Induction cooktops are taking the cooking industry by storm! More than just adding an aesthetic charm to your regular run-of-the-mill kitchen, these cooktops use significantly less energy, which is great for your pocket and the environment.
Many people are led to believe that the biggest limitation of induction cooktops is the lack of induction-friendly cookware available. But, with the rise in demand for induction cooktops, companies are taking their shot at creating their own multi-purpose cookware that can be used on both electric and induction cooktops. One of the most popular cookware created was the ever-so-loved grill pans.
What Exactly Are Grill Pans?
If that’s the question hovering in your mind, then allow us to give you a brief introduction to this piece of life-changing cookware.
Otherwise known as the riffle pan, grill pans are a great way to mimic grilling outdoors any time of year. In short, a grill pan is a heavy-metal pan with embossed grill sections that work as an in-house barbecue.
Over time, grill pans emerged for the use of induction cooktops and broke the barrier for being used solely on traditional electric cooktops. These specific grill pans have a magnetic base that uses the electromagnetic waves from induction to heat the pan. Although they have been in the market for a fairly long time, it was not until recently that people started paying attention to them.
If you are planning on buying a grill pan, you’ve come to the right place! This article is a handy buying guide to help make the process easier for you. Let’s get started!
Best Grill Pan For Induction Cooktop
In this buying guide, we have a list of the top 5 best grill pans for you based on quality, price, and utility. These pans are all available now and will save you time, energy, and money. Better yet, they will continue to serve you for years and years to come. Here’s a quick look:
1. Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan
Lodge Cast Iron is a name that stands for versatile and durable cookware that lasts for a generation. Their cast-iron grill pan is one of the best-known and highly-acclaimed grill pans for induction cooktops that can really elevate the taste of your food and make it much more seasoned and chef-like.
These are heavy-duty grill pans that can also be used on outdoor grills for the days you have company over, or if you’re planning for a camping adventure. The cherry on top with this grill pan is its ingenious design that lets you grill, sauté, fry, and bake using the minimum amount of butter and oil.
Specifications:
- Product dimensions: 17.25 x 10.5 x 2.63 inches
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
- Color: Black
- Style: Grill Pan
- Material: Cast iron
- Cleaning: Easy to clean with a dry cloth or paper towel
Pros:
- Tough and high-quality build that will last you for a long time.
- Easy release finish that lets you sauté and fry easily with minimum oil and butter.
- Comes with an ergonomic design that cooks and grills evenly.
- Offers excellent functionality and versatility and is ideal for use on outside grills, campfire, induction cooktops, and on the stove.
Cons:
- The black inner lining is of poor quality and can come off with the first wash.
- Can be difficult to clean despite pre-seasoning. Food gets stuck to the sides and in the grooves.
- Heavier as compared to other models available on the market.
- May start to rust within a couple of days.
2. Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron
Life is just better with this perfect grill pan by your side. The Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Grill Plan is made from the toughest cast iron that can withstand any conditions, including continuous grill sessions on the outdoor grill, your induction, regular stove, and even the campfire.
It comes with high ridges that drain out excess fat and makes your food less oily, and spouts on either side ensure that you can enjoy drip-free pours. The design and the ease of use will literally make this pan your most favorite cookware ever.
Specifications:
- Product dimensions: 16.8 x 11.8 x 2 inches
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
- Color: Marseille
- Style: Grill Pan
- Material: Cast iron
Pros:
- Comes with high ridges that ensure that the food is grilled to perfection without leaving any traces of the fat.
- The spouts on either side of the pan will drain away excess oil or butter so you can enjoy a drip-free meal.
- The pan comes with a durable enamel finish which requires no prior seasoning.
- Ergonomic design that ensures even cooking and maximum heat retention.
- Colorful, long-lasting exterior enamel that resists chipping and cracking.
- The handlebar provides a strong and steady grip so you can transfer the meal to a different pan without spillage.
- Cast iron body works exceedingly well for slow cooking as well as high-temperature searing.
Cons:
- Difficult to remove the food burned onto the pan after continuous use.
- The weight makes it very difficult to handle.
- The coating on the surface can make heating up take longer than usual.
3. CSK 11″ Nonstick Grill Pan
The CSK 11″ non-stick grill pan draws on German technology in its multi-layer, PTFE, and PFOA-free pan. The pan offers excellent durability and resistance against easy breakage, which easily makes it a crowd favorite.
The pan also allows you daily usage because it is extremely easy to clean and is dishwasher-friendly. The stainless steel bottom makes it scratch-resistant and the ergonomic value is simply out of this world.
