Grilled steak, chicken, and veggies are popular dishes many of us crave on weekends or in picnics. Yet, traditional grilling methods with the coal stove or propane grill come with multiple inconveniences.
If you live in an apartment or a house without a spacious backyard, a stove top grill pan is definitely worth your investment.
It is a handy utensil that can endure high heat for a long time so you can make the best BBQ dishes indoors. With a grill pan, you can finally say good-bye to the dreadful task of cleaning the broiler grill after every summer party.
Check out these best six grill pans to elevate your feast!
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Top 6 Best Grill Pans
1. GreenPan Paris Pro Grill Pan - Best For Overall Use
Key Features:
GreenPan Paris Pro Grill Pan is well-known for its superb nonstick coating. The pan features a healthy nonstick surface that isn't made of plastic. The coating surface is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. All thanks to the sophisticated sand technology.
Microplastics won't get into your food, unlike when you use bad plastic-coated nonstick pans. Because the pan won't make toxic fumes if you accidentally burn the food, you won't have to worry about it.
The pan has a simple and elegant design. A minimalist would like the gray uniformity of the pan body and its metallic handle color.. On top of that, the ridges produce the perfect grill marks, exactly like your favorite barbeque.
The grill pan is 3.42 inches in depth. With a cooking area of 11 inches in diameter, it can cook two pieces of 6-oz steaks with various ingredients at a time. The pan is moderate in weight, only 3 pounds. It's comfortable to handle, yet it's hefty enough to keep the heat and endure high temperatures for a long time .
The pan features excellent nonstick qualities. It is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. The model is also compatible with a wide range of different kitchen equipment, including gas stoves, ovens, and more. But this pan does not work with induction hobs.
When it comes to durability, the pan is sturdy and resistant to scratches, even when used with metal utensils. However, we find the nonstick performance somewhat degrades after a lot of use.
To keep your grill pan non sticky, you must follow the manufacturer's care instructions. It is imperative to only cook over medium heat and avoid using abrasive tools to wash the pan.
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2. Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle - Best For Having Parties
Key Features:
The Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle gives the impression of a large pan, capable of cooking for a big group of people. With the overall size of 20x10.44 inches, it can easily grill three big steaks with asparagus at once. The grill fits a twin burner, a camp stove, and more.
On each side, there are two grip handles easy for carrying. They make it easy to move the hot griddle with your cooking gloves. It is perfect for cooking with an oven or a grill. Also, the handle design makes it easy to hang up the griddle when not in use.
This product is highly versatile when it comes to functionality. It is compatible with every type of cookstove we have, ranging from a gas stove, a glass stove, to an oven, and a grill.
Due to the magnetic properties of cast iron, you can use the griddle on an induction cooktop. And it works like a charm on a campfire, too! The only secret is that you need to season the griddle carefully after buying. Though the advertisement says “pre-seasoned,” we find it better to take extra steps to keep it from rusting.
Despite the griddle’s hefty weight, its thick surface helps keep the heat in and distribute it more evenly.. It will give you the perfect cooking temperature after preheating for 20 minutes with some drops of oil. Food tastes best when cooked in this griddle on a medium to low heat setting.
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3. Gotham Steel Grill Pan - Best For Lightweight Usage
Key Features:
The Gotham Steel Grill Pan's outstanding non stick performance is what sets it apart from its counterparts. When you use this pan, it is feasible to cook without adding oil. The product is ideal for folks who wish to cut down on fat and oil in their diet.
PFOA, PFOS, lead, and cadmium are absent in the coating surface. You may, therefore, rest assured that your nutritious meals do not have these toxins that might harm you in any way.
The pan has a simple design, just like any typical off-the-shelf pan you'd get at a supermarket. The product package also provides a heat-resistant transparent glass lid. It allows you to view how the food is being cooked inside. And you may even have the cover lid on when cooking in the oven, which gives you the food texture to your taste.
Despite all of the aforesaid benefits, the pan is surprisingly light. Or to put it another way, 1.8 pounds in weight is the lightest on the list we've reviewed so far. For dishes that call for flipping up and tossing ingredients, you can do the tricks like a pro chef. The lightweight and excellent ability to stay nonstick make clean-up a breeze.
