Can You Help Me Find an Enameled Grill Pan? Good Questions

Q: I'd like to replace my tired old nonstick skillet and grill pan with a cast iron version of each. My range is a ceramic top and the manual recommends using only enameled cast iron, which doesn't seem like it would be up to task for high heat searing. The only solution I could think of was a cast iron pan that has an enameled bottom but a non-enameled cooking surface.

But I can't seem to find any information on such a thing. Do you know of any such pans? Any suggestion at all would be appreciated!

Sent by Marta

Editor: Marta, this is actually an easy question! Take a look at Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge, and other brands of enameled cookware. Their grill pans and skillets are almost always enameled on the outside, but great for grilling and searing inside. Even if they are "raw" cast iron, their black surfaces are generally very good for any kitchen task. I personally have a Staub Dutch oven with a black enameled interior, and it's brilliant at searing meat. See the grill pan pictured above:

• Le Creuset Square Skillet Grill, $89.95 at Amazon

But if you definitely want raw cast iron, Lodge makes enameled cast iron too!

• Lodge Color Enamel Skillet, $59.95 at Lodge
• Lodge Color Enamel 10" Square Grill Pan, $66.95 at Lodge

Readers, any more suggestions for Marta?

Next question?

(Image: Amazon)

Comments (11)

Food network has one that they sell at Kohls. I have their dutch oven and it's fantastic (and only cost me $40 because they frequently have 50% off sales).

If you have a Cost Plus World Market near you (or are interested in ordering online), check out theirs, currently on sale for $31.99

I have the very one pictured in this post and it is absolutely fantastic.

Best burgers, steak etc. and the spout like ends make it really easy to pour the juice from cooking the meat all over the plate.

One thing..it is HEAVY

I have a Le Creuset skillet and was under the impression that it was enameled inside and out.

The amazon product information says: "Cooking surface covered with durable satin-texture black enamel".

I've found it wonderful but not for the elderly. It is heavy.

It might be off the beaten path, but Aldi's will occasionally sell enameled cast iron. I bought their Dutch Oven for under $30 a year ago and so far, so good! Its survived many batches of chili, roast beef and braised ribs.

I would check out TJ Maxx, I get all my le creuset from there, and I second the Cost Plus World Market, saw a great there one when I was in Phoenix but was already over my luggage weight so couldn't bring it back.

I have a round one from Le Creuset that isn't nearly as heavy as some of these other ones. I got it on Amazon 6 or 7 years ago and we've gotten tons of great use out of it.

World Market has one for like $50, i think, that comes with it's own matching lid--i'm saving up for that one right now. i've never had a chance to cook with it, but from all appearances it's relatively solid.

I have the le crueset grill pan- it works really well. My only complaint is that it's hard to clean, you definitely have to use some sort of nonstick spray before using and then soak it after use... but it leaves grill marks and everything. It is also very, very heavy, but we like it!

I also have a round 9-inch le Creuset (without grill lines). It's great for scrambled eggs and pretty much anything. The eggs will stick more than with Teflon-coated pans, but it cleans easily. Unlike non-enameled cast iron, you can soak these pans. I bought it for the same reason -- giving up Teflon, but not willing to give up scrambled eggs.

www.vegrun.blogspot.com

TJ Maxx definitely. Or Marshalls. Any kind of store like that. Those pans are really hard to clean. I hardly ever use mine because of that.