Upgrade your beloved cast iron cookware with corresponding accessories that make your cast iron easier to use, clean, and maintain.
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20 Must-Have Cast Iron Accessories
Updated Aug. 05, 2024
Here at Taste of Home, we consider cast iron recipes a home cook’s right of passage. While our favorite brands offer exceptional performance—we’re looking at you, Lodge cast iron skillets—stocking up on the best cast iron accessories is a surefire way to level up your cooking game.
Below are all of our favorite cast iron accessories. From scrapers that make short work of burnt-on food to tools that circumvent the most common cast iron cooking mistakes, these finds are must-haves for cast iron connoisseurs.
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Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Care Kit
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Magnetic Trivet
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The Ringer Cast Iron Cleaner
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Scrub Daddy
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Universal Tool Bundle
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Cleaning and Care Kit
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Leather Skillet Sleeve
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Silicone Hot Handle Holder
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Grill Press
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Smithey Glass Lid
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Lodge Glass Lid
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Fry Basket
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Egg and Pancake Ring
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Maximum Heat Oven Mitts
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Pan Scrapers
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Pot and Pan Protectors
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Cast Iron Brush and Scraper
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Rust Eraser
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Seasoning Oil
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Cast Iron Cleaning and Restoring Scrub
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Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Care Kit
With Lodge’s seasoned cast iron care kit, cooing with cast iron has never been easier. The kit arrives with everything necessary to care for heirloom cast iron, including a seasoning spray, scrub brush and silicone handle cover. It’s the perfect companion for cast-iron newbies with dreams of creating delicious cast iron pies.
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Magnetic Trivet
You never want to set your cast iron directly on the table because the heat can damage the surface. This Staub magnetic wooden trivet protects your countertops. Bonus: The magnets ensure that your skillet won’t shift as you set it down, so our popular cast iron recipes won’t burn the table.
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The Ringer Cast Iron Cleaner
We’ve come across a huge number of cast iron cleaning tools here at Taste of Home, but few stand up to the tried-and-true Ringer scrubber. Boasting an impressive 20,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this chainmail square is tough on grime while remaining gentle on seasoned pans. Snag this dishwasher-safe scrubber and say goodbye to stuck-on messes for good.
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Scrub Daddy
Here at Taste of Home, we’re obsessed with Scrub Daddy sponges. Whether cleaning up cast iron or scrubbing the tub, Scrub Daddy products produce just the right amount of power without stripping seasoning or scratching porcelain. With over 61,000 positive ratings on Amazon, it’s hard to resist these smiling sponges!
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Universal Tool Bundle
Treat your Dutch ovens with care and they’ll last a lifetime. This universal tool bundle from Smithey offers all the core essentials for cooking with (and caring for) cast iron. Each set arrives with a Smithey fish spatula, full-grain leather potholder and chainmail scrubber for easy cleanup after cooking.
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Cleaning and Care Kit
Cast iron cookware makes an amazing gift thanks to its durability and versatility in the kitchen. Toss in a cleaning and care kit from Smithey to ensure your giftee has everything they need to start whipping up crispy chicken. The set includes a gentle chainmail scrubber, soft bristle brush and a tin of their famous seasoning blend.
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Leather Skillet Sleeve
Smithey cast iron is one of the best splurge-worthy cast iron brands—just read our Senior Editor’s glowing review of the No. 12 cast iron pan! Because Smithey skillets feature cast iron handles, it’s imperative to use a skillet sleeve to prevent burns. This leather skillet sleeve from the brand offers an attractive oil-tanned surface that stays cool to the touch. Plus, like their cast iron skillets, Smithey’s leather sleeves only get better with age.
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Silicone Hot Handle Holder
Available in numerous shades that fit a range of skillet sizes, the Lodge silicone hot handle holder is as inexpensive as it is handy. Simply slide it on the handle to transfer cast iron skillets from the cooktop to the oven or table while avoiding burns. Buy it during a Lodge cast iron sale to snag serious savings and stock up ahead of the holidays!
