Gear

The Best Cast Iron Skillets and How To Clean Them

From Lodge to Le Creuset, these black and enamel cast iron pots will last pretty much forever, if you treat them right.

by Donna Freydkin
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

If you want a true investment piece for your kitchen, look no further than a cast iron skillet. When it comes to durability, longevity and just good taste, a cast iron pot is your go-to tool. It cooks food evenly, and it lasts and lasts and lasts. Yes, you can choose from a smorgasbord of pricey, fancy, tricked-out pots and pans, which all claim to transform you into Thomas Keller. And yes, some of them really are worth the price. But when you spring for the best cast iron skillet, it’s hard to go wrong. The more you use it, the better it gets.

There are two varieties to choose from: black cast iron, and enamel cast iron. The one you pick depends on how much time you want to invest in your pan. Meaning, it’s best to pre-season a black cast iron pan, because it boosts the flavor output, while ceramic ones are wash and wear.

“The black cast iron with no enamel coating are usually sold pre-seasoned. That pan is ready to go and you can start cooking in it. It’s going to keep acquiring more seasoning and it will become more nonstick and less prone to rusting,” says Lisa McManus, executive editor of tastings and testing at America’s Test Kitchen. “The enamel cast iron has a glass-like glaze on it. It has a coating over the cast iron. It can’t rust. This pan is better if you don’t want to bother with seasoning a pan.”

Which brings us to the one downside of black cast iron: You’ve got to take care of it. This means scrubbing it with kosher salt and cooking oil, rubbing it down, rinsing it off, patting it dry and never, ever using soap. Ceramic cast irons skip this step. Just wash them gently by hand using warm soap and water, or throw them in the dishwasher if you’re feeling brave.

Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Skillet
$119.95
Le Creuset Cast Iron Dutch Oven

This workhorse 1-quart enameled Dutch oven needs no seasoning after each use, and it’s suitable for both stovetops and ovens. These come in a slew of sizes, so upgrade to a 13-quart one if you're planning big dinners. You can use a Dutch oven like this one to make anything from stews to soups to roasts; and for cooking, roasting, searing, stir-frying or baking.

$155
Cuisinart CI670-30CR Cast Iron Pot
$129.94
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
$19.89
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
$69.98
Staub Braising Cast Iron Pot

Carnivores, rejoice: This is the pot you need to brown and braise meats. The handles are clutch for easy maneuverability. And the lid is domed for sizable chunks of lamb or beef. The interior is textured black matte enamel, which gives you perfectly seared and browned cuts.

$471
Cuisinart Chicken Fryer Cast Iron Pan
$89.99

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