The 9 Best Cast Iron Skillets of 2023

Jul 05, 2023

The best cast iron skillets are durable and have a balanced weight.

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Better Homes & Gardens / Reese Herrington

There are very few cookware investments that are a better bang for your buck than a cast iron skillet. Cast iron skillets are weighty and thick, which allows for uniform heat retention and distribution. This means they are perfect for a variety of cooking techniques like sautéing, braising, frying, and even baking.

“Cast iron, due to its heavy weight, distributes heat evenly on many types of heat sources,” says Executive Chef Daniel Kenney. “And the iron helps create that beautiful caramelization that chefs (and you!) are looking for meat and vegetables.”

You can make just about anything in a cast iron skillet including steak, pork chops, vegetables, cornbread, quiche, pizza, and more. To find the best cast iron skillet, we researched multiple products and considered factors like weight, durability, size, and ease of care. We also consulted a couple of experts who gave advice on what to look for in a cast iron skillet.

Amazon

This classic cast iron skillet comes in nine different sizes and has two pour spouts.

The main handle is short compared to other options.

Lodge has been making quality cookware since 1896, so it’s no surprise that the brand landed our best overall pick. The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is made in the U.S. and is pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil.

The skillet is available in nine different sizes, from 3.5 inches to 15 inches. The 3.5 inch is perfect for making small, single serving meals like a fried egg, while the 15 inch is ideal for bigger meals or a family gathering. The cast iron skillet also comes with two pour spouts on either side, making it simple and mess free to pour sauce or drain excess grease.

Moving this skillet is easy, too, thanks to the helper handle and the main handle. To help protect your hands from the high temperature of the skillet, you can purchase a Hot Handle Holder to slide onto the helper handle.

The skillet offers even cooking and strong heat retention and can be used in the oven, on the stovetop or grill, or over the campfire.

We wish the handle was a little longer with this skillet—it’s about 4.8 inches long whereas other options have a 5- to 7-inch handle. But because it has so many features we love, it’s the best overall cast iron skillet.

Price at time of publish: $25 for 10 inch

Product Details: Size: 10.25 inches | Weight: 5.35 pounds | Maximum Oven Temperature: 500°F | Care: Hand wash, dry, and rub with cooking oil

The set includes three pre-seasoned skillets of varying sizes.

None of the pans in this set have a helper handle.

The Utopia 3-Piece Cast Iron Skillet Set was an easy pick for best budget cast iron skillet. The three-piece skillet set includes a 6-, 8-, and 10-inch cast iron skillet.

This bundle gives you three pans for much less than many single skillets, so you can get more bang for your buck. This is a great buy for someone interested in cooking who is moving into their first home and needs to get set up with some sturdy basics. These multi-taskers can be used for a variety of skillet recipes and can be used over a stove, in the oven, or over a campfire.

Each skillet comes pre-seasoned, and each skillet features pouring spouts on either side. Unlike some higher priced skillets, these skillets don’t have a helper handle opposite the big handle.

Like most cast iron skillets, this set is not dishwashing safe and should be washed by hand with water and a mild dish soap. While these pans are pre-seasoned, season after washing by adding oil to the pan, heating it up, and rubbing it into the bottom of the pan before cooking.

Price at time of publish: $27

Product Details: Size: 6, 8, and 10 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Maximum Oven Temperature: Not listed | Care: Hand wash, dry, and rub with cooking oil to keep seasoned

Amazon

The Le Creuset is a dishwasher-safe option.

If you aren’t a fan of enamel, this may not be the best skillet for you.

If you plan on using a cast iron skillet often and are willing to splurge, the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet is our top choice. You can use this skillet to make a variety of dishes including skillet dips or pork chops.

This cast iron is a bit different from other skillets on our list. In addition to being made with iron, it also has an enamel interior coating to help make it durable to high temperature and safe to put in the dishwasher. Because of the coating, it also doesn’t need to be seasoned. The coating will develop a natural patina with use which will provide a nonstick surface.

This high-end skillet features everything we love to see in a skillet—it has two pour spouts, a large handle, and a helper handle. Unlike most cast iron skillets, this one is available in 20 different colors including white, nectar, deep teal, olive, matte navy, cayenne, and more. You can purchase it in four different sizes: 6.33, 9, 10.25, and 11.75 inches.

