7 Best Fry Pans For Steaks Of 2023
Any grilling fanatic will tell you all about their favorite cookware, and a good-quality fry pan is pretty much indispensable if you want to turn out succulent and juicy steaks.
But how do you choose a good fry pan which will give you consistent results every time?
So, what makes the best fry pans for steaks? The best steak fry pans must be able to withstand high temperatures and have excellent heat retention and distribution. It should be durable and resilient, and also be easy to clean. A good quality fry pan will have multiple uses in the kitchen, so is a worthwhile investment.
In the mood for cooking a steak dinner for the family? Read on to learn what makes the best fry pan for steaks, and we’ll reveal our top 7 best fry pans for steaks to help you choose!
How To Choose The Best Fry Pan For Steaks
Nothing quite beats a succulent, juicy steak, sizzling away in the frying pan. If you’re a steak fan, you’ll know that enjoying a perfectly cooked piece of T-bone is one of life’s true joys.
Fresh from the pan, served with a side of mashed potatoes – delicious!
It can be so annoying to find what you think is a good steak frying pan, only for your steak to turn out badly or, even worse, burnt or chewy.
Sadly, many fry pans for steak just don’t live up to the hype, and we end up disappointed when our fried foods just don’t turn out as good as we’d hoped.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a new fry pan for steaks, how do you know what to look for?
Let’s find out!
What Are Fry Pans For Steaks?
You might think we’ve gone crazy, suggesting that you need a fry pan for steaks. But when it comes to steak, choosing the right cut of meat is only one factor. To get a juicy, tender steak, it is essential that it is cooked correctly as well.
To cook a steak well, you need a pan that can reach high temperatures, and stay hot throughout the cooking process. You also need even heat distribution, and enough room to turn your steaks easily.
The good thing is that once you have a good fry pan for steaks, you’ll be using it for everything else as well! This is a quality piece of cookware that will transform your home cooking.
Let’s take a look at the factors involved in choosing a good steak frying pan.
Size
It might sound obvious, but you need to buy the right size fry pan to suit you and your kitchen! Frying pans come in many shapes and sizes, and which one you choose depends on how you plan on using it.
If you are thinking of cooking up large amounts of steak for big family dinners, then opt for a bigger pan if you have room for it.
However, steak always tastes better if rested in a warm place for a short while after cooking, so it isn’t a problem if you need to cook your steak in smaller batches.
Cooking Surface
Choosing the correct cooking surface is crucial when choosing a frying pan for cooking steak.
You need a pan that can reach high temperatures, and that will distribute the heat evenly through your steak. A fry pan that goes cold as soon as your steak hits the oil will only end in disaster!
Experts all agree that cast iron pans are the gold standard when it comes to cooking steak.
This is because cast iron retains heat very well, and can reach high temperatures without any issues. Cast iron is also very durable, and pretty much indestructible!
However, cast iron does have a bit of a reputation as being high maintenance and difficult to care for. This is because it needs to be seasoned regularly, otherwise the cooking surface may lose its non-stick properties.
A good alternative to cast iron is carbon steel. These pans are lighter and smoother than cast iron, making them easier to cook with and care for. They also have very impressive heat retention properties.
Many people turn to nonstick pans when they are choosing a new fry pan. However, as much as we love our non-stick pans, many of them are really not suited to frying.
This is because many nonstick pans are coated with Teflon or other similar coatings. These are not designed to withstand high temperatures and may start to degrade and break down.
This damages the non-stick coating, and may also release potentially harmful chemicals into the food.
If you want a non-stick pan, opt for one with a stone-derived coating such as copper stone pans. This will be able to withstand high temperatures and wipe clean easily after use.
As well as the type of cooking surface, you also need to decide if you want a flat pan or a ridged griddle pan.
Many people prefer a ridged pan for cooking steak, to give those distinctive caramelized lines. However, a flat cooking surface will give more even heat distribution.
Ease Of Cleaning
So, you’ve cooked up a big steak feast all the family, yummy! But you don’t want to be lumbered with hours of washing up, especially trying to remove black, burnt-on food.
Ideally, the surface of your steak fry pan should just wipe clean in seconds. Some frying pans are suitable for washing in the dishwasher, while others are hand-wash only.
Watch out for fiddly bits where food could get trapped. The area where the handle joins the pan is a big problem in some frying pans, as well as ridges around the edge of the pan.
Adaptability
Who doesn’t love a frying pan which can do many things?! There is no point taking up valuable cupboard space with pans that only do one thing each.
Luckily, many frying pans can be used for other cooking techniques, such as braising, sautéing, and even oven roasting.
So, if you are tight on space in your kitchen, it makes sense to opt for a multifunctional frying pan that can do more than one job.
The 7 Best Fry Pans For Steak
From a traditional cast iron frying pan to a multifunction copper stone pan, the key to frying the best steaks is a consistently high temperature and high-quality non-stick surface. Here are our top picks for the 7 best fry pans for steak.
| Rank | Product | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet With Silicone Handle Holder | Best overall steak frying pan |
| 2. | EOE Carbon Steel Pan Lightweight Nonstick Black Skillet | Can withstand temperatures up to 600°F |
| 3. | Copper Chef Non-Stick Fry Pan | Durable copper build |
| 4. | Granite Stone Diamond Nonstick Family Frying Pan | Granite stone coating |
| 5. | Misen Professional Stainless Steel Frying Pan | High-quality chef's pan |
| 6. | Fresh Australian Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Ridged Cast Iron Fry Pan | Sturdy cast iron build |
| 7. | Ecowin Nonstick Grill Frying Pan | Ergonomic Bakelite handle |
1. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet With Silicone Handle Holder
Well, seeing as the experts all say that cast iron is the only way to cook steak, it would have to be a cast iron pan in our top spot!
