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What 31 cooks actually recommend among skillets

200 quoted claims about skillets from 31 named people across 51 long-form sources, covering 32 products , 33 of them raising objections. Every claim links to the second it was said.

What skillets do particular groups recommend?

Cohort pages restrict the same skillets evidence to one group at a time. Authority is scoped to skillets, never to how large someone’s audience is.

Why do cooks recommend skillets?

The attributes cooks cite most often about skillets, counted from the reasons attached to each claim rather than read out of the prose.

Which skillets do cooks actually recommend?

The skillets below are ordered by how many independent voices are on record about each one — a count of evidence, not a rating. Products without their own page have not yet cleared the evidence threshold for one.

Lodge cast iron skillet

10 voices 23 claims 2 objections

Matfer carbon steel pan

5 voices 13 claims 4 objections median ownership 9 months

23:46 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great

recommendation tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

really happy with these map for pans I would say to me for good carbon steel that's a 10 out of 10. I would highly highly recommend them
3:31 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
I loved this pan so much that when I was testing it, before I was even done, I was like, "I want this pan," and I ordered one for myself, which I never do. So I've had mine for several years and I love it. I cook in it all the time.

durability owns and uses it daily Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Smithey cast iron skillet

5 voices 13 claims no objections yet median ownership 2 years

6:32 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
what i want to point out with the smithy is that the lid actually doubles as a skillet or a griddle and that i think is really really cool so it not only is this a lid so if you're baking bread or any other recipe that you're making that actually needs a lid you've got one but if you want to make smash burgers which…

use-case fit tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites versatility

2:30 supports Adam Cookware Reviewer
In the end, it was one of these pans from a smaller producer that took the top spot. This is the Smithey Ironware number 12.

best in class tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Stargazer cast iron skillet

5 voices 13 claims no objections yet median ownership 12 months

4:32 supports I Heart RVing was given the product
let's take a look at the harom meter also called The Homer at certain Swanky steakhouses that cook their RI eyes in at least a full stick ofat butter it's showing 4.9 Stars oh that's a great rating

recommendation tested it I♥RVing Gear Review: Stargazer 12” Cast Iron Skillet

I Heart RVing was given the product. Stated in the source: “thanks to Stargazer for sending the 12-in skillet to put through a Year's worth of incredible cooking while building this review” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

2:31 supports Kent Rollins Chef
right off the bat when I looked at this the very first time I'm thinking whoa I love the design of this handle because look how far I can stand away from the Heat and this thing is rounded to where it really don't hurt your hands when you grab a hold of it and it's got this v-notch in here which is going to keep it…

handling tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites handle, heat resistance, weight

here look at here a two-handle deal I really like this deal I do
a shorter handle means it's heavier for you to pick up you ain't got the leverage that you might have over here with this Skillet so that longer handle does help you out some on the weight that it's got

De Buyer carbon steel pan

5 voices 11 claims 2 objections median ownership 10 years

0:31 supports earns commission on this
I would start with this guy right here this is an 11in deuer mineral B pro carbon steel this is an easy can't go wrong decision

recommendation owns and uses it daily Which De Buyer should you get? Recommendations, Buying Advice, and BIG Sale!

The speaker earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “I am actually W's first ever affiliate partner so back in I think it was 2019 or so” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Field cast iron skillet

4 voices 15 claims 3 objections median ownership 2 months

1:00 supports Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
and i'm impressed with it really really nice skill skillet only about six pounds guys

handling tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! was given the product. Stated in the source: “i do want to thank the field company for sending it to me for a review” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites base and rim, handle, shape and form, weight

i will say when i dump the potatoes out that first day i'm gonna dump the shrimp creole out um not shrimp creole what they'll make shrimp a two-fade right um and the gravy from the pork chops and stuff i'm gonna dump the leftover out uh that did well because it's real thick
also this is kind of nitpicky but i've got an induction stove and both skillets that i have my other number 12 skillet same size bottom they fit on that burner that over there that i use my number 10 skillet on but with the other one since this sides flare out i've got to kind of duck under and look to see if it's…
i really like the handle the handle doesn't look that cool on youtube every video i saw that and even looking at it on the camera it doesn't look as cool as it is in real life it feels awesome i just love the way this handle feels maybe it's because i got big hands whatever i like the way this handle feels that handle…
0:00 supports Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
folks and your family will fight for this frying pan at your funeral

