Start with the cooking job
| Pan or tray | A reason to consider it | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Cast iron skillet | A contained surface for small foods, a pan sauce, or a skillet dish. | Usable cooking diameter, full handle width, filled weight, and the heat sources the maker recommends. |
| Griddle or flat pan | A flat cooking area for food that does not suit an open grate. | Surface compatibility, handle clearance, grease management, and instructions for heating and cleaning. |
| Roasting or baking pan | A contained dish such as beans or stuffed peppers, or a roast with a suitable rack. | Inside dimensions, depth, lid clearance, coating limits, and whether the entire assembly is permitted in the cooker. |
| Serving or transport tray | Moving a completed dish to the table or taking it to someone else's dinner. | A suitable lid, stable support, usable capacity, and the directions for carrying the filled tray. |
A tray intended for serving is not automatically intended for cooking. Check the pan, coating, lid, handles, and rack as separate parts of the purchase.
Seasoned cast iron and enamel need different checks
A black seasoned skillet and a colorful enameled pot may both be cast iron, but their directions can differ. Lodge's heat source guide allows its seasoned cast iron on a grill and advises against using its enameled pieces outdoors because grills, smokers, and campfires can affect the finish.
Check the instructions for the actual pan you own. A general oven rating does not answer every question about direct heat, a grill, a lid knob, or a removable handle cover.
A care routine you will actually do
For its seasoned cast iron, Lodge recommends washing by hand, drying completely, and adding a thin layer of oil. Dish soap is fine. The maker advises against soaking and dishwasher cleaning.
Choose cookware around that routine as well as the dish. Keep the care instructions for seasoned iron separate from the directions for enamel or another coating.
Measure it where it will go
- On the cooking surface. Include the full handle width and the space needed for other dishes. Check the grill's directions before covering a large part of the grate.
- Under the lid. Include the rack, food, and lid knob rather than measuring an empty pan alone.
- In the refrigerator. Check the shelf space before filling a pan you need to store.
- At the table. Plan a suitable resting place and the tools needed to lift and serve the filled pan.
The biggest pan on the shelf may not be the easiest one to use. Two smaller dishes can also give you more flexibility when the food needs different cooking times.
The pan and the lid can have different limits
Read the complete disposable pan package, including how to support and carry it. A lid that fits does not establish that it can go into the heat.
For example, Reynolds' pans with lids and carriers include a baking pan and a lid intended for use after cooking. The maker says not to put that lid in the oven. Check equivalent details on the product you choose.
Choose the dish, then check the pan
Our Smoky Baked Beans and Beef and Rice Stuffed Peppers give a pan a clear job. Read each recipe's equipment and temperature before deciding what can cook together. Use the meal planner to see the full batches you need.
Pair the pan with suitable heat gloves and serving tools, then return to the Gear collection.
About this buying guide
These are practical selection questions and attributed manufacturer care directions. They do not claim that every material, coating, or pan has been tested here. Match the maker's instructions to your exact cookware and cooker.