Are Stainless Steel Pans Dishwasher Safe?

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.

    To use a cast iron grill pan, first preheat over medium-high heat.  Once hot, place food on the ridged surface of the cast iron grill pan and let it sear and develop those mouth-watering grill marks.  It's important to avoid overcrowding the cast iron grill pan, as this can prevent proper browning and cooking.  Additionally, using a spatula or tongs specifically designed for use with cast iron cookware can help protect the sauce in the cast iron grill pan.

The frying pan should be light enough for you to lift and move. You should feel safe when cooking because the handle should remain cool. The frying pan is useful for browning, scorching, and reducing the temperature of your food quickly.