When it comes to pots and pans that can last for many years to come and are believed as a healthy choice, then there is no way to go wrong with a cast-iron cookware set.
Check out our list of the best cast iron cookware sets which will deserve your investment and valuable time!
Here are the best cast iron cookware sets you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Grilling & Baking: Cuisinart CIPS3022-2324 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Set
- Best For Heat Retention: Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker
- Best For Sautéing & Simmering: Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-Piece Bundle
- Best For Searing Meat: Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set
- Easy To Clean: AmazonBasics 5-Piece Kitchen Cookware Set
- Best For Campsites: Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle
| Top 6 Best Cast Iron Cookware Sets | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Grilling & Baking | Cuisinart CIPS3022-2324 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Set | Read Our Review |
Best For Heat Retention | Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker | Read Our Review |
Best For Sautéing & Simmering | Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-Piece Bundle | Read Our Review |
Best For Searing Meat | Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set | Read Our Review |
Easy To Clean | AmazonBasics 5-Piece Kitchen Cookware Set | Read Our Review |
Best For Campsites | Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle | Read Our Review |
Best For Grilling & Baking: Cuisinart CIPS3022-2324 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Set
- Come pre-seasoned & easy to keep seasoned
- Ultimately versatile
- Durable
- Deliver precise heat distribution
- Great for high-temperature cooking
- The enamel on the cooking surface should last longer
Including two pieces, this pre-seasoned cast iron cookware set by Cuisinart makes cast iron cooking more enjoyable and less expensive. The 10" pre-seasoned round fry pans can be used for everything from braising and frying to sautéing a wide range of meals while the 9.25" square grill works great for baking, grilling vegetables or burgers, and even searing steaks.
Added seasoning with minimal oil is essential for upkeep, but the fry pan and grill with smooth interior and exterior surface are easy to clean and made for long-lasting, easy release. Plus, they are oven- and broiler-safe and compatible with all types of stovetop including induction.
Reviewers warn that the enamel on the cooking surface of the Cuisinart CIPS3022-2324 pre-seasoned cast iron set might become loose over time.
| Cuisinart CIPS3022-2324 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Set Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of Pieces | 9.25" square grill and 10" round fry pan |
Oven-safe Temperature | 500F |
Compatible Stovetops | All stovetop including induction, oven, grill, and broiler safe |
Highlight Features | Smooth interior and exterior surface Sturdy handle with added helper Lifetime warranty |
Designed for high-temperature cooking, the Cuisinart CIPS3022-2324 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Grill and Round Fry Pan is such a perfect choice for those who love grilling and baking.
Best For Heat Retention: Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker
- No synthetic coatings or chemicals
- Brutally tough for decades of using
- Seasoned with 100% vegetable oil and ready to use
- Unparalleled in even heating and heat retention
- Too rough surface compared to those that are machine-finished
This cast iron combo cooker by Lodge feels good in your hands and delivers the kind of performance expected at this price range—even heating distribution and heat retention without any risk of burning around the corners or at the bottom for consistent, even cooking.
It is not hard to crown the Lodge cast iron combo cooker the winner in the competition for the best cast iron cookware sets. This 3.2-quart set has everything you need for a starter kitchen and great outdoors or to upgrade your old sets.
With a Dutch oven, a deep skillet, and a fryer, you can cook casseroles, simmer soups, or sear steaks. And the lid that can convert to a shallow griddle or skillet is designed for optimal cooking versatility.
What users don’t like about these pieces is their rough surface that might cause food to stick.
| Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of Pieces | A pre-seasoned cast iron fryer, skillet, Dutch oven, and a convertible skillet/griddle lid |
Oven-safe Temperature | 350 – 400 degrees F |
Compatible Stovetops | All cooktops including induction; on the grill/stove, in the oven, over the campfire |
Highlight Features | High-quality design Natural Easy-release finish |
Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker can be used for various cooking tasks without filling up the kitchen space.
Best For Sautéing & Simmering: Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-Piece Bundle
- Versatile
- Great for slow-cooking foods without scorching
- Look good in most kitchens
- Durable
- Little more maintenance required
If you regularly cook a large amount of soup or big batches of delicate sauces, you should consider this multi-functional cookware set by Lodge.
