6 Best Spatula for Cast Iron Pan in 2022 (Buying Guide)

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The long-standing popularity of cast-iron cookware owes itself to a number of reasons. Apart from its near-indestructibility, its heat retention ability makes it perfect for those who cook in high temperatures frequently.

What’s more, cast-iron cookware offers even heating and fast cooking. And, with oil seasoning, the cookware can be given non-stick properties. This seasoning also guards against rusting and enhances heat retention. Protecting this seasoning is important, and involves using the best spatula for cast iron pan.

Metal spatulas are the best option, as they cause the high spots in the cookware to even out, leaving a smoother cooking surface. Metal or not, however, the shape of the spatula also plays an important role; and a flexible yet sturdy handle is preferred.

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Keeping those factors in mind, today we’ve rounded up 6 of the top spatulas for your cast-iron cookware, along with a comprehensive buying guide. Let’s get started!

Contents

What to Look When You Buying Spatula

Keep the following in mind before choosing a spatula for your cast iron cookware. These factors will help you choose the best spatula for cast iron skillet.

Construction Material

The following are your options for cast-iron spatula construction material.

  • Metal / Hardened Steel: A common misconception about metal spatulas is that it can cause the seasoning on cast-iron cookware to flake/chip. In fact, metal spatulas actually even out the surface of cast-iron cookware: when scraped with metal, the bumps on the cookware’s surface are smoothened out (which also means no scraping sound!). Plus, they’re the most durable option.
  • Wood: Wooden kitchen utensils are a popular companion for cast-iron cookware as they are able to interact with high heat without being damaged. However, you mustn’t expect a wooden spatula to even out your cast-iron skillet’s surface.
  • Silicone: Food-grade silicone is a great in-between choice for spatula material. It’s not only heat-resistant and stain-resistant but also effectively fights corrosion. The rubbery texture allows for easy scraping. If you’re getting a silicone or rubber spatula, though, make sure it’s BPA-free. And remember, avoid plastic spatula at all costs!

Design

The spatula’s shape determines its performance to a great extent. A square shape is preferred for maximum contact of the spatula with the skillet. Rectangular spatulas smooth out the cooking surface more easily. Rounded spatulas are best left alone.

When it comes to the spatula’s edge, we’d recommend a beveled one. They allow easy scraping off of food left in the pan and are better able to slide under your food. Some spatulas with beveled edges can also be used to chop food as it’s being cooked.

The flexibility of the spatula must also be considered. When it comes to delicate ingredients like eggs or fish, you’ll need a more flexible spatula, while sturdier ones are better for flipping burgers, etc.

Handle

Finally, the spatula’s handle will determine the comfort with which you can use it. Look for handles with ergonomic designs. Wooden handles are also great as they won’t melt or absorb heat.

Top 6 Best Spatula for Cast Iron Pan

Without any further ado, let’s jump right into the reviews. If you’re new to this, why not check out our buying guide first?

1. Anmarko Metal Spatula Set (4-Piece)

Our first pick is a highly-rated stainless steel spatula set from Anmarko. Complete with a pancake flipper, griddle turner, large flat spatula, and chopper, this set has everything you need for flipping and spreading.

Anmarko Metal Spatula Set (4-Piece)

The durable construction of these spatulas owes itself to the food-grade stainless steel construction, which is also non-reactive. The blade on each spatula for cooking measures 1/25 inches in thickness, making them lightweight and maneuverable despite their heavy-duty capabilities.

Speaking of maneuverability, we love the handles on these things. Made from plastic in an ergonomic design, these spatulas are comfortable to hold and use. Now, compared to other materials, metal spatulas are easier to clean as it is; to make it even better, these are compatible with your dishwasher as well.

Let’s have a closer look at each utensil in this set. The pancake flipper with its rounded edges and the large surface is ideal for flipping burgers and eggs and is well-suited to griddle applications.

The griddle spatula’s beveled edge makes it perfect for scraping, and like the chopper, its edge is also tapered for effortless cutting directly on the griddle.

