A classic cast iron pan is a must-have for both professional and home cooks! The reason is that cast iron is an excellent heat conductor, which means it doesn’t have hot spots and cooks evenly (and retains heat well, too). However, cast iron pans can be expensive, and enameled ones even more so. But there’s good news! Black Friday is just around the corner, and many companies offer enticing discounts on these products. So, if you’ve been wanting to snatch a high-quality cast iron pan, now is the perfect time to do so.
As a passionate cook myself, I’ve been eyeing a few cast iron pans that I’d love to add to my collection. I’m hoping some items on my wish list go on sale this Black Friday because each has unique, appealing features. Some are skillets, some are Dutch ovens, and some are mini grills. Each serves a different purpose. I definitely believe having a variety of cast iron dishes can elevate anyone’s cooking game! Ultimately, you can peek at what products I’m hoping to see on sale so you can invest in cast iron cookware on Black Friday, too!
(Please Note: We’re not affiliated with any of these products in any way. We don’t receive a commission if you buy. This is just the author’s honest opinion.)
1. Lodge Cast Iron USA Enamel™ 6 Qt. Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Lodge has many different cast iron products, making it hard to choose just one – I also have a Lodge Cast Iron Casserole dish on this list, but we’ll get to that later. Lodge has been around since 1896, so it’s pretty obvious that the company is doing something right.
I specifically want the 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron pan because it withstands different temperature levels, from the refrigerator to the stovetop to the oven! This cast iron is non-reactive, meaning it won’t give the food a metallic or funky taste like other materials might. Lodge says you can “use it to braise, boil, roast, simmer, deep-fry and so much more,” so the question is, what can’t it do?
2. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Iron Handle Skillet
If you’re looking for a classic cast iron skillet, the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature might win you over as it did with me! Since this product is so high-quality, it isn’t the most affordable at full price, but that’s what Black Friday is for, and I’m hoping to find it at a discounted price.
This skillet is ready to use, meaning you don’t have to season it yourself. It is lighter in weight when you compare it to similar products with the same quart size, which can benefit folks who have trouble carrying heavy skillets when they make food.
3. Staub Cast Iron 11-inch, Traditional Deep Skillet
Staub is a household name when it comes to cast iron. In fact, Francis Staub invented his first cast iron cocotte in the 1970s, and the company has had much success since then. Although there are many Staub products to choose from, I’ve been eyeing the Traditional Deep Skillet! I love this product because it has such straight sides.
Also, when you cook food in it, you can serve it from the skillet itself without transferring it to a different serving dish. My friend has this exact skillet, and they let me try it. I was impressed by how crunchy it made my potatoes; the browning effect on this skillet is amazing! It functions as a sauté and frying pan, so what’s not to love?
4. Crock Pot Artisan 10 Inch Enameled Cast Iron Round Skillet
I have always been a fan of Crock Pot products, so I hope to expand my lineup with an Enameled Round Skillet. What makes it so great, you ask? You can use this product with induction, gas, or electric heat, so you don’t need to worry about how it will do in your kitchen.
Furthermore, you can cook it in the oven under extremely high heat, 500 degrees to be exact, so you don’t feel limited when using this skillet. However, this cast iron dish is only 2 quarts, so it is smaller than other options on this list! That doesn’t take away from its appeal, though. It’s compact enough to use when making smaller dishes that aren’t necessarily family-sized.
5. Cuisinart, 9.25″ Square Grill Pan, Enameled
With this product, you get the best of both worlds! This cast-iron grill from Cuisinart imparts delicious flavor into food while giving it gorgeous grill marks. This product has an enameled interior and exterior! It is safe for the dishwasher, oven, stovetop, and broiler.
So, when I make food that I would like to finish off in the broiler, I don’t have to worry about it destroying the cookware. I also like how this cast iron works for everything from slow braising beef to classic grilled cheese sandwiches. Since this dish is already relatively affordable compared to other options on this list, I hope I can get it for an even more impressive price than it already is!
6. Tramontina 12 in Enameled Cast-Iron Series 1000 Skillet
If you’ve never tried cooking with a Tramontina product, you better watch out for their cast iron products during Black Friday deals. The brand began as a Brazilian company in 1911, and now the business has spread to the U.S. and other countries. The Tramontina Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet is everything you want in cast iron.
This product gives you the old-fashioned cast iron feel since you can season it yourself. And after you break it in, you can use this pan for frying, searing, sauteing, or even baking! Yep, that’s right, you can find me baking some sticky buns in this dish as soon as I purchase it. The best part is that this cast iron is inexpensive to begin with, so if you find a black Friday deal, it will be a steal!
7. Lodge 3.6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Oval Casserole With Lid – Dual Handles
If you love making casseroles as much as I do, this Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Oval Casserole Dish might be your new dream cookware. This is a fantastic vessel for baking. I especially love that you can assemble casseroles in it and serve them straight from the dish, putting the matching lid on top to cover the food until you’re ready to dig in.
Moreover, according to Lodge, it doesn’t just heat from the bottom but also from the sides! So, you don’t need to worry about the center being raw while the edges are brown. It also works for stews and soups since the lid ensures no moisture escapes while you cook!
8. KitchenAid Enameled Cast Iron Square Grill and Roasting Pan, 11 Inch
When you think of Kitchenaid, you might only think of tabletop mixers for baking. Yet, the brand has so many other types of cookware, too. This Cast-Iron Square Grill is similar to Cuisanart’s, except it has two handles instead of just one.
Kitchenaid states you will “leave behind classic sear marks on chops, filets, steaks, and seafood” with this grill pan! This pan appeals to me because I can continue to grill my favorite foods even in the colder months without having to go outside and BBQ. This cast iron isn’t just for grilling meat, though. You can make things like French toast, charred veggies, or Mexican street corn, too.