durability tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! was given the product. Stated in the source: “i do want to thank the field company for sending it to me for a review” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites acid resistance, durability, seasoning durability

skillet was easy to clean that night too and just getting some more good seasoning layer on there with that skillet
i was already trusting the seasoning coat to use acidic foods like lemon butter uh they were delicious and all that fond on the bottom of the pot went into my shrimp a2 faders a pound of shrimp a little more than a pound of shrimp in there also a can of rotel tomatoes but you can see the seasoning on the bottom was…
i've used it as much as i can look how black it is came sort of charcoal gray did get a little bronze that first day or two but it blackened up real quick it's as seasoned as i've ever had a skillet i've only had it a week
but look how easy it seasoned in one week it's not that charcoal gray color it's black all right almost like a mirror finish

Finex cast iron skillet

4 voices 8 claims no objections yet median ownership 2 years

4:01 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
first i want to talk about the finex it has this beautiful coiled steel handle and the reason for that is this coil design not only does it look great

appearance tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites appearance, handle, shape and form

and you can actually see right here on the back of the pan they've got a really nice design that pays homage to that origin
now the next thing i want to compare is just the overall style or aesthetic of these skillets and the standout for me is going to be the finex there this octagonal shape i think looks really great i love the steel coiled handle it's just something really unique that sets that skillet apart from the others
6:02 supports Kent Rollins Chef
it is a great piece of cast iron to me really if you're sitting on the table full of something to eat and you want to make a statement and you set this out there that is a statement piece it is

appearance tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites appearance, handle

you want to make a statement this is the piece I mean a great different unique design that I've never seen on a piece of cast iron and the handle I mean it is the talking point of the kitchen but also the dining table because this thing is fancy enough to serve right out of it is

Made In carbon steel pan

2 voices 7 claims 2 objections median ownership 1 month

18:41 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
So, you know, as a usable pan, I would say over my copper pan that this is even more of a usable pan.

use-case fit tested it The Pan I Waited A Year For... Did Made In Meet My Sky-High Expectations?

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “this pan here was given to me by Maiden.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites versatility

But, you know, for my trusted Duboet, you know, the Mineral B and the Mineral B Pro, um, you know, I think it fits in there beautifully.
especially if you're thinking about giving it to somebody, it's absolutely fantastic.
7:33 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
Overwhelmingly, people really enjoy the pan and it's doing what they want it to do

performance tested it The Pan I Waited A Year For... Did Made In Meet My Sky-High Expectations?

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “this pan here was given to me by Maiden.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites ease of cleaning, even heating, heat conduction, maintenance, non-stick surface, seasoning durability, surface finish

This guy is conducting more heat. More heat's being pulled into it. So, it is a little bit of a hotter pan.
I had brought this down just cooking this on a one out of 10. So really, really gentle heat just to get a nice even fry.
Uh, but you know what it's done in such a short time I think is completely adequate.
Uh, but you know what it's done in such a short time I think is completely adequate.
So, I think it look great. Made in pan here. Little bit residue. Really nothing much. And residue, nothing on there.
So, I think it look great. Made in pan here. Little bit residue. Really nothing much. And residue, nothing on there.
It's got that that micro texture on it, which is a a purpose thing done by Maiden. They do several different finishings to the pan to give it a texture and then they season that to grab hold of that texture to make sure that it works incredibly well and that it stands up really well.
So, the seasoning that I've done from cooking has worked out great with a simple egg test.
But the heat is down on the maiden pan. But I would say that that pan is cooking a nice delicate crepe beautifully.
I am finding that using this seasoning that they've done and the the finish has worked out really really nicely. It's really even and it works beautifully. So I have no problem with how that pan has finished up. Like it's it's seasoning beautifully.
So, you know, the ease of maintenance to what they've done makes it great.