This flat-bottomed cast iron fry pan will cook your steak to perfection, as it can withstand and retain high temperatures and distribute heat evenly throughout the cooking process.
The flat cooking surface evenly sears the outside of the steak, giving you perfect caramelization and incredible flavor.
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is just over 10 inches in diameter, big enough for a decent-sized steak or two. It comes with a removable silicone handle holder to prevent accidental burns.
This is a very versatile pan that can be used on many types of stoves, as well as in the oven or under the grill. As with all cast iron pans, the more you use it, the better it will get!
When it comes to caring for this pan, it isn’t as complicated as you might think. All you need to do is allow the pan to cool, then hand wash it in warm soapy water.
Once dry, rub the surface with cooking oil to preserve the non-stick properties of the pan.
2. EOE Carbon Steel Pan Lightweight Nonstick Black Skillet
If the thought of caring for a cast iron pan terrifies you, then this carbon steel pan is a great alternative.
It is also much lighter and easier to use than a cast iron pan, perfect if you find lifting heavy pans difficult.
The EOE Carbon Steel Pan Lightweight Nonstick Black Skillet has a resilient and hardwearing surface, which will last for years if well looked after.
The non-stick surface relies on seasoning, is self-maintaining, and is free from harmful chemicals.
When it comes to cooking steak, this pan can withstand temperatures up to 600°F! It will work on any type of stovetop and is also safe to use in the oven and broiler.
Unlike some non-stick pans, this carbon steel pan will not be damaged by metal utensils.
The heat distribution benefits of this pan are impressive, heating up in half the time of traditional cast iron and carbon steel pans. This pan really has revolutionized frying pan technology!
3. Copper Chef Non-Stick Fry Pan
This stylish flat-bottomed fry pan from Copper Chef is made using their patented Cerami-Tech non-stick ceramic coating.
This durable cooking surface can withstand temperatures of up to 850°F!
The Copper Chef Non-Stick Fry Pan has a stainless steel induction plate on the bottom of the pan, giving fast and even heat distribution and retention.
It can be used on any type of stovetop, including ceramic, gas, electric, and induction stovetopss. It is also safe for use in the oven.
The manufacturers claim that absolutely nothing sticks to the surface of this pan – not even burnt cheese!
After use, you can wipe it clean easily in warm soapy water. It is also dishwasher safe, but this cleaning method may shorten the useful life of your pan.
The only disadvantage to this pan that we can see is the attachment from the handle to the pan. This is a notorious area for food getting stuck to pans!
4. Granite Stone Diamond Nonstick Family Frying Pan
If you’re cooking for a big family, a giant frying pan like this durable Granite Stone pan is incredibly helpful.
And when it comes to non-stick surfaces, we think that the Granite Stone Diamond technology is pretty hard to beat!
The cooking surface of this pan is made from a rough granite coating, proven to be more durable and superior to smooth non-stick surfaces.
It is scratch-resistant, even when metal utensils are used.
This family-sized 14” pan is compatible with most cooktops, including gas and electric hobs. It is also oven safe up to 550°F.
The manufacturers assure us that it is also dishwasher safe, but, as with all non-stick pans, we would advise that you wash it by hand to preserve its useful life.
5. Misen Professional Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Professional chefs swear by their stainless steel fry pans, and this one by Misen really is sheer perfection!
Many home cooks avoid stainless steel, as it has a reputation of being difficult to clean and hard to cook with.
However, once you’ve got it figured out, you’ll love this versatile pan, which will become the mainstay of your kitchen.
Now, we have to get something straight here from the start – this is NOT a non-stick pan. In this day and age, where we are all used to food that slides out of the pan, this might sound like a revolutionary idea. But please bear with us!
Stainless steel has very efficient heat retention and distribution properties, making it perfect for cooking steak at high temperatures.
Just remember to add a drop of oil and your stainless steel pan should be very easy to clean after use.
6. Fresh Australian Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Ridged Cast Iron Fry Pan
So far, we’ve looked at flat bottomed fry pans for cooking steak, as generally, they give the best heat distribution.
But some of us prefer to use a ridged pan, to give that “just-barbequed” look to your sizzling steaks.
If you’re on the lookout for a new ridged fry pan, then this pre-seasoned cast iron pan is worth a try. It is made from high-quality cast iron and will sear your steak to perfection, giving perfect caramelized lines on the cooked surface.
This pan is perfect for recreating that barbeque effect, whatever the time of year. So, if you don’t fancy firing up your outdoor grill in the middle of winter, this is the pan for you!
As with any cast iron pan, it can take a while to get used to cooking on this type of surface. However, if it isn’t perfect when you first use it, don’t panic – these pans almost always improve with age and use.
7. Ecowin Nonstick Grill Frying Pan
The final pan in our top 7 best fry pans for cooking steak is this stylish non-stick ridged pan by Ecowin.
Made with 4mm thick forged aluminum covered with a durable Whitford non-stick coating, this pan can withstand high temperatures and will cook your steak to perfection.
This pan comes with an ergonomic Bakelite handle, which is comfortable to hold and stays cool during use.
It can be used on all types of stovetops, including induction stoves. However, it is not suitable for use in ovens or under broilers.
The non-stick surface of the Ecowin frying pan is durable, but it will be damaged if metal utensils or harsh scourers are used. It is lighter than many other pans in our review, so it would be perfect for anyone who struggles to lift heavy pans.
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