Grill pan is the best companion, if you want to cook grilled meats and veggies, especially if you don’t have enough space for a full-size gas grill or charcoal grill at home. Though they won’t give you that smoky BBQ flavour, yet still makes the food juicy and less greasy with its perfect grill lines. The grill pans are available in different sizes, styles, and materials. We recommend you consider the following factors to find your ideal pan.
- Size Grill pans available in various shapes and sizes. Choose the bigger/larger one to serve guests at a time yet occupies more storage space and difficult to clean. While the short ones are compact and used for basic home-usage. If you are short of space, then go with a dual-sided grill pan with a sear side. So, choose it as per your cooking needs.
- Construction The construction material of the pan is essential to consider. There are various materials like cast iron, hard-anodized aluminum, enameled cast iron, and ceramic are used in making the grill pan.
Cast Iron: A highly durable metal that reaches a high temperature, heats up evenly and quickly, but a bit difficult to clean and needs regular seasoning. Enameled Cast Iron: Comes with all the benefits of cast iron and it is easy to clean with its enamel nonstick coating on it. Hard-Anodized Aluminum: Heats up easily and evenly, has a non-stick coating, and easy to clean but can’t sustain high temperatures and more prone to scratching. Ceramic: A non-stick option that heats up quickly but susceptible to overheating, if left unchecked.
- Shape Mostly this skillet can come either in square shape or round-shaped design. Round pans lose surface area but have excellent heat distribution evenly. Square one offer more cooking space, yet its edges won’t heat up evenly. Read on for our list of best grill pans online along with a detailed “Buying Guide” to pick the right pan that brings you a proper indoor grilling experience.
Best Grill Pans Table Of 2023
7 Best Grill Pans Of 2023 Reviews
1. Lodge Grill Pan
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Lodge is one of the most popular brands of grill pans out there that is known for making a wide range of models, including the cast iron grill pan mentioned here in this article. The Lodge 17L8SGP3 cast iron grill pan is present in the 1st position in this article as it is one of the cheapest options in this article. Even though it has an affordable price tag for users on a budget, you get a 10.5-inch pan size rating with it that is quite good for the given price. Another great thing about this pan is that it is made out of cast iron that allows it to hold a lot of heat while making it a great option for cooking food items at a high temperature. Unlike most other budget grill pan brands out there, Lodge is the only one that offers a lifetime warranty with its pan. Since it is made out of cast iron, it is also highly durable and strong, which means that it can easily last for a long time. The only issue with its construction is that it’s finishing and edges are not as good as more expensive options out there. But for the given price tag, this grill pan is a high value for money option for both stove and oven usage. Best Features:
5-inch pan width size rating Grill pan made out of cast iron Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Affordable price tag for users on a budget Excellent construction for high value for money Decent pan size rating for the given price
Cons:
Finishing of the edges could be slightly better
2. TeChef Grill Pan
TeChef is a highly popular brand of chef products that generally has a high user rating with most of its products because of the different features that you get. TeChef’s grill pan is present in the 2nd position in this article as it can be a great option if you are looking for an aluminum grill pan. Since it is made out of aluminum, it offers a non-stick coating to the user to ensure that food doesn’t stick to it even at high temperatures. As for the pan width size rating, it is rated at 12 inches that is one of the larger options out there. While most grill pans offer a straight grill pattern, this one offers a circular one. Because TeChef is a highly popular and reputable brand of kitchen products, this grill pan is highly durable and reliable. Apart from offering a great build quality, you get a lifetime warranty with it for peace of mind. One of the most unique things about this grill pan is that it has drain holes on the edges that get rid of any extra oil inside the pan. Best Features:
12-inch pan width size rating Grill pan made out of aluminum Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Large-sized aluminum grill pan PFOA free non-stick coating Oil drain oils to remove excess oil
Cons:
Not the standard grill pan pattern
3. MasterPan Grill Pan
As you can tell by its name, MasterPan is a brand that only makes pans for home usage, which also happens to include a few grill pans that are quite great for the given price. The MasterPan MP-139 grill pan is one of the cheapest options out there, especially if you consider non-stick ones out there. As you would have guessed by now, this grill pan is made out of aluminum and offers a non-stick surface for easily cooking all sorts of food items. Its induction base ensures that all of the heat gets spreaded evenly to offer similar results to a cast iron grill pan. Although its 8-inch grill pan size can be a bit small for a lot of users out there. Since MasterPan is a brand of just pans and grill pans, it also offers a lifetime warranty that can be found in all models out there. In fact, its handle is also of great quality while making this grill pan easy to hold. A great thing about it is that it can be used in an oven at a temperature of up to 350F. You can also clean this grill pan inside a dishwasher afterwards if wanted. Best Features:
8-inch pan width size rating Grill pan made out of aluminum Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Oven safe till a temperature of up to 350F Offers great build quality for pan and handle Double layer non-stick coating for great results