This fan-favorite cast iron 5-piece bundle comes pre-seasoned with no synthetic coatings or chemicals for food-sticking prevention. Note that before using, you should spray or lightly coat these pieces with 100% vegetable oil. The more frequently you use your cookware set, the better the seasoned coating will be getting.
Once you’ve finished cooking, don’t use soap/harsh detergents or wash them in a dishwasher. Clean them with hot water and an extra stiff nylon brush, instead.
| Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-Piece Bundle Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of Pieces | A 10.25" skillet, 8" skillet, 10.5" round griddle, 5-qt Dutch oven, and 10.25" iron cover |
Oven-safe Temperature | 350 – 400 degrees F |
Compatible Stovetops | All cooktops including induction, gas, oven, electric, and ceramic-glass, over a campfire, or under the broiler |
Highlight Features | High-quality design & natural Easy-to-release finish |
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-Piece Bundle is the combination of the most essential cast iron cookware for endless possibilities for sautéing & simmering.
Best For Searing Meat: Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set
- Ready for use straight out of the box
- Versatile
- Offer even heat distribution
- Easy to clean
- Ideal for even first-time cast iron cookware users
- Re-seasoning is recommended
- Comparatively uneven and rough cooking surface
Homecook now don’t have to go outside to prepare grilled dishes. Just grab the Utopia Kitchen pre-seasoned cast iron skillet set and you will be on your way to burgers well-charred outside and juicy inside or caramelized steaks.
These three cast iron skillets from Lodge are compatible with most various heat sources, including induction and heat up quickly and come with great heat retention capabilities.
What’s more, it is well-made with an initial factory-seasoned layer that is equivalent to 10-15 layers of standard home seasoning. So, you No initial seasoning is required for high-heat searing, but you should re-season them to avoid sticking problems for a much smoother and non-stick cooking surface.
| Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of Pieces | 3-Piece - 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch skillets |
Oven-safe Temperature | 350 – 400 degrees F |
Compatible Stovetops | All cooktops including induction, gas, oven, electric, and ceramic-glass |
Highlight Features | One factory seasoned layer equivalent to 10-15 rounds of normal home seasoning |
Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set’s got all you need for evenly-cooked steaks.
Easy To Clean: AmazonBasics 5-Piece Kitchen Cookware Set
- Versatile
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use
- Great for even heat distribution and retention
- Made with heavy-duty cast iron
- Should feature silicone handles
This pre-seasoned cast iron 5-piece kitchen cookware set by AmazonBasics can do it all.
A 10.25-inch Dutch oven, a 10.25-inch skillet, a 10.5-inch griddle, and an 8-inch skillet is a multi-functional set that can work wonders with everyday slow-cooking favorites and all of your newly inspired recipes. You can grill sandwiches/burgers or griddle quesadillas for breakfast; roast chickens, fry up fillet catfish, or bake a cinnamon roll/fruit pie in the exceptionally versatile skillets; or cook big meal for families with the Dutch oven.
What’s great is that all items feature user-friendly handle(s) for easy heavy lifting and transport for pouring.
While no one can complain about the superior even heat distribution and retention as well as the overall performance of these five items, there is one thing that causes this set to fall down in our list. If it came with silicone handles for safely moving or removing on or from the oven/stove, it could be ranked higher.
| AmazonBasics 5-Piece Kitchen Cookware Set Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of Pieces | A 10.5" griddle, an 8" skillet, a 10.25" skillet, and a 10.25" Dutch oven |
Oven-safe Temperature | 500 degrees F |
Compatible Stovetops | All cooktops including induction, gas, oven, electric, and ceramic-glass, on a grill, or under the broiler |
Highlight Features | User-friendly handle(s) |
AmazonBasics 5-Piece Kitchen Cookware Set is the only addition needed to your growing cookware collection.
Best For Campsites: Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle
- Perfect trio
- Seasoned with 100% vegetable oil
- Sturdy & durable
- Great for searing, sautéing, baking, broiling, braising, frying
- Handles break off easily
When only one pan is not enough for your whole family, this seasoned cast iron 3-skillet bundle by Lodge is the perfect trio to purchase.