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Grill Press
Make the best burgers with this durable grill press. Not only do these cast iron accessories help you achieve those picture-perfect grill marks, but grill presses create a nice, even patty. We love it for paninis, too. Sandwich eggs, bacon and cheese between two pieces of brioche bread for a quick cast iron breakfast that rivals the deli counter!
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Smithey Glass Lid
While some cast iron Dutch ovens come with their own lids, investing in a Smithey glass lid is the best way to stop cast iron skillet suppers from burning. See-through tempered glass and a cast stainless steel knob and rim offer exceptional heat retention while protecting the stovetop from splatters in three sizes for 10-inch, 12-inch and 14-inch skillets.
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Lodge Glass Lid
A less pricey lid option is the glass lid from Lodge. Built to fit 12-inch skillets, this lid is oven safe up to 400°F and fits a wide range of cast iron cookware types.Â
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Fry Basket
Did you know you can deep-fry in a cast-iron Dutch oven? It’s much easier to fish out your fried foods if you do it with a Lodge fry basket. The handle even folds down for easy storage.
Egg and Pancake Ring
If you take good care of your cast iron, its surface will be just as nonstick as a Teflon pan. Pick up a few of these egg and pancake rings and use them to make perfectly formed over-easy eggs, omelets or pancakes in a pinch.
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Maximum Heat Oven Mitts
These maximum heat oven mitts are especially handy if you use your cast iron in the oven. (I know I always use mine to make cornbread.) These cast iron accessories are heat-resistant to up to 450°F and have a comfortable, quilted cotton lining to keep your hands nice and cozy.
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Pan Scrapers
Pan scrapers aren’t just for cast iron pans—these flexible plastic squares offer stiff edges that help scoop out burnt-on food from nearly any cookware type. Rounded corners make it easy to scrape cheese and sauce from the edges without damaging the pan’s surface. Plus, these pan scrapers are handy for removing stickers, chopping soft foods and cleaning off cookie sheets.
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Pot and Pan Protectors
Scared of scratching your expensive cast iron in storage? Scoop up a pack of these handy pot and pan protectors. They slide into almost any cookware, adding a separator between pans and preventing scratches. Use them as intended, or repurpose as trivets to prevent Thanksgiving cast iron dishes from burning surfaces.
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Cast Iron Brush and Scraper
Clean up easily between summer cast iron dishes with this simple brush and scraper. Tough nylon bristles loosen up baked-on food without scratching the pan’s surface and disrupting existing seasoning. The bamboo handle resists bacteria and offers an ergonomic grip for easy scrubbing.
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Rust Eraser
Even the most dedicated cast iron fans experience the occasional rust spot. Use this handy rust eraser by Lodge to restore pans and other cast iron products to pristine condition. The rubber surface glides easily along surfaces, turning flea market finds into family heirlooms in seconds.Â
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Seasoning Oil
As outlined in our cast iron cooking guide, the best thing about cast iron cookware is that it only gets better with age. The secret? More use means more seasoning, which makes the cookware resistant to sticking.
However, using cast iron regularly sometimes also damages the seasoning. That’s why a container of seasoning oil is an essential tool to store in the kitchen. Smithey’s seasoning oil is formulated for long-term cast iron care. Oils protect the surface of the cookware, while beeswax helps build up a naturally nonstick surface.
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Cast Iron Cleaning and Restoring Scrub
When it comes to cleaning Dutch ovens, cast iron can be a headache—especially when sticky sauces and stubborn stains are involved. This cast iron cleaning scrub uses refined coconut oil to slash dish time in half while keeping surfaces sparkling. Remove rust and grime from cast iron without harsh scrubbing and enjoy sparkling fresh surfaces for summer skillet meals.
What to Look for in Cast Iron Accessories
There are more cast iron accessories on the market than you can shake your fist at, but keeping in mind the following factors can help you narrow it down and focus your shopping experience:
- Cater to Your Cooking: If you’re not making burgers in your cast iron, you probably don’t need a grill press. Your accessories should reflect the kinds of cuisine you’re going to be cooking; otherwise, they might be relatively useless and may take up unnecessary space.
