Best Pans for Steaks

To a carnivore (and probably even some vegetarians) the sound of a steak being fried is one of the most salivating sensory experiences to be encountered in a kitchen. It’s the sizzle which does it for me – that hissing sound of oil or fat cooking which can almost generate heat by itself. The sound is augmented by the sight of a steak with juices dribbling from it as it is fried to one’s preferred method.
Preparing many of our favorite dishes can be a slow process, possibly involving different stages, but steak is all about speed. If rare-cooked steak is your preference, cooking time won’t take much more than a few minutes, and even if a well-done steak is your choice, 10 minutes will suffice.
Using the requirements and criteria based on our experiences and those of a team of reviewers, we have compiled a list of ten pans that provide the best choices for cooking steaks. We do not consider them to be the ten very best pans available, but we have taken budgetary restrictions into account in addition to selecting a range of cookware which offers something for everybody. Details on how to cook steaks can be found elsewhere, and this guide will furnish you with the means to do so.

The winner

Tefal Extra Grill Pan
Best Non-stick Pan

• Thermo-Spot technology assists with timing
• Exterior non-stick coating facilitates cleaning
• Interior Powerglide non-stick coating prevents adhesion
• Distributes heat evenly
• Light in weight

Selecting the Best Pans to Cook Steak in October, 2021

	Product	Available size	Weight	Brand
	Tefal Extra Grill Pan	11-inch	1.76 pounds	Tefal
	Calphalon Classic Round Grill Pan	12 inches	2.5 pounds	Calphalon
	Calphalon Contemporary grill pan	11-inch	2.75 pounds	Calphalon
	Cuisinart Cast Iron Grill Pan	9.25-inch	5.89 pounds	Cuisinart
	Cooks Standard Grill Pan	11-inch	3.2 pounds	Cooks Standart
	MasterPan Grill Pan	11-inch	2.49 pounds	MasterPan
	All-Clad Square Grill Pan	11-inch	3.5 pounds	All-Clad
	Cuisinel Cast Iron Grill Pan	10.5-inch	9.46 pounds	Cuisinel
	Lavo Home 5 Section Divided Pan	14-inch	9.46 pounds	Lavo Home
	Koch Little Skillet Pan	8-inch	2.35 pounds	Koch

10 Best Pans to cook Steaks

1. Tefal Extra Grill Pan: Best Non-stick Pan

If you want a pan that will allow you to cook steaks without fear of their sticking to the surface, Tefal would figure highly on the go-to list. Having been at the vanguard of non-stick cookware since its introduction, the Tefal Extra is their current pan that combines grill-style cooking with ease of maintenance.
Made from aluminum, the Tefal Extra is a square-shaped pan with an 11-inch diameter that can be used on all stove/cooker tops other than induction. It has a Bakelite handle providing a comfortable grip and enhancing the safety element of the pan. This vessel has the added functionality of a Thermo-Spot technology that takes the guesswork out of the equation. The Thermo-Spot is a spot on the surface with a visible pattern that fades as the pan heats. When it reaches the optimum heat for cooking, the spot glows red, and cooking can commence.

2. Calphalon Classic Round Grill Pan: Best Budget Grill Pan

From the renowned manufacturers, the Calphalon Classic is a generously-proportioned pan fashioned from durable hard-anodized aluminum. With a diameter of 12 inches, it can accommodate steaks of all sizes, and the round-shaped pan provides a “throwback” appeal in the midst of so many square-shaped pans.
Calphalon are feted as specialists in hard-anodized cookware, and this is one of their two grill pans that are especially amenable to cooking steaks. It has a long stainless steel handle which takes some risks out of cooking at high heat and weighing in at a sturdy 2.5lbs, it provides durability without being too heavy. It can be easy to become attached to the Calphalon range and they provide very good value sets of cookware.

3.Calphalon Contemporary: Perennially Popular Grill Pan

Another pan from the Calphalon range (we do like them!), the Calphalon Contemporary is a bit of an anomaly in the ever-changing world of cookware. This particular pan has been on the market since 2003 which is a reflection of its longevity and popularity. Made from anodized aluminum, it is essentially a square-shaped version of the Classic which we listed above.
With similar dimensions (11-inch diameter rather than 12) albeit slightly heavier, it offers a slightly different experience to its companion because it is more aligned to the usual shape of a steak. As a result, it can accommodate more than one steak with greater ease than a round-shaped pan. Durability can be expected from the 2.75 lb pan, and the manufacturers have given the pan an ergonomic handle for ease of use.

