Unilloy Classic Lightweight Cast-Iron Skillet

For all of cast iron’s advantages—like even heat retention and nearly nonstick behavior over time—bigger cookware can pack too much heft. But Unilloy figured out how to use ductile iron, which has applications in machinery, to develop a revolutionary cast iron pan that’s 50% lighter than your typical cast iron cookware. Their Classic Lightweight Cast-Iron Skillet has a traditional round shape with a gently flared edge. It’s the most aesthetic cast iron we’ve worked with yet—even though the skillet’s walls and handle are remarkably thin, we found in testing that its sleek construction doesn’t significantly sacrifice strength or heat retention. Plus, the skillet is light enough to flip food in, a task we’d otherwise skip in a heavy iron pan.

The skillet comes pre-seasoned so you can use it immediately, but season it routinely to maintain performance. The handle comes with a hole so you can hang up and display your skillet when not in use. Due to the challenging nature of forming cookware from ductile iron, these types of pans are few and far between—and Unilloy’s line is particularly hard to find in the U.S.