We Pinoys love our barbecues and grilled liempo, which we normally grill in our backyards. But if you don't have the space for an ihawan, you can do the next best thingーget a grill pan! This kitchen tool is perfect for getting that smoky and caramelized flavor, minus the hassle of setting up a grill.
Grill pans are excellent alternatives for those who don't have outdoor spaces for a real grill. But how do you know which one to buy? In this article, we'll help you pick out the best one for your needs with our buying guide fact-checked by Chef Terence Fereday Jr. We've also curated a list of the 10 best grill pans out there. Read on to know more!
Quick List - Top Grill Pans
Lodge
A Durable Pan That Will Stand the Test of Time
Kitchen Art
The Perfect Pan for a Fun Family Cooking Experience
Chef Terrence has 30 years of experience working in the professional kitchen. He graduated from the Professional Culinary Institute in California, USA, and he was a former Culinary Instructor, Corporate Chef, and Executive Chef. He also won several awards in culinary competitions and is the founder and owner of Zilla Pizza.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Grill pans typically come in cast iron or other types of metal, such as stainless steel and aluminum. Below are their characteristics and what you can expect from each one.
Hands down, cast iron is the best material for grill pans. It may be heavy, but it can take high heat well. This makes it ideal for cooking thicker meats like steaks and burgers. The downside is that delicate foods might stick to the surface, but this is nothing that can't be solved by proper seasoning beforehand.
For a more lightweight option, consider stainless steel and cast aluminum pans. These materials are easier to handle than cast iron and have a non-stick surface that's ideal for cooking delicate meat like fish.
However, while they can retain heat efficiently, they do have a disadvantage. They are not recommended for use with high heat because the high temperature can affect the pan's non-stick quality.
Cast iron surfaces come coated or preseasoned with enamel, which helps to make it last longer and give a better food release. It's also easy to clean, as long as you take time to care for the surface. After every use, don't forget to reseason it and store it properly to prolong its life.
Stainless steel or die-cast aluminum grill pans, on the other hand, come with a non-stick coating for easy cooking and cleaning. However, as mentioned above, high heat can affect its non-stick quality. It's also important to use only a sponge or dishcloth to clean it to avoid damaging the surface.
Handles are vital when it comes to choosing the right grill pan. Most are designed to be in proportion with the size and weight of the pan, but as a rule, opt for a pan with a long handle. Longer handles might add a bit of weight on the pan, but it gives smooth mobility and heat protection to the user. Some pans also have tabs or "helper handles" on the opposite side to assist in lifting heavy pans.
Grilled food needs to be cooked as a single layer, so a wider cooking surface is an advantage. Grill pans come in round, rectangular, or square designs, but the last two are the most ideal for their wider space. They can accommodate more food at once to save time and energy, and you can cook meat or fish and your veggies all at the same time.
Make sure to check the exterior of the pan as well. Cast iron grill pans have an enamel outer coating, just like on the inside, which makes it easier to clean. Meanwhile, some stainless steel or die-cast aluminum grill pans come with an induction-ready bottom surface for use with both induction and standard stovetops.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Le Creuset Square Skillet Grill | ![]() | A Top-of-the-Line Grill Pan for Durability and Performance | |
2 | Lodge Blacklock Collection Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Square Grill Pan | ![]() | A Durable Pan That Will Stand the Test of Time | |
3 | Dessini Keimav Double Grill Pan | ![]() | Dual Surface for Multi-Purpose Cooking | |
4 | Kitchen Art Stone Samgyupsal Grill Korean Pan|KA 1508 | ![]() | The Perfect Pan for a Fun Family Cooking Experience | |
5 | Tefal Essential Chef de France Nonstick Grill Pan | ![]() | Designed to Make Grilling Easy for Newbies | |
6 | Chef's Classics Cast Iron Square Grill Pan | ![]() | Pre-Seasoned and Ready-to-Use for Indoor or Outdoor Grilling | |
7 | Eiderfinch Multifunctional Multi Roaster Grill Pan|SR-32 | ![]() | Get Great Flavor With Efficient Oil Distribution | |
8 | KCB Round Korean Grill Pan | ![]() | A Smokeless Pan That's Perfect for Indoor Cooking | |
9 | LaVie Korean Barbecue Maifan Stone Grill Pan | ![]() | Stone-Coated Pan for Non-Stick Grilling | |
10 | Home Zania Rectangular Grill Pan | ![]() | A Wider Pan for More Grilling Action |
If you've got the budget to splurge, why not go all out with Le Creuset? Their grill pan is crafted from enameled cast iron, and the exterior bears the iconic bright and chip-resistant enamel finish the brand is known for. While it's certainly more expensive than any other item on this list, you're guaranteed a product of excellent quality from a gold-standard brand.
This pan gives your food a flavor as close to outdoor-grilled as possible. Aside from that, the ribbed cooking surface drains away excess oil, and the pan has two spouts on the sides for drip-free pours. The cast iron also performs reliably for both slow cooking and high-temperature sears, making it totally worth the investment!
Looking for a stress-free way to grill food? This cast iron pan from Lodge guarantees an easy and natural food release and quick cleanup, thanks to its non-stick surface with three layers of seasoning. The wide surface also makes it easier to grill thicker and wider cuts of meat.
Even though it's made of cast iron, it's thinner and about 25% lighter than other similar pans. The handle is also extended and stays cooler longer for easier control. You can also get extra support when carrying it because it has an elevated helper handle at the top. Plus, because it's from a brand that's known for durability, you can be sure it'll last for generations!
