Have you ever wondered more and more people are using a cast iron skillet? They’re heavy. They have to be “seasoned” before every use, whatever that means. It sounds like a lot of work, right?
Cast iron skillets have far more benefits than downsides. They’re tough enough to last for decades. Cast iron keeps even heat, making these skillets great for searing meat. And they’re naturally non-stick.
They’re also relatively easy to clean and care for, even though the routine may sound unfamiliar and intimidating at first. Once you get used to it, it’s easy.
So which ones should you buy? Are they all the same? Do you need several, or just one?
Recommended Cast Iron Skillets
Let's jump right in and show you some very good cast iron skillets to buy, just in case you've already decided to buy. There are so many to choose from, but you can't go wrong with any of these. They're pre-seasoned, so you don't have to worry about that.
Emeril Lagasse Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, 12"
This Emeril Lagasse skillet was the first cast iron skillet I bought, and I've been enjoying it for years. It's a 12 inch diameter, which is big enough for most foods without being too big for most stovetops.
It also comes in several other sizes if you're looking for a different one.
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, Pre-Seasoned with Silicone Hot Handle Holder, 10.25"
Lodge has long been considered one of the best brands for cast iron skillets. This very affordable skillet comes pre-seasoned so you won't have to worry about that.
The size is 10.25 inches, which fits nicely on most stovetop burners. It may be a little small for cooking some items (in which case you can check out the 12" size).
This size is not as heavy as a larger skillet, and that makes it easier to handle and clean. Lodge is known for durability, so this skillet should last you a very long time with proper care.
Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 2-Piece Set (10-Inch and 12-Inch)
This is a highly-rated and nicely priced set of two skillets, one 10" and one 12". If you cook with more than one skillet at a time, or anticipate needing different sizes for different dishes, this is a nice deal.
They come with silicone handle covers so you don't have to worry about an overheated handle.
Benefits of Cooking with Cast Iron
As we mentioned above, there are a lot of reasons to put up with what you might see as the downsides of cooking with cast iron.
Affordable & Durable
Cast iron is often more affordable than stainless steel cookware. And it literally lasts for generations. Even if you think a skillet is ruined, it’s always fixable.
If you’ve heard stories about cast iron rusting, be aware that it won’t rust as long as it’s seasoned properly. And even if it does, it can always be fixed.
Searing & Browning
These skillets hold onto their heat for a surprisingly long time. That makes it much easier to sear meat than with most types of cookware.
They also do a wonderful job browning sauteed vegetables or crisping and browning the edges of cornbread. This gives these dishes some extra flavor and texture that makes them so special.
Take it Outside
You can cook over an open flame with cast iron. That means you can take your cast iron skillet on your next camping trip.
It’s also wonderful for cooking over a backyard fire pit or on top of a grill. This makes it a great addition to barbecues and outdoor parties.
Naturally Non-Stick
If you keep cooking with it and seasoning it, it will become non-stick. It will be as good as any non-stick pan ever was, but without chemical treatments or safety concerns.
Easy Maintenance
All this talk of “seasoning” may make cast iron sound like it needs all sorts of extra care. But it’s really just as easy to care for as any other cookware.
Enhanced Flavor
Many people believe everything tastes better cooked in an iron skillet. This is a widely shared opinion rather than a fact, but if you find you agree, you’ll be so glad you started cooking this way.
And lifting cast iron cookware develops muscles!
Doesn’t it also add iron to your food?
You may have heard that using a cast iron skillet will put more iron into your food. This is true, but it may not work quite the way you imagine.
First of all, it’s hard to say exactly how much iron actually transfers. And the older and more seasoned your skillet becomes, the less iron is likely to transfer anyway.
So while getting iron in your food is definitely a benefit of cast iron, don’t think of it as a guarantee you’re getting all the iron you need. You still need to eat iron rich foods.
How to season a cast iron skillet
So how do you season a cast iron skillet? The good news is, you probably can’t even find skillets that aren’t pre-seasoned from the manufacturer these days. But…
That’s just the initial seasoning. It does save you some work, but you also need to “season” your skillet before every use.
But seasoning is really just a simple step in the cleaning process every time you use your skillet. Just think of it that way, and once you get used to it, it’s easy.
In a nutshell, seasoning is about applying oil. That’s it, really. A lot of oil gets added naturally when you cook foods that have natural fats.
Seasoning is actually one step of the cleaning process. So the real question is…
How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet
Step 1: Wash the skillet
Clean it with water and a pot scraper or silicone scrubber. You don’t need soap.
As with any cookware, this is easier to do while the pan is still hot. But since cast iron retains heat for so long, y
Experts say you can use a little bit of soap. Southerners say this will rip a hole in the space-time continuum and destroy the universe.
I’ve never used soap on mine and it’s fine. I do sometimes use a dish cloth with residual Dawn dishwashing liquid on it if something doesn’t want to come off. But I don’t add soap to it.
If you do use soap, the important thing is to rinse and dry it thoroughly as soon as you’re done. Don’t ever let soap or water sit on your skillet.
Step 2: Dry it
Dry your skillet thoroughly with a towel. You don’t want even a hint of water on it when you’re done, because it would get trapped under the oil in the next step and could start your skillet rusting.
Just to be safe, I also let mine sit and air dry for a few minutes while I’m putting dishes in the dishwasher or wiping countertops.
Step 3: Oil it
Rub a very small amount of cooking oil all over your skillet – the bottom and sides. You can use any oil or fat you cook with, including bacon grease. (Cast iron skillets are great for cooking bacon, and bacon is great for your skillet.)
Now rub off the excess oil with a paper towel. And that’s it. You’re done.
Tips for Cooking with Cast Iron
Preheating
On the stovetop, you should never put food into your skillet before it has heated. This should take about 5 minutes.
You can test whether it’s hot enough very easily.
- Drop a couple of water drops into your pan
- If it pops and sizzles, it’s hot enough to add food.
- If the water just evaporates immediately, it’s actually too hot.
Using Cast Iron in the Oven
Cast iron can take high heat, so you can use it in the oven. That means you can use it for baking cornbread, brownies and other deliciousness.
It will brown the edges of these items nicely, adding flavor and a bit of texture.
Acidic foods?
You may have heard that acidic foods – like tomatoes, vinegar and lemon or lime juice – can ruin the seasoning on cast iron cookware. This is easy to avoid.
- If you have a brand new skillet, cook a few non-acidic foods in it before cooking anything acidic to make sure it’s well-seasoned, just to be safe.
- When you cook something acidic, don’t leave it sitting in the skillet overnight.
- Note that some acidic foods may take on a brownish color from the added iron, but if you like food browned, this will probably taste good to you.
Gear for Your Cast Iron Skillet
Handle Covers
Did you already or inherit a cast iron skillet that didn’t come with those nice silicone handle covers? That’s no problem.
You can buy generic covers that will work with most brands of skillets. This skillet handle cover set from Amazon has a cover for two different handle sizes, plus another one for helper handles.
Press
You probably know how useful a bacon press can be for making sure the meat cooks evenly and doesn’t curl.
But presses are also great for making grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, hamburgers and more. You can also use it as a steak press.
Lids
Sometimes you need to put a lid on your skillet. My lid, pictured above, is a Lodge 12-inch skillet lid. This universal lid fits any round skillet from 7-12 inches. Both lids are clear so you can see through them to check on how your food is cooking.