The skillet is oven safe up to 500°F and is lighter than traditional cast iron skillets. It also has a lifetime warranty if something were to happen to your skillet. Although it costs more than any other skillet on our list, it’s worth the high price tag because of its innovative design mixed with classic features.

Price at time of publish: $220

Product Details: Size: 6.3, 9, 10.25, and 11.75 inches | Weight: 2.5, 4.2, 5.15, and 6.18 pounds | Maximum Oven Temperature: 500°F | Care: Dishwasher safe, but hand wash recommended

Smithey

It has a smooth, polished finish and the handles have holes so you can hang your skillet.

Because of the holes, the helper handle may not be as ergonomic as other options.

Perfect for those who are only cooking for themselves or a small family, our pick for best small cast iron skillet will look gorgeous hanging on a kitchen rack or searing a stovetop steak. The Smithey Ironware No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet at Smithey is an 8-inch skillet that features a smooth, polished, nonstick finish.

We loved that this USA-made skillet has an extra long handle to help keep your hands safe from high temperatures while cooking. It also features a helper handle to help stabilize the skillet as you move it from the oven or stove.

We also appreciate that both handles have holes in them—the helper handle has three holes, and the main handle has one hole. This means you can easily store your skillet on a hook if you have limited storage space or simply want to display your skillet for decoration. However, because of the holes on the helper handle, it may not be as easy to carry as skillets with a more ergonomic design.

The skillet can be used on an electric, induction, glass, ceramic, or gas stovetop and can also be used on an open fire or grill. It’s also oven safe so you can make your favorite cornbread or casserole. Like many cast iron skillets, it’s not dishwasher safe. If you have any stuck-on food, use a mild dish soap, water, and a nylon scouring pad to gently scrub the food away.

Price at time of publish: $110

Product Details: Size: 8 inches | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Maximum Oven Temperature: 500°F | Care: Hand wash with dish soap, dry and wipe with oil

Amazon

The skillet has a curved, ergonomic handle.

Some home cooks may find the skillet too heavy.

If you’re looking for a large skillet for family dinners or gatherings, the Victoria Cast-Iron Skillet is the best choice for you. The skillet is pre-seasoned with kosher-certified, non-GMO flaxseed oil so you don’t have to worry about seasoning it upon its arrival.

Made from sustainable sources, this cast iron skillet has some impressive features. Instead of a short, straight handle, this skillet has a long, curved handle to keep you safe from high temperatures and to provide extra leverage. This makes it easier to move the skillet from the countertop to the oven or from the oven to your table.

In addition to the ergonomic long handle, there is also a helper handle to make it easier to maneuver your skillet around the kitchen. We also love that there are two drip-free pour spouts so you can pour liquid from your skillet without making a mess. Although it has handles, keep in mind that the skillet does weigh about 7.5 pounds without any food in it, so it still may be difficult for some cooks to lift and carry it.

You can use the Colombian-made skillet on a variety of cooking surfaces including the stovetop, in the oven, or over a fire. The skillet is durably made and meant to last for years so you can make your favorite meals for years. To help prolong the life of your skillet, be sure to hand wash it and dry it completely before seasoning it.

Price at time of publish: $28

Product Details: Size: 12 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Maximum Oven Temperature: 500°F | Care: Hand wash with dish soap, dry, and wipe with oil

It’s seasoned three times, and the handle is designed for maximum airflow.

Because it’s pre-seasoned, you may see some blistering, but this is normal.

For the best seasoned cast iron skillet, our top choice is the Blacklock Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet. The USA-made skillet has been seasoned not once, but three times, to ensure optimal flavor for your food and to create a nonstick cooking surface.

This cast iron skillet has some of our favorite features like two pour spouts, a helper handle, and a main handle. The main handle has an open, curved design to help it stay cool and keep your hands safe. And like our favorite cast iron skillets, this one can be used on multiple cooking surfaces—it’s stovetop-, oven-, broiler-, and grill-safe.

There are several different sizes available for purchase: 7, 10.25, 12, and 14.5 inches. It’s also slightly lighter than other skillets of the same diameter—most 10-inch cast iron skillets weigh between 4-6 pounds, but the 10-inch skillet in this collection weighs 3.86 pounds.

