Cast iron skillets are one of the most versatile pans in the kitchen. You can cook anything from side dishes to entrees to desserts with your cast iron skillet.
One of the most common questions homeowners have is: What size cast iron skillet should I buy?
The size of your skillet depends on how many people you cook for. If you cook for yourself, an 8-inch cast iron skillet is perfect. If you live with one other person, a 10-inch skillet is best. If you live with up to four people, a 12-inch skillet works well. For larger gatherings or parties, a 15-inch skillet is the way to go.
Eight-inch skillets are not as versatile as 10 or 12-inch skillets, which can cook most foods.
Skillets under eight inches are not as versatile as larger ones. You might be able to cook a couple of eggs, a skillet cookie, a side dish, or a serving of roasted vegetables. But pizzas, steaks, pancakes, and other foods won’t fit. If you only cook breakfast or the occasional dessert for yourself, a smaller skillet might be a great choice.
Keep in mind that large skillets won’t cook as evenly as smaller skillets. The middle will be hotter than the edges. This is typically only a problem with 15” or larger skillets. You’ll want to put your food closer to the middle to heat it faster or toward the edges for slower cooking.
What size cast iron skillet should I buy?
The size of your skillet depends on how many people you cook for. If you cook for yourself, an 8-inch cast iron skillet is perfect. If you live with one other person, a 10-inch skillet is best. If you live with up to four people, a 12-inch skillet works well. For larger gatherings or parties, a 15-inch skillet is the way to go.
Do I need a 15-inch skillet?
To cook even more food, you can try a 14-inch or 15-inch skillet. But these are heavy and not practical for most people. They can cook 5-6 servings which is much more than most people need.
They’re also too large for most residential stovetops. This means your food will cook quite unevenly. As a result, your food might stick or burn. You can combat this by preheating your skillet for a few minutes before cooking.
If you cook for a crowd every so often, this could be a good option for you. But you might also consider buying two 10 or 12-inch skillets. They’re easier to maneuver and store than a 15-inch skillet.
Here are different foods along with their serving sizes that you can cook in a 15” cast iron pan.
- 6-7 fried eggs
- 8-10 scrambled eggs
- 15” family pizza
- 5-7 servings of side dishes like roasted vegetables, potatoes, and more
- 5-6 pancakes
- 8-10 pieces of bacon
- Cornbread (5+ servings)
- Three large chicken breasts
- Skillet cake
- 3 eight-ounce steaks or 4+ smaller steaks
- 3 to 5 biscuits depending on size
- 2-3 eight-ounce fish filets
- 2-3 14-16 oz. can of pasta sauce
- 5-7 servings of casserole
- Deep dish pizza (serves 5-6 people)
Here is a great 15-inch skillet from Amazon.
How to Choose the Right Frying Pan Size (Key Factors to Consider)
FAQ
What are the dimensions of a 10 inch skillet?
What is a standard size skillet?
What is a number 10 skillet?
Is a 10 inch pan enough?
How much does a 10 inch Skillet weigh?
The diameter is simply too small to accommodate most of your cooking, no matter what cuisines you cook or diet you follow. The average 10-inch skillet weighs 4-6 pounds and has dimensions of approx. 16x10x2 inches. Weight and dimensions vary with the manufacturer, material, and model of the pan.
How big is a cast iron skillet?
In those cases, the diameter from rim to rim is usually 1 to 2 inches larger than the flat cooking surface. For example, the diameter of the Calphalon 12-inch cast iron skillet is exactly 12 inches from rim to rim, but the flat cooking surface is 10 inches. Cast iron skillets range in size from 3.5 to 17 inches.
What size Skillet do I Need?
A 12″ skillet is best for frying 3-4 eggs, searing large cuts of meat, poultry, and seafood, or making deep-dish pan pizza at home. This is the most versatile skillet size; it fits on most cooktops and you’ll have enough space to cook up a meal for two—as well as dinner for a big and hungry family of three or more.
What is a large skillet?
Billingsley says Meyer Corp. defines a large skillet as any skillet 12 inches or larger rim to rim. “Lodge’s two most popular skillet sizes are our beloved 10.25-inch ($25, Target) and 12-inch ($30, Target) skillets. I would consider both of these skillets large. Extra-large would be anything north of 12 inches,” Stubblefield says.