- Complement Your Cast Iron: Cast iron cookware comes in various shapes and sizes, and some accessories are better suited to different types. For instance, if you have a skillet, getting a handle sleeve makes sense, as your cast iron has a handle. But if you have a Dutch oven, that purchase will be unnecessary and won’t even work for you. Ensure your accessories make sense for your specific cast iron.
- Keep It Simple/Don’t Overdo It: Cast iron is renowned for its simplicity. It’s tough, time-tested and (when you know how to care for it) pretty simple. Your accessories don’t have to be over the top. Stick with what you know you’ll benefit from, and don’t worry about completely decking things out.
How We Found the Best Cast Iron Accessories
As shopping experts, we know your time and money is precious—and that it’s important you get the right products the first time. So we started with a wide net, looking at the overabundance of cast iron accessories on the market. Then, we narrowed our search by filtering for brands we know and trust. Then, we considered the accessories’ overall quality, build, material construction, etc. And finally, we selected our final list by considering expert and customer testimony.
Why You Should Trust Us
Lindsay D. Mattison has been working in the culinary industry for nearly 20 years, including seven years in food publishing (doing things like recipe development, food writing and product testing), 10 years working in professional kitchens and two published cookbooks to her name. All of this expertise and experience makes her an informed expert, especially on cast iron accessories.
Emily Way, who also contributed to the research and writing of this article, is a shopping editor whose work appears in Reader’s Digest, Taste of Home and Family Handyman. She has personally tested over 100 products, with a focus on cooking gadgets and appliances, including cast iron accessories.
FAQ
How to clean a cast iron skillet?
Seasoning is a coating of oil that bakes onto the pan’s surface with each use. Over time, it creates a nearly nonstick surface. There are lots of nuances to scrubbing cast iron without losing any of the pan’s precious seasoning. Luckily, Taste of Home editors wrote a handy guide to cleaning cast iron in a way that doesn’t damage this essential buildup.
While tips and tricks (like a little bit of dish soap and kosher salt) help, special products for cleaning cast iron are also available. These items ensure that cast iron pans get clean while still protecting their seasoning. Keeping cast iron clean is key to helping it last for years to come.
How to season a cast iron skillet?
Using a cast iron pan regularly is the secret to crispy deep-dish pizzas and delicious Dutch babies. But even the most high-end cast iron pans don’t perform as intended without a little seasoning. While seasoning naturally happens over time and creates a natural nonstick surface, there are ways to speed up the seasoning process if you notice things sticking more than usual.
Why did people stop using cast iron?
Cast-iron cookware requires a lot of care to keep in working order (as you can see outlined briefly in the two above questions). It is also very heavy and takes up a lot of space. In the name of convenience and simplicity, many people have forgone cast iron in favor of lighter, non-stick pans and other kitchenware. However, cast iron cooks in ways many other options simply cannot achieve. Given the option, we highly recommend owning at least one piece of cast iron cookware for your kitchen, as it will increase your cooking versatility and, should you use it right, may improve your meals in several ways.
What cannot go in cast iron?
So long as your pan is properly seasoned and well cared for, there isn’t much you can’t cook in cast iron. However, some people recommend not using too many very acidic food items (like wine or tomatoes). Others suggest not cooking delicate foods, like fish (but this is more because it can stick to the pan and not because it will harm the pan itself). Finally, some warn against cross-contamination (like making brownies the day after making fried chicken without properly cleaning between uses). The truth is, so long as you take proper care of your pan, cast iron is pretty robust and versatile and there’s not really anything you can’t cook in it.
What is the biggest problem with cast iron?
Without proper care (and especially if you try to let it soak or don’t properly dry after cleaning), cast iron can rust. Furthermore, cast iron can be brittle, so it is prone to cracking. However, neither of these issues matters much if you’re using the proper care and utilizing your cast iron as intended (meaning don’t use it to hammer in tent stakes at the campsite).
Originally Published: March 29, 2021
