You probably just got to know or what to make wonderful grilled meals without having to use a grill.
Yeah, there’s a way to achieve those lovely grilled foods – grill pans!
It’s a much quicker way to get a bit since you don’t have to waste time firing up the grill. With one of these modern grill pans, you can enjoy a great mimic of an outdoor grilling experience even much better – No setup, stress, or smoke. These models will easily be a nice alternative to those large garden grills since they are less boring and challenging to use.
In this article, we’ll compare the best grill pans out there. Plus, there’s a buying guide section to ensure you make the right choice.
What is the grill pan?
A grill pan looks like a skillet or frying pan. The only difference is that the grill pan comes with grill lines all over its interior. Grill pan has slightly raised grill lines to allow oil drip, unlike your basic frying pan. They are designed to offer you a brilliant mimic of an excellent outdoor grilling section in a simple yet effective manner.
Grilling has to do with applying heat to the food for more season taste. With this method of cooking, there isn’t a medium such as oil or water between the food and the heat source. This is exactly what a grill pan is designed to do.
This cookware eliminates the hassle of setting up an outdoor grill. Besides, it comes in a compact size and quite easy to use. Most models are compatible with your gas, electric or induction stovetops, while others can be compatible with your oven. On top of that, these pans offer excellent heat transfer, which means the heat source does not need you to regulate temperature like the outdoor grills.
So, let’s find out the best grill pan for incredible outdoor grilling experience mimics without further ado.
Reviews of Best Grill Pan America’s Test Kitchen, Wirecutter, Consumer Reports,Food and Win in 2020
Here are top rated grill pan on the market today
Top 1 – Best Cast Iron Grill Pan With Assist Handle – Lodge Pre-Seasoned
When it comes to the best grill pans, Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Pan takes the lead. This pan is constructed of cast iron, which tells a lot about the durability of this cookware. This unit will stand the test of time and harsh either for outdoor or indoor grilling.
Since this grill fry pan is made of cast iron, it comes preseasoned, eliminating the hassle of seasoning the cookware after buying it before using it. This 10.5-inch grill pan offers enough cooking space to grill a large piece of steak or chicken. More importantly, this unit features a space for hanging the grill pan.
With this pan’s grilled-styled surface, this model does a great job at grilling chicken and steak. Because of its cast iron construction, Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Pan works well with most heat sources such as an oven, campfire, gas stove, etc.
Pros:
- Extra durable and long-lasting
- 10.5-inch moderate-sized grill pan
- Comes preseasoned for on-the-go grilling
- Includes a space to hang the pan
Cons:
- It’s not 100% nonstick
- On the heavier side
Top 2 – TeChef – Best stovetop grill pan, Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill Pan
Function and design, the TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill Pan, is a pro at any level. It features heavy aluminum build and a 5-layer nonstick cooking surface for long-lasting satisfactory performance.
This product is one of the best nonstick grill pan available. It sports a DuPont Teflon Select Print coating and a distinctive swirled channel to allow oil drain. Its coating does not include any chemical, which shows the manufacturer’s intent towards healthy cooking.
TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Grill Pan comes in a dome shape to ensure grease drain easily and works well with outdoor grills. With the drip cup, users can enjoy an automatic process.
What’s more? This model has exceptional quality, which makes it suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Grill Pan is highly compatible with all stovetops and adapts well to high heat even from a campfire.
This unit is fun and easy to use, and a handy tool for people looking to cook low-fat meals, thanks to its nonstick surface and drain hole. This grill pan is an ideal choice if you want to control fat cholesterol calories and carbs
Pros:
- Great design
- 5-layer swirl nonstick construction
- Chemical-free coating
- Superior performance
- Oil drain for unparalleled grill results
- Outdoor/indoor use compatible
Cons:
- Sidewalls are shallow
- Side handles could be a bit longer
Top 3 – Calphalon Contemporary Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware
The Calphalon uses hard-anodized aluminium which the manufacturer invented and has made several improvements to ensure that this material is one of the best in this space.
The Calphalon Contemporary grill pan is a lightweight design yet sturdy. Crafted with aluminium that is then hard anodized ensures effective heat distribution. Also, ensure that the product is scratch and chipping resistance.
This pan interior features three nonstick coating layers. The first two layers offer impressive durability, while the last layer is nonstick to ensure hassle-free food release and cleaning. Besides, this grill pan is dishwasher compatible.
That’s not all: The Calphalon Contemporary grill pan is PFOA free, which means your grilled meals won’t include any harmful chemicals. Plus, it’s oven-safe up to 450 degrees F to allow you to cook a wide range of foods.
In addition, its handle features an ergonomic design to ensure safe and comfortable use. More so, the deep ridges support the use of oil without compromising the grill finish. Even better, this unit from Calphalon is backed by a full lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Lightweight design
- An extra layer for durability and unbeatable performance
- Comfortable “stay cool” handles
- Deep ridges for lesser oil
- Lifetime warranty
- Lightweight design
Cons:
- Scratch-resistant
- Best to hand wash
Top 4 – Cooks Standard Hard Anodized Nonstick Square Grill Pan
Another hard anodized grill pan making our list is Cooks Standard Square Grill Pan. This model features a hard-anodized surface to ensure it’s harder and more durable than the stainless steel variant.
And, its heavy-gauge aluminum cores offer even heat distribution and get rid of hot spots. This unit comes with a nonstick coating to deliver exceptional performance and make cleaning a snap.
