Lifestyle

8 Cast Iron Skillets That Will Be Your New Best Friend In The Kitchen

by Lesley Chen
Cast Iron Skillet

You want to make the most of your family mealtimes, so you need cookware that will work hard for you. Flimsy pots and pans that chip and crack after a few uses or leave half your dinner burned and stuck to the bottom every other meal are not the kind of helpers we want in our kitchens. Good pots and pans are investment items. One essential you need in your kitchen is a cast iron skillet, which can cook almost anything you can think of (we’re craving Dutch Baby Pancakes), but with the proper care, can also last for decades.

Cast iron skillets are made of, as their name implies, cast iron, which make them extremely durable. They also provide excellent heat retention, which is useful for cooking food at high temperatures, and can be easily used on stovetops, placed in ovens, or move between both within one cooking session. They’re versatile, so you can fry eggs, sear steaks, or make cornbread with just one pan. And unlike most things in your kitchen, cast iron skillets actually improve with use. Many come pre-seasoned with oil, and the seasoning naturally builds over time, which provides a non-stick surface for cooking and prevents the pan from rusting.

Here are eight cast iron skillets that you’ll be able to count on for many, many meals to come.

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Le Creuset Enameled Cast Signature Iron Handle Skillet

If you already have some Le Creuset in your kitchen, you know the brand is synonymous with high quality cookware. This cast iron skillet has a long-lasting matte black enamel interior that is designed for higher surface temperature cooking, and makes it so that the skillet requires no additional seasoning. There’s a large loop handle to assist with lifting the pan and it comes in a number of bright colors. And it’s dishwasher-safe, to make post-meal cleanups easier. One reviewer said, “I was reading a review about this pan, and couldn’t believe the price. Who pays this much for a cast iron pan? Well, add me to the converts. First of all, it’s gorgeous to look at. Love the enamel outside, in ‘flame’ coloring. It is easy to handle with a nice grip, and a good weight balance. The cast-iron itself is just smooth and beautiful. Super easy to clean (I bought the nylon brush by Le Creuset). I use it for all sorts of jobs, from searing steak, cooking pork chops or frying dover sole. For example, when I make my pork chops, I cook them 4 minutes either side in the pan, and then transfer the whole thing into the oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. This thing is beast mode. You can do almost anything with it. The price tag? I get it. Honestly, I wish it was cheaper, but it’s like buying the Rolls Royce of skillets. I expect I will be using this for the next 30 years, as long as I maintain the seasoning.”

$209.95