No time to fire up the BBQ, or perhaps the weather has put paid to your outside dining plans? Don’t worry! You can still quickly cook delicious food with the classic look and flavor of the chargrill.
All you need is the best grill pan for gas stoves. Read on to find out more.
Contents
All About Grill Pans
What is a grill pan?
A grill pan is a heavy frying pan with a series of parallel ridges or ‘grill lines’. These lines are usually separated by about 0.5 inches (1cm) and are around 0.25 inches (0.5cm) high.
Sometimes grill pans are confused for griddles. Griddles are in fact flat (without the ridges) and have lower side walls. If you are actually after a griddle, check out my cast iron griddle pan guide, or my guide to the best griddle pan for glass top stove.
Why do I need a gas stove griller when I already have a regular frying pan?
The level surface of a regular frying pan, or a griddle, is great for cooking breakfast; it’s perfect for bacon, pancakes, and French toast.
Yet at dinner times, I reach for my gas stove griller.
A flat skillet, pan or griddle cooks the meat in its own juices. With a grill pan the ridges enable the natural oils to drip from meats, fish, and chicken just as if your were cooking it on a chargrill.
I love the fact that the juices from the food collect below the ridges. This means that I can cook a few different items together, confident that they will retain more of their unique flavors. Plus – only one pan to wash up at the end!
My grill pan enables me to cook healthy food with a smoky, mouth-watering grilled taste, not to mention those lovely looking blackened grill markings that you get from the BBQ – you eat with your eyes first – right?
What’s the best way to cook with a grill pan?
Grill pans are very simple to use. They are made with robust metals so can withstand at least a medium-high heat (or higher in the case of cast iron).
Before you start grilling, the pan simply needs to be warmed on top of the stove. First, brush a minimal amount of oil onto the ridges. Remember oil will collect in the valleys, and food will be resting on the ridges. So any oil you pour into the grill pan won’t help much.
I do, however, like to brush or spray a little oil onto vegetables before grilling. On the other hand, with meats, the natural juices from the cooking process will help prevent sticking.
Next, you simply lay your ingredients across the ridges and let the pan do the work.
Make sure to remember your lines! I always arrange my food when grilling so that it points slightly at an angle from the vertical ridges and only flip it over when it slides away easily from the pan. Cool looking grill marks, time after time.
Want to see a grill pan in action? Check out this video of delicious chicken masala being grilled. I got hungry just watching it! (Note they do put a little oil on first. By brushing it on they ensure some sticks to the ridges.):
Which is the best grill pan for my gas stove?
Most grill pans can be used on a variety of cooking surfaces from electric, ceramic, and gas right through to induction hobs and even campfires in certain cases. Yet there are a couple of things that I would advise when looking for a gas stove grill pan.
To begin with, I recommend a dark colored or black grill pan. Brightly colored pans can look nice and are an option if they suit the colors of your kitchen. But remember that the flames from the hob can quickly discolor the outside of these lighter pans.
When looking for the best grilling pan for gas stoves, I would recommend that it is made from a robust material such as cast iron or anodized aluminum. This is to best withstand the direct flame. Also, pans made from these materials tend to distribute heat evenly, enabling you to produce evenly cooked food.
The best grill pans for meat will also let you get a high temperature for that perfect sear.
With care and regular maintenance, such pans will surely outlast the cheaper stainless steel options on the market. If you look after your cast iron grill pan, you may end up passing it down to the next generation of little chefs!
What is a ‘seasoned’ cast iron grill pan?
Cast iron stove top grill pans are, in effect, large slabs of iron molded into the shape of cookware. It is a particularly useful metal to use for a grill pan as the ridges can be cast as part of the actual pan itself.
I am always careful with cast iron as it is highly reactive, which means it can rust within minutes if not properly cared for. The solution to this is proper seasoning (and I’m not talking about the salt and pepper flavors with which we are all so familiar!)
When used in reference to a grill pan, the phrase’ seasoning’ refers to a protective coating of oils that bond to the pan as it is heated. The more you cook with the pan, the more that you will see a dark, outer skin developing. This is the result of many thin layers of fats or oils being heated on cast iron, which then bond to the surface. These layers serve to protect the metal and help to stop the food sticking to the hot surface.
While you will find that many such pans will arrive with a degree of pre-seasoning, I would certainly recommend bonding an additional layer or two before using any of them.
Best Stovetop Grill Pan – Reviews
Lodge Cast Iron 10.5-inch (26.5cm) Grill Pan (Best Cast Iron Grill Pan)
This cast iron grill pan comes with a red silicone pot holder to allow you to use the handle with confidence even when the pan is in use.
The Lodge is pre-seasoned to prevent food from getting stuck to the ridges and this finish means that it is ready to use from the day it arrives. It’s always a good idea to add some seasoning of your own.
The seasoning helps make it non stick. The manufacturer does, however, recommend a light spray of vegetable oil before use.
The pan also features a helpful secondary handle at the top of the pan to allow for heavier lifting.
The cast iron provides impressive heat-retention and spreads the heat evenly across the ridges. Also, the cast iron makes this sturdy pan great for use on a campfire, unlike a few of its less robust competitors.
I love the fact that this pan enables you to really char the food without burning the entire surface. I was also delighted with the shape and found that it could nicely accommodate two decent size steaks.
Lodge always make decent products. If you’re looking for a cast iron grilling pan – I’d recommend this one.
