When you don’t have much backyard space…
…or the weather isn’t perfect for an outdoor barbecue…
…you can still grill your favorite meats and vegetables inside using a grill pan.
The grill pan won’t quite replicate the smoky…
…flame-broiled taste of an outdoor grill…
…but they will still give you beautiful sear marks and drain away excess oil…
…keeping your steaks and sliders juicy while not dripping in grease.
A grill pan is also an excellent tool to prepare summer veggies…
…and toast bread and sandwiches, along with cooking meat and meat substitutes.
When it comes to selecting the ideal pan, there are so many styles, sizes…
…and materials to choose from, but we’ve done the research so you don’t have to.
This roundup contains our choice of the best grill pans…
…for bringing the great outdoors inside.
Before we move into next section, let’s hear Alicia’s story…
As a gift for my husband, I bought him a grill pan.
Our cast iron cookware collection has been enriched with this cast iron grill pan.
He heated it right away on the stove top to kill any germs right away after opening the box.
I made pancakes by lowering the heat to medium,
lightly coating them with virgin olive oil.
He was hesitant about cooking on it until he did a few more seasoning sessions,
but to his astonishment they didn’t stick at all.
Now, here we go!
How to Choose a Grill Pan
Size
The grill pans come in a variety of shapes and sizes…
…so it’s important to consider your needs.
Although a larger pan might seem ideal for serving guests…
…it will also take up more storage space.
Material
Grill pan materials come with their own pros and cons, just like other cooking tools.
While cast iron cookware heats evenly and retains heat well..
…it can be heavy and difficult to clean.
Aluminum pans, usually coated with nonstick or other materials…
…heat quickly, are lighter, and respond quickly to heat changes…
…but they can’t be used on an induction cooktop.
Cleaning
Grill pans are a little more difficult to clean than flat pans…
…due to their ridges and grooves.
A nonstick pan is easier to clean…
…but it may not hold up to aggressive scrubbing or metal utensils.
Pans that are not coated can be scrubbed more aggressively…
…but food may stick more frequently.
In addition, some pans can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Here’s the main part…
Our Top Picks for Grill Pan
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle With Handles, 20 Inch x 10.5 Inch - One tray | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron, 10.5 Inch (Pack of 1), Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | GreenPan Paris 11 Inch Ceramic Non-Stick Square Grill Pan, Gray - | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Calphalon Signature Hard Anodized Nonstick, 12 Inch, Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Anolon Advanced Home Hard Anodized Nonstick Deep Square Griddle Pan/Grill, 11 Inch, Bronze | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle LPGI3
- 20 x 10.5 cooking area
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
A grill pan takes the place of two—or more.
A grill pan on one side and a flat griddle on the other.
For steaks, burgers, and anytime you want grill marks, use the grill side.
With the griddle side, you can cook pancakes…
…bacon, grilled cheese sandwiches, tortillas, as well as British cheese toasties.
You can also use it as a pizza pan for small pizzas in the oven.
A large pan like this will fit over two burners…
…so there is plenty of room to cook for a crowd…
…or you may want to cook on half of the pan…
…while keeping the other half less hot to keep food warm.
Due to its cast iron construction, it retains heat and cooks evenly.
This item comes pre-seasoned and can be used right away…
…but the nonstick properties improve with additional seasoning and use.
Its slim profile also makes it easy to store.
For cooking foods that might fall through the grates of your grill, like vegetables…
…you can use this versatile pan.
You should check the manual to make sure it is safe for your stove before using it.
Pros:
- It has a large capacity
- Can be used as a grill or griddle
- Ready to use out of the box
Cons:
- Special care required to maintain seasoning
- Heavy
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Pan With Assist Handle, 10.5 inch, Black
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For those who find the Lodge double-burner grill too large…
…a 10.5 inch cast iron grill pan from the same company will do the trick.
Made of durable steel and carbon alloy, this heavy-duty pan is nearly indestructible…
…and retains heat extremely well. This pan has unrivaled sear quality.
It’s perfect for making restaurant-quality steaks at home…
…since you can cook them on the stove and finish them under the broiler.
These cast iron pans can be used on any cooking surface…
…including induction and open flames.
It comes preseasoned, so it can be used right away.
It takes a little maintenance to keep the pan’s seasoning…
…and preserve its nonstick properties, but it can last a lifetime.
