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I really like grilling for my family when the weather is sweet, and recipes like my Grilled Chicken Sandwiches and Grilled Chicken and Tomato Kebabs are a part of our regular weeknight dinner rotation through the summer. Even after I put away the grill for the season, I can still make these recipes in my kitchen with the assistance of my handy grill pan.
The very best grill pans are an excellent investment if you happen to don’t have access to a grill or simply wish to recreate your favorite grilled meals within the winter. These pans have ridges along the underside that create char marks much like those you’d get on a grill, and additionally they let fat and moisture drain away out of your food, making a beautifully cooked exterior. You need to use them to cook hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks, in addition to grilled vegetables and even paninis.
For those who’re available in the market for brand spanking new cookware, I’ve put together a listing of the most effective grill pans so as to add to your kitchen. I’ve included the pan that I exploit, in addition to several other top-rated models that get the seal of approval from cooking pros.
Our Top Picks
- What’s in My Kitchen: OXO Good Grips Square Grill Pan – $49.99 at Amazon
- Best Splurge: Le Creuset Signature Square Skillet Grill – $171.81 at Amazon
- Best Value: Lodge Solid Iron Square Grill Pan – $21.90 at Walmart
- Best Nonstick: All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Grill Pan – $59.95 at Williams Sonoma
- Best Round: Staub Solid Iron Pure Grill – $99 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Grill Pans
1. What’s in My Kitchen: OXO Good Grips Square Grill Pan
Credit: Goal
When the weather stops me from firing up the outdoor grill, I reach for the OXO Good Grips Grill Pan in my kitchen. One among my favorite kitchen tools for healthy eating, this pan has a spacious 11-inch square cooking surface that may easily fit just a few chicken breasts or several slices of Grilled Zucchini. The ridges on the underside of the pan are high enough that your food isn’t sitting in juices, and in contrast to many other grill pans, this one’s handle has a stay-cool silicone grip that won’t get hot to the touch.
I also love how easy this grill pan is to scrub. It has a nonstick surface that wipes clean with soap and water—just you’ll want to only use silicone or plastic utensils in it to avoid scratching the surface.
The Specs:
- Material: Hard-anodized aluminum, silicone handle
- Diameter: 11 inches
- Oven-Secure: As much as 390°F
- Dishwasher-Secure: No
The Pros:
- Nonstick finish
- Ergonomic, stay-cool handle
- Deep ridges
- Spacious cooking surface
- 10-year warranty
The Cons:
- Hand wash only
- Metal utensils may scratch finish
What Others are Saying: The OXO Good Grips Grill Pan has a powerful 4.7-star rating from slightly below 300 reviews on Amazon. It also received a glowing review from cooking experts at The Kitchn, and Southern Living named it the most effective nonstick grill pan.
Buy the OXO Good Grips Square Grill Pan:
2. Best Splurge: Le Creuset Signature Square Skillet Grill
Credit: Amazon
For those who think your grill pan will get a number of use, it’s value splurging on this heavy-duty model from Le Creuset. The ten-inch pan is available in the brand’s signature rainbow of colours, and while it’s a bit heavy, its durable forged iron construction will deliver unbeatable heat retention and distribution. Since it has an enamel-coated finish, the pan doesn’t require seasoning and may even be put within the dishwasher. I also love that it has spouts on either side for pouring off liquid and a small loop handle on the front of the pan, making it easy to maneuver the cookware on and off the stove.
The Specs:
- Material: Enameled forged iron
- Diameter: 10.25 inches
- Oven-Secure: As much as 500°F
- Dishwasher-Secure: Yes, but hand-wash advisable
The Pros:
- Available in several colours
- No seasoning required
- Superior heat retention
- Spout for pouring off liquid
- Dual handles for carrying
The Cons:
- Very expensive
- Heavier than aluminum pans
What Others are Saying: The Le Creuset Signature Skillet Grill has a 4.7-star rating from greater than 1,700 reviews on Amazon. Moreover, each Food & Wine and Epicurious named it the most effective overall grill pan.
Buy the Le Creuset Signature Square Skillet Grill:
3. Best Value: Lodge Solid Iron Square Grill Pan
Credit: Amazon
Lodge is an excellent brand for budget-friendly forged iron cookware, and its square grill pan is ideal for any forged iron purists on the market. The pan has a ten.5-inch diameter, providing loads of room for several pieces of meat, and it might be used on any cooking surface, including induction cooktops and even campfires. Because of its heavy-duty construction, it’s also oven-safe at any temperature. Keep in mind that that is classic forged iron, so it may have occasional seasoning and ought to be washed and dried fastidiously to forestall rusting.
