The Ultimate Cast Iron Skillet Guide: How to Choose an Awesome Skillet That Cooks Like No Other!  

There are various kinds of non-stick skillets in the market with different prices. But what is the best-cast iron skillet? You need to consider more than just the price to make a choice, you need to consider the quality of the material, heating performance, and other aspects. If you want a fantastic experience cooking your food, this 8.3-inch cast iron square skillet will help you achieve it quickly.

This Universal brand skillet can conduct heat evenly and not warp or alter its shape. It also has a thick metal layer on the bottom side, preventing food from sticking and allowing quick cooking.

Cast iron pans have been used for centuries due to their effectiveness. They are durable and can be used in ovens or even parties without worry by keeping the food from sticking. This 8.3-inch skillet has a thick layer on the bottom side that helps render heat evenly and retain a firm shape when cooking.

The handle is dishwasher-safe but not ovenproof or microwave safe, so it should be hand washed with warm water and mild soap to prevent rusting. It can also be placed on top of a rotisserie which helps regulate the temperature throughout the cooking process. This excellent square skillet comes with a handle drilled so you can hang it on a hook.

How to Choose the Best Cast Iron Skillet – 5 Things You Should Know

Cast iron is a solid material used for frying, cooking, and even making artisanal goods such as mugs. This cookware is very durable and convenient because of some unique qualities.

What size do you need?

While choosing a cast iron skillet, what size you need is something to keep in mind. There are seven sizes to choose from in the US alone, with the most miniature “skillet” being eight inches long while the largest one measures 20 inches in length and 11 inches wide.

Look for a pan that is not smaller than eight-inch as you don’t want to purchase something that may be too small for the job at hand but also, you can use more giant pans when appropriate to get more food in one seat or when cooking multiple meals. If the cookware is truly suited only for smaller portions of food such as eggs, cooks usually choose an 8″ – 10″ skillet, which will produce closer to the consistency of an omelet. 

Materials

Cast iron skillets come in various materials besides plain cast iron, including non-stick models. These pans can be purchased with recycled content like aluminum or made from multiple non-stick coatings, have non-stick materials, and some models are even wholly nickel-free. The type of material used to manufacture a pan can also determine how satisfying it is to cook with, so look for specific elements, such as durability, that show up when choosing your new cast iron skillets.

Colors

In addition to being durable and flexible, cast iron comes in many colors. Among the most fashionable colors are black and brown, which produce a vintage-rusty look but also include blue with styles that mimic marine finishes, gray (the classic style), mustard yellow, brushed nickel, or red. 

Not all cooks care about having their favorite color or material, nor do they want to spend much time maintaining stylistic integrity. It may come down to personal preference on what color.

Thickness

The best-cast iron skillet should be 1-1 /4 to 1-1/2 inches thick. For even heat distribution when baking on the stovetop or in your oven, you need a round cast iron skillet about 10 to 12 inches in diameter.

Seasoning

For a non-stick stovetop surface, you might want to ensure that the skillet has been seasoned for at least a week by baking some bread or browning some scallops so all seasonings would be evenly distributed upon its interior. Seasoned cast iron skillets are much better at lightening your cooking than non-seasoned ones!

A well-seasoned cast-iron pan can last up to 2 years before needing a re-seasoning or burnout process; you can still do this with low-quality pans but be sure they are not defective.

How to season your cast iron skillet?

The best way to season your cast iron skillet is by using natural, non-toxic oil like coconut or olive oil.

There are many ways to season your cast iron skillet, but the easiest and most effective way is to use natural, non-toxic oil like coconut or olive oil.

To season your cast iron skillet, 

First, wash it with soap and water.

Then, heat the skillet over medium-high heat until it is dry.

Next, place a small amount of oil in the skillet and then put two tablespoons of salt or pepper. 

Turn the stove down to low and let the salt or pepper sit for about five minutes before turning off the stove and letting it cool down for about 30 minutes.

How to clean a cast iron square skillet?

There are many ways to clean a cast-iron skillet, and one of the most common is using soap and water with some salt mixed in.

Clean the skillet with soap and water first to remove any residue.

Fill a large pot with cold water and add a tablespoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. 

Rinse off the skillet under cold running water, then dry it well with paper towels or let it air dry completely before storing it in your kitchen cabinet or on your stovetop burner rack.

Benefits

The benefits of cooking with a cast-iron skillet are that it is non-stick, requires little or no oil, and has a temperature tolerance. Cast-iron skillets can be used for cooking small items that tend to stick easily, such as eggs and steaks. Many people also use cast-iron skillets in the oven or grill to cook more essential things like a whole chicken.

Cast Iron Skillets are the best! They can cook anything & they don’t break or chip as heavy pots and pans do, also if you set it on a fireplace to an oven full of hot coals your food tastes much better because you don’t need any oil after seasoning it as well!!

This square skillet is perfect for cooking because it distributes heat evenly over its surface, heat conduction is more efficient in metal, and skillets require less fat coatings than other pans. A good quality, durable cast iron pan can last a lifetime. 

The best part is that it is pretty easy to maintain – wash it in warm soapy water and rinse well with hot water. It also comes with a thick non-stick coating, doing cooking and cleaning super easy. You can get it from Amazon here.

How long should I let my cast iron skillet season before using it?

It depends on what you are cooking and how often you use your cast iron skillet.

The best way to season a cast-iron skillet is by placing it on the stovetop and heating it until it’s heated. You can also heat it in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once you have seasoned your cast iron skillet, you can use it for cooking with or as a baking sheet.

Final word

A Cast iron skillet is one of the best cooking tools in your kitchen. It’s an essential tool that can last for years. You need to learn how to choose and maintain a cast iron skillet to keep it in good condition. There are many factors you should consider when buying a cast-iron skillet. The size, material, shape, weight, and thickness of the skillet affect its performance. In the above discussion, you already know cast iron skillets. Feel free to ask for more information on this topic.