You may see “blistering” with this or any pre-seasoned skillet, but don’t worry. This is a normal reaction and it won’t harm or rust your skillet. The main culprit that will harm your skillet is water, so avoid soaking this piece of cookware in water and putting it in the dishwasher.

Because it’s pre-seasoned, has a lightweight design, and is available in several sizes, it’s the perfect choice for a seasoned cast iron skillet.

Price at time of publish: From $40

Product Details: Size: 7, 10.25, 12, and 14.5 inches | Weight: 1.82, 3.86, 5.8, and 7.18 pounds | Maximum Oven Temperature: 500°F | Care: Hand wash with dish soap, dry and wipe with oil

Calphalon

It features oversized handles to make lifting and moving easier.

It weighs almost 7 pounds.

Cast iron skillets can be heavy and cumbersome, but this piece of cookware from Calphalon is designed to be maneuvered with ease. We love that this skillet features two handles: a helper handle and main handle. Both handles are slightly oversized so you can easily pick up and move the skillet.

In addition to the oversized handles, this skillet also features two pour spouts for hassle-free pouring or draining. You also don’t have to worry about seasoning the cookware before use since it is pre-seasoned to create a nonstick surface. The skillet is also oven- and broiler-safe, so it can tolerate high temperatures.

Since it is a larger skillet at 12 inches, it does weigh more than smaller skillets. But even though it weighs 6.8 pounds, it’s a breeze to move thanks to its smartly-designed handles.

When you purchase directly from Calphalon, you get a lifetime warranty with the skillet. Even though it’s designed to last for years, you’ll have the reassurance of the warranty in case something happens. Because of its high quality and large handles, it’s the best cast iron skillet with handles.

Price at time of publish: $30

Product Details: Size: 12 inch | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Maximum Oven Temperature: 500°F | Care: Hand wash, dry, and season with oil

Amazon

For six pieces, it’s an affordable and versatile set.

While some skillet sets come with cast iron lids, these lids are glass.

The Cuisinel Cast Iron Cookware 6-Piece Set is the best cast iron skillet set. It includes a 10-inch skillet, 12-inch skillet, two lids, a pizza pan, and a pan rack to store all your pieces. As a bonus, the set also comes with two heat resistant, non-slip handle covers to help keep your hand protected from heat while you cook and a pan scraper to make cleaning up fast and easy.

While other cast iron sets come with a cast iron lid, this set comes with tempered glass lids to help retain moisture and prevent splashes from getting on you or your stovetop. Keep in mind that while you can put cast iron lids in the oven, you can’t put these in the oven. You can use the skillets and pan indoors or outdoors, since they are safe to use in the oven, on the stove, or over a campfire.

To help you organize your cookware set, the 12-inch pan rack makes it easy to see and store all your pieces. We also appreciate that the skillets and pan come with two handles to make transporting the cookware less awkward and cumbersome. The pizza pan comes with two helper handles, while both skillets have a helper handle, main handle, and two pour spouts.

The skillets and pizza pan are all pre-seasoned, so you can get straight to cooking your favorite pizza or steak once you receive your set.

Price at time of publish: $100

Product Details: Size: 10 and 12 inch skillet | Weight: 36.5 pounds (for the whole set) | Maximum Oven Temperature: Not listed, but the skillets and pizza pan are oven safe | Care: Hand wash with dish soap, dry, and wipe with oil

Crate & Barrel

The lid has self-basting tips to ensure your recipe retains moisture and flavor.

You’ll get a workout lifting this 14 pound pan, and it doesn’t have pour spouts.

Another pan from the Lodge brand, this deep skillet with a cover is a great multi-tasker that can easily be used to make everyone’s weeknight favorite—a delicious one pan family meal. With 5 quarts capacity, this covered pan can do everything from roast a small bird to create a stir-fry style dish.

Most cast iron skillets are about 2 inches deep, but this skillet is 3.43 inches deep. Instead of glass lids like the Cuisinel Cast Iron Cookware 6-Piece Set had, this skillet comes with a cast iron lid. Unlike a normal, glass lid, the underside of the lid features self-basting tips to help keep your meals moist and flavorful. The lid also has a looped handle on the top, so it’s easy to lift on and off the skillet.