Pros:
- Heats evenly
- Additional handle is helpful when moving a full pan
- Silicone handle cover included
- Can be used on all cooking surfaces, including conduction
- Arrives pre-seasoned which saves time
- Super affordable
- Robust and long lasting
Cons:
- Actual cooking area is smaller 10.5 inches (26.5cm)
- Heavy to handle
- Cast Iron needs more care
Cooks Standard 11-Inch Hard Anodized Non-stick Square Grill Pan (Best Grill Pan For Fish)
This gas grill pan has a hard-anodized aluminum coating, which is tougher and more robust than stainless steel.
The handle is made from stainless steel, which stays cool while the pan is in use and is riveted to the body to provide maximum durability.
As well as working well on a gas stove, this pan is equally effective on electric, halogen, glass and ceramic stove tops. It is also oven safe up to 260°C (500°F).
I love the fact that the pan is sturdy without being too heavy.
The aluminum core spreads the heat across the ridges preventing any hot spots while providing impressive cooking performance.
The non-stick coating means that the pan is effortless to clean.
As a non stick grill pan, able to withstand a high heat, this is the best grill pan for cooking fish.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Oven safe to 260°C (500°F)
- Can be used on a variety of stove tops
Cons:
- Shallow ridges
- Not compatible with induction hobs
- Likely contains PTFE (Teflon)
OXO Good Grips 11 inch Non-Stick Square Grill Pan (Best Budget Non stick Grill Pan)
This durable, scratch resistant pan is hard-anodized, enabling an even cooking surface and impressive conduction of heat.
The ergonomic stainless steel handle is coated in heat-resistant silicone, providing easy maneuverability and a cool to the touch, non-slip grip.
It boasts a three layer German engineered non-stick coating, which will ensure years of comfortable grilling.
I found that the high ridges on this pan let a large amount of the fats drain away making for healthy meals with beautiful, well-defined chargrill lines.
Pros:
- Cool touch Good Grip handle
- High ridges that allow the fats to drain away
- Even cooking temperature across the surface with no hot spots
- Affordable
Cons:
- Low oven safe heat rating of 200°c (390°F)
- Not compatible with induction hobs
- Likely contains PTFE (Teflon)
All-Clad E7954064 HA1 11 Inch Hard Anodized Non-stick Free Square Grill Cookware (Best Grill Pan For Gas Stoves)
This stovetop grilling pan is a little more expensive than some of its competitors, but All-Clad is synonymous with quality in the industry.
The wide ridged bottom is coated in All-Clad’s three layers of non-stick coating, preventing food from sticking and making cleanup a cinch. This particular pan is even dishwasher friendly.
I was particularly impressed with the high sides of this pan. They helped to contain all of the ingredients and helped with preventing oil spatter when turning the food.
The thick gauge rugged aluminum heats up quickly and cooks evenly, with the ridges giving a great sear.
This mini All Clad grill pan review really doesn’t do it justice. If you want a non-stick grill pan for your gas stove this is the one for you.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Tall rims to help prevent grease spatter
- Easy to clean
- Oven safe to 260°C (500°F)
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
- Likely contains PTFE (Teflon)
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle, 16.75 x 9.5 inch (Best Two Burner Grill Pan)
This 16.75 X 9.5 Inch (43 X 24cm) reversible grill pan has a flat side for griddling and a ridged side for grilling. The flat side is fabulous for making eggs, pancakes, French toast, and (my favorite!) a perfectly crisp grilled cheese.
The pan comes pre-seasoned, so it is ready to use straight from the box, and it is tough enough to be used over the open flames of a gas hob, campfire, or grill. It is also oven safe.
However, I would advise measuring your stove top before purchasing as it is a large item and will likely take up two hobs. The larger size does, however, mean that you can prepare multiple items at the same time, which is ideal when cooking for a family.
Pros:
- A versatile product that enables you to cook a variety of foods from pancakes to steaks
- Large enough to cook several elements of a dish at once
- Sturdy and robust
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Reports of hotspots
- Heavy and awkward to move when hot
Victoria Cast Iron Grill Pan (Best Affordable Cast Iron Griddle Pan)
This cast iron stovetop grill pan comes pre-seasoned and has a lifetime warranty. You can use it on everything gas stoves, ceramic tops to the oven and even the campfire. It’s even induction compatible.
I found the curved long handle helpful for a good grip. And the secondary handle at the top of the pan came in very useful when moving the pan in and out of the oven. I also loved the fact that this pan has drip-spouts for the fats on either side.
Lastly – I thought that the larger than usual hang hole at the end of the handle was a great touch. Very useful when you want to de-clutter your cupboards!
Pros:
- Arrives pre-seasoned
- Lifetime warranty
- Competitively priced
- Can be used on induction hobs
- Useful drip-spouts and large hang hole
Cons:
- Handles can get a little warm after prolonged use
- Heavy and awkward to maneuver
The Verdict – Best Grill Pan For Gas Stoves
For me, the best grill pan for gas stoves is the All-Clad E7954064 Square Grill Pan. It’s certainly the one that I would use on my hob.
It is more expensive than others, but it’s high quality and comes with a limited lifetime guarantee.
(If you want a budget option, the Victoria Cast Iron Grill Pan or the OXO Non Stick Square Grill Pan are both good choices)
I found that the fact that the pan heats up so quickly a great time saver.
I was particularly grateful for the high sided rims that contained a great deal of the grease spatter.
I was also very impressed with the high ridges on this pan which gave all of the food that I cooked in it those fantastic charred lines that I love.
The pan itself is sturdy without being too heavy, like a few of the other cast iron ones reviewed, and I appreciate the fact that you can use a long handle with your bare hands.
Best of all, when the meal is over I can just pop the pan into the dishwasher which gives me one less thing worry about when I’m washing up!
