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Last Updated: May 28, 2024, 4:10 a.m.

Cast iron skillets have become increasingly popular because of their durability, versatility, and ability to retain and distribute heat evenly. They're made by pouring molten iron into a mold, which results in a solidly constructed pan with excellent heat retention. You can use the cast iron skillet on a stovetop, oven, or campfire. You can use it for various cooking techniques, including frying, sautéing, baking, and even shallow frying. Cast irons require more maintenance than a typical ceramic or nonstick pan; however, a well-maintained cast iron skillet can last for decades, making it a worthy investment. Our team researched the best cast iron skillets with lids and settled on the Legend Cast Iron Skillets with Lid as our favorite. It's made from premium-grade steel, comes lightly pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, and has a more extended handle for easier lifting.

The Best Cast Iron Skillet with Lid Buying Guide

Here’s a complete buying guide:

Key Considerations When Buying a Cast Iron Skillet With a Lid

Some important considerations are:

Weight

The wider the skillet, the heavier it is going to be. Cast iron pans can be weighty, look for pans that have long handles with comfortable grips or simply a smaller size.

Enameled or bare

Enameled skillets are not as durable as traditional cast iron ones but come in a variety of colors. They’re easy to clean and are lighter as well. Because of the finished surface, it’s hard or maybe impossible to build a patina on enameled pans. Bare cast iron needs to be seasoned before use. They are heavier and long-lasting but require regular maintenance to keep the sheen and surface. With regular seasoning, such pans can develop a non-stick layer that makes cooking even easier.

Pouring spouts, handles, and lids

Make sure you consider the kind of pouring spots, length of handles, and kind of lid for the skillet. If you’d be using the pan for sauces or gravy, a spout on both or either side of the pan makes it easy to use. Ensure that the handle is long and has a protective grip while the choice of the lid is a matter of preference. You can get a heavy cast iron lid or one with tempered glass ones.

Difference Between Seasoned, Enameled, and Bare Cast Iron Skillets

Cast iron skillets and lids come in in two options mainly; bare and pre-seasoned. Bare cast iron skillets with lids require the user to season them. You would have to season the pan with oil in a particular manner before you can use it for the first time. With pre-seasoned cast iron skillets, you don’t need to go through the whole process. They come with a protective seasoning layer that has been built up by the manufacturer. They’re made to be used right out of the box. However, always remember that no kind of cast iron skillet is a non-stick right out of the box, this quality builds up with layers of seasoning and time. Enameled cast iron skillets with lid feature a porcelain coat that doesn’t require as much care and maintenance as a traditional cast-iron skillet pan would. You wouldn’t have to season it to keep it safe from rusting or warping. That also means that such skillets will not develop seasoning nor become non-stick over time and use. Enameled cast iron pans are not as durable as cast iron, they can crack or chip with prolonged or rough use.

Tips to Maintain and Care for a Cast Iron Skillet With Lid

A few simple tips to keep your cast iron cookware nice and healthy include:

Try to always hand wash the skillet while using only warm water. You can skip dishwashing liquid if there are no stubborn, extra greasy food leftovers there.
Scrub the pan with a bristled brush.
Never put a hot skillet underwater as the cast iron can warp, always wait for it to cool down thoroughly after cooking before you start the cleanup.
Try to use the skillet pan with care as dropping it can cause cracks, especially when it’s hot.
Avoid putting the skillet in the dishwasher.
Do not store the skillet when it’s even slightly damp. Make sure it’s completely dry.
If you see any rust spots you can simply rub them away with fine-grade sandpaper and go on with the regular cleaning.
Give the skillet an additional layer of seasoning when cooking acidic food with vinegar or citrus fruit. You can do it by wiping down some oil in a light coat with kitchen paper to protect against chemical damage.

How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet Pan?

Here’s how you can keep your cast iron cookware clean and shiny:

For uncoated cast iron skillets, special care needs to be practiced when it comes to cleaning. Make sure that you check the manufacturer’s instructions before you start cleaning.
Generally, you can boil water in the pan to loosen up the scraps of food stuck and gently scrape them off after.
Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the pan.
Use hot water and mild soap to remove grease from the pan without damaging the seasoning layer.
Dry the pan completely after washing before you store it in the cabinet.
If the skillet and the lid aren’t very well seasoned, you can wipe down a thin layer of oil with a paper towel on it after cleaning to prevent rusting.
To enhance the seasoning, you can heat up the pan after drying it.

Conclusion

Cast iron skillets can easily be categorized as the most used and versatile cooking utensil. We’ve researched and reviewed the best cast iron skillets in 2023 in this article for you. The guide also explains some easy and quick tips to buy and maintain this kind of cookware.

Top Picks

Best Overall: Legend Cast Iron Skillets With Lid
Most Durable: Lodge Cast Iron Skillets With Lid
Most Colorful: Bruntmor Cast Iron Skillets With Lid
Deepest Pan Depth: Nutrichef Cast Iron Skillets With Lid

Reviews

Best Overall

Legend Cast Iron Skillets With Lid

Pros	Cons
Easy handling with long silicone handle Durable and long-lasting built Tempered glass to easily monitor cooking progress	Poor instruction about seasoning

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Most Durable

Lodge Cast Iron Skillets With Lid

Pros	Cons
Even and quick heating for proper cooking Pre-seasoned and ready for use The liquid condensing lid prevents dry outs	Not safe for dishwasher use

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Most Colorful

Bruntmor Cast Iron Skillets With Lid

Pros	Cons
Prevents spilling with knob and handle grip Compatibility with multiple cooking ranges and oven Easy to clean and maintain	Might seem too heavy with a lid on

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Deepest Pan Depth

Nutrichef Cast Iron Skillets With Lid

Pros	Cons
Non-stick layer for easy food release Pre-seasoning to prevent rusting Easy to handle	Poor customer service

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FAQs

Can you cook all kinds of food in a cast iron skillet?

Avoid cooking acidic food in an uncoated cast iron skillet as it will make the food taste metallic. Also, refrain from cooking sticky food and delicate food such as fish that can easily break apart, stick and create a mess.

Can I remove the seasoning from a cast iron skillet? How?

Yes, although it is not recommended to remove it, you can do so by placing the skillet in the oven for the cleaning cycle or heating it up on the grill if it allows high temperature.

Should I season a cast iron lid?

Yes, it is necessary to season the cast iron lids as well. However, you can do so less frequently than the skillet itself.

Is an enameled cast iron skillet better than a bare cast iron skillet?

Enameled cast iron is more durable and long-lasting. They’re also easier to clean and are somewhat lighter than bare cast iron cookware.