4.Cuisinart Cast Iron Grill Pan: Best Cast Iron Grill Pan

Even in a range of cookware that tends towards the heavyweight class, the Cuisinart Grill Pan has an impressive heft, which should see it remain a part of your kitchen for many years. Weighing almost 6lbs, it embodies sturdiness, and once the heat has filtered its way through, it will cook steaks to perfection.
Square-shaped (9.25-inch diameter), the Cuisinart pan is available in a range of colors (red, black, grey, cream, blue) which accord it an eye-catching charm among the usual somberly-liveried range of grill pans. The pan is pre-seasoned and it’s no surprise that maintenance advice recommends applying seasoning regularly. As a one-piece pan, attention should be paid to the handle to ensure it doesn’t become too hot. The colored porcelain enamel exterior makes for easier maintenance.

5. Cooks Standard Grill Pan: Best All-round Value Grill Pan

The Cooks Standard Grill Pan is one of the biggest-selling vessels of its type, and it’s easy to see why. An 11-inch pan made from hard-anodized aluminum; it exudes the durability inherent in a pan weighing 3.2lbs.
This model can be used in an oven for temperatures up to 500°F without any adverse effects, and the generous dimensions ensure that it can cater to sizeable portions. It is compatible with all cookers aside from induction, and the smooth bottom of the pan will not cause any damage to glass stovetops. Comparatively inexpensive for a quality product, it should remain a best-seller.

6. MasterPan Grill Pan: Best for Storage

Grill pans are, in the main, a pretty homogenous bunch, so any feature which immediately catches one’s attention marks them out as individuals. The MasterPan Grill Pan’s identifying characteristic, besides being a perfectly serviceable vessel, is the neat folding wooden handle that can be hooked back into the pan itself as an ingenious device that reduces storage space.
As for the pan itself, it is made from cast aluminum, square-shaped, and conforms to the 11-inch dimension that is so popular for this item of cookware. It is a sturdy pan that boasts an energy-efficient induction base to facilitate even distribution of heat. This product is one of the leading sellers in the range and represents remarkable good value.

7. All-Clad Square Grill: Best All-Round Aluminum Grill Pan

The All-Clad Square Grill ticks most of the boxes for us when it comes to cooking steak. Made from robust anodized aluminum, it is designed to cope with steaks of any dimensions and quantity. We are particularly impressed by the deep pan with high sides that capture straying spatters better than most. It weighs in at 3.3lbs and is appropriately sturdy and pleasant to cook with.
The handle is made from stainless steel and has a length that will allow the user to avoid the heat generated by a pan which can be inserted into an oven up to a temperature of 500°. All-Clad are an established cookware company based in Pennsylvania, where their products are designed and then manufactured in China.

8. Cuisinel Cast Iron Grill Pan: Best Grill Pan for Durability

Not one for the faint-hearted, the Cuisinel Cast Iron Grill Pan is a true heavyweight that may render it difficult to use for some. Perhaps it should be considered as providing a useful work-out in addition to cooking steaks to perfection. Square-shaped and 10.5 inches in diameter, this pan is compatible with all cookers including induction. There are some useful extras included in the package: a glass lid that will prevent spatters from escaping and retain flavors in the pan. There is also a pan scraper designed to remove pieces of food stuck to the ridges.
The manufacturers have looked after their purchasers’ safety by including a silicone grip with the pan to avoid the possibility of burns being incurred while holding the pan. It also comes pre-seasoned with soy-based vegetable oil with the usual proviso for cast-iron pans that the pan should be treated throughout its lifetime and that lifetime should be one of many, many years.

9. Lavo Home 5 Section Divided Pan: Best Multi-Functional Pan

Now here’s something different! The Lavo 5 Section Pan aims at being all-things-to-everybody by dividing itself into five sections to facilitate simultaneously a combination of foodstuffs and cooking styles. Made from aluminum and square-shaped, the outer part has two long slightly ridged sections of 4.5 x 12 inches with the middle section divided into three small compartments measuring about 6 x 4 inches each. For our purposes, this could allow two steaks and three accompanying vegetables to be cooked in one go.
The pan works on all cookers and has a distinctive blue marble finish. It is very large and also heavy, with a bakelite handle as a safety precaution. While it falls into the category of skillet more than grill pan, it can cook steaks to a high standard with that unique advantage of preparing an entire meal from one space.

10. Koch Little Skillet: Best Skillet for Steaks

We conclude our recommendations with the Koch Little Skillet which veers away from the grill pans which we have thus far favored. As alluded to in the name, this skillet is just 8 inches in diameter but is high-sided and comes with a lid to retain flavors and prevent the escape of spatters. It is made from aluminum with ceramic coating making maintenance easier.
The other advantage of a ceramic coat is that it requires less oil due to its non-stick qualities and is theoretically healthier as a result. Ceramic coating also provides an aesthetic finish to the pan and makes the round-shaped pan lighter to hold, although it has five layers of a coat to provide durability.

Buyer’s Guide

Steak sounds easy to cook – just season the steak with salt and pepper or, if preferred, marinate – but it requires attention during that short cooking time. Leave it in the pan for even a minute too long and instead of a nicely charred steak, you’re left with an unappetizing burnt steak.
The correct choice of pan to cook the steak is of help here. We shall look at what to consider when choosing the optimum frying vessel and set you on your way to the best steak you’ve ever cooked.

