Cast iron skillets are ultra-durable and can do just about any type of cooking. Use it on the stovetop, inside the oven, and above a campfireーcast iron pans are a weapon of choice in the kitchen and outdoors! From searing steaks, deep frying chicken, and even baking bread, a cast iron skillet is certainly versatile.
There are numerous types, shapes, and features to a cast iron pan. Not to mention a variety of cast iron brands. Not to worry, we are here to help you with our buying guide fact-checked by Chef Terence Fereday Jr. and our list of the 10 best cast iron skillets. Read more below!
Quick List - Top Cast Iron Skillets
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.
Here are some points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our guide below.
The choice boils down to your personal preference. Do you want a simple, easy-to-clean skillet or one that adds to the overall culinary experience and not just the cooking part? If you don't know your answer yet, you'll know after reading this article.
Uncoated cast iron skillets require seasoning. Seasoning entails baking oil into the pan so it creates a non-stick surface through polymerization where the oil breaks down and hardens into a plastic-like material. Uncoated pans might also require periodic re-seasoning. Worry not, as most cast iron skillets come pre-seasoned.
Like fine wine, cast iron skillets get better with time and proper use. This is why they are a favorite for chefs and home cooks alike as their cast iron construction enables them to be used anywhere there’s heat or fire. Plus, their simplicity and extreme versatility also make then a stand out kitchen tool.
This is one of the most versatile kitchen equipment you can use. It is durable, has superior heat retention, and will sit stable on your cooktop, whether it be induction, electric, or gas.
Enameled skillets do not require the tedious seasoning: applying oil, baking, and rust-proofing, that uncoated ones do. If you like to focus solely on the cooking part and want to do it in the most efficient way possible, this might be the choice for you.
They are simple to use, cook with, clean, dry, and reuse. The downside is that, while the cast iron can take much heat, the other fittings of enameled skillets like the handles and knobs may be prone to melting. While cast iron skillets have a high heat threshold, the additional fittings will require you to be more careful with them.
This type of skillet is ideal for quick cooking, like sauteing or pan-frying. It does not have the durability and heat capacity of a cast iron pan.
A lighter skillet is easier and more comfortable to handle. It prevents burns, spills and, inadvertently, wasting of both food and effort. It helps you cook with less strain and more finesse. The more you can control the pan, the better you can cook and focus on the dish.
You are more likely to choose a skillet that you are most comfortable with. And, cast iron skillets are heavier than the usual cookware, so it is best to keep in mind its weight. Bigger is definitely better, but heavier is not. So, choose a skillet than can accommodate more ingredients while being less taxing to cook with.
When choosing the size of your skillet, you also need to consider the size of your burner. The food might not cook evenly if you use a large skillet on a small burner.
A cast iron skillet is either deep or shallow, that is the main difference. Shallower skillets are known as frypans; the deeper ones are called Dutch ovens. One thing's for sure, you will be able to create mouth-watering dishes with either.
Frypans are the most common. They are an all-rounder. Meanwhile, Dutch ovens are great for soups, stews, and casserole. Undoubtedly, both are wonderful to have in your kitchen, it is just a matter of deciding which one you use the most. Who knows, you might even come across cast iron skillets for sale, so you can end up with both!
Dutch ovens are very versatile in the kitchen as well. Aside from making soups, casseroles, and stew, you can also deep fry in them. It is a real workhorse in the kitchen.
Features like these enhance your cooking experience. For instance, a flat cooking surface offers better contact between the pan and the food, which gives you that perfect sear, while ribbed bottoms are great for grill marks. In terms of shape, round pans heat more evenly while square ones perform better on campfires.
Since cast iron skillets are heavy, getting one that has a helper handle allows two-handed carrying. This makes cooking safer and easier. Another thing to look at is if it has a pouring spot to easily drain excess oil. Moreover, you want to look for skillets that come with a lid to help braise sauces and prevent splashes.
