Grilling is always fun, whatever the season or locality is. Your mouth gets salivating with just the smell of grilling regardless of whether it’s vegetable or meat. You can grill anywhere and any time, especially if the people around you are fond of delicious food.
If we look at history, grilling was done mostly in forests, camp sides, or even beaches as the main method of cooking. With other methods of cooking, you need many materials – utensils, pots, pans, etc. But grilling doesn’t need that many materials. As time went by, it became common to grill when you want easy cooking in an open area.
Grilling is more than a method of preparing food now. It has become an enjoyable means of gathering together with friends and family and sharing meals together. And along with this change came the innovation of grilling pans. Grilling pans helped the world grill better and in a more convenient manner. Now, you can grill delicious meals right in the comfort of your kitchen.
Keeping these facts in mind, we searched for the best grill pan for you – grilling pans available in major stores, including Amazon. We are giving you detailed reviews about these top 5 grill pan. These pans are used by millions of foodies to fulfill their appetite for grilling anytime, even in their very own kitchens.
Le Creuset Cast Iron Signature Square Skillet Grill (B01AXZ6IY8) – The Best Seller!
Features:
- Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 17 x 2 inches
- Item Weight: 6.4 pounds
- Shipping Weight: 7.36 pounds
- Manufacturer: Le Creuset
- Item model number: LS2021-2617
- Color: Black, Caribbean, Blue, Cerise, Flame, Marseille, Meringue, White
Here is the marvelous Signature product from a well-known brand. It gives you most of the aspects of outdoor grilling right inside your home. For drip-free pours, it has spouts on two sides. For draining of fat and grease, it has high ridges. It features a strong iron loop handle for optimum stability when lifting the whole pan.
Le Creuset has coated its interior with a protective black finish to prevent the pan from scratches or other damages. Le Creuset’s cast iron is globally recognized for its strength and durability. It performs extraordinarily well with slow heat cooking or when you cook food at high temperatures. Any over or grill cast iron combination is remarkable as it can retain heat, so it helps to prepare meals at lower heat settings. Additionally, cast iron is used to keep the food cold as well. So, it is equally helpful in summer to keep food cold for servings.
Its shape is suitable for many food preparations like frying or searing a steak. All heat sources like gasoline, electric burners, or radiating rings or inductions are compatible with cast iron cookware.
Why buy this product?
Its multi-feature makes it the must-have choice for grill lovers.
Pros | Cons |
Available in many colors Big pan base for various foods Side handles to carry it easily Best results both for high heat and for slow cooking Suitable for fry, baking, and cooking | At high-temperatures, handles get too hot to carry with bare hands |
Lodge 17L8SGP3 Cast Iron Grill Pan (B0000CF66W)- The Best Pick for Style Lovers!
Features:
- Product overall Dimensions: 17.2 x 10.5 x 2.6 inches
- Item Weight: 6.5 pounds
- Shipping Weight: 6.64 pounds
- Manufacturer: Lodge
- Item model number: 17L8SGP3
- Color: Black
Here is the second best-selling grill pan for you from the shelves of Lodge, the world reputed home utensils company for over a hundred years. With a hard construction, cast iron products are the best. They give you a strong grilling pan suitable for either indoor or outdoor grilling.
The company has pre-seasoned these grill pans. It has a 10.5-inch pan, which is spacious enough even for large cuts of steak and big pieces of chicken. It’s handle has a loop on the end which allows you to hang it on a hook when not in use.
Its ribbon bottom pan allows for low-fat cooking. It’s a multi-functional cookware because of its cast iron make. It gives you beautiful results with either slow heat cooking or high heat cooking. Its heat-retaining feature allows you to keep your hot grilled steak warm for a long time.
You can use this cookware for years because of its extreme durability. It effectively distributes heat uniformly and evenly at ALL sides, which works well for any form of cooking. Its black color is sleek and aesthetically pleasing. Although it is not coated with any non-stick chemical which is harmful to your health, it still gives you an almost non-stick surface.
Why buy this product?
Cast iron construction, almost non-stick pan, hanging option, it all makes it a one-of-a-kind choice for its price point.
