Cast iron, an ideal material for a casserole. Perfect for all kinds of dishes and cast iron skillets are indestructible. How indestructible?
By Siem
As a student I knew a boy who loved cooking – unlike myself at that time. After my studies I bought a house, a small working-class house, built in 1929, for 100.00 guilders.
At the housewarming, that friend gave me a real Le Creuset 1-person (I was still single) casserole dish as a gift. I mistreated that cast iron pan quite a bit. I was free and busy working and going out. I could cook or bake for myself, but washing the dishes was often not possible.
As a result, I often found the casserole on a corner of the kitchen counter, its contents a ferociously moldy remnant of a stew. But I still have the casserole. There is no better proof of the indestructibility of cast iron skillets, in my opinion.
What is the best cast iron skillet for you?
Good cast iron skillets will last for years, if not a lifetime, with normal use. It depends on your preferences and budget whether you choose an expensive or inexpensive one, a large one or a small one, and whether you get one with or without enamel. We help you choose with a Top 10 for different preferences.
The best skillet of all
Daumonet Carême
Looking for a top quality cast iron skillet on a limited budget? Then opt for the Daumonet Carême This casserole made of enameled cast iron is the best casserole you can buy for a few bucks. The skillet even features a lid with a special drip profile, as you would expect only from professional skillets. The Daumonet Carême casserole is suitable for all heat sources, including induction, and available in various colors. The diameter is 29 cm, the capacity 3 liters. However, the top of the pan may rust, but this can be prevented by smearing a little oil on it after washing.
- Very cheap
- Inside is enameled, so easy to clean
- suitable for all heat sources, including induction
- Lid with condensation profile
- Various colors available
- Top edge of pan may rust
- On the small side for large households
The best value for money
Sola casserole
Not the absolute top quality, but certainly not the purchase price of a Le Creuset either, that goes for Sola’s cast iron frying pans. They are a bit lighter and therefore less solid, but again more manageable, almost comparable to an aluminum pan.
With a Sola casserole cast iron skillet, you have an excellent all-round pan for everyday use. The casserole is available in various sizes and colors.
- Good quality at an affordable price
- Available in various sizes and colors
- Good handling
- Less solid than Le Creuset skillets, for example
The best cheap
Nuovva 24 cm
Just find a good all-round cast iron non-stick skillet for under 50 euros. Well, with this chunky Nuovva 24 cm frying pan you have found it. With a diameter of 24 cm and a capacity of 4.7 liters, you can do anything with it: frying, searing, simmering, you name it. What’s also nice: this pan is available in a wide range of colors, such as red, orange, green and blue.
- Good quality at a low price
- Available in various colors
- Diameter 24 cm, capacity 4.7 liters
- Suitable for all heat sources, can also be used in the oven
- Handles get hot in the oven
The best all-around casserole
Le Creuset Faitout
The Faitout round skillet from Le Creuset is high quality, but thanks to its enameled cast iron, a lot cheaper than the brand’s traditional skillets. This is partly due to the stainless steel knob.
This makes the pan a lot lighter and, thanks to the enameled interior, also easier to clean. So a very suitable casserole, for both novice and advanced cooking enthusiasts.
- Relatively light weight
- Easy to clean
- Available in various sizes
- Suitable for all heat sources, including induction
- Handles get hot in the oven
- Like all Le Creuset frying pans, still firmly at the price
Best small casserole
BK casserole Bourgogne
BK is a household name in the Netherlands, mainly thanks to the BK Fortalit steel skillets. But the brand also carries a frying pan made of cast iron. The BK Bourgogne casserole of enameled cast iron is already available with a diameter starting at 20 cm. Ideal for a 1- or 2-person household.
The solid BK enameled frying pans have a lid with drip rings, allowing condensation to drip down evenly over the dish. This keeps it nice and tender. The BK Bourgogne frying pan is available in many modern colors. It is suitable for all heat sources and can also be used in the oven. Just be careful, because the handles will get very hot.
- Available in various sizes, starting at 20 cm
- A BK frying pan is relatively inexpensive
- Solid enameled interior
- The BK Bourgogne is available in many colors
- Suitable for all heat sources
- Handles get hot in the oven
Best large casserole
Tefal Tradition 31 cm
Do you often need to prepare meals for large parties and don’t want to pay too much for a good frying pan? Then go for the largest member of the Tefal Tradition series In our opinion, the optimal casserole for this purpose. The inside of the pan is enameled, so the contents will not burn.
The lid has condensation rings and a raised rim. This allows you to put water or ice cubes on it, which creates even more condensation in the pan, and thus an even more tender dish. Just a pity that Tefal chose closed handles with this frying pan. We find those quite awkward.
- Large content
- Tender dishes through additional condensation capability
- Inside is enameled, so easy to clean
- Also available in smaller versions
- Clunky, dense handles
Best premium enameled skillets
Lodge Enamel
If you are looking for a large round casserole made of enameled cast iron, be sure to check out the Lodge Enamel casserole. A great casserole for cooking meat products, but also an ideal casserole. Lodge is one of the top brands in enameled cast iron pans for a reason.
