Hi! I’m Philip, and i’ve tested and reviewed cast-iron skillets on the following factors: build quality, performance, value for money, and design to determine the best on the market in 2024.
By Siem
The cast iron pan, invented around 220 A.D. in China, is older than time itself. At least, it feels that way. Over the years since, technology has changed and advanced at immeasurable levels, while the cast iron skillet has remained relatively unchanged. Why is that? Because the cast iron hasn’t needed to develop from what it was originally, it was basically the perfect cooking tool then, and still is now!
Many home cooks swear by the cast iron skillet for its durability, reliability, and unyielding dedication to cooking food. The cast-iron cookware skillet is a great choice for those who love to cook rustically, as it seems to exaggerate the feeling that you’re cooking fresh local produce, rather than a vessel for processed crap. That is how it seems to me anyway, as I love to use my cast iron to cook a fry-up or steak on a Sunday morning using fresh produce from the farmers market.
Producing cast-iron cookware is relatively cheap, and it does not come with Teflon non-stick coating as cleaning cast irons requires seasoning before and after cooking. This ensures that the metal doesn’t become dirty while the pan remains easy to clean. If you don’t know how to season a cast iron, then don’t worry, as we will go over a quick seasoning guide after the top 10 list!
What is the best cast iron skillet for you?
When choosing a cast-iron skillet, it is important to consider a few questions beforehand, so you don’t make a bad choice. Firstly, consider your budget. Cast irons range from £20-£400 typically, so it is important to have a rough range in mind before going in. Next, consider the size that you want your cast iron to be, and finally, you can consider any other features that you’d like your pan to include, such as pre-seasoning. Once you have answered those questions you are ready to find the best cast-iron for you! Don’t worry if you’re still not sure, as we will have a more detailed buying guide at the end of this article. Without anymore preamble, lets jump into the top 10 cast irons of 2024 list:
The Best Cast Iron Pan Overall
OVERMONT 2-in-1
Out of all the skillets we tested, this 2-in-1 enamelled cast iron emerged as the best. Made in the USA, OVERMONT have created a large dutch oven that rivals any cast iron pan. It comes with a lid, cookbook, and can be used on the grill, stovetop, or in the oven. The 3 layers of enamel make this a nonstick pan as well, so it is really easy to clean.
This is an ideal cast iron for large families who love to cook stews, bread, and other homespun meals, who need the versatility of being able to cook on any cooking surface. This 12-inch skillet really makes cooking easy, and has great value for money, given the affordable price.
- Large enamelled cast iron
- Good value for money
- Lid and cookbook included
- Versatile and durable
- Very heavy
- Doesn’t have rustic look
The Best Value for Money Cast-Iron Skillet
Lodge Cast Iron
Lodge, a hugely popular cast-iron cookware brand, made their Lodge skillet the best value for money of all the pans we tested. With its 3-inches of depth, and weight at nearly 3kg, this traditional cast iron pan is versatile and durable. It can be used in the oven, on the stovetop, and comes pre-seasoned for immediate use. It is a 10.25-inch skillet and will last for years, so for the price, it has excellent value. Lodge cast-iron skillets have a great reputation, and it’s easy to see why, because this cast iron grill will serve you faithfully for decades, if looked after properly.
- Great value for money
- Comes pre-seasoned
- Deep and wide
- Versatile
- Heavy and cumbersome
- Handle guaranteed to get hot
The Best Cheap Cast Iron
VICTORIA
A really good all-round option, this VICTORIA cast iron skillet is heavy, wide, and perfect for those on a budget. Its long handle means that its more easily manoeuvred, even when hot, while the twin spouts on either side make it really easy to drain fat, or decant sauce.
This was our top pick for the best cheap cast iron because it is long-lasting and has excellent value for money. It comes seasoned already, so this skillet doesn’t require much effort to clean. Also, this 12-inch cast-iron skillet has a smooth surface which gives it that vintage cast iron look. A perfect choice for students, or home chefs who live on a budget and love to use quality appliances!
- Excellent quality for price
- Versatile and long-lasting
- Comes pre-seasoned
- Dual spouts
- Difficult to store
- Handle still gets hot
The Best Casserole Cast-Iron Pan
Le Creuset Signature
This dish is perfect for those winter months. With its warm, appealing look, and large capacity, this is a great option for those who need warm meals in the dead of winter. I love casserole, but the dutch oven I currently have is old and not enamelled, this is a great upgrade, and comes in 14 colours! Also enamelled, this cast iron simple to clean and to cook with, and won’t break easily either.