All in all, this is a great all-around set, and it’s affordable as well!

2. Anmarko Professional Spatula Set (3-Piece)

Our next pick is also from Anmarko, and it’s equally as highly rated as the last one. This set includes 3 spatulas, and its handles are made from wood instead of plastic. Constructed from corrosion-resistant, non-reactive food-grade stainless steel, these durable spatulas are built for hygiene.

Anmarko Professional Spatula Set (3-Piece)

The pieces in this set have a distinctly professional feel to them, much like Anmarko’s other products. This is despite the set’s inexpensiveness, winningly combining affordability and functionality in the straightforward design of the spatulas.

With this set, you’re getting a spatula turner, a grill spatula, and a griddle scraper; each one is equipped with a flat blade of 1/25 inch thickness.

In contrast to the last Anmarko set we reviewed, the spatulas in this one come with wooden handles instead of plastic ones. You’ll enjoy a sturdy yet comfortable grip, which will allow easy maneuvering thanks to the balance between the blade and the handle.

No matter whether you’re flipping pancakes, grilling, BBQ-ing, chopping or scraping, our belief is that these spatulas from Anmarko won’t let you down. They also won’t burn a hole in your wallet!

3. Earlywood 3-Piece Wooden Kitchen Cooking Utensil Set

Now that we’ve had a look at two great stainless steel sets, it’s time to move onto this very popular wooden set from Earlywood. Consisting of a scraper, a flipper spatula, and a spreader, this set is one of the best wooden sets we’ve come across.

Earlywood 3-Piece Wooden Kitchen Cooking Utensil Set

The minimalist shape and design of these spatulas are probably going to be perfect for the majority of pots and pans in your kitchen, be they cast-iron or otherwise. Getting into corners is easy, although you might miss the advantage of rounded corners at times.

Now let’s talk about the construction of these babies. Made from Mexican ebony, jatoba, and bloodwood/hard maple, all of the pieces in this set are sturdy enough for cast iron cookware but also safe enough for use with your non-stick pots and pans.

The wooden spatula set’s versatility is further manifested in how much can be achieved with it. Whether you’re flipping, scraping, stirring, spreading, crushing, or serving, this set has a solution for you.

And finally, we think it’s worth mentioning how absolutely gorgeous this set is. Each piece has a sleek and minimalistic design, which is offset by the rustic vibe of rich wooden colors and is bound to add sophistication to your kitchen.

4. HIC Harold Import Co. Dexter-Russell Pancake Turner

Moving on from sets, we now present this beautiful stainless steel turner from Harold Import Co. Measuring 4″x2.5″, this product has been named a pancake turner by the manufacturers, but it can, of course, be used to achieve other important functions in the kitchen.

HIC Harold Import Co. Dexter-Russell Pancake Turner

Constructed from high-quality stainless steel, this is a spatula that offers longevity like almost no other. Its robust walnut handle is, nevertheless, easy and comfortable to grip. Because it’s attached to the tang with dual rivets, you can expect it to stay put.

What we love about this turner is that it’s also available in two other sizes. The all-purpose turner, measuring 5 inches, is the largest and most expensive one, while the mini turner has dimensions of 2″x2.5″. As a spatula for frying that can also do much more, however, the one we have selected is the best option.

One drawback of this spatula is that it does not come with a beveled edge; however, its rounded edge does add the benefit of making it compatible with non cast iron cookware. Besides, the square shape of the blade will even out your griddle over time–a clear win.

5. MANNKITCHEN Professional Grade Stainless Steel Spatula

No matter how long you’ve been acquainted with the world of cooking utensils, it’s unlikely you haven’t heard of Mannkitchen, known for manufacturing hardy, long-wearing, beautiful and high-performing kitchenware.

MANNKITCHEN Professional Grade Stainless Steel Spatula

Built specifically for the purpose, this is an honest-to-God cast iron spatula. Wondering why we say that? Just ask the non-flexible, precision beveled edge, which allows for flipping and sliding with ease no matter your level of cooking expertise.

