Le Creuset Pans May Have Met Their Match With a $30 Ayesha Curry Cast Iron Skillet Shoppers Say Is 'Just as Good'

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Don’t let the internet convince you that you need to spend a fortune for great cookware. Whether you’re a casual home cook or borderline celebrity chef, you can build an excellent arsenal of pots and pans without spending hundreds of dollars. Thanks to an Amazon sale happening now, you can even get my favorite budget-friendly piece of kitchen gear for just $30.

The Ayesha Curry Enameled Cast Iron Skillet for $30 on Amazon is a total bargain. It’s uncommon to find a 10-inch skillet with a brand name attached for under $30, especially without a seasonal deals event going on. I’ve personally bought this pan more than once, and given this current deal, I might just have to purchase another.

Ayesha Curry Enameled Cast Iron Skillet, $30 (was $40) at Amazon

Despite trying dozens of cast iron skillets, including ones that are over six times the price, I keep going back to my Ayesha Curry Enameled Cast Iron Skillet. Not only is it one of the first pans I bought for myself, but it’s stayed as-good-as-new. It comes pre-seasoned, so it’s ready to use out of the box and great for beginners who might not be familiar with seasoning techniques.

While you should make sure you know how to care for and clean a cast iron skillet, this one is rather easy to clean. When you’re done cooking, just wash it out with water and let it dry before the next time you cook. Even if there’s food stuck to the surface, it’s nothing a piece of fine grade steel wool can’t handle.

The exterior enamel holds its color after years of use, too. It comes in a few colors, though all but the Twilight Teal version have sold out at the sale price. Luckily, the green-blue hue looks great left out on the stovetop — speaking from experience, the pan will make your guests think it's much more expensive than it actually is.

I’m not the only one who raves about the Ayesha Curry Enameled Cast Iron Skillet. It has over 1,500 five-star ratings on Amazon, with one shopper saying they’re “so happy” after having this pan for six months. Someone who also owns Le Creuset products even said the $30 pan is “just as good.”

“I love this skillet, it is very durable and beautiful,” wrote one reviewer. “I like that I can have a pretty cast iron skillet! After a year of use I have no complaints about it, I keep it lightly oiled so it doesn't rust and I havent had any chipping inside or on the outside enamel. I have used it for pan pizza, gravis, frying meats, potatoes, and dishes that finish in the oven. I like this better than the Lodge brand.”

“Wish I would have purchased a long time ago,” said another reviewer. “Would have saved me money on sub-par cookware."

Cast iron cooking can be intimidating at first, but this pan can help you get started. And if you already have a collection of cast irons, this one can hold its own. Who knows? Based on the reviews, it might even be able to replace your pricier cookware.