Mauviel M'Heritage M200CI

2 voices 4 claims no objections yet

Marquette cast iron skillet

1 voice 4 claims no objections yet

6:02 supports Kent Rollins Chef
My overall pick for just best in design is I'm gonna have to go with the Marquette just because of the way it feels in my hand and the way that I know it performs and the two poor spouts

best in class tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites ergonomics, handle, seasoning durability, shape and form, surface finish

if we had to pick a winner on a handle that was most comfortable to your hand it would be the Marquette
next we're going to go to Marquette this review not long ago to me this was the smoothest Skillet coming to me of anyone that I got out of the bunch
so my overall winner for seasoning is eeny meeny miny mo is going to be the Marquette because to me it had the smoothest glossiest finish when I got it and accepted seasoning the easiest
4:31 supports Kent Rollins Chef
when I first picked this up right out of the box I'm thinking feels like a Wagner or a Griswold into me just the way it sort of felt it's got a light weight to it and look here right off the bat two poor spouts now I really do like that I do

appearance tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites appearance, shape and form, surface finish, weight

we get down to the Marquette to me the thing that really just stood out most of all to me what is the closest resemblance to the old cast iron I'm talking Griswolds and Wagner's to me it was the closest design to it and had this finish that was just like they used to have on them

AGA cast iron pan

1 voice 3 claims no objections yet median ownership 15 years

14:04 supports Adam Byatt Buy It For Life Enthusiasts was given the product
I now own a hundred of them and we've had them for over 15 20 years which they look like we've had them 15 20 years but yeah they're they're a brilliant pan

durability uses it professionally, daily 35 Years of cooking equipment - What I use everyday

Adam Byatt was given the product. Stated in the source: “they gave me these pans to cook on and I really loved cooking in them” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Owned 15 years

Cites durability

13:34 supports Adam Byatt Buy It For Life Enthusiasts was given the product
I just felt they were like the perfect size to make a one pot dish and they the the heat retention was brilliant in them.

use-case fit uses it professionally, daily 35 Years of cooking equipment - What I use everyday

Adam Byatt was given the product. Stated in the source: “they gave me these pans to cook on and I really loved cooking in them” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites heat retention, size and capacity, versatility

we tried making a tat tatan in them and um there on in we only made tat tatan in these pans
we use them for all sorts for cooking pieces of meat cooking fish cooking tatans cooking all sorts of stuff but I'm a real fan of these Arga cast iron pans
13:34 supports Adam Byatt Buy It For Life Enthusiasts was given the product
I guess actually one of the most important pans in our armory are these these little um cast iron solid heavyweight Arga pans. These are actually Arga pans.

recommendation uses it professionally, daily 35 Years of cooking equipment - What I use everyday

Adam Byatt was given the product. Stated in the source: “they gave me these pans to cook on and I really loved cooking in them” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Calphalon cast iron skillet

1 voice 3 claims 3 objections

Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven

1 voice 3 claims no objections yet

0:35 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this
I'm going to give this guy a 90% thumbs up on the pro side.

recommendation tested it NEW: Lodge USA Enamel Review with cooking & Staub/Le Creuset comparison!

Uncle Scott earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “USK currently has affiliate links and/or influencer links with Amazon, Falk, De Buyer, Thermoworks, Breville, Lodge, Smithey and others.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites appearance, country of manufacture

But I am glad I have one of them in my Battery Deuisine now. They crank out a ton of delicious food. I think they have a nice look and design. They're made in America.
Um, I really like mine. I'm giving it a 90% thumbs up.
1:05 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this
This lodge is pushing 15 pounds. Holy cow, that is a sturdy piece of cookware.

handling tested it NEW: Lodge USA Enamel Review with cooking & Staub/Le Creuset comparison!

Uncle Scott earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “USK currently has affiliate links and/or influencer links with Amazon, Falk, De Buyer, Thermoworks, Breville, Lodge, Smithey and others.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites weight

0:35 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this
First is realworld cooking performance. It has turned out a ton of delicious food and that is the most important factor.

performance tested it NEW: Lodge USA Enamel Review with cooking & Staub/Le Creuset comparison!

Uncle Scott earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “USK currently has affiliate links and/or influencer links with Amazon, Falk, De Buyer, Thermoworks, Breville, Lodge, Smithey and others.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites heat retention

it is nice to see the Lodge USA made Dutch oven competing nicely with the stove and I think this beef bergen was equally delicious in both.
the oil temperature only dropped down to about 342. So that is not much of a drop in temperature at all. And then of course it rebounded on up.
So there's a lot of heat trapped in that thermal mass of a lodge and I think it did a great job.
It's winter time in Utah at the moment and I've been using these lodges to crank out some shephardd's pies and they've turned out fantastically.