Its hardened stainless steel construction, furthermore, makes this spatula the ideal companion for your cast iron skillet or griddle. Make hard scrapes with ease and watch as the surface your skillet is smoothened out over time.

The generous dimensions of this flat spatula–11.5″x2.9″x1.5″–also suit it for cast-iron cooking purposes. It weighs 1.12 ounces and offers a comfortable yet steady grip with little flexibility.

The handle of mannkitchen spatula is a single piece of hardwood, which not only affords you a firm grip but also ensures that the spatula will be able to withstand high temperatures.

One drawback is that, on top of being quite expensive, this spatula is not compatible with your dishwasher; however, we think these are nearly inconsequential issues in the bigger picture.

6. Tovolo Silicone Slotted Turner With Stainless Steel Handle

Tovolo Silicone Slotted Turner With Stainless Steel Handle

For our final pick, we’re turning to a silicone spatula. Silicone is a great solution if you’re new to cast iron cooking, or are inexperienced in the use of steel or wooden utensils. This one from Tovolo, like other great silicone turners we’ve come across, has a scratch-resistant head with a stain-resistant coloring. It’s equipped with a sturdy stainless steel handle, as well.

Something else that sets this turner apart is that it has slots in the head. This offers the benefit of eliminating/preventing condensation, perfect for draining broth/grease. Plus, it’s great for flipping lighter ingredients like eggs or fish.

You might be concerned about the maneuverability of this spatula on account of its being made from silicone. Tovolo has taken that into account! The head comes with a tapered edge, which allows the spatula to slide under food with ease.

Finally, the most important aspect of any silicone utensil you buy should be its chemical make-up. On that front, the Tovolo turner does not fail: it’s completely BPA-free, and you can use it reassured that it wouldn’t affect your health adversely.

We do wish that the head of the spatula was wider to allow flipping of larger/heavier ingredients. But this is ultimately one of the best silicone turners you will find at such a great price.

Spatula vs Spoon

Let’s pit spatula and spoon against each other here which will also somewhat help you to pick the best spatula for cast iron skillet.

The Skinny on Spoons

Cooking spoons are useful in a number of applications: they can be used to serve, transfer, and stir food with ease. If you’re mostly going to be preparing such dishes as thick sauces or soups, then you’ll definitely need a good, suitable set of spoons. When it comes to cast-iron cookware, you can choose between a spoon made of metal or wood.

The main difference between the two is that wooden spoons won’t help to even out the surface of your cast iron cookware. Plus, metal spoons are stronger and more durable, with the added benefit of being easier to clean. Scraping with them is easier as well.

Metal is somewhat better able to withstand the high levels of heat retained by cast iron, although this isn’t a huge factor. Wood can do the same, but it’s less durable. Still, wooden spoons are compatible with pretty much all cookware, so they’re worth having.

Spatulas Save the Day

When it comes down to it, the spatula will always be the best friend of a trusty cast-iron skillet. This is mainly because, as you may have already discovered, cast-iron cookware is perfect for frying and flipping. With its flat surface and lengthy handle, a spatula is a must-have in your kitchen for flipping, lifting and spreading.

As we have already discussed, going with a metal spatula is the best option for cast-iron cookware. Not only does it even out the cookware’s surface, but it’s much easier to maneuver.

That’s not to say that you can’t use a wooden or silicone spatula when using your cast-iron cookware. Just be wary of their durability and resistance to heat, as cast-iron cookware gets heated quickly and easily.

Conclusion

We don’t like playing favorites, but if you asked us to choose the absolute best spatula for cast iron pan, we’d lean towards the Mannkitchen Professional Stainless Steel Spatula. It’s expensive, however, and ultimately a set like the Anmarko 3-Piece Metal Spatula Set offers more uses at a lower price.

Not interested in metal spatulas? Consider the Tovolo Silicone Slotted Turner instead.

Whichever spatula you choose, the important thing to remember is that it must be compatible with your cast iron cookware. If you’re still unsure what that means, why not refer back to our buying guide? Good luck, and happy flipping!

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