It's best to determine the type of cooking you frequently do before getting your skillet. This will determine the shape and size of the skillet that is ideal for you. My advice is to start with a small-sized one first and see if the weight and functionality work for you.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chef's Classics Cast Iron Frypan | ![]() | The Ultimate All-Around Cast Iron Skillet | |
2 | Lodge 3.2 Quart Seasoned Cast Iron Combo Cooker | ![]() | Features Multiple Pots in One Nifty Pan | |
3 | Chef's Classics Deep Dish Cast Iron Skillet | ![]() | A Heavy Duty Pan for Cooking Large Servings | |
4 | Le Creuset Classic Skillet | ![]() | Smooth-Casted Frypan Best for Stir-Fry Recipes | |
5 | Tramontina Trento Skillet With Lid | ![]() | An Easy to Lift Skillet for Comfort Food Cooking | |
6 | Ooni Cast Iron Skillet Pan | ![]() | Avoid Burned Fingers With Its Detachable Handle | |
7 | Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 12-inch Enameled Cast Iron Chicken Fryer with Cover | ![]() | Has Even Heat Distribution for Perfectly Browned Dishes | |
8 | Edge Houseware Cast Iron Square Grill Pan|KW-123 | ![]() | Lets You Achieve Perfect Grill Marks on Your Burgers and Steak | |
9 | Edge Houseware Sizzling Plate Iron Skillet | ![]() | A Flat Pan That’s Great for Sizzling Dishes | |
10 | Natural Single Handle Non-Stick Frying Pan | ![]() | A Mini Skillet for Small Merienda Meals |
This cast iron pan from Chef’s Classics is wide enough for sautéing vegetables, searing big slabs of steak, and deep enough for frying small to medium-sized cuts of meat. It is also oven-safe, so you can use it from stove to oven whether you’re finishing off a ribeye, melting cheese on top of beef mince, making skillet cookies, or omelettes.
It doesn’t have helper handles, but it does have two pouring spouts on both sides for easy draining, making it helpful when serving or plating your cooked dish. Moreover, it is the perfect size since you can cook almost anything with it, making it suitable for most families. Plus, at its inexpensive price point, you can now get the full experience of using a cast iron skillet!
Investing in cast iron cookware should be a no-brainer, especially if you want your cooking equipment to last a long time. Lodge’s cast iron combo cooker does the job if you want a pan that’s good for a variety of uses. Instead of a lid, it consists of two pans stacked on top of one another, which definitely reduces your need for multiple pots and pans.
The bottom is a deep skillet and Dutch oven, while the lid converts into a shallow skillet and griddle. This makes it the perfect choice for virtually any dish you want to make, whether it is deep-frying chicken, simmering sauces, boiling meat, or even just sautéing or braising dishes. Definitely a must-have for fans of multifunctional kitchen tools!
This cast iron skillet is deeper than the usual frypans seeing as it can carry enough ingredients for two families! So, whether you are cooking a huge piece of crispy pata, a sauce-heavy kare-kare, or a family-sized frittata, know that this skillet can surely take it. Its wide helping handle also ensures you can easily transport any heavy dish.
After all, there is nothing more frustrating than accidentally spilling the sauce, main component, or sahog you simmered or braised for so long. Think of this as the kawali of cast iron skillets, great for cooking small to very large servings of food for you and your whole family.
Le Creuset is one of the notable cast iron brands, so you know you’re in good hands. Their classic skillet is enameled, removing the need for any seasoning and special maintenance required of raw cast iron pans. The enamel also makes it virtually non-stick, making it a versatile piece of cookware in the kitchen.
In addition, it is specifically formulated to handle higher surface temperature cooking. This allows you to perform an assortment of cooking techniques, from the usual sautéing and searing, to high heat stir-frying. For quick and efficient cooking, especially for people on the go, this will prove to be a kitchen favorite.