Pros | Cons |
Made by the American company, famous for cookware for the last 100 years They are made in cast iron, which is durable and long-lasting. Pre-seasoned, so you can start cooking without seasoning it1 0.5-inch enough space for most of the steaks Coated enamel allows you to cook acidic liquids too Comes with a hanging option | The product doesn’t come with a cover |
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Square Grill Pan (B0018AGJQA) – The Best Rated Grill Pan!
Features:
- Product overall Dimensions: 15.9 x 10.2 x 3.4 inches
- Item Weight: 6.3 pounds
- Shipping Weight: 6.3 pounds
- Manufacturer: Cuisinart
- Item model number: CI30-23-PARENT
- Color: Enameled Cardinal Red
Here is the third best rated grilling pan for you. For many years, Cuisinart has been famous for its cookware. Today, it is still world-renowned for its high quality products.
It is coated with porcelain enamel from the outside – which gives the pan a radiant and vibrant look. The inner side of the pan is made of cast iron, the most hardened material for cookware. The combinations of porcelain and cast iron makes it a sturdy and durable cookware that you can use for generations without worry of damage.
It is a versatile cookware. You can use your oven, induction cooker, or oven grill to cook food in this grilling pan. A beautifully designed curved tip on its left side makes it easy for you to use this pan for gravy.
It is also dishwasher safe, it is easy and convenient to clean. Its elegant finish and attractive color makes it a fine choice to add to your kitchen arsenal. It ensures you get the perfect result of your recipe because of its even distribution of heat properly from bottom to top.
This cookware gives you endless cooking options along with a stylish look to your kitchen.
Why buy this product?
Porcelain coating outside and cast-iron construction makes it sturdy and durable. It features vibrant colors and a stylish look. These fine qualities make it a great option, especially for how much it costs.
Pros | Cons |
Well made in America Coated with porcelain giving a vibrant look Luxury and spacious enough for all your needs The enamel coating makes it almost non-stick Cast iron construction makes it a sturdy and durable choice both for indoor and outdoor cooking Dishwasher safe and convenient to use | It does not come with the cover |
Calphalon Contemporary Grill Pan (B00DE1CY5Q) – The Runner Up!
Features:
- Product Dimensions: 20 x 11.5 x 1.5 inches
- Item Weight: 2.75 pounds
- Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
- Manufacturer: Calphalon
- Color: Black, Silver, Gray
- Nonstick: Yes
Here comes the fourth best selling grid pan. Calphalon is constructed using heavy gauge aluminum. Heavy-gauge aluminum is suitable for heating and durability. It has three layers of coating inside. The two layers make it durable, and the third layer makes it non-stick.
It has a long stainless-steel handle, which gives you convenience while using it on the stovetop. This pan is oven safe, too. Its deep ridges help the steak to absorb the grill flavor and keeping inside the juice. Its 20-inch large size gives you enormous space for big steak pieces.
Because of its non-stick base, you can cook healthy food with low fats. A non-stick surface allows effortless cleaning. Its non-stick coating ensures the even distribution of heat from bottom to top and through the sidewalls. And it helps you to cook your food at various temperatures, making it perfect for many recipes.
It’s highly versatile. Its non-stick coating gives you the confidence to get the perfect results even with a sticky menu. Nonstick surface needs no extra butter, fat, or oil as it slides with the walls of the pan, which can improve your overall health. Additionally, the product comes with a lifetime warranty, which is a wonderful benefit.
And lastly, it is very easy to wash, it is dishwasher friendly and helps you to clean the pan without any effort. Saves precious time too.
Why buy this product?
Heavy-gauge aluminum construction and three plies non-stick coating and big size make it a must-have choice in this less budget.
Pros | Cons |
Heavy-gauge aluminum and hard anodizing make it sturdy and durable that lasts for generations The long handle makes it save on gas stoves and easy pouring of gravy Deep ridges let you grill big steaks along with gravy Three plies non-stick coating makes your cooking easy Dishwasher friendly Even distribution of heat from the bottom to top through sidewalls | It doesn’t come with covers |
TeChef – Stovetop Grill Pan (B00JT8ZYCS) – The Epitome of Innovation!