A Lodge Enamel casserole can be used on any heat source, including induction. Of course, you pay for that quality. Lodge Enamel pans are more expensive than most enameled cast iron skillets, but a lot cheaper than, say, a Le Creuset.
- Excellent all-round casserole
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for all heat sources
- Available in various sizes and colors
- Expensive for an enameled cast iron skillet
The best budget skillet with enameled interior
MOA C26
The MOA enameled cast iron skillet is one of the better pans in this field in terms of price: priced a lot lower than the renowned brands, but still of good quality. So an excellent price/quality ratio.
The pan is suitable for any heat source (including induction) and of good build quality. An enameled cast iron skillet that also has a nice appearance, without without paying the main price.
- Excellent price/quality ratio
- Enameled, so easy to clean
- Suitable for all heat sources
- Available in a variety of modern colors
- Other sizes also available, such as MOA C29 and MOA C30
- Slightly lighter quality than the top end, so the pan does not retain heat as long
Best skillet for roasting meat dishes
Staub La Cocotte
Meat preparation and Staub are almost synonymous. That’s because of the unique design of the inside of the lid of these pans. A sophisticated pattern of small bulges ensures that condensation drips back into the casserole very evenly. Meat dishes that are stewed or roasted remain deliciously tender this way.
It is also perfect for cooking vegetables or making a stew. You can buy Staub La Cocotte pans in lots of designs. From a small 2.25 liter pan with a diameter of 23 cm to a large oval of 41 by 50 cm, which holds as much as 12 liters. There are also high and low versions. The only and eternal drawback: the price.
- Unique condensation system for moisture circulation
- Suitable for all heat sources
- Wide range of designs
- Inside enameled
- The prize
Best low skillet
Le Creuset Campagnard
The Le Creuset Campagnard casserole is an outlier in our Top 10. Whereas all other skillets have a high rim, this one is instead a low skillet. Still, we think it belongs in this list because of its versatility.
Despite its limited height, you can of course perfectly cook all the products you can think of in it. An additional advantage of low pans is that they can also be used on the table to serve dishes. One disadvantage is that really large meat products do not fit in these pans.
- Suitable for all heat sources, including induction
- Enameled cast iron, so easy to clean
- Casserole also looks nice on the table
- Available in various sizes and colors
- Large pieces do not fit in the skillet
The ten best cast iron skillets listed
To make choosing even easier, the ten best skillets are listed below.
Buying a cast iron skillet: what do you look for?
With cast iron skillets you can make a lot of dishes: casseroles, stews, searing steaks, soups and much more. To slow cook large pieces of meat, you normally use this pan. In the colder months, preparing a hearty meal in a good skillet is a must. In summer, use it on the stove to sauté or simmer a variety of seasonal foods.
Nowadays, all skillets can be used on all heat sources. Gas, electric, induction, infrared, halogen, it’s all possible. Although a pan made of steel, such as the BK Fortalit, will deform more quickly and therefore function poorly on induction. If you want to use the casserole for oven dishes as well, be careful that there are no plastic parts on it.
What choices should you make?
If you are going to buy a casserole, then you need to answer the following questions:
- How big is your budget? Our advice is to think broadly. The better skillets will last a lifetime, so they are well worth their money.
- Will you go with pure cast iron, or an enameled skillet? Un-enameled skillets you have to “burn in” to create a non-stick coating.
- What will you use the skillet for? Just to roast meat, or do you also want to prepare stews and sauces in it?
- What size do you need? Most skillets are between 24 and 32 cm in diameter, but there are also 15 or 60 cm diameter ones.
- Do you choose a round casserole or an oval casserole? An oval casserole is particularly suitable for searing and stewing large pieces of meat.
- Do you prefer a particular color? Do you choose traditional red or black? Or do you prefer blue, white, yellow or green? It’s all possible.
Tips for your purchase
Before you finally purchase your cast iron skillet, it is important to realize a few things. We list them:
- Cast iron is porous. A frying pan made without enamel will have to be “baked in” first, otherwise it will burn. That frying works like this: you rub the clean pan with oil and put it inverted in an oven at 230 degrees for half an hour. Do this twice.
- Cast iron is also heavy. If you’re not that strong, don’t prepare dishes in it that require shaking. Mercury it in a cooking store for a while; a cast aluminum skillet might be an alternative.
- Cast iron cannot withstand acid. Therefore, unglazed cast iron skillets are less suitable for preparing acidic dishes, such as tomato sauce. Again, an aluminum casserole offers a solution.
- Did you know that pans made of cast iron retain not only heat, but also cold? That’s why they are great for serving cold dishes in during the summer.
Frequently asked questions about frying pans
Yes, and no. Most cast iron cookware is oven safe, as long as there are no plastic parts on it. Consult the manufacturer’s guidelines or send a message to their e-mail address to be sure. Cast-iron pans cannot go in the dishwasher.
A two- to three-quarter-liter casserole is enough for dishes for two people. A four- to five-liter casserole will keep some leftovers.