The Best Grill Pans for Recreating a Backyard Barbecue on Your Stove
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We cooked zucchini, grilled cheese, pork chops, and hamburgers on these grill pans to find the best of the best
People / Will Dickey
If you want to enjoy your favorite grilled foods year-round, grill pans have a unique ridged design that creates similar results to cooking on charcoal and gas grills, but they can be used right on your stove.
Cast iron grill pans deliver the best heat retention and put a beautiful char on your food, and we prefer square grill pans, which offer a bit more capacity than round models. To help you narrow down your choices, a group of pastry chefs, sous chefs, and home chefs tested 20 of today’s top-rated grill pans in our Birmingham-based test kitchen, evaluating them on their design, ease of use, performance, and more. We also tapped experts to see what grill pans they’re excited about this year.
Experts Say
“Grill pans are a favorite in my kitchen due to their ability to replicate the charred, smoky flavor of outdoor grilling. I love using mine to grill asparagus for a smoky touch or even pineapple slices for a caramelized dessert.” —Yaz Pernell, By The Forkful
Best Overall: Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Square Grill Pan
Star Qualities
Creates well-defined grill marks
Sloped walls make it easy to flip food
Front handle helps when lifting the pan
Red Flags
Couldn’t find any
The Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan may be affordable, but don’t let its low price fool you. Like a great Dutch oven, this cast iron pan is an absolute workhouse in the kitchen, and it’s the perfect choice for experienced home cooks, beginners, and everyone in between. It has a beautiful, smooth seasoning right out of the box, and we loved its dual-handle design, which makes it much more comfortable to move on and off the stove.
In testing, we found that it’s spacious enough to hold five zucchini planks at a time. Because the sides of the pan slope outward, it’s easy to flip food, and nothing we made stuck to the pan’s pre-seasoned finish. Plus, all the food we cooked — including grilled cheese, pork chops, and hamburgers — came out with beautiful char marks, just like you’d get on a real grill.
It also succeeded in heat distribution and retention, providing an even temperature across most of the cooking surface. Its inner ridges are high enough to keep food out of any liquid that may gather in the bottom of the pan, but the grate could be a teeny bit higher for even more defined char marks. That’s a minor complaint, though.
Dimensions: 17.25 x 10.5 x 2.62 inches | Shape: Square | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Material: Cast iron
Best Overall, Runner-Up: Le Creuset 10.25-inch Enameled Cast Iron Signature Square Skillet Grill Pan
Star Qualities
Heats evenly for precise and consistent grill marks
Easy to pour liquid from two sides of the pan
Sleek, compact design
Red Flags
Ridges aren’t high enough to separate food and liquids
If you’re willing to spend a little more on a heritage-quality grill pan, add this model from Le Creuset to your cookware collection. It’s made from the French brand’s signature enamel-coated cast iron, and it comes in a range of vibrant colors.
Compared to other grill pans we tested, the Le Creuset pan is sleeker and more compact — without compromising cooking space — so we think it’s well-suited for smaller kitchens where storage space is at a premium. The grill pan heats up evenly and produces consistent char marks, even when foods are placed toward the sides of the pan. It can easily hold five zucchini planks, and there’s still plenty of space to flip them comfortably.
The enameled surface is nonstick and a breeze to clean, but we did notice that the ridge’s aren’t quite high enough to keep fatty foods from sitting in their own juices. The good news, however, is that there are pour spouts on two sides of the pan, making it easy to get rid of excess liquid while cooking.
Dimensions: 13.9 x 15.1 x 2.6 inches | Shape: Square | Weight: 7 pounds | Material: Enameled cast iron
Best Value: Cuisinart Chef's Classic 9.25-Inch Square Grill Pan
Star Qualities
Close ridge pattern keeps food out of liquids
Creates defined char marks on most foods
Enameled surface is easy to clean
Red Flags
Small capacity makes it hard to flip foods
No handle on the front of the pan
The Cuisinart Enameled Grill Pan delivers the most bang for your buck. Its performance was consistent during testing, and it’s easier to clean than traditional cast iron thanks to its enamel-coated surface. It is on the smaller side, but we loved that its ridges are closer together than many other pans, which allowed liquid to evaporate and kept food from sitting in its own juices.
