lighter weight alternative to cast iron?

[Shantimama]

I have always loved cooking with cast iron frying pans. Recently I have been noticing that I am having more and more trouble lifting them and I am worried that I am going to drop one and cause a bad burn one of these days. I have to use two hands to lift one with food in it and even that is uncomfortable where I used to be fine just using one hand.

Does anyone have any suggestions for pans that cook as nicely as cast iron but without all of that weight?

[lilyka]

a nice heavy weight stainless steel should do the trick. It will still be heavy ish but not as much as cast iron.

[Shantimama]

Will it cook as nicely as a good hot cast iron pan?

[Casha'sMommy]

It has been my experience that nothing cooks like cast iron however, I do use stainless steel for many things and am very happy with its performance.
Maybe purchase a quality SS skillet from a reputable retailer that will allow you to return if the item doesn't meet your needs.

[lilyka]

Probably not. The thing that makes cast iron cook so well is the the thick heavy iron bottom and walls. It distributes the heat....But a high quality heavy stainless steel pan (heavy but still not as bad as cast iron) should work really well.

[JMJ]

a smaller cast iron pan?

[redvlagrl]

I bought two really good quality SS pans at Winners (like TJ Maxx or Marshalls) for under half the retail price. It's more of a learning curve to cook on these than cast iron (when changing from non stick), but we are getting better and can even fry eggs without them sticking at all now. With cast iron you rely on the seasoning performing a non stick function. With SS, you need the right heat. I also cooked pancakes with just a wipe of oil and no sticking!

[texmati]

Originally Posted by JMJ

a smaller cast iron pan?

yes, I often reach for a really teeny cast iron pan to toast bread or for eggs adn such.

Also my mom has a small thin round pan-- not cast iron but I think it is made of iron. Got it! It's called a tawa in hindi (sounds like tuh-vaa)

[JElaineB]

Starfrit makes lightweight cast iron pans. I just heard about them so I don't know a whole lot though. I saw some on Amazon and other places online.

[robugmum]

You could look for a cast iron pan with a "helper handle" on the opposite side from the long handle. This allows you to grip the pan with both hands. Its much easier to lift this way.