It’s easy to love cast-iron skillets—for their brawn, their beautiful browning ability and their seemingly endless lives. Although these sturdy cooking instruments aren’t quite invincible, a little TLC can help them truly last forever. Master cast iron cooking with our guide.
Pro Tip: Seasoning your skillet is key to keeping it in tip-top shape. Learn how with tips from our Test Kitchen.
How to Store Cast Iron
Stash in a dry cabinet: A typical kitchen cabinet is the optimal storage space for cast iron. But make sure it’s dry! Excess moisture turns to rust in a hurry on highly reactive cast iron. Make drying your skillets thoroughly after rinsing them part of your cast-iron cleaning routine.
Keep on the stovetop: You may keep your cast iron out on the countertop or stovetop, as long as it’s moisture-free—far removed from the kitchen sink area.
Stow in the oven: Ovens make a great storage space for cast iron—but only if your pans are free of wooden parts. Remember, though, to carefully remove the skillet before heating up the oven.
Hang ’em up: You can hang your cast-iron skillets and pans on the wall—just be sure your hooks are securely mounted to studs. These bad boys are heavy! Hanging makes them both decorative and functional, so you can show off your awesome collection. Bonus: The free air flow will help prevent rust, and your cookware will be readily available.
Place paper towels between pans: No matter where you keep them, prevent scratching and rusting by stacking your cast iron pieces—including lids—between paper towel sheets.
Always, always, always focus on dryness—and your pans will last a lot longer than they would if you stack them in a humid area, freshly rinsed and wet.
Find the right accessory to help you stash and care for your cast-iron skillet.
The Best Cast Iron to Keep in Your Kitchen
On the hunt for a great cast-iron skillet? Here are some of our favorite brands to have in your cookware collection:
- Modern classic cookware brand Le Creuset creates beautiful culinary tools coveted by home chefs and restaurateurs alike. Its enameled cast-iron skillets are a little lower-maintenance than raw cast iron and come in a rainbow of colors.
- Lodge‘s best-selling—and affordable!—cast iron stands the test of time. Use it to sauté, sear and stir-fry the perfect meal.
- Iconic ironware brand Smithey offers gorgeous, ergonomic, easy-to-hang skillets that you’ll want to use every day.
Did you know you can bake a pie in your cast-iron skillet? Here’s how!

Skillet Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Treat your sweet-salty tooth! Sweet potatoes dressed with buttery, herby, garlicky goodness make for a stunning, delicious side dish. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get RecipeRolled Buttermilk Biscuits
One-Skillet Pasta
Deluxe Cornbread Stuffing
Muenster Bread
Rhubarb Crisp
Gnocchi Chicken Skillet
Salsa Corn Cakes
Hash Brown Pork Skillet
Chocolate Pecan Skillet Cookie
Beef Skillet Supper
One-Skillet Pork Chop Supper
Potato Pan Rolls
German Apple Pancake
Homey Mac & Cheese
Macaroon-Topped Rhubarb Cobbler
Honey Walleye
Chicken Burrito Skillet
Cheesy Pizza Rolls
Skillet Herb Bread
Baked Cheddar Eggs & Potatoes
Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet
Sweet Potato and Egg Skillet
Spicy Veggie Pasta Bake
Flavorful Chicken Fajitas
Cinnamon-Sugar Apple Pie
Sweet Potato and Ham Hash
Turkey Biscuit Stew
Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake
Kaiserschmarren
Skillet-Grilled Catfish
Butternut Squash Rolls
Creamy Salmon Linguine
Deep-Dish Sausage Pizza
Deconstructed Pear Pork Chops
Homemade Sage Sausage Patties
Pinwheel Steak Potpie
Chicken Cacciatore
Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle
Chicken Bulgur Skillet
Rustic Honey Cake
Maple Glazed Pork Chops
Parmesan-Bacon Bubble Bread
Southwestern Spaghetti
Beef & Pepper Skillet
Traditional Funnel Cakes
Spanish Rice Dinner
Apples 'n' Cream Pancake
Chili Beef Noodle Skillet
Enchilada Chicken
Saucy Beef with Broccoli
Confetti Kielbasa Skillet
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Peach Praline Upside-Down Cake
Easy Beef Taco Skillet
Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted Potatoes
Cheese & Mushroom Skillet Pizza
Fudge Brownie Pie
Blackened Halibut
Milk Cake
Lemon-Pepper Tilapia with Mushrooms
Cran-Apple Cobbler
Gram's Fried Chicken
Blackened Catfish with Mango Avocado Salsa
Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake
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