10 Best Cast Iron Cookware Sets Reviews | Pot, Pans and Skillets

Traditional cookware like, the best cast iron cookware has thousands of years of history which never go out of style. From the ancient time to this modern time cast iron kitchenware is widely used due to its versatility, perfect cooking performance, and low price. Even you are a fan of nonstick pots/pans and use them every day but for BBQ parties or making pot pies, this daredevil must be needed to come out form the self.

Cast iron pots are made from melted metal which is a combination of pig iron, recycled scrap iron, carbon, limestone, and steel. All these material are melted and poured into a sand mold in one piece. That means handles and the main pan is made at the same time. So, it can be placed into the oven, broiler etc. without any problem. They are very cheap and guaranty to last forever.

Quick Overview and Comparison of 5 Best Cast Iron Cookware Sets

Products Name	Lodge LCC3 Cast Iron Combo Cooker Editor's Choice	Outdoor Gourmet 5 Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set	Lodge EC4D43 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven	Ultimate Pre-Seasoned 2-In-1 Cast Iron Combo Cooker	Le Creuset Soleil 20-piece Cookware Set
Price	Check Latest Price	Check Latest Price	Check Latest Price	Check Latest Price	Check Latest Price
Quantity	2-Piece	5-Piece	1-Piece	2-Piece	20-Piece
Oven Safe?	Info N/A	Info N/A	500°F	Yes	Yes
Dishwasher Safe?	Yes (But not Recommended)	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Seasoned?	Yes	No	No Need	Yes	No Need
Weight	13 Pounds	33.5 Pounds	12.85 Pounds	13 Pounds	50 Pounds

10 Best Cast Iron Cookware Sets Reviews 2019

Now you know what features should contain with a quality cast iron cookware set. So those who are new with this cookware will understand them better. We have select 10 Best-Selling Cast Iron Cookware Sets on the scale of all these important factors. Have a look below.

Lodge LCC3 Cast Iron Combo Cooker

If you need a deep skillet than there is nothing better than Lodge LCC3 Cast Iron Combo Cooker. This cast iron cookware has one fryer, a Dutch oven, and a shallow skillet that can be converted into a cover. This best-cast iron set is versatile and allows you to prepare almost any recipe. These two skillets are factory seasoned and have a nonstick surface. It is made of a high-quality iron and the overall finish is pretty even.

You can use them on your gas stove, broiler oven, etc. these skillets are great for baking pot pies, bread, or any slow-cooked dishes. It allows the oil to penetrate deeply into the iron’s surface. So you will flip or remove the food from the skillet more easily. They have issues with a brown spot, and rust if you do not clean and dry them well. So, be careful with cleaning in a proper way.

Outdoor Gourmet 5 Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set

If you need the best cast iron cookware especially for camping, then will be perfect to have. It has,

• 2 cast-iron skillets
• Cast-iron Dutch broiler
• Cast-iron frying pan
• Cast-iron top
• Cast-iron development gives strength

So as you can see it has skillets that you can use to cook in open fire. This cookware is very heavy and durable. if you know bare cast iron products than you will understand this product too. They are not pre-seasoned like the previous cookware we reviewed here. You have to season them well if you don’t want to the pan to stick to your food. They take time to heat up but they stay warm for a long time. Also, they don’t have issues with hot spots.

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Although the handles of the pots and pans are very sturdy and easy to use while cooking. You can hang them also on your kitchen wall. The pot comes with an additional cover fully made of cast iron and double handles on both sides and another one for hanging purpose. Overall, this cast iron cookware set is durable and suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Lodge EC4D43 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

The lodge is one of the best-cast iron cookware brands in the cookware industry. They are producing century-old traditional cast iron cookware sets which won many chefs hearts. The Lodge EC4D43 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven is one of them. It’s an enameled iron cooking pot which is suitable for making almost any recipe. You can cook mussels, fried rice, pork, chicken or anything you want.

The enamel cover gives it the airtight facility to cook in proper heat and moisturizer without burning the food. Its nonstick surface allows the use of low oil cooking and provides an easy to clean facility. It releases food very easily so you can literally cook anything on this Dutch oven. Also, it can be used for marinating and serving or store food. It comes with a huge range of color variation. So having this Best Cast Iron Skillets could add a new look into your kitchen shelf.