What to Look For

Grill Pan or Skillet or Griddle

First, some clarification on terminology, as there seem to be interchangeable terms for the actual pan used. A grill pan is one with a ridged surface and is much favored by cooks who like to sear the steak and achieve those darkened lines in the cooked steak which most replicate the experience of cooking on a barbecue. It is also healthier, as the steak will not cook in its juices/fat. The ridged surface allows the juices/fat to pool below the steak, creating the smoky taste typical of a properly cooked steak. On the downside, they are trickier to clean.
A skillet (often simply referred to as a frying pan) is the traditional frying pan with a flat surface. A more versatile vessel than a grill pan, it can be used to cook omelets, pancakes, and more delicate joints of meat or fish. Skillets tend to be lighter and will reach the requisite heat level faster than a grill pan… but more on that later. Skillets are favored by cooks who want a steak cooked evenly across its entirety.
A griddle is a flat tray-like utensil that can be used for cooking steak, but we prefer either a grill or skillet.
As mentioned earlier, the words can be used interchangeably. Throughout this article, we will adhere to the definitions above and, where speaking generically about pans, use the term grill pan. Ok, let’s get to the meat of the matter.

Composition

Grill pans are made from a variety of materials, some of which are more conducive to cooking steak than others. Let’s have a look at the options.
Cast Iron: The choice of many cooks when a steak is on the menu. Making a pan from cast iron will result in the heaviest option and some may be prohibitively weighty. They are excellent at retaining heat, although they need longer to reach the requisite temperature. Durability is a given with cast iron grill pans and, with a bit of maintenance, they will remain part of your kitchenware for many years. Some cast-iron pans are coated to make them non-stick, but many are uncoated and require seasoning for protection against rust. Manufacturers may describe their cast iron product as dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is a better maintenance option. It should also be noted that cast iron is not suited to acidic foods.
Stainless steel: Stainless steel pans are quick to heat and easy to maintain but less effective at conducting heat and will often have some other alloy installed in the base of the pan to improve this. They will be dishwasher compatible but are, in any case, easy to clean and are usually treated with a non-stick coating.
Aluminum: Aluminum is a durable material that will withstand high heat and retain it throughout cooking. They will usually have a coating to render them less adhesive and easier to clean. Aluminum can be graded and you will see many instances where the material used is called anodized, which means they have been electrochemically treated, improving their resistance to chipping or peeling.
Ceramic: Ceramic pans are easy to clean but do not possess the durability of heavier materials, although they are suitable for a wider range of foodstuffs than, say, a cast iron grill.

Dimensions

We don’t need to spend much time on the dimensions of grill pans for steak. There’s no optimum size, as it will depend upon how many people the cook is catering for. If you’re cooking for, say, less than four people – and given that steaks are cooked quickly – it makes sense to cook them together and the usual size of grill pans tends to vary between 10 and 12 inches in diameter. Grill pans are mostly square (or square-ish) with a smaller number round-shaped.
The nature of cooking steaks means that there’s quite a bit of action taking place in the pan, so it should be more high-sided than usual frying pans to avoid oils and fat spitting and overshooting the pan.
Because of the high heat generated, the handle is also more important than is the case with most frying pans. Preferably, the handle should be long so that the cook’s hand is further away from the pan as a safety precaution. Since many cast iron grill pans are one-piece, the handle will become difficult to hold as the heat increases, so look for a pan that factors this into the equation. This could mean a protective heat-resistant cover for the handle or using a material that acts as an insulator rather than a conductor.

Other Considerations

How important is a non-stick surface and do they contain health risks?
Since steaks are cooked quickly at high heat, they can stick to the pan unless some precaution is taken, although the usual non-stick coatings are not to everybody’s taste. Especially with cast-iron pans, seasoning is crucial to avoid the surface becoming rusty.
Non-stick pans emerged around the mid-20th century when polytetrafluoroethylene or (PTFE) was added as a coating under the patented name of Teflon. There was one problem: at high heat, Teflon coating discharged fumes with traces of a persistent organic pollutant, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Nowadays, the non-stick coating should be PFOA-free and this qualification should be checked before the purchase. Manufacturers will be happy to highlight their absence.
Can grill pans be used on any surface?
Since they’re heavier than most pans, grill pans aren’t suited to all stoves/cookers. Our guide will highlight where this is the case.

Versatility

Grill pans – the ridged variant – are not suitable for many cooking, but since this guide is specific to cooking steaks, most of our choices are from this family. See our other guides for details of the best pans for other forms of cooking.

Conclusion

We hope the above has been of help in choosing the best pan to cook a steak, and we would welcome feedback and comments. Start sizzling!