The 5 Best Enameled Cast Iron Skillets (Buying Guide)

OUR TOP PICK

Le Creuset’s Enameled Cast Iron Skillet - 10.25 Inches (1 ¾ qt.)

You will have heard of the brand Le Creuset before, and that’s because they’re responsible for the very highest quality cookware on the market. This is no different when you look at their range of skillets. You can buy one for yourself at Amazon here.

This skillet earns our top spot for being the best all around enameled cast iron skillet. Why? Well, there are lots of reasons. 

For one thing, it’s incredibly simple to clean, especially if you use it in the dishwasher. On top of that, its enamel is very durable, which means it shouldn’t get ruined from too much use - no chipping, dulling, staining, etc. 

Better yet, it’s incredibly lightweight. Not only is it just lightweight, though, it’s actually the lightest cast iron via weight available on the market. With this, you get the best of the best. 

The coating of enamel helps the pan to give you top quality redistribution of heat, cooking whatever meal you’re making in the most thorough way. Additionally, it’s got optimum heat retention too, so that it stores the perfect amount of heat over time. 

You might wonder if the coating can withstand such high temperatures - it can. The black satin enamel is specially made to withstand higher surface temperatures.

In addition to that, the skillet works with a wide range of cooktops and ovens. Specifically, it is compatible with any cooktops and any ovens that are being kept under 500 degrees fahrenheit. With that, it should certainly work in your kitchen!

Though we’re talking about the 10.25 inches model, Le Creuset sells it in a few other sizes. This means you’re able to get whichever one is closest to your cooking needs. Want to cook a lot of things in it?

Then you’ll want their biggest model, the 11.75 inch one. On the other hand, if you only want to cook tiny meals in it, you can buy their smallest model: 6.33 inches.

You can also customize the color. Alright, it isn’t going to make it cook any better! But it does look nice. They have a range of different colors available, meaning that you can pick a skillet that matches the color scheme of your kitchen or your other cookware. 

Unfortunately, this skillet’s only downside is it doesn’t come with a lid. Not every customer is going to want one with their skillet, but for those that do, you will have to go and buy one separately that fits the correct size. It’s a shame, but not a deal breaker.

Pros:

• Black satin enamel made for bigger surface temperatures
• Enamel delivers superior heat retention and optimum heat distribution
• Very simple to clean, and safe for dishwashers
• It’s ready to use - you don’t need seasoning
• The lightest cast iron via weight available
• Works with every cooktop
• Works with ovens kept below 500 degrees fahrenheit
• A range of sizes to choose from

Cons:

• It doesn’t come with a lid

EDITORS CHOICE

Bruntmor Enameled Cast Iron Skillet Deep Sauté Pan - 12 Inch

While the Le Creuset skillet we just looked at didn’t come with a lid, this iron skillet most definitely does. On top of that, it comes with a wide variety of other qualities that make it a must buy. You can buy one for yourself at Amazon here. 

Though the pan may only come in one size, 12 inches, that means it’s deep built. In fact, it’s so deep that it can hold 2 liters in it. This means if you’re using it for cooking large meals, you should be able to fit it all comfortably inside the skillet, without sacrificing any food. 

That’s where the lid comes in. With a skillet that can hold as much food as this one can, you will want to keep it all safely inside. And how do you do that? With a lid of course! This skillet from Bruntmor has a lid when you get it, meaning that you won’t have to go and hunt for one that is not only the same size, but the same color. 

Speaking of color, you can buy this in a whole range of different colors. From jet black to fiery red, or calming green to soothing purple, there will be a color for anyone.

Better yet, this ensures that you’re able to specifically order the skillet in a color that matches the color scheme of your kitchen - or the colors of the cookware that you’re going to store next to it.

This deep sauté pan skillet is also multi-use. What do we mean by that? Well, you can use this for braising, searing, backing, stir frying, deep frying, and more. Whatever type of cooking you’re trying to do, this should be able to do it - and do it very well. 

On top of that, you can use the skillet on all cooking ranges. This means it’s compatible with electric, gas, ceramic, and induction cooking ranges.

Whichever one of those you might have, the skillet will work with it, meaning that you’re able to buy it safely in the knowledge that you’ll get results. It’s also safe for ovens, as long as they keep below 500 degrees fahrenheit.

Finally, the skillet’s very simple to clean, requiring only light soap and some warm water. 

