors to choose from. Whether you go with the cardinal red or the Provencal blue, this enameled cast iron skillet will prove to be a good fit for your kitchen décor. Other than that, the model includes a particularly long and wide handle for a secure and comfortable grip and an oven-safe knob that provides a number of additional cooking options. Finally, what makes this product truly stand out is the fact that, unlike the majority of these pans, the model is dishwasher safe, so you won't have to waste your time and effort cleaning the whole thing with your own two hands.

Again, the majority of cast iron items are simple and unassuming, which is both their biggest strength and weakness. But the cast iron frying pan from Cuisinart isn't quite like that. While it retains the usual advantages of cast iron cookware, the model offers a few extra elements as an icing on the proverbial cake.

A good cast iron skillet is as much about convenience as it is about the ability to prepare a variety of different meals. And the model in question has that convenience in spades. Just like most of these pans, the model comes equipped with a long handle and an opposite handle helper. When you're done frying the up a mess of catfish or roasting a chicken, both of these handles will allow you to do some heavy lifting without putting too much of a strain on your hands. And if you're looking to sear some meat, a silicone hot handle holder will definitely come in handy as it is capable of protecting those hands of yours from heat up to 450° F.

Other than that, one of the better parts of this cast iron skillet is the fact that it already comes pre-seasoned, so you can put it to good use straight out of the box. Not dissimilar to the majority of skillets made of cast iron, the model's versatility is one of its biggest strengths. It works perfectly fine with induction cooktops. You can put it in the oven or on the stove. You can also bring it to a campfire and enjoy a nice meal in the wilderness. Whether you're looking to sear, sauté, bake, broil, braise, fry, or grill, there's almost nothing that a pan like that cannot do.

Bringing this review to a logical conclusion, we would recommend the cast iron skillet from Lodge to those customers who like to cook a variety of different meals in a variety of different ways. It is just as versatile as any other pan like that but it does offer a bit more convenience than the rest of them.

As it is usually the case with AmazonBasics, what we have here is a fairly basic product. But while certain items do not often benefit from that kind of simplicity, a cast iron skillet is not one of those items. Its simplicity is the strongest point of this piece of cookware. With 12 inches in diameter, the model offers a flat and smooth surface that is perfect for sautéing, searing, pan-frying, baking, broiling, roasting, and all kinds of food preparation techniques. Like most of these pans, the product already comes pre-seasoned. That means you won't have to re-season it for a long time since seasoning in cast iron is chemically bonded to the metal, making it particularly resilient. As long as you steer clear of acidic foods, it'll take years for the seasoning to wear off.

All in all, cooking with this relatively lightweight cast iron skillet shouldn't prove to be much of a challenge. It works wonders with just about every cooking surface out there. Both the long handle and the opposite helper handle make it easy to lift the pan and to transport it. Plus, you won't have to worry about putting it in an overheated oven as the model's capable of withstanding up to 500° F of pure heat.

In conclusion, a cast iron skillet is one piece of cookware that every self-respecting cook should have in their kitchenware arsenal. You can take it right out of the box and instantly put it to good use. It doesn't cost much and will serve you for decades to come.

Most seasoned cooks believe a cast iron skillet to be the most essential piece of cookware. And if you take into consideration what you get from them in return for their measly price, it's hard to argue with their logic. With a pan like that, you can cook anything that your heart (or tummy) desires, be it a juicy steak, some paninis, or a few vegetables to make your diet just a bit healthier. Furthermore, one of the biggest and one of the more unexpected advantages of cast iron cookware in general and skillets, in particular, is the fact that iron deficiency is extremely common all over the world but especially among women. Cooking your food using a cast iron skillet, you will be able to increase iron content by as much as 20% and that iron is extremely important as it is responsible for producing red blood cells.

Other than that, the model offers a flat surface with 12.5 inches in diameter. As you would imagine, this means you will have more surface to work with, so you'll be able to prepare heartier meals. Unfortunately, the unorthodox diameter of the surface also means that it may be a bit difficult to find a fitting lid. And just like any cast iron skillet, the model is more than suitable for all kinds of heat sources like gas, electric, induction, and ceramic-glass top stoves, but also ovens.

So, if you're the kind of person who prefers a healthy and hearty homemade meal to fast food, there's really no reason not to give the Utopia Kitchen frying pan a try. And if you often have guests over and like treating them to a meal, the model will definitely prove to be right up your alley.

The Victoria SKL-212 offers everything you would expect out of a cast iron skillet and a few complimentary features on top of that. With the 12 inches in diameter, the model has enough surface space for you to go crazy preparing a variety of different meals.

A long handle is there as well but the manufacturers have put their own little twist on it by slightly curving the handle. Admittedly, it is a small chance but it does make handling easier while providing better leverage. As always, the longer handle is crucial when it comes to keeping the hand of the user farther from the center of the heat. Plus, it stays cool for a longer period of time.

The standard helper handle is also there, but the aforementioned manufacturers also made a slight change there by increasing its size for easy lifting, even with pot holders. A couple of side lips will make it easier to pour oil and other condiments. These side lips also feature intricate drip-cutters, making it a bit easier to clean them up. Of course, the pan itself is not small, but the hole in the handle will help in terms of storage.

To reiterate our earlier point, the Victoria SKL-212 offers just about everything you would expect out of a cast iron skillet. But those few changes that the manufacturers have made to the fundamental elements of the pan make it a bit more attractive than the standard skillet.