Cast Iron Skillets - General Discussion Forum

Cast iron is the only method I’ll use for steaks or burgers in the house. Although my pans have rougher surfaces, it doesn't bother me at all.

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Yes, food may stick to cast iron initially, but my cleaning routine is simple. I run hot water over the skillet, scrub it with a brush (without soap), and it cleans up nicely. Following that, I apply a light coat of cooking spray and wipe it down with a paper towel before storing it in the cabinet.

Praised for their excellent heat retention and nonstick ability, the best cast-iron skillets are indispensable in the kitchen. Whether searing steak, baking chewy brownies, or frying potatoes, these versatile pans perform impeccably. After months of testing 10 popular skillets from trusted brands, Field Company's No. 8 Cast-Iron Skillet emerged as the top choice. With its lightweight structure and smooth, polished surfaces, this skillet is a pleasure to cook with and a beautiful addition to any stovetop.

Favored for their heat retention and nonstick properties, the best cast-iron skillets make the crispiest fried eggs, golden cornbread, and perfectly seared meats.

Here are the winners from my testing:

What distinguishes cast-iron cookware is its ability to absorb and retain high heat. This feature transforms food, unveiling new flavors, textures, and aromas. Over time, as you cook with cast iron, it builds up a layer of seasoning, making the surface naturally nonstick. Whether you're cooking fried eggs with lacy edges or golden-brown cornbread, cast iron delivers. Additionally, its versatility allows you to use it on the stove, oven, grill, or even over a campfire. The best part? Unlike most kitchen tools that degrade over time, cast-iron skillets get better with age and use. With that in mind, here are the best cast-iron skillets available.

Best Overall Cast-Iron Skillet

A Lightweight, Smooth, Heirloom-Quality Choice

Field Company

Field Company No. 8 Cast-Iron Skillet

Size: 10.25 inches | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Features: Helper handle

Best for:

• Home cooks ready to invest in a premium all-purpose skillet
• Those seeking an elegant gift for a culinary enthusiast
• Individuals with wrist mobility or strength limitations
• Bakers who enjoy making cakes and pies in cast iron

Skip if:

• You are on a tight budget
• You prefer a skillet with pour spouts

You don't have to spend a fortune on quality, American-made cast iron. However, if you desire an heirloom-quality skillet reminiscent of vintage cast iron with polished surfaces and a lighter weight, the Field Company No. 8 Cast-Iron Skillet is unmatched. Crafted from recycled American iron, this elegant 10.25-inch skillet is easy to handle for everyday cooking while retaining the weight needed for effective searing, making it worth every penny.

The Field Company skillet, post-seasoning

Initially, the smooth surface of the pan wasn't completely nonstick. However, after two rounds of seasoning in my oven, it developed an even, glossy, and slick black patina. When I seared a New York strip steak, the meat achieved a perfectly brown crust, and a fried egg released effortlessly without sticking. Though the No. 8 skillet heated up quicker than heavier options, it retained the high heat required for searing. Moreover, I could transition the skillet from stovetop to oven and back with just one hand.

One potential drawback for some home cooks is the absence of pour spouts. However, the pan's thin and slightly curved lip allows for precise pouring without mess, rendering the pour spouts unnecessary. Given the skillet's overall performance, it is a worthwhile investment for seasoned home cooks. (For a comprehensive review, check out my full write-up on the Field Company No. 8 Skillet.)

Observations from Long-Term Testing

After seven months of regular use, during which I've made everything from fried eggs to pan-seared chicken breast to deep-fried tofu, the skillet's performance continues to improve. The seasoning has become even slicker, easily releasing sticky foods, and its heat retention remains impressive. Out of all my cookware collection, this is the skillet I reach for most frequently.

Best Value Cast-Iron Skillet

A Resilient American Classic

Amazon

Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet

Size: 10.25 inches | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Features: Helper handle, pour spouts

Best for:

• Home cooks needing a durable, multipurpose skillet
• First-time cast iron users
• Budget-conscious individuals

Skip if:

• You prefer a polished, smooth cooking surface
• You want a lightweight pan that is easy to move with one hand

As the oldest cast-iron cookware company in the USA, Lodge has become synonymous with cast iron. Since its start in 1896, this Tennessee-based family business has earned a sterling reputation among home chefs and professionals for their tough, versatile skillets at very affordable prices. During my tests, the classic 10.25-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet from Lodge excelled in nearly every challenge, delivering perfectly seared steak and flawlessly fried eggs. It's hard to find a more dependable option for around $20.