Pros:
- Durable and nearly indestructible
- Maintains heat extremely well
- Comes pre-seasoned
Cons:
- Requires special care as with all cast iron
- Heavy
Keep reading…
Greenpan Paris 11-Inch Hard Anodized Nonstick Square Grill Pan
- GreenPan’s Thermolon healthy ceramic nonstick coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, so it will never release toxic fumes, even if it’s accidentally overheated
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For a nonstick pan that is also eco-friendly, choose this ceramic pan by GreenPan…
…which is a leading manufacturer in ceramic cookware.
The pan is made without PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium…
…so it won’t emit fumes even on high heat.
With an anodized hard-anodized body…
…the trademarked Thermolon lining in GreenPan’s Paris collection is reinforced…
…by diamonds, making it extra scratch-resistant.
The pan features a riveted stainless steel handle and is oven safe up to 600 degrees.
It is compatible with all cooktops except induction.
Since the ceramic coating is nonstick…
…you can reduce or eliminate the use of oil for easier release.
You can grill chicken, vegetables, and more with ease…
…and clean up by using the dishwasher or simply by hand.
Pros:
- Ceramic nonstick coating that resists scratches
- Dishwasher safe
- Ergonomic riveted handle
Cons:
- Not induction-compatible
- Nonstick properties will lessen with time
Go on…
Calphalon Signature Hard Anodized Nonstick
- Built to last, with a 1.5x more durable nonstick interior (vs Calphalon Classic)
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Cooking and cleaning are made easier…
…by the nonstick surface of this round pan from Calphalon.
As this pan is made of hard-anodized aluminum…
…it’s much lighter than a similar cast iron pan, so it’s easier to handle.
Since the nonstick interior is metal utensil safe…
…you don’t have to worry about using a metal spatula to retrieve your burger.
As this model is oven safe up to 500 degrees…
…you can finish off steaks in the oven after searing.
The pan’s brushed stainless steel handle stays cool during stovetop use…
…and it is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- Lighter and easier to handle than cast iron
- Oven safe to 500 degrees
- Resists scratches from metal utensils
Cons:
- Gets harder to clean with time
Last, but not least…
Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick Square Griddle Pan/Grill
- OPTIMAL NONSTICK PERFORMANCE: Sapphire-reinforced Infinity Slide(tm) nonstick is PFOA-free and lasts 16X longer than traditional nonstick and 80X longer than typical ceramic cookware
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This grill pan has high sides that prevent splattering…
…regardless of whether it is used on the stove or in the oven at up to 400 degrees.
As a result of the high sides, you can also use the pan for sauces…
…after grilling is done, which makes it even better for roasting juicy chicken or roasts.
The nonstick surface of the pan is safe to use with metal utensils…
…and provides superior food release and easy cleanup.
The handle is designed to be comfortable…
…has a rubberized grip that remains cool during cooking…
…and has dual rivets for extra security.
There is a channel around the outer edge of the pan that collects…
…and holds liquids, while pour spouts on either side of the pan…
…allow you to drain excess fats and liquids.
Using this pan, we discovered that figuring out the sweet spot…
…of heat needed trial and error.
Once you figure it out, it makes gorgeous char marks on anything you cook…
…from steaks to French toast.
Pros:
- Spacious with high sides to prevent splatter
- Easy to clean
- Oven safe
Cons:
- Oven safe only to 400 degrees
- Takes a while to get used to
“It has a ‘sweet spot’ in terms of heat, and if you’ve never used a grill pan before, it may take a while to figure it out.”
Camryn Rabideau, Writer and Product Reviewer
Sum Up!
Cooking outdoors can be challenging if you live in a small home…
…or if the weather is bad. That’s where grill pans come in.
Grilling indoors is now possible using this cookware…
…that maintains the same charred and smoky taste as outdoor grilling…
…without sacrificing outdoor space or maintaining meticulous cleaning.
Conclusion
Due to its versatility, capacity, and durability…
…we consider the Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle to be the best pick.
Now that you have checked our list…
…getting the best stovetop grill pan shouldn’t be a difficult task for you.
With their durability, safety features, performance as well as unique features…
…these options have already delighted many users.
A significant number of users were pleased with them.
So why not give one a try?
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