Made In skillet

1 voice 3 claims no objections yet

7:01 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
In my heat tests, the center heated fairly quickly, but there was a 130° difference between the center and the edge after 2 minutes of heating, which was the second largest gap in the group.

performance tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites base and rim, heating speed, non-stick surface

The smooth surface also performed extremely well in the egg test. The egg released immediately and slid around the pan with no sticking and the pour spouts didn't drip at all.
The smooth surface also performed extremely well in the egg test. The egg released immediately and slid around the pan with no sticking and the pour spouts didn't drip at all.
Made In has my favorite handle of the group, and it cooks extremely well once it's fully preheated.

All-Clad skillet

1 voice 2 claims no objections yet

5:31 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
They're both made of stainless steel and they're fully clad. So they have stainless steel, aluminum and stainless steel sheets that are bonded together before the pan is made. So you get nice even cooking with no hotspots.

performance tested it Are Special Pans Like Sauciers & Sauté Pans Worth It? | Gear Heads

Cites even heating, searing and crust, shape and form

They both have a wide cooking surface, but then that skillet has those low flaring sides that bow out like this. This is great for browning nicely and encouraging evaporation with those low sides.

Lancaster cast iron skillet

1 voice 2 claims no objections yet

Le Creuset Signature 11 3/4 inch iron handle skillet

1 voice 2 claims no objections yet

Le Creuset enameled cast iron skillet

1 voice 2 claims 1 objection

Matfer Bourgeat carbon steel frying pan

1 voice 2 claims 2 objections

Matfer copper frying pan

1 voice 2 claims 2 objections

Mauviel copper skillet

1 voice 2 claims no objections yet

5:01 supports
This pan is made of copper with a thin lining of stainless steel. It combines steel's non-reactive, durable lining with copper's responsiveness.

performance tested it Equipment Review: The Best Copper Skillets

Cites acid resistance, durability, even heating, heat control, searing and crust, shape and form, size and capacity

So it cooked evenly and it adjusted fairly quickly when we changed heat settings on the stove.
Its generous cooking surface cooked plenty of food without crowding and it's low-flaring sides help evaporate steam so food browned deeply.

Smithey Farmhouse carbon steel skillet

1 voice 2 claims 1 objection

Victoria skillet

1 voice 2 claims no objections yet

Anolon EverLast N2

1 voice 1 claim no objections yet

6:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
The water from the Misen and Anolon came out completely clear, but the water from Strata was cloudy with a yellow tint, which means bits of the seasoning layer were breaking down and leaching into the liquid.

performance tested it Which “Forever Nonstick” Pan Is the Best? I Tested Them All

Cites flavour impact, heat control, heating speed, non-stick surface

Anolon was by far the fastest to heat, but that means it's also very easy to overheat.
When I preheated it slower, it worked fine.
Next, I cut the fat in half, using just a half teaspoon of oil and 2 g of butter. Again, all three pans handled it without sticking.
Then I tested pancakes with a light layer of butter. Misen and Anolon released cleanly, but Strata had some slight sticking.
Misen and Anolon were both impressively nonstick right out of the box, and they've stayed that way for months.
To be totally honest with you, this was one of the toughest reviews I've ever done because all three pans perform really well, and they're all priced pretty much the same.

Blu Skillet Ironware 13in fry pan

1 voice 1 claim no objections yet

Hestan frying pan

1 voice 1 claim no objections yet

Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

1 voice 1 claim no objections yet

0:30 supports Liz Cookware Reviewer
the lodge 6q enameled cast iron Dutch oven is a versatile and durable piece of cookware known for its ability to retain and distribute heat evenly

performance tested it Amazon Basics vs Lodge vs Staub vs Le Creuset Dutch Ovens

Cites even heating, non-stick surface, ease of cleaning, even heating, heat retention

all four ovens scored a perfect 10 out of 10 for heat retention and evenness of cooking
the L cruset Lodge and stove have a non-stick enamel finish over the interior and exterior of the pots Amazon does not have enamel but instead is pre-seasoned lay cruset and Lodge each scored Perfect 10 out of 10 however we did notice some veggies sticking to the bottom of both the stove and Amazon dutch ovens while…
while the lodge was a pretty quick cleanup there was some Browning we noticed from the oven that didn't come out when cleaning taking it down to a 7 out of 10

Lodge carbon steel pan

1 voice 1 claim 1 objection

Matfer Bourgeat black steel round frying pan

1 voice 1 claim no objections yet

Strata carbon steel pan

1 voice 1 claim no objections yet

Tramontina cast iron skillet

1 voice 1 claim no objections yet

0:30 supports Approved By Elle earns commission on this
and this one is very high quality. So, if you need a cast iron skillet, this one is a great choice.

recommendation owns one Enameled Cast Iron Skillet Review | Tramontina Bestow 12-Inch Pan #amazonfinds #castironcooking

Approved By Elle earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites build quality

Viking enameled cast iron skillet

1 voice 1 claim no objections yet

What do cooks say about skillets in general?