Ultimate Pre-Seasoned 2-In-1 Cast Iron Combo Cooker by Bruntmor

Here is another skillet and lid combo set that can withstand extreme temperatures and the product will last a long time. The Ultimate Pre-Seasoned 2-In-1 Cast Iron Combo Cooker is made for those who want to use a versatile cookware both inside and outside. They can be used as a serving plate (because cast iron keeps warm for a long time), marinating food and cooking.  This solid cast iron skillet and lid set is also great for easy cleaning. They take very low time on scrubbing so you will get a clean cooking post without much effort. This cast iron cookware set is pre-seasoned surface also great for fast food resale and prevents burning. They are usable as Dutch oven so you can literally try also any recipe with it.

Le Creuset Soleil 20-Piece Cookware Set

Here is a complete cookware set which comes with 20 different essential pieces. You will get

• 25–inch Cast Iron Signature Skillet.
• 75 qt. Cast Iron Saucepan with lid.
• 5 qt. Cast Iron Dutch oven with Lid.
• Rectangle Stoneware Dish with lid.
• Four 8 oz Stoneware Mini Cocottes with Lids.
• 8 qt. Enameled Steel Stock Pot with Lid.
• 6 pc. Utensil Set.
• A 64 page Le Creuset Mini Cocotte softcover cookbook

From Le Creuset Soleil 20-Piece Cookware Set, this best cast-iron cookware is very versatile. Le Creuset is one of the best-cast iron cookware brands that make quality products. It can withstand temperature, -65 F to 500 F. So, it’s suitable to keep in the freezer, oven, and even the broiler, etc.

Also Check: Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets Collection

This cookware in glazed inside and outside. The interior is good for releasing food quickly. The good thing is the enamel coating doesn’t chip easily. So, you can use them for years after years without any problem. It’s also dishwasher safe, but it’s better to not wash them in the dishwasher on a daily basis. Occasional use is just fine but regular dishwasher cleaning may weaken the materials.

Royal Dutch Cast Iron 1815 Cook Box Set with Large Skillet

Here is a complete cookware set which comes in a complete cooking box. The Royal Dutch Cast Iron 1815 is made of high quality cast iron. All these pots and pans are pre-seasoned and have a smooth surface. So, they don’t burn or sticks food easily. Also, the set comes with some bonus items that are really different from other cookware sets. You will get from the packet:

• 12″ Skillet
• 5qt Dutch oven Pot + 1 Lid
• 5qt Saucepot + 1 Lid
• 20″ x 9″ Heavy-duty Reversible Cast Iron Griddle
• 6″ Trivet
• Dutch oven Lid Lifter
• Silicone Hand Holder
• Cast Iron cleaning set
• Scrubber

They are suitable for open fire cooking or usable in gas stoves, halogen cooktops, etc. also you can use them on the oven too. All the pots are perfect for frying, grilling, boiling, baking, and braising. An important factor of using cast iron cookware is they are suitable to use both indoor and outdoor. This best-cast iron cookware set works really well outdoors. Thus it has a perfect box to keep all the essentials. So, you can carry them easily in your vehicle.

Lodge Kitchen Cookware Set 5 Piece Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron

Here is another best-cast iron cookware set which is perfect for your everyday usage. The Lodge Kitchen Cookware Set 5 Piece Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron is a multi-tasking versatile cookware set that is great to cook any recipes. The lodge is also a top cast iron cookware set brand among all professional chefs. It comes with five essential pieces like,

• 8-inch skillet
• 25-inch skillet
• 5-inch griddle
• 5-quart Dutch oven
• 25-inch lid

The lid is fitted with for both the skillet and Dutch oven. All these cooking pots come with strong and heavy handles. They have holes for hanging on shelves or racks when they are not using. The Dutch oven is also suitable for hanging with another skillet due to it has looped double handle on both sides of it. The surface of this best-cast iron pans and pots are nonstick. It may not work as your Teflon pans but still quite comfortable to use. If you season they don’t have to hassle with food sticking to the pan.

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This cookware set is easy to clean so you can wash them off without so much scrubbing. But they’re not dishwasher safe so you have to follow the manual method of washing. You can use this cast iron cookware on any kind of cooktop. They are usable on gas stoves, halogen cooktops, oven, open fire, broiler, etc.

Simple Chef Cast Iron Skillet 3-Piece Set

If you are looking for the Best Cast Iron Pans for a small family or just for a single person than Simple Chef Cast Iron Skillet 3-Piece Set is perfect for you. This skillet set comes with three different pans sized in order 10, 6, and 8 inches. No lids are included but they are usable for gas stoves, oven, camper, and the broiler easily. They are pre-seasoned so you don’t need to use them polished with sandpaper or oiling with seed oil before and after cooking. They are ready to use straight from the box and also easy to clean. You can make, eggs, hash browns, stacks, spaghetti, pizza or anything you want to try. These high quality cast iron skillets are quite heavy to use and they are thick which is good for durability and rough usage.

Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet

Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet is a large size of the skillet that you can use every day to make almost anything. This signature collection forms Le Creuset is made of high quality cast iron with enamel coating interior. This enamel is almost chip and crack resistant and never reacts with your food. Its pre-seasoned so it should be nonstick. But in reality, it’s not so nonstick. The burns and stickiness also depend on the heating process. Thus, cast iron heat up easily. So, if you overheat the pan it will stick and burn food easily. You need to start cooking with low heat and a good amount of vegetable oil or whatever oil you like to use.

However, the best cast iron skillet is great for any type of food recipes. This pan’s slightly abrasive interior develops a natural patina which is great for frying or searing.

Oven Safe Durable Cast Iron Large 3 Piece Heavyweight Skillet Set

Here is another best cast iron skillet that is suitable for any small to medium family. The Oven Safe Durable Cast Iron Large 3 Piece Heavyweight Skillet Set is great for cooking 2-6 people. It comes with three different skillets 6, 8, and 11 inches. They have medium long handles with holes for hanging. The large and medium skillets have the supporting handles which good for handling hot pans while cooking. These pans are ideal for making pizza, stakes, or anything you like. They give you perfectly browned stakes or chicken with great flavor.

The surface of these best-cast iron grill pans are not nonstick or pre-seasoned. So, you need to be extra careful while cooking. Heat up the pan over low heat and seasoned it with vegetable oil before starting the cooking. It may take a few days to adjust but over the time the pans will become the most versatile cooking pots or pan you ever owned.

How to Choose Best Cast Iron Cookware

Here given are some important options to think about when choosing the best-cast iron cookware set. Look for these things before making your decision.

Weight

Cast iron cookware comes with different sizes and shapes. Usually cast iron is heavy so more or less the cookware is heavy as well. So, going for strong heaver item is better. They are durable and can hold more heat. Many people like their authentic look, color, and weight that old cast iron offers.

However, modern casting metal is combined much lighter than the old one. They almost provide the same service but less durable than the heavier one. So, if want the best experience of the oldie but goodie cast iron it’s better to go for heavyweight cast iron cookware.

But still, some people have an issue with weight and want a lighter option for everyday cooking. If so, you can choose carbon steel or other mix cast iron cookware.

Handles & Knobs

While the quality of the pot or pan is important for cooking the food, being able to maneuver the device is just as important if you want the food to actually be eaten.

The handles and knobs of cast iron cookware are quite user-friendly. If they handle consciously, they will not burn you so easily. Still, many cast iron cookware is now available with heat resistant covered handles. So, first of all, make sure all your cooking pots are not so big which may trouble you to handle. Small or medium size cast iron cookware are best to handle unless you think you are hulk or Superman. Second of all, choose the pots which have double handles. It will help you to balance the pots when it’s loaded and hot. Finally, for pans make sure they are long enough and good to handle with the single wrist.

Bare VS. Enamel

Cast iron cookware comes with two different appearances bare and enamel coated. Bare cast iron items are unaltered iron skillets, pans, or dutch ovens that don’t have any layer or coating to make them nonstick. Bare cast iron products need to be seasoned well due to their reactive characteristics. They are cheap in price and last almost the rest of your life.

On the other hand, enamel-coated iron cooking pots non-reactive and also nonstick. Also, they are expensive and be could unusable over time. We find coated cast iron cookware may cross $150 even they have a low variation of items and average quality. However, this kind of cookware will make it easier for your everyday food preparation. They don’t need to be seasoned and they are ready to cook well from the first date. Also, if the coating is much thicker they are able to withstand metal utensils. Look for even coating application on your kitchenware to avoid the problem with the hot spots and flipping the food.

Cost

Cast iron cookware comes with all kinds of price ranges. The price may differ from brand to brand. Most of the cast iron products are cheaper than other kinds of cookware made from steel, copper, and stone. So, cast iron cookware is a great opportunity for those who want safe, versatile cookware which can be used in the oven, gas stove, or on the broiler.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are Cast Iron Skillets Safe?

