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A versatile weapon to add to your cookware arsenal.

Some of the best cast iron skillets are those that are broken in and seasoned. You can hunt for the antique cast iron skillets and pick them up at a hefty price or you can check out our picks for the cast iron cookware. The only caveat is you have to season it yourself. Seasoning your cast iron pans is pretty simple and the upkeep is even easier. Traditional cast iron pans are made from molten iron and are poured into a mold. Once the molding process is complete, they shave down the trim pieces and prepare them for the finishing process. Cast iron cookware comes in many shapes and sizes as well as styles. The popular cookware can be plain cast iron or enameled cast iron, where a special coating is placed on the surface. As far as shapes, you can have Dutch ovens, which are pans with a lid or you can have various types of skillets. Cast iron skillets are perfect for cooking because they retain heat better and have an even heat distribution during the cooking process. Cast iron skillets can be used on the stovetop, the oven, and even over an open flame, outdoors of course. Over time and with proper care, your cast iron skillet will become more and more seasoned and nonstick. When cleaning cast iron skillets, it's best to always be hand washed and only use mild soap and water. There are special brushes and cleaning tools to help maintain the seasoned cast iron without removing the protective coating you have built up.

This beefy 12.5-inch cast iron skillet can hold a hell of a lot of food, and it’ll develop a nice layer of non-stick patina over time if you season it up consistently. (It’s seasoned out of the box, of course.) Cook vegetables and meats in the same pan due to its size.

If you’re cooking for more than just yourself, you’re gonna need a bigger pan. The Lodge 15" Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet has a spacious surface and a factory seasoning that makes both cooking and cleaning easy. It even features two handles for extra support should a load of your supper grow cumbersome.

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If you’ve got a little room to splurge, the No. 10 from Smithey is an excellent buy. It’s their original design, which features an incredibly smooth finish and an ergonomic handle—so you can maneuver your meal with ease. At 10-inches in diameter—nine inches of cooking surface—it can handle most large meals.

This medium-sized skillet is perfect for everyday cooking, able to fit up to three burger patties. The sloping lip means you won’t get as much oil splash when you’re cooking, and the large handles help you keep your food steady as you serve it.

Read more: Best Non-stick Cookware

Enameled pans make constant seasoning unnecessary. This enameled Staub pan also has excellent heat distribution and can do pretty much anything from browning meats to sautéing vegetables. Plus, that red color is pretty slick.

If you’re in the market for a smaller skillet, the Field No. 8 is a great choice: a little over eight inches of cooking surface, capable of holding four fried eggs. This guy only weighs 4 1/2 pounds—perfect for taking on a camping trip.

Its two integrated handles help you transfer the pan from stove to table, and the enamel is chip and crack-resistant, so it’s worth the investment.

These Portland-based craftsmen apply an octagonal shape of their skillets for easier pouring. The spiraled stainless-steel handle makes for no-burn transportation. Looks stunning too.

Lodge, the company, has been around since 1896. Eighteen-ninety-six. Grover freakin' Cleveland was president of the United States of America.

And they've existed for that long because they have, unlike Grover Cleveland did, a pretty damn good job. All their cast-iron in made in the US, is incredibly durable, and will last multiple generations.

Their Blacklock line comes triple-seasoned from the factory. That means that it's non-stick so it's less of a hassle to clean.

For the past few years, Men's Health editors tried and tested countless cast iron skillets on the market to narrow our favorites. We ranked them based on versatility, durability, and value. We also considered top-reviewed skillets from online retailers we trust.

When purchasing a cast iron skillet, decide if you are going to go with new or used. New skillets come unseasoned and generally rough. It will take a bit of cooking usage in order to get seasoned and smooth. Used cast iron skillets usually come seasoned from years of cooking. Regardless of what cast iron skillet you choose, these are some items to watch out for when researching cast iron make sure it doesn't wobble, doesn't have any cracks, large pits or grooves.