One trade-off though is the lack of durability. The manufacturer claims that we can use the pan with metal utensils or electric beaters. Yet, we found it to be relatively susceptible to scratches and chips. Moreover, the nonstick ability may degrade if the surface suffers too many scratches.
With that said, you can prevent this scenario by using the pan with gentle care. At such a price, the product can serve as a good pan for the daily making of burger patties and pancakes.
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4. Calphalon Square Grill Pan - Best For Keeping Heat
Key Features:
Temperature is the make-or-break factor in making tasty grilled food. To replicate the flavor of grilling over an open flame, Calphalon Square Grill Pan is undoubtedly the best choice.
Raised ridges with well-crafted design provide flawless grill marks on your food and make it taste delightful. The fitting size aids in temperature retention and helps distribute heat evenly.
The skillet features a modern look with two color variants. Thanks to the heat-insulated brushed handle, you can control the skillet while cooking without worrying about burning your hands. The nonstick coating reduces the amount of cooking oil you need. Thereby, food retains its nutrient benefit while still tasting delicious.
The skillet has moderate weight and comes with a tempered glass lid. The lid brings a moist texture to your meals. It also serves as a good heat preservation tool before serving.
The skillet works well on gas and electric cooktops but not on an induction cooktop. The incompatibility with ovens and broilers is also one of its flaws. Despite the promises from the manufacturer, it is advisable not to put the skillet in the oven. The product tends to become warped after coming out of a hot stove.
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5. Le Creuset Grill Skillet - Best For Versability
Key Features:
Le Creuset Grill Skillet is a phenomenal product in look and functionality. Unlike other cast iron products, this enameled cast iron provides superb nonstick capability without pre-season.
The skillet has excellent versatility. With this, you can get creative in the kitchen worry-free. The skillet is highly durable and responds well to various cooking techniques. You can sauteé, pan-fry, and pan-sear with it. The product is also great at making flavorsome braised or ceviche dishes.
The skillet heats well. It can cook around six pieces of filet mignon at a time. The spacious cooking area with a diameter of 10.25 inches and a depth of 2.6 inches makes it the ideal product for home cooking. It is compatible with all kinds of hobs, including induction stove and grill.
The stunning design with a lovely color palette will delight any cooking enthusiast. The skillet is not only gorgeous, but also well-crafted.
The model includes two handles, a long and a short one, for easy handling. There are the pour spouts on the two other sides of the skillet. They are great to drain off the remaining grease. And all these features make the skillet a good BBQ grill pan.
Two caveats though, the skillet is rather weighty and it also has a high-priced cost.
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6. Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan - Best For Your Budget
Key Features:
The budget-friendly price makes Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan stand out from the competitors. Nonetheless, being cheap does not equal poor quality. We might say the product is comparable to the best cast iron grill pan on the market.
The product is a hybrid of a grill pan and a griddle. The pan features a square shape and a depth of 2.62 inches. It would rest nicely on the burner and would not splatter when you’re flipping food.
When you use this pan, the heat spreads out evenly, which makes it easier to cook the food. The grill lines are good at making sear marks that look appetizing. It also doesn't stick, which is the cherry on top. You can use the pan for both indoor and outdoor grilling.
On the downside, since the product is relatively small, the hefty weight makes it hard to handle. Nonetheless, it is not that difficult to maneuver due to the combination of the firm grip and the loop handle. Also, we find the tiny handle extra convenient when moving the pan with hand gloves.
What we do not like about this pan is the outer part. The base is prone to corrosion due to the nature of pure cast iron products. Luckily, there are ways to keep the issue at bay, and all it really requires is attentive care and proper storage.
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Conclusion
If you long for the smoky flavor of BBQ dishes but don't want to cook outside, a nonstick grill pan is a good compromise. If you're still unsure, the GreenPan Paris Pro Grill Pan is a solid option as not only is it affordable, but it’s also good in general. In case you're on a lavish budget, the Le Creuset Grill Skillet is an incredible choice to take your cooking to the next level. The pan is somewhat heavy and pricey, but its longevity and versatility make the product well worth the investment.