A: Cast iron cookware including skillets are completely safe for humans. You must go for a skillet from a well-known brand and that is made of high-quality cast iron and other components. Cast iron is well-known to leach iron into food while cooking but the amount varies and it’s very important. The human body needs at least 8 mg of iron per day and a cast iron skillet can provide up to 5 mg iron with each cooking process.

Q: How Are Cast Iron Skillets are Made?

A: This is a long and complicated process. Different manufacturers use different techniques and processes to make their cast iron skillets. Such as Lodge uses recycled cast iron, a mixture of pig iron and recycled scrap steel and other components to make their cast iron skillets and cookware sets. You can also watch this video to get an idea of how cast iron skillets are made.

Q: Will Cast Iron Work on an Induction Cooktop?

A: According to Wikipedia and some other trusted sources, Cast Iron Cookware is compatible with the induction cooktop. You should be careful while cooking with cast iron cookware and an induction cooktop as cast iron cookware is very heavy. So they might create scratches on your induction cooktop. You can also use cast iron in glass top stoves and here is a dedicated post you can check.

Q: How to Clean Cast Iron Cookware?

A: The process of cleaning cast iron cookware is so easy and almost the same as other cookware. At first, remove the stuck food immediately after each use. Use a sponge or stiff brush to clean the cookware and use warm water for a better results. Always try to avoid steel wool, your dishwasher, or commercial kitchen soap/detergent; because it may narrow the pan’s seasoning process. You can also have a look at this video to get details on how to clean cast iron cookware.

Q: How to Maintain Cast Iron Cookware?

A: If you want to use your cast iron cookware set for a long time without any damage, you should use it carefully and maintain it in a proper way. Wash the cookware set using soap for the first time. Season it perfectly before first use. Clean the cookware set immediately after each uses. Dry and store it carefully in a dry place. If you see any rust, remove the rust and re-season it again.

Q: Are Cast Iron Skillets Oven Safe?

A: Yes, they are oven safe and the highest temperature is 350 to 400 F.

Q: How to Store Cast Iron Cookware?

A: Clean the cast iron cookware properly and season it (If necessary) before storing. Find a dry place and use a paper towel to cover them. The best place for storing cast iron cookware can be in an unused oven.

Q: Which Food Should Not Be Cooked Using Cast Iron Cookware?

A: We have published a dedicated post on this topic. Please check What Not to Cook with Cast Iron Cookware.

Q: Are Cast Iron Pans Non-Stick?

A: Yes, almost all modern cast iron pans are non-stick.

Q: Is Enameled Cast Iron Cookware Safe?

A: Yes, Enameled cast iron is safe for healthy cooking. Almost all enameled cast iron doesn’t interact with food and they are oven safe up to 500 F.

Q: What Cast Iron Cookware is Made in the USA?

A: Here are some most popular cast iron cookware brands made in the USA.

Q: Where to Buy Cast Iron Cookware?

A: If you want to buy from your nearest store, then search at your nearest store for a cast iron cookware set from a well-known brand. If you want to buy from an online store, then try Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Wayfair, etc.

Q: Is Cast Iron Cookware Good for Healthy Cooking?

A: Yes.

Q: What Cast Iron Cookware is Best?

A: It depends on several facts. If you have a good budget, then you can go for Lodge, Le Creuset, Simple Chef or Outdoor Gourmet cast iron cookware sets. This cookware set is best for their durability, easy to use, easy to clean, non-stick features, and healthy cooking.

Q: How to Season Cast Iron Cookware Properly?

A: When you are going to use a new cast iron skillet or cookware for the first time, you need to season it. For seasoning, a cast iron cookware, follow these simple steps.

Q: How to Re-season Cast Iron Cookware?

A: Clean the cast iron cookware set properly using warm water, soap (If necessary) stiff brush/sponge. If there is any rust in the cookware, you can use steel wool to remove them. Dry it and then use vegetable oil or a thin layer of melted shortening and heat on the oven at 350 F temperature. And then cool it.

Q: What are the Advantages of Cast Iron Cookware?

A: Here is the list of some advantages of using cast iron cookware for everyday cooking.

Final Thoughts

So, here was all the top class, Best Cast Iron Cookware that we researched and tested. All they come into the budget and they are very good at making any foods. For the first few days, they may give you trouble with sticky or burnt foods, so season them well. When you start to figure out their usage you will enjoy getting to know your new cast iron cookware. Once they get older you will enjoy the true cast iron cooking just like in wine, the older is better. So, check out one of these 10 best-cast iron cookware sets today and make the lifetime investment for your kitchen.