When it comes to cooking fish, cast iron skillets excel at delivering perfectly seared, flavorful fillets. Cast iron skillets even heat distribution ensures fish cooks evenly and develops a delicious crust, while the natural nonstick properties of seasoned cast iron make flipping and serving a breeze. Whether you're hosting a fish fry or just want a homemade seafood dinner, a cast iron skillet is a reliable choice for restaurant-quality results at home.
Best for: Almost any food that needs searing, including steak and burgers. Cast-iron pans are ovenproof, so you can use them to roast meats like beef or pork and to bake cornbread, deep-dish pizza, shepherd’s pie, and more. And they retain heat so well that they’re a good choice for deep-frying chicken, doughnuts, or other foods because they keep the oil at a constant temperature.
The details: Cast-iron frying pans are practically indestructible, and they’re handed down for generations in many families. That makes their typically low price even more attractive. And if well cared for, cast iron develops a patina that releases food almost as well as nonstick. But the pans are heavy, and you have to be patient when heating them up because they don’t come up to temperature fast. Once they do, however, they retain heat.
Our tests of coated and uncoated cast-iron pans show how versatile this cookware can be. We sear steaks, brown scallops, and bake cornbread to see how well a cast-iron pan works for home cooks. The best pans ace all these tests. We also judge how easy they are to clean. Because of the enamel coating, the coated pans are a bit easier to clean than the uncoated ones.
Here are two recommended cast-iron pans from our tests.

red cookware. Red cookware stands out on the stove or in the oven, making it a focal point in the kitchen. Whether you prefer a modern or traditional kitchen design, red cookware can complement any aesthetic with its eye-catching color.

gas cast iron griddle. In addition to cooking traditional griddle foods like pancakes and eggs, you can also use a gas cast iron griddle to sear steaks, grill vegetables, or even cook delicate fish fillets. The flat surface of a griddle provides plenty of room to cook multiple items at once, making it ideal for preparing meals for a crowd or for multitasking in the kitchen.


Once the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the cooking surface using tongs and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease. Allow the bacon to cool briefly before serving and enjoy the delicious results of your efforts.
Other reasons why professionals dislike using non-stick frying pan sets include the fact that they are not oven-friendly and can’t be used with metal utensils. The stainless steel pans from The Indus Valley are a great alternative to non-stick pans.
Chances are, your first piece of cookware was a non stick pan. This staple material is certainly beginner-friendly, but that doesn't mean it isn't just as useful in professional kitchens, too.
Copper frying pans are also visually appealing and add a touch of elegance to any kitchen. They are also safe for use on all stovetops, including induction.
Kitchen Cookware Multifunction Rectangular Frying Pan Cast lron Wok
Difference Between Frying Pans And Sauté Pan
If your pan has an unsealed lid, it’s likely a new type of pan, such as a sauté pan or a universal non-stick pan.
Using A Cast Iron Dutch Oven


On the other hand, the French skillet is excellent for frying large quantities of food or making stews and sauces that require simmering. These dishes are challenging to cook in a frying pan, which cannot hold excess moisture, and the food may easily fall out of the pan. Examples of such meals include risotto and paella.
Cast Iron Soup Pot
Outdoor and Indoor Cooking: Dutch ovens are versatile enough to be used both indoors and outdoors. They are ideal for preparing campfire meals, as well as for use on stovetops, ovens, and grills, making them a versatile addition to any kitchen or outdoor cooking setup.
You want to match the pan to the job to get the best results in the kitchen. Skillets and saute pans are versatile, and they can handle most types of cooking methods. However, it is best to choose the suitable pans for your recipe. Take time to assess whether a saute pan or skillet is the right choice.