This Lightweight Cast-Iron Skillet Makes Cooking So Much Easier

We hate to break it to you, but your chef-y friends have been right all along: cooking on a cast-iron skillet is just better. These pans are made out of molten metal (mostly iron) and can cook just about anything perfectly, from seared steak to sautéed peppers. Plus, you can cook on 'em on your stove top or over open flames on the campfire. The non-stick surface requires less oil and adds a healthy jolt of iron to your meals. Treat your cast-iron pans right, and you won't need to get another one for years.

The maintenance is a little higher than your average pan, requiring a good seasoning every now and again, plus special wash care. But our senior food product June Xie walks you through the entire process here. Once you've got that down and are ready to cook, check out these recipes that are made for the cast iron.

Convinced? Okay, good. We tapped the minds of some chefs and restauranteurs, our own Delish editors, and of course, the very strong opinions of at-home cooks on the internet to round up the best cast-iron skillets that deserve a spot in your kitchen.

• Delish Favorite: Delish by Dash Lightweight Cast-Iron Pan
• Best Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet: Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet
• Best Overall Cast-Iron Skillet: Lodge Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet - 12 Inch
• Best Value Cast-Iron Skillet: Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet
• Best Compact Cast-Iron Skillet: Field Company No.4 Round Cast-Iron Griddle
• Best Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet: Victoria Cast-Iron Skillet
• Best Cast-Iron Cookware Set: Great Jones The Cast-Iron Family
• Best Deep Cast-Iron Skillet: Lodge Cast-Iron Deep Skillet with Lid
• Best Versatile Cast-Iron Skillet: Smithey Cast-Iron 2-in-1 Flat Top Griddle and Skillet