The 7 Best Cast-Iron Skillets for Deep Frying, Baking, and More
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Shop these signature styles of our go-to pan, which we use for everything from steak to dessert.
Courtesy of Williams Sonoma, Amazon
Whether you're a home cook or professional chef, a cast-iron skillet is an essential piece of cookware to have in your kitchen. Cast-iron skillets can handle a variety of different foods, as they maintain and absorb heat well and can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Its durability means you can use cast iron in your oven, on a stovetop, or even over a campfire.
"Cast iron can do it all—and do it all well," says Tiffany La Forge, professional chef and author of The Modern Cast-Iron Cookbook. "Honestly, I make anything and everything in my cast-iron skillets. My favorite things are anything fried, steak, stove-to-oven dishes like Shepherd's pie, desserts like cobblers, and breads." Deep frying is a great cooking method for cast-iron skillets because the grease helps maintain the seasoning.
There are several types of cast-iron skillets available to buy based on your specific cooking and baking needs.
Meet the Expert
Tiffany La Forge, professional chef and author of The Modern Cast-Iron Cookbook
The Best Cast-Iron Skillets to Shop Now:
Best Classic: Lodge L8SK3 Pre-Seasoned Skillet, $20
Best Deep: Staub Enameled Cast-Iron Traditional Deep Skillet, $180
Best Lid: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Deep Sauté Pan, 368
Best Large: FINEX Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet, $370
Best, Small: Lodge Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet, $15
Best Heirloom: Smithey No. 12 Cast-Iron Skillet, $210
Best Long Handle: Victoria 10-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet, $26
Related: 33 Fabulous Recipes You Can Cook in Your Cast-Iron Skillet
Best Classic: Lodge L8SK3 Pre-Seasoned Skillet
Courtesy of Amazon
If this is your first cast-iron skillet, consider purchasing an affordable, pre-seasoned option rather than something with a lot of bells and whistles. "I love and recommend Lodge, which is widely available and made in the United States," says La Forge. This Lodge is 10.25 inches and pre-seasoned with 100 percent natural vegetable oil. This skillet can be used in ovens, on stovetops, on grills, or over campfires, and is even compatible with induction cooking surfaces.
$20
Best Deep Skillet: Staub Enameled Cast-Iron Traditional Deep Skillet
Courtesy of Williams Sonoma
One of La Forge's favorite qualities in a cast-iron skillet is depth since she often uses hers for baking or taking it from stovetop to oven. Consider a traditional deep cast-iron skillet like this straight-sided Staub option, which is 11 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep. The high, straight sides mean less splattering when making meals.
$180
Best With Lid: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Deep Sauté Pan
Courtesy of Williams Sonoma
If you're looking for an enameled cast-iron skillet, consider this deep sauté pan with an enameled interior and exterior. It's a 4 1/4-quart capacity pan that's well suited for high-heat searing and sautéing. It is also great for slower styles of cooking; the matching lid helps retain heat and lock in moisture when braising or simmering sauce.
$368
Best Large: FINEX Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet
Courtesy of Williams Sonoma
This 14-inch cast-iron skillet comes with two handles, making it easy to transport, and it's large enough to feed a crowd. These are qualities that La Forge loves in a cast-iron skillet—she notes that any skillet over 12 inches is ideal for making hearty one-pot meals for a group and likes models with double handles that allow her to seamlessly move the cookware from the stove to the oven.
$370
Best Small: Lodge Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet
Courtesy of Williams Sonoma
Opt for a small, 6-inch cast-iron skillet for single-serve meals, side dishes, or a quick bite, says La Forge. She also uses hers for making skillet brownies. Note that this smaller Lodge cast-iron skillet doesn't have a helper handle on the side like larger varieties.
$15
Best Heirloom: Smithey No. 12 Cast-Iron Skillet
Courtesy of Smithey
This piece of cast iron cookware comes with the brand's signature polished interior, which is non-stick and pre-seasoned. "If you're ready to take cast-iron cooking to the next level, I recommend investing in a premium brand like Smithey, which is crafted in Charleston and hand-inspected to focus on heirloom-quality pieces worth passing down," La Forge says. What's more, you can customize this pan with a personal engraving.
$210
Best Long Handle: Victoria 10-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet
Courtesy of Amazon
The curved long handle on this 10-inch skillet allows you to safely transport it from oven to stovetop with ease. Additionally, the pre-seasoned pan has greater retention and distribution of heat. This multi-use piece of cookware can be used for serving, cooking, baking, grilling, and beyond.
$26
Read the original article on Martha Stewart.
