Grilling on the stove or grill is a bit more complicated than it seems. The thing is, you need some quality pans or accessories to really grill just right.
We love cast iron because it always delivers fantastic results. Most cast iron pans are universal enough that you can use them on the stove, in the oven, or even on the grill.
In this article, we’ll be focusing on cast iron grill pans. These pans allow you to work with a grill-like surface even when you’re cooking on the stove.
What is the best cast iron grill pan? The very best option is really going to depend on your preferences to some extent. Generally, you’ll want to look for a durable build and something that will also be easy to use and clean. You may also want to consider purchasing a pre-seasoned pan for your convenience.
In this guide, we will share with you the 7 best cast iron grill pans. We’ve sorted through all of the options to find not only a variety of choices but also the best options out there.
We’ll provide you with complete reviews of our top picks as well as some helpful information for choosing the right pan to suit your needs.
How to Choose a Cast Iron Grill Pan
As we dive into your options here in a moment, there are some things that you just might want to keep in mind as you browse.
While your choices should certainly reflect your preferences, there are also things that you may simply want to be aware of before you buy.
Take a look through this quick buying guide just to make sure you are fully informed.
1. Overall Quality
There is a lot that goes into the quality of a cast iron pan of any kind. Ultimately, you want to know that it is solid and durable and not just going to fall apart.
Generally, cast iron is pretty indestructible, but not all pans are made equal. You could end up with a pan with cheap plastic handles that melt, loose rivets, cracked or blemished iron, etc.
Check out all of the different features individually to determine if the pan is well-made and whether it’s designed for the cooking purposes you intend to use it for.
2. Handles
Most cast iron cooking subjects your pan to intense heat and sometimes even open flame. Keeping this in mind, the design and material of the handles make a big difference.
You don’t want a handle that will melt or transfer heat to your hands. If you are planning to use your pan in the oven, you want it to be able to handle the heat (no pun intended).
You need a handle that you can grab easily to control or move your pan without hurting yourself. You may want to consider a long handle if you plan to use your pan on the grill or with flame of any kind.
Ultimately, you want something easy to lift and maneuver. It should be well-balanced with the pan as well, since cast iron is very heavy, which brings us to our next point.
3. Weight
The weight of the pan really does matter. A lot of people prefer lightweight pans, but when it comes to cast iron, the more weight the better.
Lightweight pans that are cast iron are typically not as great quality as the heavier weight cast iron pans.
Heavier cast iron pans typically offer better heat retentions as well as more even cooking. When compared to lightweight cast iron, cooking can be uneven and you are even more likely to burn food while cooking.
However, if you have trouble lifting heavier objects, a lighter-weight cast iron pan, or even a different material, may work for you. You’ll just have to keep a closer eye on your food to avoid under-cooking or burning it.
4. Seasoning
One thing that you should keep in mind is that many of these cast iron grill pans will come labeled as pre-seasoned.