Cons:
Not the largest grill pan option out there
4. All-Clad Grill Cookware
When compared with other options out there, All-Clad is a much smaller brand when it comes to kitchen utensils like a grill pan for grilling food items right in your kitchen. All-Clad’s E7954064 HA1 grill pan is one of the most premium aluminum grill pan options out there. Due to this, you get an excellent build quality with this grill pan that also includes a sturdy handle for optimum grip while using this grill pan. As you would expect from any other grill pan out there, including this premium one, you get a lifetime warranty with it. All of these things make this All-Clad grill pan a great option if you want a durable and reliable one for home-usage. Talking about the size of this grill, its width size is rated at 11 inches that is the same as most other options out there. You get a PFOA scratch resistant non-stick layer with this grill pan that can easily last for a long time while using this grill pan. While the grill pan itself is made out of aluminum, the grab handle is made out of stainless steel for longevity and grip. One of the best things about this grill pan is that it can be used inside an oven at a temperature of up to 500F. Best Features:
11-inch pan width size rating Grill pan made out of aluminum Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Offers ergonomic and highly sturdy stainless steel handle Can be used inside an oven for up to 500F Scratch-resistant PFOA non-stick layer for longevity
Cons:
Not the most affordable grill pan option out there
5. Lodge Grill Pan
As mentioned earlier, Lodge is quite a popular brand of grill pans and offers multiple options due to which we are here with yet another Lodge grill pan here in this article. This Lodge L8GP3 can be a great pick for a lot of users out there who are either on a budget or do not want to spend a lot of money on their first grill pan. It is simply due to the reason that this grill offers one of the lowest price tags when compared with most other options out there. Despite the lower price tag, you get a 10.25-inch pan width size that is quite decent. In fact, it is made out of cast iron that easily holds high temperature for great cooking results. Because of its cast iron construction, this grill pan is highly sturdy and can last for a long time. Just like the previous Lodge grill pan in this article, this one also offers a lifetime warranty to the user. In other words, it is highly durable and reliable for the given budget price tag. A highly handy feature of this grill pan is that it offers liquid drain wedges on both the sides. When combined with its handle, you can easily get rid of all access oil from the pan if needed. Best Features:
25-inch pan width size rating Grill pan made out of cast iron Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Great pick for users on budget Low price tag and a high value for money Excellent build quality and long warranty duration
Cons:
Does not offer any non-stick coating for ease of use
6. Calphalon Grill Pan
Calphalon is yet another popular brand of kitchen utensils and pans that you should consider if you are in the market for a new grill pan. This Calphalon Contemporary grill pan is present in the 3rd position in this article as it one of the best non-stick options out there. This is possible due to the reason that it offers a hard-anodized aluminum construction that is combined with its non-stick surface. You get this along with a decent pan width size rating of 11 inches for easily cooking large food items if needed. As you would expect from any other grill pan, this one also offers a lifetime warranty. And at the given premium price tag, Calphalon also offers a great build quality with this grill pan. Its handle is quite large and ergonomic that offers proper grip while being sturdy so that it does not become loose over time. Unlike a lot of the nonstick grill pan options out there, this one is dishwasher safe, so that cleaning it after use is not an issue. Best Features:
11-inch pan width size rating Grill pan made out of aluminum Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Ergonomic and highly sturdy handle Three layers of non-stick material for ease of use Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning after use
Cons:
Slightly expensive grill pan compared to others
7. Anolon Grill Pan
Anolon is a popular brand of gourmet cookware and a beloved brand by chef’s due to its high-quality materials and finishes. Anolon advanced non-stick cookware can be a great option if you’re looking for a durable and reliable product. It is made out of a hard-anodized aluminum and offers a non-stick coating to the user to ensure that food won’t stick to it even at high temperature (up to 400°F). This square pan with a width size of 11 inches will provide more cooking surface for browning and searing, sauces and gravies. With its dual riveted handle, you can have comfort and control over the cooking on the pan. It is dishwasher safe, which allows you to clean it easily. As you would expect, this grill pan offers a lifetime warranty. Best Features:
11-inch pan width size rating Pan made out of hard-anodized aluminum Comes with a lifetime warranty. Non-stick coating for quick food release and easy cleaning. Square pan to provide more cooking surface.
Pros:
Excellent build quality and long warranty duration. Can be used inside an over for up to 400°F Triple-layer of PFOA-free nonstick coating for longevity. Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning after use.
Cons:
Slightly expensive grill pan.
Buying Guide for the Best Grill Pan
Finding the perfect grill pan for your cooking requirements will be a bit difficult task due to its vast range of options available in the market. So, to help you make your selection process easier, we came up with all the essential information that guide you to buy the right option. Let’s get into factors to be considered while selecting a grill pan.