Right out of the box, the pre-seasoned skillet, with its rough texture, demonstrated its capability. Unlike other skillets I tested, the Lodge skillet freed a fried egg without additional seasoning. When I made cornbread that was nicely crusted and evenly browned, it lifted with minimal sticking. After seasoning the skillet twice in the oven, its rough surface grew noticeably smoother, which proved optimal in subsequent culinary tests. The steak cooked in it had a terrific sear and even doneness, and the final fried egg glided around with no sticking.

The final fried egg test in the Lodge skillet

My primary issue with this skillet is its weight. At 5.4 pounds, it’s relatively heavy, making it less maneuverable with one hand. However, its thicker bottom and walls provide outstanding heat retention and searing ability while also boosting durability. Though I couldn't pour hot oil from the spout holding just the main handle, the additional helper handle proved invaluable.

Another concern, from my extensive cooking with Lodge cast-iron skillets outside this testing period, is the patchy flaking of the seasoning. This happens occasionally with rougher skillets. Although this can be annoying, it's easily remedied by a quick re-seasoning. Otherwise, Lodge's cast iron ages gracefully. (For more information, see my full review of the Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet.)

Best Cast-Iron Skillet for Searing

A Heavyweight Heirloom for Perfectly Browned Crusts

Smithey Ironware

Smithey No. 10 Skillet

Size: 10 inches | Weight: 6.7 pounds | Features: Helper handle and pour spouts

Best for:

• Home cooks seeking a skillet for steaks and other meats
• Those who need a pan for stovetop or grill use
• Individuals who enjoy cooking over a campfire

Skip if:

• You have hand or wrist mobility or strength issues
• You are on a budget

At 6.7 pounds, the Smithey No. 10 Skillet is notably heavy. However, this weight significantly enhances its heat retention and searing power, making it excellent for cooking substantial meats with perfect crusts and juicy interiors, whether on a stove, grill, or over a campfire. If you're looking for a pre-seasoned pan for such tasks, this smooth, polished skillet is ideal.

Nonetheless, its weight does present challenges. While the skillet has a unique helper handle with three holes for hanging, I found it tricky to transfer in and out of the oven. This may not be suitable for cooks with hand or wrist mobility issues. If you’re okay with the added weight, though, it makes a worthy addition to any cookware collection. Although it took longer to develop seasoning, it was capable of frying an egg without sticking straight out of the box. Cleaning is also easy as the slick interior releases leftover food with little effort—the only challenge is moving it in and out of the sink.

Best Upgrade Cast-Iron Skillet

An Everyday Use Lightweight Champion

MOST POPULAR

Link to siao

Butter Pat Industries

Butter Pat Industries Heather 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Size: 10 inches | Weight: 4.8 pounds | Features: Helper handle and pour spouts

Best for:

• Home cooks who prefer a lightweight skillet
• Those who enjoy easy sautéing and searing with lower sides
• Those seeking a stylish gift for a culinary enthusiast

Skip if:

• You require a more versatile all-purpose skillet
• You intend to deep-fry in your skillet
• You hesitate to invest in a premium cookware piece

Butter Pat Industries’ Heather 10-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet is certainly a premium piece at $245. This hand-cast skillet features a polished interior, geometric helper handle, and lightweight design. Both the cooking surface and the bottom are smooth, allowing easy movement over flat electric or induction cooktops. For seasoned home cooks wanting to upgrade or those looking for a stylish gift, this skillet is a standout.

Out of the box, this skillet wasn't the slipperiest. The first fried egg encountered minor sticking, but the skillet baked the best cornbread among all tested—nicely browned on the outside, releasing cleanly. While the high price is a drawback, a more significant limitation is the skillet’s low sides, making it less suited for deep-frying or braising. It excels at everyday searing, sautéing, and baking cornbread batches.

