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's no difference between Frying Pans and skillets.

    When using a cast iron griddle plate, it's important to properly maintain it to ensure its longevity and performance.  Clean the griddle with hot water and a scrub brush after each use, avoiding soap, which can remove seasonings from the griddle.  Dry the cast iron griddle plate thoroughly and apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust.

    No matter which type of cast iron cooking griddle you choose, it's important to properly care for and maintain your cast iron cookware to ensure its longevity and performance.  Seasoning your cast iron cooking griddle regularly and cleaning it properly after each use will help prevent rust and maintain a nonstick cooking surface.

Copper Frying Pans

Here’s where things may get a little confusing, so we’ll start with the basics. For one, both frypans and skillets have handles attached to its side. One difference is that frypans usually have shorter handles compared to the longer one on skillets. The skillet’s longer handle allows for an easier time to move the pan around the stovetop or to transfer it into the oven for baking.