The Specs:
- Material: Forged iron
- Diameter: 10.5 inches
- Oven-Secure: Yes
- Dishwasher-Secure: No
The Pros:
- Reasonably priced price point
- Good heat retention
- Secure to make use of on any cooking surface
- Oven-safe at any temperature
The Cons:
- May require seasoning
- Hand wash only
What Others are Saying: The Lodge Solid Iron Square Grill Pan has near 31,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon. It’s also featured on Food & Wine’s list of the most effective grill pans.
Buy the Lodge Solid Iron Square Grill Pan:
4. Best Nonstick: All-Clad Hard Anodized Nonstick Grill Pan
Credit: Williams Sonoma
If easy cleansing is your top priority, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with this nonstick pan from All-Clad. It’s constructed from durable aluminum and coated in a nonstick finish that stops food from sticking, making it easy to wipe clean after cooking. It’s also oven-safe as much as 500 degrees F, which is surprising for a nonstick pan, and it might be put within the dishwasher, too. I also love that this pan has higher-than-average partitions, which helps to attenuate splatter whenever you’re cooking fatty ingredients.
The Specs:
- Material: Hard anodized aluminum
- Diameter: 11 inches
- Oven-Secure: As much as 500°F
- Dishwasher-Secure: Yes, but hand-wash advisable
The Pros:
- Deep partitions to attenuate splatter
- Easy-to-clean nonstick finish
- Oven protected at high temperatures
The Cons:
- Metal utensils may scratch coating
- Uncomfortable handle
What Others are Saying: The All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Grill Pan has a median rating of 4.7 stars on Amazon from greater than 3,000 reviews.
Buy the All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Grill Pan:
5. Best Round: Staub Solid Iron Pure Grill
Credit: Amazon
Square grill pans offer you more cooking area to work with, however the corners typically hang off the edges of stove burners, which may result in cold spots. For those who want nice even heat throughout your pan, this round option from Staub will fit nicely on most burners. It’s constructed from enameled forged iron that maintains heat evenly (and doesn’t need seasoning), and the inside is barely textured, which helps brown meat. The round grill pan could be put within the oven at temperatures as much as 500 degrees F, but its handles do get hot while cooking, so you’ll want to use pot holders when moving it.
The Specs:
- Material: Enameled forged iron
- Diameter: 10 inches
- Oven-Secure: As much as 500°F
- Dishwasher-Secure: Yes
The Pros:
- Matches on round burners
- Heats evenly
- Textured for higher browning
- No seasoning required
The Cons:
- Smaller cooking area
- Handles get hot while cooking
What Others are Saying: The Staub Solid Iron Pure Grill was named the most effective forged iron grill pan by Food Network.
Buy the Staub Solid Iron Pure Grill:
Other Grill Pans to Consider
Smithey No.12 Grill Pan
This high-end grill pan is constructed from pre-seasoned forged iron. The pan has two looped side handles that make it easy to hold, and its 12-inch diameter gives you loads of space to cook multiple pieces of meat. Nonetheless, it weighs a hefty 11 kilos, and also you’ll have to take proper care of the forged iron to make sure it lasts for years to return. The Smithey No.12 Grill Pan is accessible at Smithey for $220.
Calphalon Premier Nonstick Square Grill Pan
For those who’re searching for a nonstick grill pan, this one from Calphalon is value considering. It has an 11-inch square cooking surface with a stay-cool handle, and you’ll be able to even use metal utensils on its ultra-durable nonstick finish. The pan is dishwasher protected, and it might be put within the oven at temperatures as much as 450 degrees, though it may not be as durable as others on this list. The Calphalon Premier Nonstick Square Grill Pan is accessible at Amazon for $37.79.
The Whatever Pan
This round grill pan stands out because of its glass lid, which can come in useful when cooking certain recipes. The pan has a ten.5 inch diameter, and it’s constructed from forged aluminum with a bonded steel base so it might be used on an induction cooktop. The pan is oven-safe as much as 480 degrees, and its non-toxic nonstick finish makes it easy to scrub whenever you’re finished cooking. The Whatever Pan is accessible at Amazon for $59.99.
