When it comes to cooking, having the right tools can make all the difference.  Cast iron griddles are a versatile and essential addition to any kitchen, offering a variety of cooking options.  Whether you prefer a square cast iron griddle or a round cast iron griddle pan, both options have their own unique benefits to suit different cooking needs.

Are Stainless Steel Pans Dishwasher Safe?

Medium Cast Iron Skillet

    When it comes to cooking, having the right tools can make all the difference.  Cast iron griddles are a versatile and essential addition to any kitchen, offering a variety of cooking options.  Whether you prefer a square cast iron griddle or a round cast iron griddle pan, both options have their own unique benefits to suit different cooking needs.

For those who'd prefer the frypan, non-stick fry pans are also a fantastic choice if you're seeking to cook healthy dishes with little to no oil. Not forgetting certain frypans that are oven-safe with non stick coating like the Cosmo Fry for baking enthusiasts out there. And all this comes at an often more affordable price than that of skillets.

Benefits of Cast Iron Dutch Ovens:

    The 8-piece cast iron cookware set, on the other hand, is a more compact option but still provides the essential parts needed for most cooking tasks.  This 8-piece cast iron cookware set is perfect for those who have limited storage space or prefer a minimalist range of cookware.

“There are a few things to consider when you’re buying cookware, including how you cook, durability, and price,” says Lance Nitahara, an assistant professor at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, N.Y. “On the low end of the price scale are nonstick and cast iron; copper is on the high end. But each does a different thing.”

Below, you’ll find advice on how to choose the right frying pan for how you cook, plus highlights of top-performing pans from CR’s tests, listed alphabetically and not by rank. You can see how all the pans we test perform in our frying pan ratings and learn more about the different types of pans in our cookware buying guide.