The skillet is pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil and can be used on almost any cooking surface including a stovetop, grill, or fire. We love the helper handle and the main handle, but we do wish it had pour spouts like some of our other picks.

Because the lid adds a bit of weight, this is the heaviest cast iron skillet on our list—it weighs more than 14 pounds. But because of the self-basting cast iron lid, this is our top choice.

Price at time of publish: $60

Product Details: Size: 5 quart | Weight: 14.4 pounds | Maximum Oven Temperature: 500°F | Care: Hand wash with dish soap, dry and wipe with oil

Our pick for best overall cast iron skillet is the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron because it’s affordable, reliable, and high quality. For those looking for a great starter set, we love the Cuisinel Cast Iron Cookware 6-Pc Set, which includes two skillets, two lids, a pizza pan, and a storage rack.

Before you purchase a cast iron skillet, consider what size you’ll need. You’ll want to take into consideration how often you plan on using the skillet, what you will be cooking, and how many people you will be cooking for.

If you don’t plan on using it often or will just be cooking for one or two people, a smaller skillet like the Smithey Ironware No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet will be perfect for you.

However, if you plan on cooking often or for a large family or crowd, the 12-inch Victoria Cast-Iron Skillet is a good fit. For an even larger option, the Blacklock Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet has a 14.5-inch option.

Cast iron skillets are heavier than your standard nonstick skillets. Most medium-sized cast iron skillets weigh between 4 and 6 pounds, while others—like the Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Covered Deep Skillet—can weigh over 14 pounds.

When selecting the best cast iron skillet for you, pick one that you will be able to comfortably lift. And remember, the skillet will be heavier with food in it, too.

If you’re looking for a lightweight option, the Blacklock Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet weighs less than standard cast iron skillets—the 10-inch skillet weighs 3.86 pounds.

All of the cast iron skillets we included are oven safe, and most have a maximum oven temperature of 500°F, which means you can broil food in your skillet. Avoid putting your skillet on a cooking surface higher than the recommended maximum temperature—this could crack or damage your pan.

It may seem intimidating to care for your cast iron skillet, but they are pretty simple to clean. When you are done cooking, clean your skillet by gently washing it with a mild detergent and water. If you have stuck on food messes, sprinkle some kosher salt on the skillet and use it as a gentle abrasive.

When your skillet is clean, make sure to completely dry it with a clean cloth to avoid rust. Once it’s dry, use a paper towel to rub in cooking oil on the skillet. Store your skillet in a dry cabinet or drawer.

Many chefs have a favorite brand, but Executive Chef Robert Sisca noted another important factor.

“I would go for weight over brand. Even an older cast iron that doesn’t have a name would be great,” Sisca says. One of our editors inherited a brand-less cast iron skillet that she has used and loved for years—and she isn’t sure she’ll ever have to buy another one.

Kenney, on the other hand, recommends a brand that we also included on our list. “Lodge cast iron pans have been made in the USA since the late 1800’s and are a brand that is easy to stick with,” he says. “They are the more popular option you will see when shopping around for a cast iron pan.”

Both chefs love a well-seasoned pan, because after years of use it simply cooks better. In time though, any pan can be seasoned well.

“When I hear the term ‘vintage’ with cast iron, as a chef I think about seasoned,” Kenney says. “A well-seasoned cast iron pan operates better than let’s say a newly purchased cast iron pan, the cooking surface becomes a non-stick easy to clean surface after prolonged use, and that is what everyone is looking for.”

Cast iron skillets can be expensive—the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet is more than $200. However, there are many affordable choices as well—like the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet—that are around $30 or $40.

You don’t necessarily need the most expensive cast iron skillet on the market, and there are plenty of choices that are more budget friendly that are still high quality.

Brandi Fuller is a commerce editor for Better Homes & Gardens who writes about the best home and products. For this article, she researched multiple products to find the best cast iron skillets based on features, durability, quality, size, and more.

Additional research and expert outreach was provided by Tanya Edwards, who spoke with Executive Chef Robert Sisca of The Banks Fish House, and Executive Chef Daniel Kenney of Clink.