Pros:

• 12 inch size means it’s deep built, able to hold 2 liters
• Comes with a lid for keeping all the food in
• Works for braising, stir frying, searing, deep frying, baking, and more
• Works with electric, gas, ceramic, and induction cooking ranges
• Simple to clean
• Comes in a range of colors

Cons:

• The enamel might wear down more than others - look out for dulling and chipping

BEST VALUE

Tramontina Skillet Enameled Cast Iron - 10 Inch

This enameled cast iron skillet from Tramontina proves a popular choice, because of its affordable price and its many qualities. You can buy one for yourself at Amazon here. 

For one thing, the 10 inch size should allow you to fit a good amount of food in there for cooking, allowing you to do most of the meals that you want to make.

Better yet, it comes with a convenient “helped handle” in order to make it even easier to move about. This is essential when you’re cooking, because you need to move the food around as it cooks.

On top of that, there are also two pouring lips. These will allow you to pour the food out more easily when it’s cooked, meaning that you won’t make any messes or leave the kitchen counters covered in food when you’re serving it up.

Additionally, this skillet’s compatible with a range of cooktops. You can use it with electric, ceramic glass, induction, and gas cooktops. Therefore, whichever of these you’ve got, you’ll be able to cook with this skillet. No problem!

It’s also safe for you to put it in the oven, as long as its temperature is kept below 450 degrees fahrenheit. You will notice that this limit is 50 degrees lower than the previous two skillets that we’ve looked at, but 450 is still an impressive amount of heat, and you should be fine for a lot of different meals.

When you wash the skillet, it can only be hand-washed. This is a little disappointing, because the Le Creuset skillet could be washed in the dishwasher with no hassle. Although it’s annoying that you will have to wash this skillet by hand every time you use it, it’s still a lot easier to clean than many other types of pan, so that’s something. 

This skillet also doesn’t come with a lid, though they do have a model that comes with one. However, that version isn’t always in stock, so we’ve linked to this one instead. If you want a lid, try to find the Tramontina that has one. 

Pros:

• Very affordable low price
• Works with electric, gas, induction, and ceramic glass cooktops
• Safe to use in the oven as long as you keep temperature below 450 degrees fahrenheit
• Has a helper handle and a pair of puring lips

Cons:

• Other skillets can be in the oven as hot as 500 degrees fahrenheit
• This can’t be washed in the dishwasher
• This model doesn’t come with a lid, but others do

RUNNER UP

Ayesha Curry Enameled Cast iron Skillet - 10 Inch

This enameled cast iron skillet is an extremely affordable and well-loved piece of cookware, from the Ayesha Curry brand. You can buy one for yourself at Amazon here.

Part of the reason that it’s so popular is its price - this is one of the absolute cheapest enamel cast iron skillets you’ll find. You might worry that it sacrifices quality for that price, but it doesn’t.

For one thing, it has super even heating, with the correct temperature levels kept all over the pan. This should ensure that your food is properly cooked through, with no bits missed.

Additionally, the 10 inch size holds two Quarts of food, meaning that you should be able to do most of your favorite meals in it. If not, though, a 12 inch version is also available to buy.

Easiness is the name of the game here, with a helper handle that ensures you can easily control the pan while it’s cooking. On top of that, it’s got pour spouts on two sides, allowing you to simply transfer food and sauces. 

Better yet, it’s suitable for all stovetops and any oven that’s kept below 500 degrees fahrenheit. That oven temperature is very impressive considering the price.

Pros:

• Extremely cheap and affordable
• Suitable for all stovetops 
• Suitable for ovens under 500 degrees fahrenheit
• Easy to use
• Good size

Cons:

• The 12 inch one can be unwieldy

RUNNER UP

Amazon Basics Cast Iron Casserole Skillet - 3.3 Quart

This cast iron skillet is from Amazon Basics, a line of everyday affordable essentials. You can buy one yourself from Amazon here. 

This particular one is for casseroles, so it’s naturally very deep. More specifically, it can hold 3.3 Quarts of liquid, which should allow you to make most of the casseroles you want!

It’s also got loop side handles for you to carry it with, though you must always use oven mitts when handling it - don’t burn yourself. However, this skillet differs from the other ones, which had long handles like a frying pan. This means it’s difficult to move around if you use it with a stove. 

If you use it in an oven, it will be safe as long as the oven temperature is kept below 400 degrees fahrenheit. 

Either way, the cast iron will give you good heat retention and distribution. However, the enaml isn’t non-stick, so cleaning can be difficult.

Pros:

• Great size
• Affordable price
• Good heat performance 
• Lid

Cons:

• No main handle, only two loop side handles
• Not easily movable
• The 400 degree fahrenheit oven limit will restrict you from some meals