Grandma's Skillet > Fancy Grill Accessories

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Hey there Reader,

Your grandmother's cast-iron skillet is probably sitting in a cabinet right now, maybe stacked under some newer pans or pushed to the back behind the fancy non-stick stuff. It's also the best grilling tool you're not using.

The Science Behind Cast Iron on the Grill

Cast iron retains and distributes heat better than almost any other cookware material. When you place it on your grill grates, it creates an even cooking surface that eliminates hot spots and prevents smaller ingredients from falling through the gaps.

We tested this theory with everything from asparagus spears to shrimp, and the results were consistent: better searing, more even cooking, and zero food casualties lost to the coals below.

Three Grilling Techniques That Work Better in Cast Iron

1. The Perfect Sear Station Place your cast iron skillet on the hottest part of your grill. Let it heat for 5-7 minutes until it's smoking hot. This creates a restaurant-quality sear on steaks, literally the best pork chops, and chicken thighs that's impossible to achieve directly on grill grates. Grill marks are just for show - I'll take that edge-to-edge sear any day.

2. Vegetable Grilling Without the Hassle Brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes, and diced onions stay put in cast iron instead of becoming expensive charcoal. Toss them with oil and seasonings, then let the skillet work its magic while you focus on your main proteins.

3. The Reverse Sear Method Start thick steaks or pork chops on the cooler side of your grill, then finish them in a blazing hot cast iron skillet. This technique gives you edge-to-edge doneness with a perfect crust. Get the full reverse sear technique here – it works perfectly with thick cuts like cowboy steaks.

Why We Choose Cast Iron Over Expensive Alternatives

Grill baskets are single-purpose tools that you'll forget about by next summer. Cast iron gets screaming hot, holds that heat, and gives you better searing than most grill accessories..

Your grandmother's skillet has already proven its durability. It's survived decades of use and will outlast any modern grilling accessory by years.

Don't Skip This Step

Never take a cold cast-iron skillet straight to a hot grill. The sudden temperature change can crack even the most seasoned pan. Let it warm up gradually, either in your kitchen or on a cooler section of the grill, before moving it to high heat.

If your cast iron needs some TLC before grilling season, we've got you covered with our guides on how to properly season cast iron and how to clean cast iron without damaging it.

Skip the Gadgets

Stop overthinking your grilling setup. That cast iron skillet you already own will handle 90% of your outdoor cooking challenges better than specialized tools that end up never being used (like that wire burger basket in my shed - seriously, why?).

Now, we want to hear about your cast iron grilling experiments. Hit reply and tell us what you've tried – the good, the bad, and the surprisingly delicious.

Cheers,

Kita GirlCarnivore.com
Head Meat Maven Since 2013

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P.S. - If you don't have a cast iron skillet yet, we've tested dozens over the years. The Lodge 12-inch skillet remains our top recommendation for its size, durability, and price point. Our enamel-coated Le Crueset has been our workhorse for over a dozen years, but it costs a pretty penny, and it's absolutely worth it.

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