1. Size:
we generally notice grill pans available in a wide range of sizes and shapes that are made for different scales of application and usage. So, it is essential to choose the pan that suits perfectly for your needs. Selecting the bigger one is ideal to cook and serve guests at a time, yet it takes up a lot of storage space. Looking to cook plenty of food at once, then go with the grill pan that is large enough for two burners (longer pans). But they are more prone to get very hot and smoke easily that make your smoke alarm goes off. Also, these large-sized pans are a bit difficult to clean. In case, if you are short of space and need a grill pan offering most features, then opt for a dual-sided grill pan having a griddle side for extra cooking options.
2. Material:
There are various materials used to construct the grill pans. Each pan materials have their own set of pros and cons. Take a look at what are those material used and which one is suitable as per your needs. Cast Iron – It is strong, highly durable, heat up evenly, works well on induction cooktops (on all cooktops), and retains heat properly. Also, it helps you to achieve deep sear marks on the food. The main drawback is that it is heavy and a bit difficult to clean and maintain. Need to season to prevent it from rust/corrosion, while not using/storing. Aluminum – It usually comes with another coating like nonstick to work well as other materials. It is lightweight, quickly heats up, and responsive to heat changes to help you in proper cooking. The main drawback is that not all aluminum pans are designed to use on an induction cooktop. Enameled Cast Iron – It works the same way as cast iron and offers all those benefits along with easy to clean and maintain without any fear of rusting. Hard-Anodized Aluminum – It heats quickly and easy to clean compared to cast iron. Mostly, we notice this type of material is coated with a nonstick surface to prevent food from sticking while cooking in it. The main drawback is that these surfaces are prone to scratching and not to be heated to high temperatures. Ceramic – It is a nonstick option that heats up quickly and evenly, yet more prone to overheating as well, if left unchecked. If you want to purchase a two-burner grill pan, then look for the evenly heat distributed material of the pan, such as cast iron to deter a cool spot in between the burners.
3. Pan Shape – Square Vs. Round Shape:
Mostly, these skillets have a square shape and a few models are designed with round shape. Here the squared shaped grill pan offers more surface area/space to cook than a round shaped pan. For instance, a square pan of 10-inch diameter offers 100 sq. inches of cooking surface, whereas the round pan with the same diameter has 78.5 square inches of the surface. However, you lose surface area but these round pans are effective in distributing heat evenly all over the pan. While square pans provide more space to cook, yet its edges won’t heat evenly as a round pan. So, choose the pan shape based on your requirement.
4. Ridges:
Grilling means cooking without oil or grease on the food. So, one has to select a grill pan having deep ridges that will help you for proper cooking, as the oil drips from the food (like steak) will be collected into these ridges. A few grill pan models offer free drain & extra depressions to collect those unwanted oils. So, it is always best to use a skillet having a lot of deep ridges for the perfect grilling effect on your food.
5. Heat Distribution:
It is always ideal to pick a skillet made with material that aids in even heat distribution, as it prevents hot spots that ruin your food. These hot spots result in both well-cooked and semi-cooked in the same piece of food, which leaves an unpleasant experience in cooking.
6. Grill Press:
Though it is an overlooked option, yet essential to define grill marks to make it look attractive and tasty. So, make sure to select a pan having a matching press. One can get better results by using a pan without a press, but this press is a must to have feature to make your cooking perfect.
7. Handle:
The length of the handle is essential to consider before making its purchase. The longer the handle, the less hot it will be. Usually, a handle will add extra weight to the pan, but it let you cook and carry it easily. You may notice some skillets come with two handles on both sides, which suits better for a heavy pan. Most pans have one handle that makes it easy to maneuver and clean. A few models come with no handles. So, if you want swift handling, then prefer to steer clear of these options before purchasing. Make sure that cast iron handles will become hot while cooking, which means you have to take proper care while cooking in it. While plastic or metal handles stay cool to touch, yet the plastic handles are not oven safe.
8. Temperature Rating:
Grill pans can be used either in an oven or on a stove. If you are using the pan in an oven, make sure to check the maximum temperature range (350°F – 500°F) for its safety, whereas a higher temperature rating is considered the better one. So, check out the temperature rating before cooking food in this grill pan.
9. Pour Spout:
Pour spouts is quite useful to remove the accumulating grease on the pan while cooking food to achieve a deep sear. Also, it allows you to clean and toss the fat easily after cooking is done.
10. Coating:
Most people prefer to choose the coating while considering the purchase of cast iron pans. Usually, it comes in two different ways – one is pre-seasoned and the other is enamel coated. The pre-seasoned one will last longer, as its coating will increase over time. While the enamel coating will let you clean easily and provides a better release. If looking for a stainless one, remember that uncoated ones are a bit hard to clean than others.
