Your Guide to the Best Cast Iron Skillets for Any Recipe

For those who don't fear the heat.

BY STAFF @THE BRIMLY TEST KITCHEN

June 3, 2024

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Alright, let's talk cookware—specifically, the mighty cast iron skillet. These pans have been the cornerstone of the kitchen for ages, and for good reason. Durable, fantastic at holding heat, and versatile enough to handle anything you throw at them, they're a must-have whether you're new to the idea of them or not. Today, we're diving into five standout cast iron skillets that you need to know about: the Our Place Tiny Cast Iron Always Pan, the Barebones Living All-in-One Cast Iron Skillet, the Lodge Blacklock Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, the Vermicular Lightweight Japanese Cast-Iron Frying Pan, and the Smithey Mini Cast-Iron Skillet. Each of these brings something unique to the table, helping you gear up your cooking experience. So, let's get into it and see what makes these pans worth it!

Our Place Tiny Cast Iron Pan

Heat: Excellent retention •Strength: Durable build •Stickiness: Non-stick surface •Use: Multi-functional •Care: Easy cleaning

The Our Place Tiny Cast Iron Always Pan is a thoughtfully designed piece of cookware that aims to simplify and enhance your cooking experience. Known for their innovative and stylish kitchen products, Our Place has created this pan to be versatile, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. The Tiny Cast Iron Always Pan is crafted to combine the benefits of cast iron with modern features, making it an ideal choice for small-batch cooking and everyday kitchen tasks. This pan is designed to replace multiple pieces of cookware, offering a multi-functional solution for home cooks looking for efficiency and convenience.

$60 AT OUR PLACE

Barebones Living Cast Iron Skillet

Heat: Excellent retention •Strength: Outdoor durability •Stickiness: Non-stick surface •Use: Versatile functions •Care: Simple maintenance

The Barebones Living 6-Inch All-in-One Cast Iron Skillet is a versatile and robust piece of cookware designed to cater to a wide range of cooking needs, both indoors and outdoors. Barebones Living, a brand known for its commitment to quality and outdoor lifestyle products, has crafted this skillet to provide the durability and performance of traditional cast iron with added versatility. This skillet is perfect for small-batch cooking, including frying, baking, and searing. Its compact size and all-in-one design make it an ideal companion for camping trips, outdoor cooking, and everyday use in the kitchen.

$70 AT AMAZON

Lodge Blacklock Cast Iron Skillet

Heat: Superior retention •Strength: Robust build •Stickiness: Triple-seasoned •Use: Multi-surface •Care: Proper maintenance

The Lodge Blacklock Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is a premium product from Lodge, a company with over a century of experience in crafting high-quality cast iron cookware. Named after the original Lodge foundry, Blacklock, this skillet is designed to offer superior performance with modern advancements. The skillet is triple seasoned, providing an excellent non-stick surface right out of the box. It's lighter than traditional cast iron skillets, making it easier to handle while still retaining the durability and heat retention properties of cast iron. This skillet is perfect for a variety of cooking techniques, including frying, searing, baking, and more.

$60 AT AMAZON

Vermicular Cast-Iron Frying Pan

Heat: Excellent distribution •Strength: Lightweight durability •Stickiness: Smooth surface •Use: Versatile •Care: Easy maintenance

The Vermicular Lightweight Japanese Cast-Iron Frying Pan is a premium piece of cookware that combines the durability and heat retention of traditional cast iron with innovative design to significantly reduce weight. Made in Japan, Vermicular pans are renowned for their precise craftsmanship and advanced engineering, making them a favorite among both professional chefs and home cooks. This frying pan is designed to offer superior cooking performance while being easier to handle and maintain than conventional cast iron pans.

$125 AT FOOD 52

Smithey Mini Cast-Iron Skillet

Heat: Excellent retention •Strength: Sturdy build •Stickiness: Polished surface •Use: Single-serving •Care: Easy upkeep

The Smithey Mini Cast-Iron Skillet is a high-quality kitchen tool designed for small-batch cooking and specialized culinary tasks. Smithey Ironware Company, known for its craftsmanship and dedication to quality, has created this skillet to cater to both professional chefs and home cooks who appreciate the durability and performance of cast iron. This skillet is perfect for searing small portions of meat, frying an egg, or baking a single-serve dessert. Its compact size makes it a versatile addition to any kitchen.

$85 AT SMITHEY

To wrap up, these five cast iron skillets highlight why they remain kitchen staples. The Our Place Tiny Cast Iron Always Pan excels for solo meals, and the Barebones Living All-in-One Cast Iron Skillet is ideal for outdoor cooking. The Lodge Blacklock Triple Seasoned Skillet combines tradition with modern features, the Vermicular Lightweight Japanese Cast-Iron Frying Pan offers an innovative design, and the Smithey Mini Cast-Iron Skillet is perfect for single-serve dishes.

Choose any of these skillets to enhance your cooking experience and enjoy more delicious meals.