The Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle is a grill and a griddle in one, and its adaptability is one of the reasons it took the top rank. Our tester was impressed by the big capacity as well as the superb searing and grill markings. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that performs just as well as more expensive models, the Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan is a fantastic option that will last for years.
Provided you don’t have enough backyard space or the weather isn’t cooperating for an alfresco barbeque, you may still enjoy your favorite grilled meats and vegetables if you have a nice grill pan. While a grill pan won’t offer you the smokey, flame-broiled taste of an outside grill, it will give you attractive sear marks and drain away excess oil, leaving your well-marbled steaks and sliders tasty but not swimming in fat.
A grill pan is a fantastic tool for preparing summer vegetables and toasting bread and sandwiches, in addition to cooking meat and plant-based meat replacements. When it comes to picking the perfect pan, there are so many different types, sizes, and materials to consider, but we’ve done the homework for you.
1. Best Overall: Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle
What We Enjoy
- Large storage capacity
- It may function as a grill or griddle.
- Ready to use right away
What We Dislike
- Seasoning must be maintained with special care.
- Heavy
Who else recommends the Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle? The Lodge Reversible Grill/Griddle was also chosen by Southern Living.
What do purchasers think? This product received four stars or higher from 91% of the 13,700+ Amazon reviewers.
This barbecue pan may replace two or more. The one side is a ridged grill pan, while the other is a flat griddle. Use the grill side for steaks, burgers, and anything else that requires grill marks. The griddle may be used to cook pancakes, bacon, grilled cheese sandwiches, tortillas, and even a traditional British cheese toastie. Put it in the oven if you want to use it as a pizza pan for little pizzas.
This is a huge pan that fits over two burners, so you’ll have plenty of room to cook for a crowd, or cook on half of the pan while keeping the other half less hot to keep cooked dishes warm. It maintains heat and cooks evenly since it is constructed of cast iron. It is pre-seasoned and ready to use, but its nonstick capabilities increase with further seasoning and usage. Our reviewer said that its small profile made it simple to store.
This adaptable pan may also be used on the grill to cook meals that are tiny enough to fall through the grates, such as vegetables. It is not, however, suited for all glass-top stoves, so read the stove’s handbook to ensure it is safe.
2. Best Deep: Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick Square Griddle Pan/Grill
What We Enjoy
- Spacious, with high sides to keep spatter at bay.
- Simple to clean
- Oven proof
What We Dislike
- Only 400 degrees F oven safe
- It takes some getting accustomed to
- Simple to clean.
Most grill pans have low sides, but this one has high sides that assist prevent splattering whether used on the stove or in the oven at up to 400 degrees. The high edges also allow you to use the pan for sauces after the grilling is finished, making it ideal for roasting luscious birds or roasts.
The nonstick surface is safe to use with metal utensils and provides exceptional food release and simple cleaning. The handle is ergonomically constructed, with a tight rubberized grip that keeps cool while cooking and two rivets for security. A groove around the pan’s outer borders catches and stores liquids, while pour spouts on each side make it simple to drain excess fats and liquids.
Our reviewer discovered that utilizing this pan needed some trial and error to find the “sweet spot” in terms of heat. Once you’ve worked it out, it creates stunning char markings on anything from steaks to French toast.
3. Best Budget: Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Square Grill Pan
What We Enjoy
- Almost indestructible
- Extremely effective at retaining heat
- It comes pre-seasoned.
What We Dislike
- As with any cast iron, it requires specific maintenance.
- Heavy
If the Lodge double-burner grill is a bit too big for your requirements, this 10.5-inch cast iron grill pan, also from Lodge, will suffice. This heavy-duty pan is practically unbreakable and holds heat incredibly well because to its construction of a strong steel and carbon alloy. This pan’s sear quality is unrivaled—an it’s excellent choice for creating near-restaurant grade steaks at home since you can start them on the stove and finish them in the oven under the broiler.
These cast iron pans may be used on any cooking surface, including induction and open fires. This pan is pre-seasoned and ready to use right away. As with other cast iron pans, regular care is essential to maintain seasoning and nonstick characteristics, but it may last a lifetime.
4. Best Ceramic: Greenpan Paris 11-Inch Hard Anodized Nonstick Square Grill Pan
What We Enjoy
- Ceramic nonstick coating that is scratch-resistant
- Dishwasher friendly
- Riveted ergonomic handle
What We Dislike
- Induction incompatibility
- The nonstick characteristics will deteriorate with time.
If you want a nonstick pan but want to be sure it’s eco-friendly, choose this ceramic pan from GreenPan, a top maker of ceramic cookware. This pan is free of PFAS2, PFOA3, lead, and cadmium, thus it will not emit fumes even when heated to high temperatures.