Lodge Reversible Grill/Griddle
If you may have a gas stove with an oval-shaped burner, this reversible grill pan from Lodge is a flexible cooking tool. It has an extra-large 9.5-inch by 16.75-inch cooking surface, and the reverse side is a flat griddle that is ideal for cooking pancakes and even smash burgers. Just take into accout that it has very low sides and is simply too large for use on a single burner. The Lodge Reversible Grill/Griddle is accessible at Amazon for $34.90.
Our Place Solid Iron Hot Grill
For those who have already got cookware from Our Place, you may want to contemplate the brand’s grill pan on your kitchen. It’s constructed from enameled forged iron and is available in several trendy colours, but what I like probably the most is that it suits perfectly on top of the brand’s Dutch oven, allowing you to make use of it as a lid or a bread oven. The Our Place Solid Iron Hot Grill is accessible at Amazon for $95.
About Me
I’m the creator and recipe developer behind health foods diets, which features a whole bunch of family-friendly healthy recipes. My goal is to create healthier versions of your and your loved ones’s favorite foods, including loads of lightened-up recipes for the grill. I really like grilling myself, and I don’t think it ought to be limited to summertime, which is why a grill pan is a must have in my kitchen.
Credit: health foods diets
When putting together this list of the most effective grill pans, I primarily relied alone experience with the products and types. I’ve used cookware from most of the brands included on this list, and I trust their quality and performance. For products that I haven’t personally tested, I read reviews from cooking experts and trusted publications, in addition to the comments of reviewers on sites like Amazon.
Every thing to Know Before Buying a Grill Pan
Credit: health foods diets
What’s a Grill Pan?
Grill pans are a form of frying pan, but as a substitute of a flat cooking surface, they’ve raised ridges that mimic the look of grill grates. These ridges help create char marks in your food, and so they provide elevation, allowing fat and liquids to empty away. Grill pans are handy whenever you don’t have access to a grill, though they won’t deliver the identical smoky flavor as traditional grilled food due to the lack of charcoal or contact to direct flames.
What to Consider Before Buying a Grill Pan
Grill pans are available in a wide selection of sizes and styles, so that you’ll wish to think in regards to the following aspects to seek out the proper one on your kitchen:
Material: Grill pans are commonly constructed from either forged iron or aluminum, each of which have their advantages. Forged iron is great for even heat distribution and retention, and it should create well-defined grill marks in your food. Aluminum, then again, is lightweight and reasonably priced, and it often has a nonstick finish that’s easy to scrub.
Shape and Size: You may make a choice from round or square grill pans—round options fit higher onto stove burners, but square pans offer you more room to cook. You’ll also wish to think in regards to the diameter of the pan, in addition to the peak of its partitions.
Oven-Secure: Some recipes should be finished within the oven, so you might wish to search for a grill pan that may go from the stovetop into the oven as needed. In these cases, you’ll want to check the utmost temperature that the pan could be exposed to.
How Do You Use a Grill Pan?
The fantastic thing about grill pans is that you simply use them the identical way as an everyday frying pan. To get the most effective ends in your grill pan, I like to recommend letting it heat up for several minutes before cooking. It will get the ridges nice and hot, providing those beautiful char marks in your food. It’s also a superb idea to grease your pan before use, which can help prevent food from sticking.
How Do You Clean a Solid Iron Grill Pan?
If you may have an enameled forged iron grill pan, you’ll be able to simply wash it with soap and water, wiping out the grooves with a sponge. Easy! Bare forged iron requires slightly more care, however it’s still easy to do. Wipe out any remaining food particles, then use a delicate sponge and a small amount of soap and water to clean the pan. Immediately after washing, dry the pan thoroughly to forestall rust, then spread a light-weight layer of cooking oil over the surface to maintain it nicely seasoned.
How Do You Make Grilled Cheese in a Pan?
Grill pans could be used to make toasted sandwiches reminiscent of grilled cheese, and so they’ll create crunchy grill marks in your bread. The important thing to creating grilled cheese in a grill pan is to maintain the temperature on medium-low. You ought to give the cheese loads of time to melt without burning your bread, so it’s necessary to be patient and let it cook for several minutes on both sides.
The Best Grill Recipes
Grill pans are an excellent solution to enjoy your favorite grilled foods all yr round, and you need to use this specialty cookware to arrange a wide selection of recipes. From classic hamburgers and steaks to grilled vegetables, fish, and even kebabs, there’s no shortage of healthy and family-friendly meals you could make in your grill pan. Listed below are a few of my favorites to try:
Prices were accurate at time of publication.