If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Trending Products & Deals I Swore I Was Done With Cast Iron Cookware Until I Tried These Pans They are lightweight and nonstick. By Sharon Lockley Sharon Lockley Sharon Lockley has over 20 years of experience as an editor and writer and has been contributing to Food & Wine since 2019. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 30, 2024 Photo: Amazon Throughout my childhood years, I watched my mom cook with a cast iron skillet that was passed down through the generations. While I learned to cook on cast iron and appreciate their even heating and impeccable searing capability, I have shied away from using them as I’ve gotten older. They’re heavy, which makes them hard for me to maneuver, and they require more maintenance than other types of cookware. I swore I was done with them for good, until this cast iron skillet set by Imarku. I received a sample of these pans to try out in early February, and I’ve been using them ever since. Because of these pans, I have fallen back in love with cast iron. They cook everything just like the generational skillet I learned on, but are an upgraded, easier-to-use version. And right now, the set is 41% off at Amazon thanks to an additional coupon. Imarku 3-Piece Cast Iron Skillet Set Amazon $170 $100 at Amazon This skillet set has so many features I appreciate. Starting with its versatility, the set includes an 8-, a 10-, and a 12-inch frying pan, ensuring I have every size I might need. I find myself grabbing the 8-inch to saute up some mushrooms and the 10-inch to whip up a stir fry for myself. Each pan has a non-stick honeycomb textured bottom cooking surface, which keeps the oil I’m using within that area and the texture also makes it so the food releases easier for fuss-free cooking. I find it’s so effective, I don’t even need to use as much oil when I’m cooking. They have long wooden handles which provide a sleek modern design, and they stay cool to the touch, so I don’t need to worry about using any silicone handle or oven mitt/potholder to move them around. Plus, the handles are removable, so these pans can be used in the oven up to 500°F. It took me no time to assemble them, and I made sure to prep the pans with a light coating of oil per the brand’s recommendation. After that, cooking with them was a breeze. They heat up quickly, faster than standard cast iron, yet I found that they retain the heat just like cast iron does. These pans saute and brown ingredients up beautifully, including mushrooms, steak, shrimp, bacon, and garlic. Even eggs are a cinch, and nothing sticks at all. It's like using a non-stick pan, but with the heating benefits of cast iron. And, these pans are lighter in weight than standard cast iron, making them much easier for me to use. Food & Wine / Sharon Lockley These pans are amazing to maintain, too, and after a few months of use, they look just as good as new. They require little-to-no oil and don't need to be maintained as regular cast iron does.There’s no worry about them getting rusty, so they’re easier to take care of. While the skillets can go in the dishwasher (with the handles removed), I prefer to wash them by hand to ensure they stay in pristine condition. At times, I’ve truthfully just wiped them out with a paper towel before using them again. You can leave these pans to air dry too. Plus, they stack neatly inside of each other for streamlined storage. I am thrilled to have gotten a chance to test these pans out and have been converted back to using cast iron skillets, just like my mom and her mother did before me. In fact, the 8-inch one is sitting out on my stovetop right now, ready to whip up a quick lunch. Shop the set now for only $100 and you’ll become a fan of these pans, too. Shop More Cast Iron Skillet Deals at Amazon Utopia 3-Piece Cast Iron Skillet Set Amazon $45 $32 at Amazon Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet Amazon $34 $20 at Amazon Cuisinel 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet with Lid Amazon $60 $50 at Amazon Lodge 5-Piece Cast Iron Set Amazon $150 $100 at Amazon Commercial Chef 3-Piece Cast Iron Skillet Set Amazon $55 $43 at Amazon At the time of publishing, the price was $100. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit More Fresh Finds from Food & Wine Ditch the Black Plastic and Use These Kitchen Utensils Instead My Father-in-Law Is Ditching Toxic Cookware, so I’m Getting Him This Skillet Instead This 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set That Shoppers Call 'a Steal' Is Now 53% Off