This pan features a hard-anodized shell that is scratch resistant, and the proprietary Thermolon liner in GreenPan’s Paris series is strengthened by diamonds. This grill pan has a riveted stainless steel handle and is oven safe up to 600 degrees and suitable for all cooktops except induction.
Because the ceramic coating is nonstick, you may use little or no extra oil for easy release. Grill chicken, veggies, and other foods with confidence, then clean up quickly with the dishwasher or by hand.
5. Best Round Nonstick: Calphalon Signature Hard Anodized Nonstick
What We Enjoy
- Cast iron is heavier and more difficult to work with.
- Oven safe up to 500°F
- It is resistant to scratches caused by metal utensils.
What We Dislike
- Cleaning becomes more difficult as time passes.
Calphalon’s circular pan will fit your burners, and the nonstick surface makes cooking and cleaning a breeze. This pan is made of hard-anodized aluminum and is significantly lighter than a comparable cast iron pan, making it simpler to handle. The nonstick inside is metal utensil safe, so you don’t have to worry about removing your burger with a metal spatula. This type is also oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to finish steaks in the oven after searing.
The brushed stainless steel handle keeps cool throughout stovetop cooking, and the pan is dishwasher safe for simple cleanup.
6. Best Korean Style: TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Nonstick Grill Pan
What We Enjoy
- Ample surface area
- Lightweight metal conducts heat effectively.
- Removes oil from the drain
What We Dislike
- It is not compatible with all stoves.
- Concerns concerning the long-term durability of nonstick surfaces
This Korean-inspired grill pan is designed for tabletop cooking and includes a portable burner (not included). You can use this to produce anything from finely sliced beef to substantial pig belly. It’s made of heavy-gauge aluminum with a nonstick surface and a distinctive swirling channel pattern.
The dome-shaped bottom drains fats away from the meal, and a hole in the pan drains fat entirely, but make sure you have a small cup or bowl nearby to collect the drippings. This should not be used on a regular cooktop due to the hole.
7. Best Pan with Press: Staub Enameled Cast Iron Grill Pan & Press
What We Enjoy
- It heats up fast and evenly.
- Oven safe up to 500°F
- Compatible with all cooktops
What We Dislike
- Heavy
- Expensive
While you could cook a panini on any grill pan, this heavy-duty 12-inch pan makes it much simpler since it features a 10.3-inch press. But it’s not only for hot sandwiches—the supplied heavyweight press is also useful for pressing a spatchcocked chicken to simulate the “under a brick” cooking process. Of course, while grilling burgers, steaks, and other foods, you don’t need to use the press.
This almost indestructible pan, made in France from thick cast iron, heats evenly and maintains heat effectively. It has a smooth enameled outside with a slightly rough matte black inside that encourages browning. The pan is oven safe to 500°F, so it may be used to finish steaks or roast a small roast. While the price of this pan is high, it is a piece that will survive for years—you will be able to pass it down to future generations.
Final Decision
Because of its flexibility, capacity, and durability, we recommend the Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle. If you’re looking for a low-cost option with high performance, the Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan is a solid choice that comes pre-seasoned and ready to use.
What to Look for When Buying a Grill Pan
Size
Grill pans come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so think about what you’ll need. While a larger pan may seem to be better for serving guests, it will also take up more storage space.
Material
Different grill pan materials, like other cooking pans, have advantages and disadvantages. Although cast iron warms evenly and maintains heat effectively, it is heavy and cannot be used on induction cooktops. Aluminum warms rapidly, is lighter in weight, and responds to temperature changes; nevertheless, all-aluminum pans cannot be used on an induction cooktop.
Cleaning
Grill pans might be more difficult to clean than flat pans because to the ridges and grooves. Nonstick pans are easy to clean, but they may not stand up to rigorous cleaning or usage of metal utensils. Uncoated pans may handle more vigorous washing, but food may adhere to them more often. Some pans are also dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
FAQs
What is the best way to utilize a grill pan?
Preheat your grill pan according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Cast iron grill pans will take more preheating time but will maintain heat better than aluminum grill pans. Whatever material your pan is made of, make sure it’s uniformly and thoroughly heated over medium to medium-high heat before you begin grilling your meat or veggies.
Can a grill pan be used on an electric stovetop?
Yes. Grill pans operate best on gas burners, although they may also be used on electric or induction cooktops. Simply keep an eye out for any uneven heating to see if there are any hot patches on your grill pan while you cook.
Is it necessary to season a grill pan?
Many of today’s grill pans feature nonstick surfaces, so you won’t need to season them. Some cast iron alternatives come pre-seasoned, so all you’ll have to worry about is keeping the seasoning. If you have a naked cast iron grill pan, read this tutorial on How to Season or Cure Cast Iron to discover all you need to know about seasoning and care.
