Cast Iron Pans
Discover > Product Recs > Cast Iron Pans
One of the things you’ll hear most about a good cast-iron skillet is that they last a lifetime. There probably isn't a household in Texas that doesn't have one that's been passed down from generation to generation. When cared for properly, they practically last forever. Cast-iron is rustic, versatile, heavy, and durable which makes for a unique cooking experience.
Copper Cookware: Best Guide to Selecting the Right Pans: Explore our comprehensive guide to selecting the right copper cookware, ensuring you make informed choices when it comes to this stylish and efficient kitchen essential.
Budget Pans
A good cast iron skillet doesn’t mean spending a fortune. A lot of what makes these pans popular is their simplicity. Meaning you don’t need to spend an excess on branding or specs. This 10 Inch Victoria Skillet would be my go-to. If however you’re looking to go even lower and a little more practical: check out this Cooktop Cast Iron Chef Pan.
Mid-Range
Right in the middle of the range sits many of Lodge's offerings like this dual handle or as they're commonly known, baker's skillets. This is my preferred style of pans, but at the same price point, you can also get a similarly sized 10.25-inch Lodge skillet that comes with a heat-proof silicon handle that makes taking a hot skillet from the flame to the oven or table an absolute pleasure.
If the 10.25 inch skillets are too small, then you can go with their 12-inch Skillets which also come with the heat-proof silicon handles.
Texas Home Cooking: Immerse yourself in the world of Texas home cooking, where the rich culinary traditions of the Lone Star State come to life with recipes, tips, and inspiration for creating delicious meals at home.
Exclusive / Splurge
Now if you're the type of chef that has to have the best of everything or if money is no object then it might be worth taking a look at the Backcountry Round Smooth Cast Iron Skillet. It features a smooth cooking surface (much like your stainless steel pans) which promises a much more even cooking surface. These skillets are comparable with top name brands like Le Creuset, Staub, Smithey, Field, Finex, and Stargazer.
Best Cookbooks by Texas Chefs: A Definitive Guide: Elevate your home cooking with our definitive guide to the best cookbooks by Texas chefs, featuring a collection of culinary masterpieces that capture the essence of Texan cuisine.
Cast Iron Pans: The Verdict
You really can't go wrong with the 10.25-inch Lodge skillet or their larger 12-inch Skillets. Only costing a few bucks more than your generic budget pans, you get the Lodge brand of reliability (we've had a whole set for decades now!) plus you get a silicon handle that protects you from burns. While the Backcountry skillet looks pretty and it does have a smooth cooking surface, I feel like paying a hundred bucks for a cast iron skillet is just overkill. I mean, at the end of the day, it is still a cast iron pan and the performance will be similar no matter the cost.
If you really need a smooth cooking surface, get the Lodge cast iron pan, and use the savings to get a separate 10-inch stainless steel pan from Cuisinart and you'd still have more than enough to get a couple of nice steaks, some eggs, and seasonal veggies to test those pans with!
Food Trends to Look Out For: Stay ahead of the culinary curve with our Texas Mom Blog's exploration of the latest food trends, offering insights and inspiration for incorporating innovative flavors into your kitchen.
Cast Iron Pans: Extras
Cast-iron requires a little more care and attention than stainless steel or nonstick cookware. It needs to be cleaned with special soap and seasoned every three or four months with Cast-Iron Oil.
If it’s not included with your skillet already, a set of Leather Hot Handle Holders can be both practical and stylish. I’ve burned my palms more times than I’d like to admit grabbing hot panhandles in my haste.
Have You Heard of These Top 10 Food Trends?: Discover the top 10 food trends making waves in the culinary world with our Texas Mom Blog, providing a sneak peek into the flavors and innovations shaping the food landscape.