This budget-friendly grill pan was able to fit five zucchini planks, but just barely, which made it harder to flip the veggies. Still, most of the food we cooked came out well-done with defined grill marks. The only exception was the hamburgers, which cooked quicker than expected and ended up with a more even char across their surface.
The pan can be slightly unwieldy to move on and off the burner, as the handle is slippery and there’s nowhere to grip the front of the pan, but overall, it’s a solid low-cost option.
Dimensions: 14.57 x 9.45 x 1.22 inches | Shape: Square | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Material: Enameled cast iron
Best With Handles: Victoria Cast Iron Square Grill Pan
Star Qualities
Dual handles make it easy to move
Easy to clean thanks to more rounded edges
Red Flags
There’s a slightly sticky when you take it out of the box
Smaller than other models
The Victoria Cast Iron Grill Pan is another budget-friendly pick, and it stands out from the crowd due to its light weight (just under 5 pounds) and comfortable handles that make it easy to pick up.. However, we could only fit four zucchini slices in the small pan. It was also tricky to flip food over, and we needed to use tongs instead of a spatula.
The grilled cheese and pork chops cooked well and had nice char marks and coloring, but the zucchini ended up with inconsistent grill lines because there wasn’t enough space for the moisture to evaporate. It may take a little trial and error to get the best results from this pan, but it’s a worthwhile contender if you’re shopping on a budget.
Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 1.5 inches | Shape: Square | Weight: 4.97 pounds | Material: Cast iron
Best Enameled: Staub Enameled Cast Iron Grill Pan
Star Qualities
High ridges deliver quick caramelization
More spacious than other pans
Enameled interior prevents sticking
Red Flags
Heavy
Short handle
Challenging to clean
If you want the superior heat retention of cast iron without the time-consuming care, the Staub Enameled Cast Iron Grill Pan provides both. It’s made from durable cast iron, but it has an enamel coating on the inside of the pan, which prevents food from sticking sans seasoning. It’s more spacious than many others we tested — it easily held six zucchini spears — and it also has tall ridges that help to quickly caramelize food for beautiful, defined sear marks.
The brand claims that this pan has a rough enamel interior for better browning, and while it did produce nice char marks on a variety of foods, the texture also made the pan a bit challenging to clean. We also didn’t love that design of the handle — because it’s so short, it makes the heavy pan hard to move, and the little handle on the front doesn’t provide enough area to comfortably grab with a pot holder.
Dimensions: 10 x 1.75 inches | Shape: Square | Weight: 7.3 pounds | Material: Enamel-coated cast iron
Best Design: Finex 10-Inch Cast Iron Grill Pan
Star Qualities
Creates consistent, well-defined grill marks
Angled walls make it easy to move food around
Smooth, pre-seasoned surface prevents food from sticking
Red Flags
Handle is too short and gets hot while cooking
This pan has an unconventional design with several features that make it easier to use. Its stainless steel handle actually sticks off one of the corners of the pan, and it has several corners where you can easily pour off liquid. The angled walls make it easy to move food around as well. However, while the concept of a stainless steel handle is nice, it was simply too short to comfortably hold, and it still got hot while we were cooking.
That said, the pan left consistent, well-defined grill marks on all the meals we cooked, and its ridges do a superior job keeping food out of the moisture below. None of the food stuck to the pre-seasoned cast iron surface, and we found it was easy to wipe clean after we finished cooking.
Dimensions: 11 x 3 inches | Shape: Square | Weight: 5.8 pounds | Material: Cast iron
Best Round: Lodge 12" Cast Iron Skillet
Star Qualities
Can also be used on the grill
Front assist handle makes it easier to lift
Red Flags
Won’t create sear marks
For a pan that you can use on the stove, grill, and even over a campfire, Justin Elkins, associate merchant of grill accessories and fuels at The Home Depot, recommends this classic cast iron skillet from Lodge.
While it’s not a traditional grill pan with raised ridges, the flat cooking surface makes it a more versatile choice that can also cook dishes like scrambled eggs, stir fries, and even desserts like cobblers and skillet cookies. The pan has a 12-inch diameter with a smaller front handle for easy lifting, and it comes pre-seasoned with oil for a smooth surface that’s ready to cook on.