11. Cleaning:
With its grooves and ridges, the grill pan is quite hard and difficult to clean compared to flat pans. While coming to cleaning the pans, we notice pans with a nonstick coating and uncoated pans.
Nonstick Coated Pan – It is easy to clean, yet the coating may last when metal utensils are used (or) with some aggressive scrubbing. Uncoated Pans – Even it withstands aggressive scrubbing or usage of metal utensils, but food gets stick more frequently while cooking. A few pans are dishwasher safe that allows you to clean easily.
So, choose either one based on your cooking requirement.
12. Weight:
The weight of the product matters most while we use them for cooking. If you pick a heavy-weight product, then it becomes tough to carry it from one place to another. Whereas a lightweight product is portable and aids in good service for a longer time. So, one should concentrate on the weight of the product before its purchase.
13. Warranty:
Almost all the grill pans are made out of metal, which makes them strong, sturdy and durable. So, they easily sustain various heat levels and lasts longer. Despite that, one has to check the warranty offered by the manufacturer on their pan to have a piece of mind. Most grill pans come with a lifetime warranty that makes them highly reliable and durable.
How to Use a Grill Pan?
Grill pans are made with durable metals to withstand medium-high heat. Using a grill pan is a quite simple and easy process. If you are using a non-stick coated grill pan, then restrict its max heat at medium heat to prevent its coating from burning and thereby ruin your pan. Here are the simple steps that let you know how to use this grill pan effectively.
Prepare the Food – Before cooking food in the pan, you have to prepare the food by cutting the food pieces into 1/2-inch thickness to make it grill properly. This will ensure that the thicker cuts won’t get overcooked and its center has the required level of doneness. Heating Process – Turn on the stove to medium-high heat and put the pan on the stove. To determine how hot the pan is, simply place your hand above the pan. Generally, this heating process may take around 5 – 20 minutes based on your stove type. You came to know more details about these stovetops heating time below. Oiling – Coating the pan with oil results in smoking while cooking at high temperatures. Besides, spray oil onto the vegetable, whereas for meats, fish, pork or chicken, there is no need to add oil, why because its natural oils (comes out while cooking) is enough to cook them properly. Grill the Food – Placing the food on the grill at a 45° angle will provide amazing grill lines. If you turn the food at a 90° angle, then it will reduce the time to half to grab the nice square grill marks. Flip over the food and repeat the same process to cook your food easily and quickly in a grill pan.
Different Types of Cooktops and Stoves to use for Grill Pans:
With the availability of a lot of grill pans in the market, it would be overwhelming to know which one is perfect to use for your stove? So, to make it quite easier, we came up with all the essential information required to make a perfect purchase decision. In general, there are three main types of stoves and cooktops available for these grill pans. Induction – These are friendly with their exceptional heating power. Suits mostly for the cast iron grill pan, as they heat the pans and pots quickly. But won’t scratch this induction’s top by placing a rugged cast iron pan on them. So, we suggest you go with an enamel induction grill pan as it comes with a non-scratchy material below. Electric Stoves – A good heat source, yet lacks the raw power of fire. Thus, a heavy cast iron grill pan on an electric stove will heat up by taking plenty of time. So, prefer to use a steel one but not the pan made with heavy cast iron for its perfect and quick cooking. Glass Top – Using a cast iron pan will scratch this glass top particularly the one which won’t have any extra material. Also, avoid using glass, aluminum, and ceramic pans on this glass top, as they may result in scratching the glasses. So, you should be picky to purchase a grill pan while having a glass top.
Tips to Take Care of a Grill Pan:
One should take proper care and maintenance while using this grill pan. This will make it use effectively and extend its longevity. Here are a few tips that let you know how to take care of the grill pans.
Rinse with Lukewarm Water – After you complete the grilling, rinse off the pan thoroughly with lukewarm water and use a dry towel to wipe it off. Keep in a Dry Area – Always keep the pan in a clean and dry area. This prevents rusting/corrosion, a quite common issue faced in the rainy or summer season due to humidity. In case, if not using the pan frequently, then check out occasionally for corrosion and if noticed, wash it off properly. Care for Rusted Pan – For washing a rusted pan, you have to mix equal quantities of vinegar and water and soak the pan in this water for a couple of minutes. Take out to prevent the pan from burn down with acid. Now sprinkle baking soda all over the pan and scrub it gently till the rust gets out/clear. Rinse off and start grilling.
Conclusion
There are different kinds of pans that get used in the kitchen to cook different things. And if you want to grill something right inside your kitchen, then a grill pan can be a great pick. But even within grill pans, there are different models due to which we have mentioned some of the best grill pans up above in this article. You can also learn about their differences by going through the different features and options mentioned in this article. While the buying guide should help you in buying one, some of you might still be confused. Hence, here are some of our recommendations when it comes to grill pans: Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any! Comment * Name * Email * Website
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