Claims about skillets that name no single product — technique, materials, what to look for. Still evidence, and often the claims that decide a purchase.

3:01 supports THE FOOD-DEE Professional Kitchens
these pans are built to last they will last your generation your kids generations you can pass them down to your great grandchildren and they'll still be around and still working great as long as you take care of them these things are meant to take a beating from my years of cooking we use cast iron pans and carbon…

durability owns and uses it daily Don’t Make this Mistake! Follow These Rules for Carbon Steel Cookware & Cast iron

Cites coating durability, durability, repairability

these pans are built to last they will last your generation your kids generations you can pass them down to your great grandchildren and they'll still be around and still working great as long as you take care of them these things are meant to take a beating from my years of cooking we use cast iron pans and carbon…
if you do for some reason scratch the coating off your pan and leave a big gouge in it don't worry it's not the end of the world all you need to do a little secret here all you need to do is cook with it that's it as you cook with it the oils are going to polymerize back to the pan and rebuild up that scratch piece…
your pan is rusted that's it it's over pans ruined throw it out get a new one no all you need to do is give it a good cleaning scrub all that rust off heat it up re-season your pan and continue cooking with it that's it hand recovered
1:30 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
the non-stick pans that you buy are gonna gradually become less and less non-stick. So the great steering that you can get in this pan and its ability to become more and more naturally non-stick makes this a favorite here at The Test Kitchen. All of our Test Cooks love this pan and we love to use it. In fact, we kind…

best in class uses it professionally, daily Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites coating durability, heat retention, maintenance, non-stick surface, versatility

As we saw with the burgers, the carbon steel pan has certain traits that really make it a great all-around pan. It definitely has that nice heat retention and heat transfer of a cast iron pan. It has that nice release of a non-stick pan. This is a great all-around pan, does almost anything you want it to do, it's…
0:30 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
Retains a lot of the properties that we love in cast iron, this ability to retain heat and really put a nice sear on food, but it's much easier to handle.

performance owns and uses it daily Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites ergonomics, heat control, safety, ease of cleaning, even heating, heat retention, non-stick surface

Other secret of this pan is its ability to become naturally non-stick. So the smooth grain of this takes to seasoning a little faster than cast iron and it becomes very rapidly non-stick when you season it. And you can cook in it with just a little bit of fat, and food will just come right out. So if you're really…
Stainless steel or, in particular, a fully clad pan where there are layers of stainless steel, aluminum, and stainless steel is really known for its ability to make even, uniform heat. The aluminum transmits heat very quickly, stainless steel much more slowly. The stainless retains it so it spreads, and you get this…
In the carbon steel, I think we got the sort of Goldilocks moment. You get this really beautiful golden brown crust that is deeply brown, and nice, and crusty. Inside is nice and pink. And you really get this nice contrast between the brown crust and the cooked interior that is nice and juicy. So I thought it was a…
When we were done, there was almost nothing in the pan. It was just, I wipe it out, rinse it out, and we're good to go.
8:33 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
First, a broad cooking surface. We preferred pans that offered at least 10 inches of flat cooking surface.

recommendation tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites handle, shape and form, size and capacity

That extra height is really necessary for containing hot oil and food, such as when frying donuts and shallow frying chicken.
but we preferred those with wide broad loops that we could really hang onto, especially when wearing oven mitts
Generally though, we recommend buying a 12 inch skillet if you can. It's always good to have the option of a bigger pan for recipes of different sizes
3:01 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
Artisan makers often cast their to have thinner sides, but a thicker bottom which cuts down on the total weight of the pan, but keeps that heat retention capability.

performance tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites heat retention, non-stick surface, surface finish, weight

Most artisan makers will also take the time to hand polish their pan surface, which makes it naturally non-stick much faster than a mass produced pan.
2:01 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
Generally being a single piece of metal also makes these skillets very sturdy.

durability tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites build quality, coating, durability, ease of cleaning, maintenance, rust resistance

