Best cast iron skillets for sizzling up a storm, tested by a food writer

I’m slightly obsessed with this unique cast iron pan, crafted in the heart of Japan. The reason lies in the fact that it channels all that’s great about cast iron cookery, with none of the minus points.

Traditional cast iron skillets can be quite heavy – which can make more nimble cooking techniques, such as stir-frying, tricky. But Japan-based Unilloy claims to make the world’s lightest cast iron, with this 26cm pan coming in at just 1.3kg. Because the pan is notably thin (the base is just 2mm thick) it heats up remarkably quickly, ideal for impatient cooks, but you still get the even cook and durability for which cast iron is known.

Also, unlike some tradition cast iron cookware, the Unilloy pan is enamel-coated, providing a non-stick finish that is easy to cook on and wash up, even if you’re working with stickier foods (I tested this pan with some pancake batter, for instance). It was telling that, even when my official skillet tests were done, of all the pans this is the one I found myself reaching for again and again.

Finally, I’m also enamoured with this pan’s good looks. The modern, slim-lined Japanese look of the Unilloy felt like a breath of fresh air and the perfect addition to contemporary cooking setups.

You can get the feel for the cast iron cookery method at a friendly price point with this affordable set of three skillets in 15cm, 20cm and 25cm formats. Just the thing if you are wanting to test out the cast iron experience without committing to a pricey pan – or, for whatever reason, you think you might only use your pans occasionally.

It’s not only the price that makes this set attractive. Each of the skillets is fringed with two useful pouring spouts, as well as a loop on the handle so you can hang them when they’re off-duty. From the smallest 15cm size, perfect for preparing a single burger, egg or side sauce, to the largest at 25cm – which can tackle family-sized meals with ease – you have a skillet here for every occasion.

You know when you get something so beautiful you’re actually afraid to use it? That’s how I felt after unboxed this skillet – made by high-end cast iron radiator company Castrads. With a gorgeous and unique burnished finish and meticulous lettering on the front handle and base, it the sort of kitchenware you want to hang up on your kitchen wall for all to admire.

However, I loved it just as much in use. Of all the pans I tested, this is one I’m confident can take a few knocks. Cast in Dorset and finished in Stockport, it’s incredibly sturdy, with a thick metal rim and ergonomic handle. The downside? It’s a bit heavy, at 2.4kg when empty.

After continued use, the original finish began to deepen in hue as I built up the pan’s natural patina – but in a way, that arguably made the Hornbeam even more beautiful.

Despite the standard 26cm diameter this feels like a generously sized pan, and I loved that the Hornbeam’s wide base was able to accommodate a couple of steaks or eggs at one time. Meanwhile, the high skillet rim kept splatters in check. It feels like every bit of this pan’s design has been carefully considered – even the production process, which is eco-sensitive, with wind-power, solar electricity and renewable energy powering the lot.

At £125 this isn’t an inexpensive cast iron skillet, of course, but it does feel like one that could last a lifetime – and then some.

I was seriously impressed with this affordable little skillet, specifically designed for outdoor cooking. Made in Germany and pre-seasoned, ready for use, it performed just as well making smash burgers on the barbecue as it did baking cornbread in the oven.

The 25cm size is just right if you’re cooking for one – a small steak or fried egg – but it’s also a great pick if you’re preparing sides and want a cast iron skillet that isn’t going to dominate the entire hob. That said, it does come in different sizes, so it can also cater for more people. Whichever size you opt for, the two-handled design makes it easy to transport from the heat source to a serving space while still hot and saves space on a cluttered camping stove or barbecue.

Le Creuset needs no introduction. This stalwart cast iron cookery brand is a kitchen icon, with a range of timeless investment pieces designed to last a lifetime (and issued with a lifetime guarantee). Like every Le Creuset item I’ve ever tested in the past – and I’ve tested a fair few – I couldn’t find fault with this 23cm skillet.

As per Le Creuset’s standard, this small pre-seasoned skillet comes with a smooth, colourful, oven-safe enamel coating, making it a bit gentler on glass hobs. I found the compact 23cm skillet to be just the right size for caramelising onions or frying a couple of eggs. And it behaved just as I’d hoped, with even cooking when used on low to medium heat settings and balanced weight for manoeuvring it across the hob.

Particularly welcome was the ‘helper handle’ notch on the opposite side of the pan, which was large enough to enable me to get a proper grip on things for safe toting when hot. I loved the pouring spout, too, making filtering off excess oil (for example, when frying mince for tacos) or pouring sauces a breeze.

I’ve been using Petromax fire skillets for outdoor cooking for years, and continue to be impressed with the range’s versatility and durability.

Furnished with two pouring spouts and an additional rim handle that lets you carry the skillet safely when hot (or hang it when not in use), this particular model ticks all the boxes for versatile cooking on open flames.

Pre-seasoned and ready for use, the 20cm pan I tested was easy to use, straightforward to clean and performed well when making fried eggs and pancakes.

With an affordable price tag (£32.99 for 20cm or £80.61 for a generous, family-sized 40cm), you can consider buying multiple pans in different formats or sizes to build up your collection of cast iron cookware.

If you find the look of cast iron a bit dreary, I’d recommend injecting a bit of family-friendly fun into your kitchen with this Disney-branded pan. It’s fitted with an embossed lid and metal handle sporting Mickey Mouse. Technically speaking, it’s a cast iron casserole dish, but its shallower-than-normal design means it can tackle most of the foods a skillet would, with the added bonus of that lid for oven roasting, baking and braising up to 240C.

It’s not just a novelty piece – this cast iron feels like real quality (after all, it’s made by long-established brand Prestige). I had no trouble cooking up great burgers and fried eggs, and I found that it cleaned up well, too. Take care of it by drying it thoroughly after each wash and oiling regularly, and it’s a pan that should be with your family for many years.

Strictly speaking, this pan isn’t cast iron – it’s hard-tempered iron, crafted by a specialist metal manufacturer in Japan. And yet I couldn’t help but include it here. When it comes down to it, the performance benefits of the JKC tetsu are the same as the best cast iron skillets – even superior, in some cases.

One of the downsides of most cast iron is that it can take a while to heat up, but when warming the JKC tetsu on my induction cooker, I found it was sizzling in no time at all – meaning I could crack on with cooking stir-frys, steaks and fried rice in half the time. It distributed heat well and, because of the higher rim compared with some pans I tested, this pan could even be used for shallow-frying (note: deep-frying is not recommended by the manufacturer).

It’s worth noting that the pan can sometimes show discoloration due to the manufacturing process – and some foods, for example bean sprouts, can even take on a bit of discoloration. This doesn’t impact performance, and is said to be entirely harmless, but might bother some home cooks, which is the only reason it lost marks.

As with cast iron, the patina on this pan will build up over time with use. The pan also needs to be cared for in a similar way as a traditional cast iron skillet, including careful washing and drying by hand. However, show the pan the love it needs, and it will probably be your kitchen go-to for many years to come.