Features:
- Product Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 2 inches
- Item Weight: 2 pounds
- Shipping Weight: 2.76 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
- Manufacturer: TeChef
- Item model number: GP12
Here you have the 5th best selling pan. It is an innovative product from TeChef, a Korean company. It boasts various unique features. You can use it to make healthy foods for your family. It is fun to use and environmentally safe. Its color is unique and gives a premium look.
The company made it with heavy-gauge aluminum, which provides you with smooth transmission of heat from the bottom to top and through its non-stick walls. You can cook any type of meats, fish, or vegetables. Its unique feature is its hole and innovative swirl design.
The swirl has a particular purpose – it has some of its side lifted, which lets the food free from any fat or oil. And its domed shape lets the fats drain through the hole. It makes you cook your food almost fat-free and with less time. The printed coat design on the swirl gives it a lavish look that will set your kitchen apart. And it has a non-stick base. The non-stick base consists of 5 ply layers of Dupont Teflon coating, which is PFOA free.
Its 5-ply coating ensures the health of your food and stops any kind of contamination caused by standard non-stick pans. You can use it both indoor and outdoor, but it is recommended to use gas stoves only.
Why buy this product?
Unique and innovative design, heavy-gauge aluminum Construction, non-stick coating, and a lavish look makes it must-have cookware.
Pros | Cons |
Highly innovative, Korean design Its unique color looks awesome Swirl shape to make food fat free Hole and domed shape to drain grease Beautiful printing gives a lavish look Five plies non-stick coating for easy cooking Dishwasher friendly and time saver Heavy aluminum gauge for smooth transmission of heat | It doesn’t come with the coverRecommended for gas top use |
Buyer’s Guide
Buying the best grill pan is not an easy task—there is a large variety of products available in the market with various sizes of material and price. You should consider some factors before buying any grilling pan. We are giving you a brief idea about these factors.
- Size of the pan
If you often grill with many friends, a bigger sized grilling pan will serve you better. The standard size of big grilling pans is 11 inches or more in length and width. A smaller sized grilling pan is useful when you have a small family.
- The material used in construction
Before buying, you should have a clear idea of where and how you will use this pan. The material your grilling pan is made of should accede to your needs. You have cast iron and aluminum options. Cast iron is durable and long-lasting for years. While aluminum is lightweight and gives better heat transmission. Again, you should consider indoor and outdoor usage too. Cast iron works for both indoor and outdoor usage while aluminum gives the best result indoors.
- Length of handle
The handle is essential for the grill pan. You should select a pan with a long handle. A longer handle is more convenient and easier to carry. Plus, a longer handle means your hand can be far from the source of heat when cooking.
- Non-stick coating
Non-stick coating is another important factor. With non-stick coating, you can save yourself from a lot of trouble. First, the food is a lot easier to cook. Secondly, non-stick coating makes the pan easier to clean. Lastly, it is just time-saving. On the other hand, the chemicals from the coating can leach toxins in your food.
- Some special features
In the market you can find a pan with some unique features like swirl, printing or hole. All of these have some purposes. If you have special needs regarding your grilling pan, then you can find one that has a special feature.
Conclusion
We have reviewed the five best grill plans with all features. You can choose one according to your need. Our recommendation is the Le Creuset Cast Iron Signature square skillet – it is the item that fits most grillers’ needs.
FAQs
- Can I use grilling pans on my gas stove?
Although it is a multipurpose grill pan, you can not use it on the gas stove. It has a hole that can damage the food quality or the non-stick coating. Use induction instead.
- Which material is better, cast iron or aluminum?
Cast iron and aluminum are both used in grill pan construction. Cast iron is more robust, long-lasting and can last for generations even. Aluminum is a lightweight yet sturdy material. In aluminum construction, you can find many innovative designs and features.
In terms of cooking benefits, cast iron can withstand both outdoor and indoor usage. Aluminum, however, gives the best results when used indoors.
What’s the purpose of the domed shape?
Its domed shape has a particular purpose. All grease gathers in the bottom, and with this domed shape, you can drain it from the hole provided on the base. It leaves your pan with a neat, clean look. It also eliminates unhealthy fats and grease.
- Why is there a hole in the grill pan?
It has a particular purpose. It let you drain the grease and fat which accumulate during cooking in the base. A hole works well with a domed shape grilling pan.