Checklist · 13 picks · 3 categories
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Cast iron is the one pan that gets better the more you use it, and it's cheap to start. A Lodge skillet is America's Test Kitchen's Best Buy, and it browns about as well as ATK's far pricier winner.
The trick is the cleanup routine: scrub with a stiff brush or a chainmail scrubber, dry it right away, then rub on a thin layer of oil so it never rusts. ATK says any neutral vegetable oil works, but a seasoning spray or conditioner makes the oiling step faster. Add a silicone handle cover, because that handle gets seriously hot, and a Dutch oven once you're ready for bread and braises. Picks come from America's Test Kitchen, BestReviews and NBC Select, and each card shows the drawback too, so you know what you're getting before you add it to your cart.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you're stocking a whole first kitchen from scratch; our apartment checklist covers pans, knives and the rest in one go.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet | budget | $25-50 | your first cast iron pan | 1 outlet |
| Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet | budget | $25-50 | cooking for one or two, or a lighter everyday pan | 1 outlet |
| Smithey No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet | splurge | $150-200 | a pan to pass down | 2 outlets agree |
| Lodge 7-Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven | budget | $50-100 | bread, chili and braises on a budget | 1 outlet |
| Cuisinart Chef's Enameled Cast Iron Casserole | mid | $100-150 | enameled cast iron without the splurge | 1 outlet |
| Le Creuset 7¼ Qt Round Dutch Oven | splurge | $300-500 | a pot you'll use for the next 30 years | 1 outlet |
Best cast iron skilletbudget pick · Large
Best for your first cast iron pan
America's Test Kitchen's Best Buy: it performed close to the winning skillet for a fraction of the price, with strong heat retention and browning.
Heads up. The rough, pebbly surface was sticky at first, and it's heavy
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen best Buy cast iron skillet.
$25-50
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budget pick · Medium
Best for cooking for one or two, or a lighter everyday pan
America's Test Kitchen's best buy 10-inch skillet: a great pan at a low price that browns food deeply and should last a lifetime.
Heads up. Some scrambled eggs stuck in reviews, and it needs oiling after every use
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen best Buy 10-inch skillet.
$25-50
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splurge pick · Large
Best for a pan to pass down
A polished, heirloom-quality skillet that was among the most nonstick pans CNN reviewed.
Heads up. Very expensive
2 outlets agree. CNN Underscored heirloom pick. America's Test Kitchen best 10-inch skillet.
$150-200
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Best dutch ovenbudget pick · Large
Best for bread, chili and braises on a budget
America's Test Kitchen's recommended Dutch oven in bare cast iron: a broad cooking surface and low sides, and it baked exceptionally crusty bread.
Heads up. Dark interior and small handles, and it must be dried and oiled after each use since acidic foods can damage the seasoning
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen recommended Dutch oven.
$50-100
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mid pick · Large
Best for enameled cast iron without the splurge
America's Test Kitchen's best buy Dutch oven: it shares the winner's shape and cooking performance at a lower price.
Heads up. The rim and lid chipped cosmetically in ATK's durability test, and the handles are a little small
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen best Buy Dutch oven.
$100-150
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splurge pick · Large
Best for a pot you'll use for the next 30 years
America's Test Kitchen's winning Dutch oven: after decades of reviews, this pricey pot bested the competition again.
Heads up. Very expensive
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen winning Dutch oven.
$300-500
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Circle Tenacious C Cast Iron Brush + Scraper | budget | under $15 | daily scrubbing without stripping seasoning | 1 outlet |
| OXO Steel Dish Brush with Replaceable Head | mid | under $15 | swapping heads instead of tossing the brush | 1 outlet |
| The Ringer Original Stainless Steel Cast Iron Cleaner | mid | $15-25 | stuck-on, burnt-on messes | 1 outlet |
| Ationgle Cast Iron Cleaner | budget | under $15 | camping trips and everyday cleanup | 1 outlet |
Best scrub brushbudget pick · Compact
Best for daily scrubbing without stripping seasoning
America's Test Kitchen's winning scrub brush: it had the stiffest, hardiest bristles in the lineup and cut through tough residue faster than any other model.
Heads up. The handle is a bit short for big hands, and the scraper worked no better than the bristles
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen winning scrub brush.
under $15
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mid pick · Compact
Best for swapping heads instead of tossing the brush
America's Test Kitchen's recommended scrub brush: good flared, well-spaced bristles and a comfortable handle, though less effective than the winner on tough messes.
Heads up. Softer bristles than the winner, so cleaning is slower, and big hands hit the head-release button by accident
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen recommended scrub brush.
under $15
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Best chainmail scrubbermid pick · Compact
Best for stuck-on, burnt-on messes
BestReviews' best of the best cast iron cleaner: a heavy-duty, machine-made chain mail scrubber made to last and cut through dirt and grime.
Heads up. If you scrub too hard, you can take off the seasoning
1 outlet. BestReviews best of the best cast iron cleaner.
$15-25
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budget pick · Compact
Best for camping trips and everyday cleanup
BestReviews' best bang for the buck cast iron cleaner: an inexpensive, effective scrubber that shreds through leftover bacon or chicken fat.
Heads up. Not intended for nonstick pans
1 outlet. BestReviews best bang for the buck cast iron cleaner.
under $15
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge Cast Iron Seasoning Spray | budget | under $15 | quick touch-ups after washing | Limited evidence |
| Blackstone Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner | mid | under $15 | skillets and griddles alike | 1 outlet |
| Oysir Silicone Hot Handle Holder | budget | under $15 | grabbing a hot skillet handle without a towel | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · Compact
Best for quick touch-ups after washing
From NBC Select's cast iron care guide: spray a thin layer on and wipe off the excess with a lint-free cloth to maintain your seasoning.
Heads up. NBC Select says it may not last long
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
under $15
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mid pick · Compact
Best for skillets and griddles alike
NBC Select's best overall cast iron conditioner: an oil-based salve of canola, soy and palm oils, shortening and beeswax that you spread on and heat to maintain seasoning.
Heads up. NBC Select gives no drawback detail for this one
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall cast iron conditioner.
under $15
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budget pick · Compact
Best for grabbing a hot skillet handle without a towel
BestReviews' top cast-iron handle cover: four heat-resistant silicone covers in multiple colors that go in the dishwasher.
Heads up. It doesn't fit all handles, so measure first, and it can start to melt on an extremely hot pan
1 outlet. BestReviews top cast-iron handle cover.
under $15
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
America's Test Kitchen says any plain, neutral vegetable oil works fine, like canola, sunflower, corn or soybean. Use about half a teaspoon for a 12-inch skillet and wipe it on evenly. Skip extra virgin olive oil and bacon fat.
America's Test Kitchen suggests a nonmetal brush or a nonabrasive scrub pad; a chainmail scrubber helps with stuck-on bits. Dry the pan right away, then rub in a thin coat of oil so it doesn't rust.
Not to start. A skillet handles searing, eggs and cornbread. Add a Dutch oven when you want to bake crusty bread or make soups, chili and braises.