Dimensions: 12.56 x 18 x 2.25 inches | Shape: Round | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Material: Cast iron
Best Stovetop: Lodge Double Play Reversible Stovetop Griddle
Star Qualities
Reversible design with a flat griddle and raised ridges
Large capacity
Red Flags
Low sides make it hard to flip foods
Cold spots when used over two burners
For a larger grill pan, Elkins recommends this reversible stovetop griddle from Lodge. The dual-sided design has a flat cooking surface on one side and raised ridges on the other. Because it’s so long, the pan is designed to be used over two burners, allowing you to have two separate cooking zones. You’re able to accommodate a lot of food at once on its spacious surface, but keep in mind that there may be cold spots in between the two burners.
Dimensions: 9.5 x 16.75 x 0.63 inches | Shape: Rectangular | Weight: 9.35 pounds | Material: Cast iron
Best Topper: Nexgrill Grill Topper
Star Qualities
Raised sides make it easy to flip foods
Much lighter than cast iron pans
Dishwasher-safe
Red Flags
Thin metal can warp at high temperatures
Instead of cooking vegetables and other delicate foods in a grill pan, another option is to put them in a grill topper, like this one from Nexgrill. Elkins explains that the stainless steel pan prevents small items from falling through the grates, allowing you to cook a wider range of foods directly on the grill.
This topper has three raised sides that helps contain ingredients and allows you to flip them more easily. It’s also significantly lighter than cast iron pans. The stainless steel is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, but keep in mind that the thinner metal is more prone to warping.
Dimensions: 16.14 x 11 x 1 inches | Shape: Rectangular | Weight: 2.06 pounds | Material: Stainless steel
Best Griddle: Weber Cast-Iron Griddle
Star Qualities
Reversible design has flat and textured cooking surfaces
Porcelain-coated finish is easy to clean
Red Flags
Only compatible with select Weber grills
If you have a Weber Spirit 300 series gas grill, Elkins likes this reversible cast iron griddle from the brand. It’s designed to slot right into the grill’s surface, replacing one section of the grates. The flat side is handy for breakfast foods like eggs and pancakes, while the textured size will create beautiful sear marks on vegetables, seafood, and sandwiches. Plus, because the griddle has a porcelain-enameled finish, it’s easier to clean and maintain than regular cast iron.
Dimensions: 12.1 x 17.4 x 0.5 inches | Shape: Rectangular | Weight: Not listed | Material: Enameled cast iron
Best Investment: Smithey Ironware Co. No. 12 Grill Pan
Star Qualities
Seasoning prevents food from sticking
High sides offer more leverage for flipping foods
Easier to store thanks to its two small side handles
Red Flags
Heat distribution isn’t always even
If you're willing to spend a little more on a cast iron pan that will stand the test of time, the Smithey No. 12 Grill Pan won’t disappoint. This high-end cast iron pan comes with a beautiful seasoning — we didn’t have a problem with any food sticking during testing, and the pan was a breeze to clean and re-oil. We also loved the pan’s 2-inch walls, which are higher than many other models and provide better leverage when it’s time to flip burgers.
This grill pan forgoes a classic long handle in favor of two small side handles. This makes it easy to lift on and off your stove, and it will also take up less space in storage. While it created nice char marks on most of the food we cooked, the heat could sometimes be a little uneven. For instance, only half of our hamburger achieved a nice sear.
Dimensions: 15 x 12 x 2 inches | Shape: Square | Weight: 10.8 pounds | Material: Cast iron
Other Grill Pans We Tried
Lodge Chef Collection Seasoned Reversible Grill/Griddle: If you have a stove with a long, oval-shaped burner, this $50 reversible grill pan may be a good option for you. Its extra-large size makes it easy to cook a variety of food at once, and during testing, it produced beautiful char marks with minimal sticking. Plus, you can flip the pan over and use the flat griddle side for pancakes, veggies, and more. However, if you have a standard stovetop with round burners, you’re better off with a standard grill pan that will fit on top of an individual heating element.
OXO Non-Stick 11-Inch Grill Pan: Unlike the other grill pans we recommend, this $50 model is made from hard-anodized aluminum with a nonstick coating. It’s very lightweight, and its handle actually stays cool to the touch while you’re cooking — unlike most cast iron pans. Despite having very short ridges, this pan did create grill marks on foods like grilled cheese and zucchini, but it’s not a great option if you want to cook fatty pieces of meat, as they’ll end up sitting in their own juices.
