What Is a Grill Skillet?

Grill Skillet Identification

• Grill pans have a long handle that you hold away from the burner. The handle stays slightly cool, letting you quickly remove the pan from the heat. The bowl portion of the pan has a rounded shape and raised edges or bumps along the bottom. When you place the skillet on a heat source, the heat spreads throughout the pan, including along the raised bumps. The bumps mimic the grates found on the grill and create those char marks you want. Grill pans are typically made of cast iron, though you might find enamelware or stainless steel versions.

Outdoor Use

• For outdoor use, opt for a grill skillet made from cast iron. The cast iron retains the heat from the grill, spreading it throughout the pan and providing an even surface for cooking. An outdoor pan also gives you the option of cooking foods that you otherwise cannot cook on a grill. Certain types of vegetables and foods that are smaller or thinner slip between the grates or require covering the grill with aluminum foil. The grill skillet cooks the food quickly and gives it the grill marks.

Other Uses

• Cast iron grill skillets are strong enough for use in other outdoor spaces, including an open fire. The cast iron is extremely durable and holds up well to the high heat of a campfire. As the skillet has a naturally dark shade, the pan does not develop scorch or charred marks from exposure to the fire. You also have the option of cooking on a tripod over the campfire, which keeps the skillet away from the flames, but still provides more than enough heat for cooking.

Types

• In addition to stainless steel, cast iron and enamelware, some manufacturers create grill pans from heavy-duty aluminum. Designers also create square grill pans and oval pans. The pans all contain the same raised bumps along the bottom and a strong base that keeps the food from rolling around inside the skillet.