Specifications:
- Product dimensions: 19.11 x 12.53 x 2.6 inches
- Weight: 2.53 pounds
- Color: Matte Black
- Style: Grill Pan
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Cleaning: Easy to clean using a dry cloth or paper towel
Pros:
- Ergonomic design to fit most cooktops
- The hard anodized base for maximum heat retention
- Non-stick base allows you to cook well without using much oil or butter
- Easy to clean base makes it ideal for daily wear and tear
- Multiple layers free of PTFE and PFOA adds to its durability and smooth user experience
- Suitable for all stove types including an induction cooker, electric ceramic stove, grills, and campfires
Cons:
- The lid may break under high temperature or regular use
- Not an ideal pan for cooking things simultaneously
- The lid might not fit other 10″ cookware
- The bottom comes with slightly sharp edges that may scratch the cooktop
4. FAVIA 10 inch Nonstick Square Grill Pan
The Favia non-stick square pan is one of the best in terms of grill pans solely because of its heavy-duty aluminum body. It has a 430 stainless steel anti-warp base for maximum heat retention, which will make cooking so much easier and faster.
Better yet, because it uses European manufacturing standards, the use of PFOA, PFOS, PFAS, APEO, and other toxic chemicals is prohibited.
One of the best features of the Favia grill pan is its detachable handle, which reduces the weight by half and makes storage so much more convenient. And, let’s not forget the smooth and even structure of the pan, which makes getting that perfect brown crunch to your meat and vegetables so much easier!
Specifications:
- Product dimensions: 18.9 x 10.43 x 1.96 inches
- Weight: 2.81 pounds
- Color: Gray
- Style: Induction Grill Pan
- Material: Aluminium
- Cleaning: Easy to clean using a dry cloth or paper towel
Pros:
- 430 stainless steel base ensures rapid and even heating
- Bakelite handle that won’t burn your hand
- Free of harmful chemicals that can damage your gut when consumed
- Oven safe
- Works on all kinds of cooking surfaces
- Dishwasher safe
- The detachable handle makes storage extremely convenient
Cons:
- The detachable handle may become weak after prolonged use
- The outer rim of the pan might come off if washed in the dishwasher frequently
- Might notice a foul smell when used for the first time
5. ESLITE LIFE Nonstick Grill Pan
The Eslite Life non-stick grill pan has the most beautiful and ergonomically designed hardware. Adorned with a wooden handle, the pan comes with a spout design to help you drain any excess oil while cooking.
The pan has a non-stick granite-coated base that is free of all toxins, like PFOA and lead, that may cause serious health issues. It also has the power of a stainless steel base while distributing heat evenly throughout even the toughest of meats and vegetables.
Specifications:
- Product dimensions: 13.43 x 12.13 x 2.72 inches
- Weight: 3.1 pounds
- Color: Gunmetal Gray
- Style: Induction Grill Pan
- Material: Aluminium, Stone
- Cleaning: Easy to clean using a dry cloth or paper towel
Pros:
- Non-stick granite coating free of harmful toxins makes it safe and easy to clean
- The reinforced die-casting aluminum body ensures that the pan will stay in good condition
- Unique and aesthetically pleasing design with parallel ridges to keep the oil and butter in place
- Comes with double pout sprouts that allow extra oil or grease to drain out, leaving behind a healthy and wholesome meal
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a lid, lids from other pans will most likely not fit
- The handle is a bit heavy and might wobble
How to Clean a Grill Pan?
If you’re someone who loves cooking over a grill pan, chances are that you’ve noticed that regular cleaning is just not enough to get that grease out of the way. People suffer from the tedious task of scrubbing the surface, and the stubborn stains just refuse to budge. Not to mention, all the scrubbing will eventually spoil the pan surface, leaving you with a base that doesn’t work well.
So how exactly do you clean a grill pan without damaging the surface? Let’s find out in this step-by-step guide we have for you.
- Begin by baking your grill pan at 500˚ F so all the stubborn grease just melts away. You can also use boiling water for this step, but the oven is a more convenient and faster option.
- Once that’s done, leave the pan at room temperature for about 2-3 hours and let it cool.
- Now, get a big container, enough for the pan to fit in. Fill it with water and dishwashing soap, and soak the pan overnight. The temperature of the water should be higher than normal.
- Scrub it with a nylon scrubber the next morning and watch all that grease come off.
Conclusion
This is just a selection of different grill pans available to you. One thing we have found is many grill pans are just not induction compatible, so you really have to make sure they are made of Ferrous material or have an induction plate on the bottom. If you have had experience with other types of grill pans, leave a comment below on what grill pans you like for your induction cooktop.
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