What to Know About Grill Pans
Cast Iron Delivers the Best Results
“Cast iron is my go-to material for grill pans because of its superior heat retention and even distribution,” says Pernell. Cast iron grill pans typically deliver the most defined char marks on your food, and most are oven-friendly as well.
The downside of cast iron pans is that they’re quite heavy. If you want something lighter, Elkins recommends stainless steel or hard-anodized aluminum.
Size and Shape Matter
Grill pans are available in both square and round forms, and in our testing, we found that square options generally fit more food. “Ten to 12-inch pans work best because surface area is important in a grill pan,” explains chef David Figueroa, co-founder of Melinda's Hot Sauce. “Overcrowding a pan leads to steaming and not searing, and that isn't what you want.”
It’s also important to select a pan that will fit fully on your stove’s burner. “Select a size and shape that suits your cooking needs and fits your stovetop or grill, whether rectangular, round, or square,” recommends Elkins. If the sides overhang, the pan may not heat up evenly, making it more challenging to cook.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the height of the pan’s walls. The higher the walls, the easier it will be to flip large pieces of meat. High walls also help to minimize grease splatter.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
“Consider the ease of maintenance,” recommends Elkins. Because of their inner ridges, grill pans are a bit trickier to clean than other cookware. “Dishwasher-safe grill pans offer convenience,” while cast iron pans “may require hand washing to preserve the nonstick coating or seasoning” and prevent rusting.
“A popular and easy method to clean cast iron involves scrubbing the cooking surface with a big pinch of coarse salt, like kosher or sea salt, to lift off any stuck food bits, then discarding the salt and optionally rinsing and drying the skillet,” he says.
People / Will Dickey
Behind the Scenes
To find the best grill pans out there today, a group of professional chefs and everyday home cooks put 20 different models to the test, cooking with them for a total of 28 hours in our Birmingham-based test kitchen.
Versatility: We made four dishes with each grill pan — grilled cheese, roasted zucchini, pork chops, and hamburgers — and we also made pancakes on any model that doubled as a griddle.
Design and Performance: As we cooked with each pan, we looked at factors like ergonomics, heat distribution and retention, and how well they cooked each dish.
After testing was complete, we scored each product on its design, ease of use, performance, and ease of cleaning. This data was then used to rank the products, and the top scorer was the Lodge Cast Iron Square Grill Pan, which earned a perfect 5 out of 5. It was closely followed by the Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Grill Pan. We also recently added some expert-approved grill pans to our list.
People / Will Dickey
Frequently Asked Questions
What material is best for a grill pan?
Most chefs agree that cast iron is the best material for a grill pan. “A good grill pan needs to get really hot, so I like cast iron and carbon steel,” recommends Figueroa. These materials offer superior heat distribution and retention over stainless steel and aluminum, and most cast iron cookware will last for a lifetime if it’s cared for properly.
How do I choose a grill pan?
First, decide if you want a cast iron or enameled pan — or potentially another material. From there, measure your stove burners to find the best pan size and decide whether you want a square or round model. In general, we recommend a square pan, which can fit a bit more food than a circular one. Then it’s just a matter of finding a pan that fits your budget!
How much should I spend on a grill pan?
Grill pans can range in price from $20 to upwards of $200. Our top pick, the Lodge Cast Iron Square Grill Pan, is actually surprisingly affordable at around $40.
However, if you plan to use your grill pan frequently, you may want to spend a little more on a heavy-duty model. “A grill pan is an heirloom, so don’t skimp,” says Figueroa. “Spend the $150 to $200. It’s a long-term investment that will pay huge dividends.”
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing freelance writer for PEOPLE and product tester who specializes in home products, and she’s previously tested several grill pans herself, including the Cuisinart Enameled Square Grill Pan. To write this article, she pulled from PEOPLE Tested’s lab notes and spoke with experts for insights on selecting a grill pan and how to best use them in your kitchen.
Our Expert Panel
Justin Elkins is an associate merchant of grill accessories and fuels at The Home Depot.
Yaz Pernell is the food blogger behind By The Forkful.
Chef David Figueroa is the co-founder of Melinda's Hot Sauce.
What Is People Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
Up Next: The 10 Best Grills of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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