Best Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet

An Easy-to-Clean Kitchen Showpiece

Amazon

Le Creuset Signature Skillet

Size: 10.25 inches | Weight: 6.1 pounds | Features: Helper handle and pour spouts

Best for:

• Home cooks using flat electric or induction cooktops
• Those preferring low-maintenance cookware
• Those desiring a vibrant pop of color in the kitchen

Skip if:

• You are on a tight budget
• You seek generational durability
• You plan to use the skillet over a campfire or in a pizza oven

Enameled cast iron has a nonporous, nonreactive enamel coating, offering similar heat retention, searing power, and stove-to-oven versatility as traditional cast iron but with easier maintenance. The Le Creuset Signature Skillet, available in over 20 colors like Cerise and Shallot, stands out. With sloped sides ideal for sautéing and stir-frying, a large helper handle for easy lifting, and wide pour spouts for mess-free liquids transfer, it’s thoughtfully designed. In testing, it fried an egg without sticking and seared a steak evenly.

Remember, while enameled cast iron releases food easily, it’s not completely nonstick. The enamel coating, though strong and durable, may lose its nonstick properties after prolonged use. To prolong its lifespan, avoid using metal utensils, dishwashing, and heating above 500 degrees.

Additional Cast-Iron Skillets I Tested

I tested eight popular cast-iron skillets from top brands including Lodge, Smithey, and Field Company.

I evaluated five more cast-iron skillets that didn’t make the final cut. While none performed badly, they didn’t earn as high marks as my winners.

Victoria 10-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet: Based in Colombia, Victoria is known for affordable cast iron. Though their 10-inch skillet performed adequately in initial tests, its overly rough texture felt like sandpaper to my spatula.

Lodge Blacklock 96 Triple Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet: A lighter, smoother Lodge variant, the Blacklock is slightly more expensive than the classic skillet but not superior in performance. The handle’s hourglass shape and sharp edges were also uncomfortable to grip.

Lodge Chef Collection 10-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet: Similar to my top pick, but with more rounded sides. While these sides facilitate flipping eggs and steak with a spatula, the flat cooking surface area is an inch smaller than the classic model.

Lancaster No. 8 Cast-Iron Skillet: This Pennsylvania-made skillet weighing 4.5 pounds has a polished interior but isn't as smooth as other high-end contenders and is more expensive. It also lacks a helper handle, making it tricky to lift and maneuver when full.

Staub Enameled Cast-Iron Fry Pan: Although close to being the best enameled cast-iron skillet, a few weaknesses held it back. The small helper handle is hard to grasp, pointy pour spouts didn’t facilitate clean pouring, and it didn’t sear steak as evenly as the Le Creuset skillet.

How I Tested the Best Cast-Iron Skillets

I tested the pans' searing capabilities by cooking New York strip steaks in each.

While cast-iron skillets come in various sizes, I exclusively tested those around 10 inches in diameter, an ideal size for most home cooks. After examining each skillet's construction, from surface texture to additional features, I fried eggs to test nonstick properties straight out of the box. I placed each skillet over medium heat with a tablespoon of butter and cracked an egg in the center. Once the white set, I flipped the egg, noting any sticking.

Next, I tested the skillet’s usability, focusing on handle and pour spout functions. Heating 2 cups of canola oil, I then poured the hot oil from the skillet into a glass measuring cup, observing ease of handling. Without pour spouts, I tipped the skillet to pour over the edge. After this, I tested heat conduction and retention by baking cornbread, evaluating its evenness and nonstick performance. After eight sticky batches, I amended my process with two rounds of oven seasoning for the skillets.

Subsequent tests involved searing meat, one of my favorite cast-iron tasks. Cast iron excels in heat retention, making it ideal for searing proteins by maintaining consistent temperatures that produce flavorful crusts and juicy interiors. I timed how quickly each skillet reached smoking point, then seared New York strip steaks, flipping them to reach an internal temperature of 120 degrees for medium-rare. Finally, I evaluated the seared crust quality.

To conclude, I fried eggs again in the most promising skillets to assess nonstick improvements