Since it was one of the most expensive skillets we tested, this is not a feasible option for all budgets. But, if you can afford it, then it is a premium quality dish from a great brand who like to make sure that their skillets come built to last, so we recommend it!
- Premium quality
- Lid and handles included
- Versatile with all cooktops
- Unaffordable to most
- Quite heavy
- Difficult to store
The Best Small Casserole Dish
Barbary & Oak
This dish is small in size and price, and won’t let you down. Perfect for wowing guests at dinner parties, this enamelled cast iron cookware comes in different colours, and retains its heat and moisture for a long time. It also features a stylish lid design, and can go in the oven, or on the stove.
Although not the largest casserole dish you can buy, (and given its size, this cast iron is heavy) it is made from durable enamelled material that comes with a 25 year guarantee, so it makes up for it with great durability and value for money.
- Long-lasting and versatile
- Great value for money
- Easy to store
- Not dishwasher safe
- Smaller capacity
The Best Cast-Iron for Frying
STAUB
Although expensive, this pan is made from bare cast iron that is incredibly strong. Ideal for frying, the pan gets incredibly hot, cooking the food quickly, and then it retains that heat for a really long time, allowing for seconds, and even thirds! Also, the large surface area makes this pan perfect for cooking multiple portions, and the glossy, polished cast iron skillet finish is faultless when cooking steaks. The only downside to this pan is that it does not come with a handle, making it more difficult to hold, and more dangerous when cooking. That said, the lack of handle makes it slightly easier to store, so it depends on your needs here.
- Perfect for frying
- Large surface area
- Lifetime guarantee
- Glossy, enamelled finish
- Expensive for one pan
- No longer handle
The Best Top-of-the-Range Enamelled Pan
Lodge EC6D38
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-range pan that would suit all your catering needs, then look no further than this enamelled cast iron pan, which is large, capable, and incredibly long lasting. Another great pan from Lodge, this is a casserole dish, frying pan, and baking tray all in one, thanks to its enamelled interior and large surface area. In other words, this pan does the job of two skillets, and will do it for a lifetime!
- Large and versatile
- American-made cast iron
- Stylish finish
- Good value for money
- Not easy to store
- Very heavy
The Best Budget Casserole Dish
Amazon Basics
Despite its low and affordable price, this is one of the best cast-iron skillet in our test. It is perfect for those who need a versatile, and lightweight cast iron. Since cast iron cookware comes enamelled or pre-seasoned, you don’t have to worry about the cooking, or cleaning, performance. Also, given its low price, this is certainly one of the best budget cast iron skillets to buy, and it comes in multiple colours and sizes.
- Great budget option
- Comes in different sizes
- Ideal for stew or cornbread
- Delivery is problematic
- Not dishwasher safe
The Best Casserole Pan for Roasting Meat
STAUB Cocotte
Don’t let this pan’s odd appearance fool you, this skillet is no joke. Made for the braising, roasting, and stewing of meat, this pan is strong, durable, and high-quality. As cast iron skillets and pans go, this one is relatively expensive, but you get a great product for the price. Whether you want a pan for roasting meat or vegetables, preparing stews or soups, or anything else you can think of, this skillet is the best at doing it. Its depth and capacity allows for large volumes of food to be prepared within, so it is perfect for large households who love inventive cooking.
- Deep and spacious
- Lifetime guarantee
- Different colours and sizes
- Difficult to store
- Heavy and cumbersome
The Best Shallow Skillet
Le Creuset Signature Shallow
Perfect for shallow frying, braising, or cooking dumplings, this dish is a great alternative to the deeper, more cumbersome cast-iron skillets we tested. It also has a decent capacity, at 3.2 litres, and has a large surface of the skillet. It is also capable of serving up to six people. It comes in different sizes, but the price remains relatively unaffordable for most budgets, so this is an option for those who have a large budget. There are other, cheaper alternatives that do the same thing, however, I would say that they lack the quality and lifetime guarantee that a La Creuset pan comes with overall.
