A cast iron pan, or a skillet as it’s known in America, is a must-have for home cooks.
You might associate them with rustic cowboy-like cooking, but the heavy duty pans have been around since China’s Han Dynasty in 220 A.D.
Little wonder they’ve been loved through the ages: this pan can do it all. From frying and sautéing to roasting and more, it’s a versatile piece of cookware that can be your golden ticket to tucking into some incredible home-cooked dishes.
Made from dense metal, most cast iron pans can be used over various heat sources (induction, gas, electric and naked flame), warming slowly and steadily but once hot, retaining that heat for a long time.
What’s the difference between a cast iron pan and a frying pan?
Rohit Ghai chef patron of modern Indian restaurant Kutir explains: “The two are very different. Cast iron pans are heavyweight and can be used in the oven which many frying pans with plastic handles cannot - this means they can even be used for baking. Non-stick frying pans have a limit on their heat and do not retain heat as effectively as cast iron pans due to their coating.”
What can you make in a cast iron skillet?
A simple Google search will unravel hundreds of skillet recipe ideas, from one-pan chicken pot pie to cheesy enchiladas. But the best thing to cook, according to Norma’s executive chef Giovann Attard, is meat. He explains: “Cast iron pans are the best for meat in my opinion. I love a cast iron griddle pan, it’s the closest thing you can have to a BBQ inside the house. The heat is distributed evenly, and it holds for a long time, which helps in getting a good sear on your meat.”
Selin Kiazim from luxury Turkish restaurant Oklava agrees, adding: “the cooking surface will always stay flat which is perfect for caramelising a steak. The other big plus point is that a cast iron pan can go in the oven, making it perfect for cooking items where you may want to get a crispy skin with some oven time. I use mine for roasting chicken, cooking fish, searing cabbage wedges etc. I couldn’t do without it, frankly.”
For Ghai, a cast iron pan is ideal for creating Indian cuisine. He says: “they are perfect for slow cooking curries, frying meats and also baking. I personally prefer to make Rogan Josh dal fry and fresh fenugreek with potato stir fry in cast iron skillets as this is the best way to maximise flavour and colour of the dish.”
How to season a cast iron skillet
The best skillets are family heirlooms, but if you’re the first in your clan to own one, there are a few steps you’ll want to take to ensure its longevity.
Chiefly, seasoning. Seasoning keeps the pan from rusting (never a tasty ingredient) and gives the porous metal a non-stick coating making it easier to cook with. Many experts agree that even if a pan is sold as pre-seasoned, you should do it again yourself to reinforce the finish.
Jun Tanaka, chef patron of The Ninth, has straightforward steps: “Preheat the oven to 180c. Wash and dry your cast iron pan. To make sure that all that moisture has gone, place in the oven for 5 minutes. Allow to cool down then spread an even layer of vegetable oil all over the inside of the pan using a cloth. Make sure that there is no excess oil then place the pan in the oven for 30 minutes. Allow to cool then coat in oil again and place in the oven for 30 minutes. Repeat 3 times. The pan is now ready to use.”
Any oil or fat with a high smoke point will work; vegetable, sunflower and canola oil. A well-seasoned skillet should be dark with a semi-gloss finish; no rough bits.
How to clean and care for a cast iron skillet
Attard warns: “Never put it in the dishwasher, and never use strong chemicals or loads of soap to clean it. Just hand wash with warm soapy water gently after each use, and re-oil before storing.” And if it does get rusty, all is not lost. Kiazim advises: “dry it immediately to prevent rust. If it does get rusty, scrub the rust off and repeat the seasoning process.”
Re-season your skillet two to three times a year to keep it in good nick.
If you’re ready to invest in your new culinary BFF, we’ve rounded up some of the best cast iron skillets around.
From options with lids, and pans from iconic brands, to budget buys for students, here’s our pick of the best.