Here's a double-sided pressure grill pan with two surfaces to suit your grilling, frying, or stewing needs. It is made of super-conductive die-cast aluminum material and top-quality Xylon ceramic with non-stick marble coating for a longer-lasting performance. It's also equipped with Bakelite handles long enough to keep your hands away from the heat source.
Because of its closed design, this pan locks in heat, steam, and nutrition all at once. It also acts as a pressure cooker where the temperature is distributed evenly to save time and energy. Thus, you get meats that are crispy on the outside but moist and juicy on the inside. It's exactly what you need to impress your friends and family with your cooking!
This product is 100% authentic Korean-made by a reputable brand, which clearly shows in its clever design. Aside from a non-stick feature and a center hole to leak oil out, it has side sections where you can cook eggs, veggies, sauces, and other side dishes. Meanwhile, the large 40-centimeter surface enables you to cook more food at once to conserve time and energy.
That way, you can create a delicious Korean meal as quickly as possible. These highlights, especially the side sections, can also turn cooking into a super fun bonding experience with your friends and family. Satisfied users also have nothing but praises for its durability and non-stick property.
Made in France by cookware giant Tefal, this grill pan is a great pick for beginners in grilling or cooking. One of its most helpful features is the Thermo-Spot, a heat indicator you can't miss in the middle of the pan. This spot turns bright red to let you know that the pan has reached the ideal temperature and is ready for cooking.
Additionally, it makes use of a new Powerglide non-stick technology to provide an extra-smooth glide when moving your food on the pan. That way, you'll never have the hassle of removing bits and pieces of food stuck on it. Aside from that, the handle is long and features an ergonomic grip. All of these features make this pan a winner for novices to grilling!
Chef's Classics is one of the most trusted brands for cookware, and you can count on them to make quality products. Their grill pan is one such item that will prove to be a valuable addition to your kitchen. Made of cast iron, it heats up quickly and evenly for uniform cooking. The raised ridges allow fat to drip from food and create those classic grill marks on your food.
It also has a pouring lip that's handy for draining fat when you're done cooking. Another convenient feature is the loop-in handle which allows you to store it hanging. It also comes pre-seasoned, so you can use it out of the box. As long as you remember to reseason it after every use, this pan will last you a lifetime!
If you want to try your hand at Samgyeopsal grilling, this one is a great place to start. Made of die-cast aluminum, this square grill pan from Eiderfinch is another product that's perfect for newbies to grilling. It has several features that come in handy even if you don't really know how to cook. For one, it has a non-stick coating to prevent food from sticking to the surface.
The surface also has a concave design with grooves to serve as a flow path for oil to gather in the middle and ensure even oil distribution. This prevents oil from burning and ruining the flavor of your food. At the center is a drain hole where oil can seep through and flow down the inclined outlet on the side. And because it has a slim profile, it's easy to clean and store.
Discover this ingenious grill pan that is completely portable and easy to use. It's a two-piece set with a detachable top and a basin underneath for catching oil drips and storing water to keep your food moist as it cooks. This pan comes in two options: stainless steel and non-stick. You also get a pair of stainless steel tongs to go with the set.
The great thing about this product is its clever grilling surface with elongated holes along the sides. These holes allow oil and excess juices to trickle into the catch basin underneath. And if you put water in the basin beforehand, it will prevent oil from burning. Thus, you can enjoy a smokeless cooking experience!
This Korean-made pan might look smooth compared to the other grill pans on this list, but it's perfect for grilling just the same. The secret is in its Maifan stone coating, which makes the surface non-stick and wear-resistant. The pan itself is made of aluminum alloy that distributes heat quickly and evenly.
Due to its conductive and balanced heating properties, this product offers one of the quickest and healthiest ways to cook meat or vegetables. The only downside is that it features two helper handles instead of a long handle, like most Korean grill pans. While this might be a disadvantage while cooking, it does make for easy transport from stove to table.
This wide rectangular pan is perfect for Samgyupsal parties or for grilling bigger cuts of meat. It has the usual non-stick features of other grill pans with protruding ridges to achieve the grill marks that we love to see. It also has a slanted design, a 3-dimensional oil groove, and a hole to drain excess oil for healthier cooking.
Simply place it on top of a gas or propane stove, and you're good to cook. Lifting and transferring the pan is also easy because of its dual side handles. Plus, it's easy to clean; because it's coated with four levels of medical stone, food debris and grease don't stand a chance.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Korean BBQ involves rapidly cooking meat that’s juicy but with a slightly crisp texture. Thus, for authentic results, the best Samgyup grill pan is one that can withstand high heat, distributes heat evenly, and has a non-stick surface. Other plus factors are grooves for draining excess oil and a smokeless feature if you want to cook indoors. Check out the Korean grill pans on our list above for more ideas!
Grill pans are great for both slow and high-heat cooking. They allow moisture to build up in the spaces between the ridges, locking in the juices in meats, seafoods, and vegetables.
I'd like to add that one thing that locks in moisture is high heat when grilling. Grilling at low temperatures will cause the food item to release moisture.
Yes, especially if it’s a cast iron grill pan. Seasoning protects the metal and prevents rust from developing on the surface. It also results in better food release.
Looking for more products to complete your cookware collection? Check out the links below for more of our recommended kitchen tools!
Author: Chafi Lacson
Re-editor: R. Umlas
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Le Creuset|Square Skillet Grill
No. 2: Lodge|Blacklock Collection Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Square Grill Pan
No. 3: Dessini|Keimav Double Grill Pan
No. 4: Kitchen Art|Stone Samgyupsal Grill Korean Pan|KA 1508
No. 5: Tefal|Essential Chef de France Nonstick Grill Pan
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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