You will find three skillets (8-inch, 10.25-inch, and 12-inch) teaming up in this set. The roomier the pan is, the more space you will get to cook a larger quantity of foods while still fitting on any standard stovetop. Now you can now cook sauces on the small-sized pan, entrees on the medium-sized one, and sear meat on the largest one.
The only issue we have with this cookware set is that the handles break off easily.
| Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of Pieces | 3-Piece - 8-inch, 10.25-inch, and 12-inch frying pans |
Oven-safe Temperature | 350 – 400 degrees F |
Compatible Stovetops | All cooktops including induction, gas, oven, electric, and ceramic-glass, over a campfire, or under the broiler |
Highlight Features | A natural easy-to-release finish |
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle is happy to be used for your family’s summertime campouts.
How To Choose The Best Cast Iron Cookware Sets?
Suitable Size
- The number of pans, pots, and skillets in your kitchenware set and the size of each item should depend on your family size and your personal requirement. However, it’s better to go with a bigger set as you’ll find yourself cooking more food than needed.
- The size of each unit also affect its heating distribution which makes or breaks your meal. For example, as cast-iron is pretty thick, a 12-inch skillet actually has approximately 9 - 10 inches of cooking space, which cannot do you much good as your rib-eye will come out medium on one side and rare on the other.
Weight
- Cast iron is naturally a bit heavy. However, the heavier the cookware is, the thicker it is and the longer and more efficiently they can retain heat.
Factory Seasoned
- If you want to use your iron cast cookware right out of the box, it’s best to purchase the one that are factory-seasoned with oil and heat. However, pre-seasoned cookware set is more expensive, doing the seasoning yourself is not a bad idea.
Which Brands Make The Best Cast Iron Cookware Sets?
Lodge
- Lodge is a reliable family-own brand that has been producing top-of-the-line cookware and accessories since 1896. With 124 years of experience in the industry, Lodge whose head and heart are rooted in South Pittsburg, Tennessee offers products with first-class design with craftsmanship passed down through many generations, cooking versatility, and lifetime durability.
Utopia Kitchen
- Utopia Kitchen is a popular brand of excellent kitchen cookware, appliances, and utensils. Whatever products by Utopia Kitchen you choose, you will save much time and effort in your daily cooking session.
Cuisinart
- This American home appliance manufacturer run by Conair Corporation was founded in 1973. More than just a business, Cuisinart’s expectation is to help you make fine and healthy dishes making it an universally recognized brand.
FAQs
How to clean cast iron cookware?
Clean your cookware right after every single use and while they are still warm enough to touch and handle.
Hand-wash them in hot water instead of putting them in the dishwasher
Use a sponge or a stiff brush to scrub off the stuck-on food bits.
Heat these items over low heat to dry. Otherwise, you can use a towel to thoroughly dry them.
Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil or shortening on their cooking surface.
Is cooking with cast iron bad for you?
Cooking with cast iron cookware means that you will reduce the amount of cooking oil, avoid harmful chemicals leached into your food, and add a little more iron in your daily diet.
Should you smooth your cast iron?
As the smoothness on your skillets or pans is what releases your food from the cooking surface, you surely should smooth your cookware.
What should you not cook in cast iron?
If you cook a lot of acidic foods for prolonged periods, the coating will get worn down over time, which makes the uncoated cast iron cookware impart an unpleasant metallic flavor. That’s why, don’t use your cast iron cookware to simmer acidic foods such as tomato sauce; deglaze your skillets with a cup of vinegar; or add a tablespoon of lemon juice to hot foods on your skillet.
Also, as cast iron can get extremely hot and it is favored for its heat-retaining ability, it’s better to avoid delicate fish such as od, tilapia, or flounder that can easily fall apart. Finally, before properly seasoning your cast iron cookware, avoid prone-to-sticking foods, like fried rice, scrambled eggs, omelets, and pancakes.
Does cast iron get better with age?
As long as you take care of your cookware set and properly use them, they will get better with age and time and last longer than expected.
Conclusion
Since cast iron can last a lifetime, you and your super heavy-duty kitchenware set will be together forever. Check out the list of the best cast iron cookware sets that everyone raves about above and choose wisely.