These cast iron pans start out like traditional cast iron, but then they're coated in a glass like vitreous glaze that seals the pan from air and moisture that could cause rust
their enamel coating makes enamel cast iron pans virtually maintenance free. You never have to season them and you can soak, use soap and scrub as much as you'd like.
Okay, that is my buying guide for these wonderful lifetime pans.
0:30 supports Valerie Li Stack Cookware Reviewer
And with plenty of views in the right care, their surface becomes naturally non-stick.

performance tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites non-stick surface, seasoning durability

As Hannah said, an important feature of cast iron skillets is its natural non-stick ability.
Repeated exposure to smoking hot oil continues to build on this coating, making it more slippery and durable. That's why even though most skillets these days come with a factory seasoning, the surface will become even more non-stick with repeated use.
0:30 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
In terms of cooking, there's very little these pans can't do.

performance tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites even heating, heat conduction, heat retention, searing and crust, versatility

Its superpower is that it can retain and conduct plenty of heat for deep browning of food.
like regular cast iron, these pans have excellent heat retention, so they'll sear, fry and braise well maintaining the heat you want without undesirable temperature dips as food is added or flipped
Though all of these are gonna sear a great steak.
A thick heavy pan has the mass and density to hold more heat than a thinner pan does, and once preheated will cook more evenly than a thinner and lighter pan
0:00 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
Cast iron skillets are one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can buy since they work on the stove top in the oven, even on the grill.

use-case fit tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites acid resistance, induction compatible, maintenance, oven safe, stovetop compatibility, versatility

Best of all, you can cook almost anything, even acidic foods that need to be simmered for a long time like a tomato sauce because the enamel seals the cast iron making the pan rust proof and non-reactive.
While both regular and enameled cast iron pans are induction compatible, the smoother enameled bottoms can be a little gentler on glass cooktops
Enameled is for the person that never wants to think about seasoning their pan. Enamel doesn't need it.
0:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Most cast iron skillets today come pre-seasoned so you can start cooking right away

performance You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites acid resistance, ease of cleaning, even heating, heat retention, maintenance, non-stick surface, rust resistance, seasoning durability

When you do need to season it, all you have to do is clean it, dry it, rub it with a thin layer of oil, and bake it in the oven. Although the baking portion takes an hour or so, the actual work you need to do takes less than 5 minutes. It’s not a big deal and it’s not difficult
But the reality is that seasoning isn't just oil; it's polymerized oil that's been bonded to the cast iron. It's hard and tough and as long as the dish soap doesn't contain lye or sodium hydroxide, a few drops won't hurt
I always recommend using a chainmail to clean cast iron, but if you cooked an especially messy meal and chainmail is not doing the trick, mild dish soap is okay
As you can see, the soap didn’t impact the seasoning at all
Cast iron develops non-stick properties over time with proper seasoning, but it's not totally non-stick like a Teflon-coated pan
But flavoring food with a small amount of acidic ingredients, such as a splash of wine, vinegar, or lemon juice, won't cause any issues
If you're not cooking highly acidic foods for a long time, like over 30 minutes, the seasoning should be fine
To prove this point, I squeezed a whole lemon into this cast iron pan and let it simmer for about 4 minutes. After removing the lemon juice and wiping the skillet, you can see that the seasoning wasn't affected at all
One of the reasons I love cast iron is that it retains heat exceptionally well
Once it's fully preheated, it retains heat well, so your food will cook evenly
That may be true, but in my experience, this step is completely unnecessary. If the skillet is well-seasoned and you dry it thoroughly, it shouldn’t rust, and you don't need to oil it after each use
1:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Carbon steel, with its lower carbon content, is more pliable. In other words, it can be bent and shaped without cracking.

durability Carbon Steel Pans EXPLAINED (What They Don’t Tell You)

Cites acid resistance, durability, ease of cleaning, flexibility, maintenance, scratch resistance, seasoning durability

carbon steel pans are made thinner and significantly lighter than cast iron while still being incredibly durable.
For acidic foods, stainless steel and enameled cast iron are better options since there's no seasoning to damage and those materials are non-reactive.
For acidic foods, stainless steel and enameled cast iron are better options since there's no seasoning to damage and those materials are non-reactive.
But you don't need to do it often and after you do it once, you realize how easy it is.
In my experience, mild dish soap does no harm.
One of the biggest advantages of carbon steel is its durability. It won't crack or break if you drop it, which can happen with cast iron.
And there's no coating or enamel that can wear down or chip.
You can use metal utensils and even cut food in it, although I try to avoid that because the sharp edge will scratch the seasoning.
It’s one of the rare products that gets better with age. The more you use it, the better the seasoning develops.
1:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
The higher carbon in cast iron makes it harder but also more brittle. That's why cast iron has such thick walls - thinner walls would be prone to cracking.

