For further details on mesh openings and panel sizes, please view our Sizes & Options.
cooking set for kitchen. A well-designed cooking set will have comfortable handles that stay cool on the stove and are easy to grip. This feature is crucial when handling hot cookware safely.
black iron griddle. Some models come with assist handles for easy maneuvering, while others feature helper handles for better control when lifting. Additionally, these griddles are often compatible with various cooking surfaces, including gas, electric, and induction stoves, making them adaptable to different kitchen setups.They have a single, long handle, like fry pans, but also usually feature a smaller side handle to help the cook lift the added weight of more food. Saute Pans also usually come with a lid designed to hold in moisture. This makes them much more useful for slow cooking with sauces.
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.
There are several options to consider when choosing enameled cast iron cookware. For example, ceramic-coated cast iron pans have a smooth, non-porous surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. Enamel-coated cast iron pans are ideal for cooking sauces, soups, and stews because the enamel coating prevents acidic ingredients from reacting with the metal.
Another notion is that they were created during World War II when steel was short. Cast iron skillets with enamel were produced as an alternative, making them weigh less than typical pans and pots during those days.
