The Kitchen Bench
Cast Iron Skillets in 2027
A cast iron skillet sears, fries, bakes and goes from stovetop to oven to campfire. It is heavy, nearly indestructible and improves with seasoning — and it demands drying and a little care that nonstick never asks for.
By The Kitchen Bench Research Team · Updated for 2027 · Independent · Reader-supported · No paid placements
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Top picks
The reviewed cast iron skillets in this category. Each review states what is verified and what to check on the manufacturer sheet before buying.
Cast Iron Skillets
Le Creuset Signature Skillet, 11.75 Inch
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, 12 Inch
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Lodge Chef Collection Skillet 12
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Cuisinel Cast Iron Grill Pan 10.25 Inch
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 10.25 Inch
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Skillet 11 Inch
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Staub Cast Iron Fry Pan 11 Inch
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Victoria Cast Iron Skillet 12 Inch
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
FINEX Cast Iron Skillet 12-Inch
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Tramontina Bestow Enameled Cast Iron Skillet 10-Inch
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Cast Iron Skillets
Smithey Ironware No. 12 Skillet
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Head-to-head comparisons
Every difference page in this category — cast iron skillets head to head, so you can compare two products directly before choosing.
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, 12 Inch vs Le Creuset Signature Skillet, 11.75 Inch →
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, 12 Inch vs Lodge Chef Collection Skillet 12 →
- FINEX Cast Iron Skillet 12-Inch vs Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, 12 Inch →
- Tramontina Bestow Enameled Cast Iron Skillet 10-Inch vs Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Skillet 11 Inch →
- Smithey Ironware No. 12 Skillet vs Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, 12 Inch →
Inside the cast iron skillet
Illustrative exploded view — parts shown separated so you can see how it fits together. Not a photo of this exact product.
How to choose
Size
A 12-inch skillet is the all-rounder for families; a 10-inch suits smaller households. Too large a skillet for your burner heats unevenly.
Bare vs. enameled
Bare iron builds seasoning and sears superbly but needs drying and care. Enameled iron skips seasoning, tolerates acids and costs more.
Handle and weight
Cast iron is heavy. A helper handle and a comfortable grip matter, especially for a 12-inch pan full of food.
Pre-seasoned vs. raw
Most modern skillets arrive pre-seasoned. That is a starting layer, not a finished surface — cooking builds the rest.
VIP pick — the winner is inside2027
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Best Cast Iron Skillets →Browse all reviews
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The winner is insideGuides and fixes
In this category
The full cast iron skillets cluster — the hub, the ranked best list, the buying guide, the problems-and-fixes article, and the use-case picks for this category.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash cast iron with soap?
A little mild soap is fine on a well-seasoned pan. Dry it on heat and oil lightly afterward.
Is cast iron good for induction?
Yes — iron is magnetic. Check that the base sits flat on your hob.
How do I season a skillet?
Thin oil layer, heated past its smoke point, wiped almost dry, repeated. Thin layers build seasoning; thick ones flake.