If you've been shying away from getting a good cast iron pan, I wholeheartedly recommend this one as a good starter. It’s like regular cast iron, but… Wait for it… It’s coated by enameled paint.“Why coat perfectly good cast iron?” Glad you asked…It’s safe to use with acidic foods, like tomato-based sauces or chilis and has a high heat retention due to its thickness and generally awesome cast iron qualities. And though it weighs about 2 pounds more than the brand’s Chef Collection skillet and has a shorter (though still comfortable) handle, it’s about a quarter inch deeper, which makes it better for frying chicken or preparing shallow braises. Wirecutter is reader-supported. We’ve been testing sous vide gear for over four years now, and here's what we think you need to get started. It's built to last,” a reviewer said. Of all the cast-iron skillets we tested, it came closest to exhibiting even heat distribution, and in testing it was a pleasure to use. ), as well as spouts on two sides for drip-free pouring. Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 10-1/4-Inch Skillet comes with 1-3/4-quart capacity and iron handle. Product Dimensions 14 x 7 x 12 in. The lighter weight of the Chef Collection skillet could also be a slight handicap if you were browning a very thick piece of meat like a tomahawk steak, as a heavier pan will hold in more heat and give you better second-side browning. It’s no wonder they’ve earned a 4.6-star rating. Big enough to roast a whole chicken or sear multiple steaks at once, it features both an assist handle and a silicone holder that protects from heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. In our tests, the Blacklock dripped more oil when pouring it into a jar, while the Lodge Classic and Chef’s Collection pans poured in relatively steady streams. The Lodge Chef Collection 12 Inch Skillet did well in all our tests, and impressively it was the lightest of all the inexpensive skillets we tested (though some $80 to $100-plus pans weighed a bit less). But not all cast iron is created equal—you’ll want something that won’t only last, but improve with time. Price $ 363 Our Price $ 199.95 Staub Enameled Cast Iron 12 $ $ Johnny Miller, Credit: The Victoria 12-inch cast-iron skillet was our previous runner-up, and in tests for this update performed on a par with the Lodge skillets. The stick handle is small and uncomfortable, and the helper handle is hard to grasp. You can use it on any cooktop, including induction, and its high sides will protect you (and your countertops) from splatters. We researched and tested the top-rated cast iron pans to help you pick the right one. But the Lodge pans have a great, nicely nonstick seasoning right out of the box. Senior staff writer Michael Sullivan tested the Lodge Blacklock Triple Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet against the reigning picks for our 2020 update. While it’s a little shallower than the classic Lodge, this skillet’s slightly sloped sides make it great for searing and roasting. Lodge doesn’t have a formal written guarantee or warranty on its classic cast-iron ware. Its 8-inch pan is big enough to fit four fried eggs or two New York strip steaks, but only weighs 4.5 pounds. Food & Wine is part of the Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. Every morning should start with eggs and bacon, even if you’re in the great outdoors. Crafted from durable & versatile cast iron, this skillet mans the kitchen, stepping up to fry, bake, sauté, sear and so much more. The manufacturers of these skillets suggest they don’t need as much seasoning, since the very smooth surface will provide excellent release. Not only was the Smithey Ironware No. Read Customer Reviews Here » Cook food in style with Lodge enameled cast iron dutch oven. It's heavy and solid like you would expect from Staub or Le Creuset but it doesn't cost $250+. Before that she spent seven years rustling pots and pans as a professional chef in restaurants in New York City. It’s also a little less expensive than the Chef Collection skillet. The cast-iron itself is just smooth and beautiful. It has a smoothly polished surface that heated up very evenly. If you’re craving fried chicken or homemade potato chips, consider this option from Lodge your perfect skillet. Easy to maneuver: Most cast-iron pans are quite heavy—the classic Lodge 12-inch skillet weighs about 8½ pounds—so it’s important that they come with a comfortable handle and a large helper handle on the opposite edge of the pan. The Lodge’s stick handle is smaller than the one on the Chef Collection skillet and lacks an angle, but you can still get a good grip. Its three-finger handle is easy to grasp, and it features holes on both sides for hanging. (Recipe to try: Cast Iron Skillet Calzone ). © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. And if you’re cooking something like pancakes, you might have to move them around to get even browning. What’s more, the enameled cast iron also provides superior heat retention compared to other nonstick skillets and is dishwasher-safe for simpler cleanup. As the Stargazer is quite deep, it would be a good choice for frying chicken or poaching dumplings. Today, many new cast-iron skillets are pre-seasoned at the factory. Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart. One of the expensive skillets we tested had trouble releasing cornbread, and all of them seemed to have less seasoning than more traditional dark-black skillets. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. “As advertised, this is a thing of beauty and perfect function,” a customer wrote. Tarte tatin, frittata, crispy chicken thighs – being able to switch from stove top to oven and grill makes this a versatile kitchen staple you shouldn’t be without. Its large diameter makes it … The enamel on the outside is smooth and even while the inside is a bit more sandy in texture. Like other skillets, it’s pre-seasoned, but also has a machine-smoothed surface for easy release. If those are things you do often, this is the pan to get. Well, add me to the converts. That extra weight could be a real asset when it comes to cooking a thick cut of meat, since it can help the pan retain more heat. Chef's treasure. We’ve read through this guide and stand by our current picks. At 6½ pounds versus the 8½ pounds of the classic Lodge, it’s more manageable to maneuver than traditional cast iron, and the slightly lower, gently sloped sides make stirring foods and maneuvering a spatula easier. We also read editorial reviews by Cook’s Illustrated and Serious Eats. What’s more, it is designed with high ridges to leave those beautiful grill marks on your food. Enameled cast iron is durable. That said, many of us have Lodge skillets at home that range in age from 15 to 20 years old and have never had a problem. The Lodge Blacklock Triple Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet is advertised as being 5 pounds 6 ounces, according to the specs listed on Lodge’s website, but it actually weighs about 6 pounds 2⅜ ounces by our measure. This covered skillet has a handle with a firm grip that allows you to hold it conveniently while you cook. Food and Wine presents a new network of food pros delivering the most cookable recipes and delicious ideas online. Today, it still produces American-made cast iron skillets in nearly every size you can imagine, from extra small for personal cookie skillets to large 15-inch pans for crowd-pleasing casseroles. At around $120, the Stargazer Cast Iron 12-inch Skillet was the least expensive of the new-gen pans we tested and was the least smooth. I expect I will be using this for the next 30 years, as long as I maintain the seasoning.”, To buy: $200 (originally $260); amazon.com, Best Vintage-Inspired Skillet: Smithey Ironware No. To check for the nonstick-ness of the factory seasoning, we made cornbread and turned the pans upside down to see if the baked bread fell out with prying or sticking. Credit: “The Lodge pan is solid, and heavy,” a user wrote. That's it. Unfortunately much cheaper enameled cast iron tends to be cast extremely thick and too heavy for a lot of people. Its Ultimate Skillet is coated with glassy enamel, and can handle temperatures as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit. 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