110cm ironing board cover_outdoor table cloth with umbrella hole

Best for: Almost any food that needs searing, including steak and burgers. Cast-iron pans are ovenproof, so you can use them to roast meats like beef or pork and to bake cornbread, deep-dish pizza, shepherd’s pie, and more. And they retain heat so well that they’re a good choice for deep-frying chicken, doughnuts, or other foods because they keep the oil at a constant temperature.

The details: Cast-iron frying pans are practically indestructible, and they’re handed down for generations in many families. That makes their typically low price even more attractive. And if well cared for, cast iron develops a patina that releases food almost as well as nonstick. But the pans are heavy, and you have to be patient when heating them up because they don’t come up to temperature fast. Once they do, however, they retain heat.

Our tests of coated and uncoated cast-iron pans show how versatile this cookware can be. We sear steaks, brown scallops, and bake cornbread to see how well a cast-iron pan works for home cooks. The best pans ace all these tests. We also judge how easy they are to clean. Because of the enamel coating, the coated pans are a bit easier to clean than the uncoated ones.

Here are two recommended cast-iron pans from our tests.

Anodized frying pans are made from aluminum that has been treated with an electrochemical process to make them harder, smoother, and more durable. They are known for their fast heating capabilities and even heat distribution, making them ideal for high-heat cooking. However, they are prone to scratching and may not be suitable for cooking delicate dishes.

    For those who like a pop of color in their kitchen, there are plenty of options to choose from.  Blue enamel cookware adds a touch of sophistication, while orange enamel cast iron cookware brings a warm and inviting feel to the kitchen.