What’s more? Cooks Standard Square Grill Pan works on halogen, ceramic, glass, electric, gas stovetop. However, this product is not induction compatible. Also, it is dishwasher friendly. Nonetheless, it’s advisable to hand wash.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Nonstick coating to deliver exceptional performance
- Chemical-free construction
- Nice heavyweight design
Cons:
- Not compatible with an induction stovetop
Top 5 – Rachael Ray Cucina Hard-Anodized Nonstick Grill
Next is Rachael Ray Cucina Hard-Anodized Nonstick Grill from one of the best brands in the industry. This Rachael Ray grill pan comes in an 11-inch square design to ensure users can fit larger chunks with ease and still enjoy a well-grilled food.
This is another model featuring hard-anodized construction for remarkable durability, even and quick heating. The material prevents any hotspots, thus, improves your grill quality. On the exterior, it sports a clear coating for an attractive finish. More importantly, the durable coat is dishwasher compatible.
For the interior, it’s nonstick interior ensures easy food release and easy cleaning. Like most top products, this model is equipped with a comfortable-to-grip handle and rubber padded for safe cooking. Also, it’s oven safe up to 400 degrees F.
Although this model is scratch-resistant, it’s accompanied by a lifetime warranty to make certain that Rachael Ray grill pan can withstand the test of time.
Pros:
- Oven safe to 400 degrees F
- Double-riveted handle
- Fast, even heating
- High-quality nonstick construction
Cons:
- The handle is a bit thin.
Top 6 – All-Clad E7954064 HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Dishwasher Safe PFOA Free Square Grill Cookware
Another 11-inch grill pan, All-Clad E7954064 comes with outstanding function and safety features. This product is extra hardened for a more durable pan. It features hard-anodized aluminum to ensure the pan can withstand high levels of heat without warping. However, it makes All-Clad E7954064 a lightweight model and easy to use.
It also comes with a square shape design to allow you to fit your vegetables, fish, and steak easily. The pan’s bottom is ridged and features a nonstick coating to prevent using a large oil amount.
More importantly, it has tall rims for holding in splatters as you turn your grill food. Plus, it comes with a cool-touch handle for extra safety. For more confidence, this model has firmly riveted handles. This unit is compatible with induction cookers, oven, dishwasher up to 500 degrees F for more flexibility and convenience. Above all, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Require less oil
- Extra hardened for more durability and superior performance.
- “Ever cool” handles
- Tall rims to prevent hot splatters
Cons:
- Poor heat distribution
Top 7 – MasterPan Non-Stick Small Grill Pan, 8″
The model is crafted with 100% die-cast aluminum to deliver excellent heat conduction and even heat distribution. It’s designed to be compatible with any stove hob and deliver excellent heat distribution.
This unit is a stain-resistant and nonstick cooking surface. For the sake of healthy cooking, MasterPan Non-Stick Grill Pan does not include PFOA, which makes it easier and fun to use.
This model is easy to clean up and offers fast, even heating. Further, it comes with a convenient folding wooden handle for safe use and saving space.
Pros:
- Save space
- Dishwasher and oven safe
- Stain-resistant and nonstick
- Easy to use and clean
Cons:
- The handle is not very sturdy.
How to Choose the Right Grill Pan
Before heading to the market to pick just any grill pan that comes your way, you should consider these factors for a smarter decision:
Ridges
When it comes to grilling, there is little to no need for oil or grease on the food. Therefore, it is important to choose a grill pan with deep ridges to ensure that your food’s oil drips are collected in these ridges. Some models are designed to offer free drain and extra depressions for collecting unwanted oils.
Heat distribution
Before choosing a pan, you must opt for a product made of materials known to offer even heat distribution. This ensures that there are no hot spots that ruin your food. Hot spots tend to leave your food semi-cooked, and we’re good at the same time, therefore, resulting in an unpleasant experience.
Pan shape
Grill pans come in either circular or square shape. But for more cooking space, it is best to consider the square-shaped models even if they have the same dimensions as the circular models. The square-shaped grill pan offers you more cooking space to grill large chunks of food and is ideal for cooking more people.
Grill press
This Factor is often overlooked, but it determines the visual experience and taste. So you should consider a grill pan accompanied by a matching press. This is not to say that without this press, you cannot achieve great results. For those looking to up their cooking game owning a press is definitely a smart idea.
Versatility
Some grill pan provides you with additional features like oven and dishwasher compatibility. While these features might not be a deal-breaker, they definitely come in handy at some point in time.
Another feature that is a deal-breaker is the nonstick coating. This feature ensures that food gets released easily and clean up is snappy. Besides, it helps you get better-defined foods without a lot of stress.
That’s not all, extra features like handles that are comfortable to grab and do not heat up is a must-have for safe and convenient cooking.
FAQs about grill pan
1. Can I use a grill pan on a glass top stove
Glass top stoves tend to scratch easily; therefore, it is advisable not to use with grill pans crafted from cast iron ceramic or glass, which tend to be the culprit.
2. What pans are grill safe?
It is important to consider pans that are made from materials that do not include chemicals or any toxic materials. Also, products that do not react with your food ingredient is a healthier choice.
3. What can you cook on a grill pan?
Pork Tenderloin, Chicken, Steak, Shrimp, etc.
Conclusion
We have considered the seven best grill pan on the market. Now it is up to you to decide which of the pans meets your cooking needs. But if we must recommend, the Lodge Preseasoned Cast Iron Grill Pan is our top recommendation. Nevertheless, whichever product you choose, we are confident that you can’t really go wrong.