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Le Creuset Signature cast iron skillet
As one of the most coveted brands around, of course Le Creuset would have a skillet in its collection. This cast iron design measures 26cm across and is perfect for flash frying sirloin steak before slinging it into the oven to cook to the ‘doneness’ of your choosing - it can withstand temperatures up to 250 degrees.
Buy now £145.00, Selfridges
Lodge L3SK3 Round Skillet with Handle
That you have to fork out a small fortune for decent equipment is proved a myth with Lodge’s black round skillet, cheap enough even for students on limited means.
It measures 16.5 x 3.1cm making it perfect for small meals, side dishes and even cakes. It’s super versatile, and safe to use on all kinds of heat sources, from induction to electric and gas cookers, and definitely deserves a place on your camping kit list for cooking adventures outdoors. Two lips on either side are perfect for pouring away excess grease.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
FINEX Cast Iron Skillet with Lid
This 10-inch octagonal cast iron beauty is one for the pros - or those with seriously deep pockets. Handmade across the Atlantic in Portland, Oregon, you can use it on any heat source you have available, and it’s as sturdy for outdoor cooking as it is for inside.
Most useful of all, it’s been hand seasoned with organic flax seed oil, making it ready to go straight from the box - no faffing around with oils and buffing for you (although as we’ve mentioned, it is a prudent step). The lid is another helpful extra for cooking too.
Buy now £288.00, Amara
Lodge Skillet Round
Whether you need something to make Pizza Pilgrims’ famous stovetop pies (which call for starting on a cooker before finishing in the oven) or you want to crisp up chicken for dinner, this heavy duty cast iron pan is a real investment item.
It’s available in three sizes: 20cm, 26cm and 30cm and all options come with traditional spout edges on the lip so you can pour sauces as well as unnecessary liquid out with ease.
Buy now £41.00, Borough Kitchen
Ooni Cast Iron Skillet Pan
Better known for pizza ovens, Ooni has struck out into a world of cookware to use alongside them, such as this cast iron pan. Fine to use on all kinds of domestic and outdoor heat, the pan comes with a removable handle so you can get sizzling dishes out of the oven without scorching your palms and it comes with a wooden board for serving too.
Buy now £34.99, Ooni
Solidteknics Seamless Iron Barbecue Pan
One for BBQ buffs, this vented ‘flaming skillet’ is ideal for searing special cuts at your next cookout. Put salmon, chops and steak back on the table with this pan that allows fire and smoke to cook and flavour food.
It’s made in Australia (the handle sports a cut-out silhouette of the country) and comes pre-seasoned with rice bran oil giving you a nice, non-stick surface to use from the get-go.
Buy now £13.90, Buy Me Once
VonShef Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Pan
Food has been cooked on and in cast iron for decades: the metal is famous for retaining and evenly releasing heat, giving superb results each time. This cast iron pan has been made non-stick by a round of pre-seasoning, but you should take care to wipe it down each time to add flavour and keep it in working order by buffing with fresh cooking oil. As with the others on our list, it’s incredibly versatile: use it for everything from a Sunday morning fry-up and reverse-cooking steak to crisping pan-sized brownies before finishing off your bake in the oven.
Buy now £17.99, VonHaus
Biol Cast Iron Grill Pan Skillet with Removable Handle and Glass Lid
From making the perfect melty cheeseburgers to steaming veg, a lid is an incredibly helpful thing in giving your favourite foods an extra cheffy finesse.
This 28cm square design comes with a griddle ridges on the bottom. It does need seasoning though, so take care to do this extra step to get your skillet working as it should.
Buy now £38.99, Amazon
OnBuy 3 Piece Black Pre-Seasoned Safe Cast Iron Skillet Frying Pan Griddle
This fantastic offer gets you three pre-seasoned cast iron skillets of varying sizes to you for less than £20 - can’t say fairer than that. Perfect for a housewarming or a foodie-focused birthday gift, they can be used over a naked flame as well as an induction cooker and uniformly heats food so that it cooks evenly.
Buy now £17.99, OnBuy
