The Best Cast Iron Skillet With Lid

Buying Guide

For most home cooks and professional chefs, having a cast-iron skillet in the kitchen is a must. It’s a highly versatile kitchen tool that can make anything from appetizers to mains to desserts. Having a cast iron skillet with a lid increases its versatility because you can now also braise meats and cook stews and soups in it.

Cast iron is a heavy-duty cookware material that provides excellent heat retention. It can be used at high temperatures so it provides cooks with a wide range of foods they are able to cook. Cast iron is also highly durable so you can expect to have the same skillet for several years. Cast iron skillets exist in many cultures and have different names, such as woks and karahi.

In order to use cast iron, it’s important to season the pan. This helps it to develop a non-stick coating so that you don’t need to add too much fat when cooking. The two main types of cast iron skillets are bare and enameled. Bare cast iron skillets are usually created from a single piece of metal which includes the handle. They are not seasoned, hence the term bare. These types of skillets are ideal for high temperatures, such as using them on the stovetop and then transferring them to the oven to finish the dish.

Enameled cast iron pans, on the other hand, have a vitreous enamel glaze on the surface of the pan. As a result, these pans do not need to be seasoned before use. This glaze also helps to prevent rust and enables the pan to be thoroughly cleaned. These skillets are ideal for slow cooking.

• One of the most important things to look for when buying a cast iron skillet with a lid is whether the pan has been seasoned or not. If it’s a bare cast iron skillet, it will have a rougher texture and will not come seasoned. This means that in order to use it and ensure your food doesn’t stick to the pan, you will have to season it yourself. A cast-iron skillet that has an enameled finish will not need to be seasoned and can be used right away. You will also use less fat when cooking with this kind of pan because the enamel coating will ensure the food doesn’t stick. Keep in mind that bare cast iron pans can handle higher heat than coated ones.
• Consider how the cast iron skillet can be used. Some are only designed to be used on an electric or gas stove, while others can go in the oven as well. Some can also be used on an outdoor grill or campfire, so they are ideal if you love to camp. Think about how you’ll be using your cast iron skillet most often and purchase the one that meets your needs.
• Review the shape and size of the pan itself. For example, a pan with higher sides can be used to make soups and stews in addition to everything else, so it provides an extra layer of versatility.
• While the pan itself is important, the handle is what provides cooks control and comfort. You need a skillet that has a strong, ergonomic handle so you can carefully maneuver your pan. Keep in mind that the handles of the cast iron skillet often heat up just as much as the pan itself, so in order to hold them, you will need some kind of heat-proof covering. Some cast-iron skillets are sold with a silicone cover for the handle, which makes it easier to control your skillet.