The black enameled coating of this cast iron cookware gives it that rustic look, which makes you think about home and comfort food cooking. Just the look of it alone can make you nostalgic about your favorite childhood meals. Moreover, it is fairly large-sized and can take up to 4.1L.
This makes it absolutely great for sarsa or sabaw dishes like mechado, bulalo, or sopas. It is also oven safe, so you can make casserole dishes as well. And, unlike the usual skillets, this one consists of two handles on both sides, making it easy to transfer whether it is from the stovetop to the oven or to the table.
Ooni’s skillet comes with a handle that you can detach or attach to avoid burning your hands while unleashing your inner chef. It even comes with a wooden board that you can use for serving. Now you can serve piping hot meals without worrying about leaving scorch marks on your table or placemat.
This pan is also compatible with a number of cooktops, from the usual stove to open fires. In addition, this cast iron skillet has excellent heat retention, so you can use it to make s’mores, steak, and even pizza. Whatever dish you fancy cooking for your next weekend barbecue, this skillet is right there with you.
Even heat distribution is one of the most prominently praised qualities of cast iron cookwareーand this applies to Cuisinart’s cast iron pan! This makes it ideal for cooking prito dishes, so you’re assured of a nice, even browning. No more burnt spots on one side and raw ones on the other. It even has a lid to prevent nasty oil splashes!
In addition, this pan is porcelain-enameled, which saves you the trouble of seasoning the pan. That way, you can get right to cooking. Moreover, the enamel coating also prevents the pan from absorbing odors, so even if you’ve been using it for quite a while, it’ll still look and smell good as new.
Unlike the smooth bottoms of typical cast iron pans, Edge Houseware’s square cast iron grill pan has a ribbed bottom. This allows you to achieve those appealing grill marks on steaks, ribs, or burgers. It also removes the fat from food and collects drippings, so your dish won’t be swimming in oil afterward.
This cookware is also pre-seasoned, so no need to spend the first hour and a half after unboxing on washing, oiling, and baking. In addition, it has big pouring spouts that are great for draining excess oil or transferring sauces, thus reducing the likelihood of spills, splatters, or drips.
This cast iron pan provides a number of uses from frying, searing, and even baking, making it a welcome addition to your kitchen. But, what sets it apart from other cast iron pans is its shallow sides. This makes it handy for making omelettes, skillet cookies and brownies, or even pancakes.
Plus, if you're a fan of sizzling dishes like sisig or buttered beef, this pan is also great for that. It even comes with a wooden serving board so you can recreate the experience at home. And since it is already pre-seasoned, you don't need to painstakingly prep the pan!
This skillet is the perfect cast iron cookware for small-scale portions or for merienda meals. Scrambled eggs, toasted bread, steak medallions, you name it, it can cook the same as regular-sized skillets; you just have to make sure they'll fit. Now you can say hello to solo skillet cornbread, brownies, and pizza.
This is handy when you don't want to bust out your family-sized pan. Individuals who live alone, small families, or couples would also appreciate its compact size. It is also compatible with different types of stoves from gas ranges, electric, and even induction ones.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by professional chef Terence Fereday.
Handwash your skillet with a little amount of soap. For stubborn, stuck-on food, add water and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Cool down, then use a scraper and wash with soap and water.
Depending on your use. If you see dull spots on the surface, it's time to re-season.
In the kitchen, you can have a wide array of tools and equipment to help you create the best dishes imaginable. But, before you start, you must be sure you have the fundamentals covered. Now, it's time to choose your other kitchen essentials. Follow the links below and set yourself up with the basics.
Author: Petre Baliton
Re-editor: J. Cuizon
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: Chef's Classics|Cast Iron Frypan
No. 2: Lodge|3.2 Quart Seasoned Cast Iron Combo Cooker
No. 3: Chef's Classics|Deep Dish Cast Iron Skillet
No. 4: Le Creuset|Classic Skillet
No. 5: Tramontina|Trento Skillet With Lid
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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