durability owns and uses it daily Carbon Steel Pans EXPLAINED (What They Don’t Tell You)

Cites acid resistance (against), dishwasher safe (against), durability (against), maintenance (against), rust resistance (against), scratch resistance (against), seasoning durability (against), warp resistance (against)

The one major limitation with carbon steel pans is acidic foods. A squeeze of lemon or a splash of wine won’t hurt, but prolonged exposure to acidic foods, like tomato sauce, will strip the layer of seasoning right off the looking surface.
Bare cast iron pans have this same issue.
Carbon steel consists primarily of iron, which rusts when exposed to water and air.
The fact that you need to season carbon steel pans may seem like a major downside, and for some, it's a deal-breaker.
The two rules that I do highly recommend following are, one, don’t put carbon steel pans in the dishwasher. The hot water, steam, and dish detergent will ruin the seasoning.
And two, always dry your pans completely after washing them. Even a well-seasoned pan can rust if moisture is left on it for long periods.
if you notice tiny black bits on your food when you cook with carbon steel, or if you wipe the pan with a paper towel and the paper towel turns black, that's a sign that you need to deep clean your pan. Those black bits are either tiny pieces of the seasoning flaking, burnt food, or both.
One of the biggest advantages of carbon steel is its durability. It won't crack or break if you drop it, which can happen with cast iron.
You can use metal utensils and even cut food in it, although I try to avoid that because the sharp edge will scratch the seasoning.
The one thing you need to be cautious about is warping. If you expose it to drastic temperature changes, like rinsing it under cold water when it's piping hot, the metal can expand and contract unevenly, which leads to a wobbly, unusable pan.
1:01 supports
because these pans are made entirely of metal they have no upper limits on their oven safe temperatures so you can use them in the oven anytime

performance tested it Equipment Review: Best Carbon-Steel Skillets (Can This One Pan Do It All?) & Our Testing Winner

Cites ease of cleaning, even heating, heat conduction, heating speed, non-stick surface, oven safe

most of the pans once we'd seasoned them were amazingly non-stick after one round of seasoning we saw fried eggs sliding around like a puck in air hockey
omelets rolling out in perfect golden Oblongs zero sticking
Tarts popped right out with very few exceptions looking glossy and intact
most of the time we weren't even tempted to scrub because nothing stuck we could practically just wipe them out with a paper towel after we were cooking
a smoking hot traditional Skillet does a perfectly acceptable job and a cast iron skillet is brilliant at Browning and Searing but we found the carbon steel pans trumped both of them
impressively deep even Browning in the best carbon steel pans easily on a par with cast iron
they're lighter and thinner so they heat up in almost half the time as cast iron
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And because they retain heat so incredibly well, they're even better than traditional stainless steel skillets when it comes to browning and searing food or shallow frying.

performance tested it Equipment Review: The Best Traditional & Enameled Cast-Iron Skillets / Pans & Our Testing Winners

Cites even heating, heat retention, non-stick surface

They also gradually get a slick surface patina that releases food easily.
In fact, a well seasoned cast iron skillet can rival and certainly outlast any non-stick pan.
Now, as for the enameled pans, we saw that in recipes that required plenty of fat, like steaks or fried chicken cutlets, enameled pans all released foods well and delivered good browning.
When we made cornbread and flipped over the pans, all the traditional skillets instantly turned out perfectly brown, crisprusted cornbread, but four of the six enamelled models stuck to the cornbread and tore out a chunk of the bottom crust.
Both are going to give you great heat retention and browning.
1:00 objects Adam Cookware Reviewer
But you know, in our test, testers found that actually it didn't sear or brown food quite as evenly. It ran a little bit hot because it was a little bit lighter, and simple formula, less mass, less heat retention, less even browning.

performance tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites even heating (against), heat retention (against), weight

9:33 supports Jed
i love to suggest cast iron to people on stovetop you know versus something like proline because the reality is you can go down to the hardware store and buy a piece of lodge cookware for 40 bucks compared to a you know 270 dollar or more stainless steel pan and the results are amazing

recommendation tested it Why I believe that Demeyere makes the best cookware in the world

What kinds of skillets are there?