- Easy to store
- Great capacity
- Enamelled and durable
- Very expensive
- Cannot cook every dish
Our Top 10 Best Cast Iron Skillets, at a Glance:
1. The best overall – OVERMONT 2-in-1
2. The best value for money – Lodge Cast Iron
3. The best cheap option – VICTORIA
4. The best casserole pan – Le Creuset Signature
5. The best small casserole pan – Barbary & Oak
6. The best cast-iron for frying – STAUB
7. The best top-of-the-range enamelled – Lodge EC6D38
8. The best budget casserole dish – Amazon Basics
9. The best casserole dish for meat – STAUB Cocotte
10. The best shallow skillet – Le Creuset Signature Shallow
Buying Guide: what to look for in a cast iron?
So, that was our list of the top 10 cast iron skillets of 2024. If you found something that suits your needs best, then we’re happy to have helped! But, if not, then don’t worry. Here, we will break down how to choose the right cast iron pan for you in more detail:
What is your budget? Your budget should be the first thing to consider when looking to buy a cast iron frying pan skillet. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, their price ranges from £20-£400 and their quality ranges with it. So, you need to consider how often you’ll be using your skillet, and whether you can afford to splash out on a premium pan to get that lifetime guarantee. If you can’t, then don’t worry, as there are plenty of cast irons out there that suit any budget, and are still great quality!
What size do you need? The larger your household, the larger the pan. It’s just common sense. Skillets are available in all sizes, as you have seen, and so you should consider how many will be using the pan after the purchase. Also, within this factor you should also ponder the storage capabilities of your kitchen, as some of these pans are heavy and large, so storing them can be tricky! But, if you’re prepared, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Any other qualities? Now that you’ve answered the previous two questions, you can move on to any specific requirements and desires you have for your new cast iron. Firstly, depth, which can determine what you can cook within the pan, and how you store it. Next, your design, do you want the traditional, rustic look of the plain cast iron, or do you prefer the glossy, modern feel of the enamelled alternative? And finally, whether you want it pre-seasoned or not. Most pans come pre-seasoned, so it shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you prefer to do things your own way, then you can opt for a pan with no seasoning on purchase, so you can do it yourself.
Now that you’ve answered those questions, you should be more able to discover the perfect cast iron skillet for you. If you’re still undecided, however, then we recommend one of the brilliant choices listed above, as they all passed our test with flying colours, and already have excellent reviews, hailed by customers.
How to season a cast iron skillet?
Most cast iron skillets come pre-seasoned, but that seasoning wears off after a while, and then you’ll be left with a cast iron with no seasoning, leaving it more susceptible to wear and tear. In order to season your skillet again, to bring it back to that pre-seasoned cast iron skillet level, then there are a few steps to take, but it is very simple really!
- Scrub your pan – To season cast irons, make sure you clean the pan thoroughly using soap. Using soap removes the old seasoning, so only use it when re-seasoning the pan.
- Apply oil – Thinly apply a layer of vegetable oil over the entire pan, inside and out (handle included, of course). Don’t use too much oil, though, as it can ruin the seasoning process.
- Bake – Now you can bake the oil into the pan. Do this for one hour at a high temperature setting – around 250 degrees. Allow it to cool, and your seasoned cast iron skillet will be ready for your next meal. Well done!
Now you know how to season your skillets at home, you can enjoy those deliciously seared steaks, amazing eggs, and incredible stews, all from your cast irons. Go on, get after it!
Conclusion: What are the best cast-iron skillets to buy?
Overall, the best cast-iron is the one that suits your needs most. Remember, cast-irons can go on the induction hob, or in the oven, and they are incredibly durable. If you make the effort to look after your skillet, your skillet will look after you. We hope you found something you liked on this article, and if you couldn’t choose, then we recommend the OVERMONT 2-in-1, or the classic cast-iron from Lodge, who ensure that the classic cast-iron look endures after all these years.
Thank you for reading! If you liked this article, then check out TheKitchenaryLab.com to discover more amazing kitchen appliances that have been tested and reviewed already by our staff, so finding the right one for you has never been easier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
We believe that Lodge make exceptional tested cast irons, that last incredibly well and pass all the tests in our test kitchen. Also, Le Creuset are another excellent brand who make the triple seasoned cast-iron skillet built to last.
Have a look at our buying guide. There, we break down the steps to take and factors to consider when buying a new cast-iron pan.