There are so many things to love about cast-iron cookware<\/a>. Whether it’s the durability<\/a>, next-level heat distribution, or the sentimental value of owning one that was once your grandparent\u2019s<\/a>, the traditional cookware material has a loyal fanbase<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even the biggest enthusiasts have to admit though, cast iron<\/a> is heavy<\/em>. Even the smallest cast-iron skillet in our Shop\u2014the lovely Staub Mini Cast-Iron Fry Pan, 6″<\/a>\u2014weighs in at just over two pounds, compared to a skillet<\/a> of the same size made from stainless steel<\/a> or non-stick ceramic. While the weight is understandable\u2014cast-iron pieces are made with thicker walls to increase durability to help protect them from cracking due to thermal shock<\/a>\u2014it can become tiring when cooking begins to feel strangely reminiscent of arm day at the gym. Luckily, the Japanese cookware brand Vermicular<\/a> sought out to remedy that complaint. Enter: the Vermicular Lightweight Japanese Cast-Iron Frying Pan<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Made from black enamel, this pan was designed to be rust-proof and allow for quicker evaporation of excess liquids to help achieve better browning. But most importantly, it needed to be comfortable to pick up or hold with one hand. Weighing in at 2.4 pounds (roughly the same weight as the aforementioned Staub mini<\/a>), this full-sized frying pan does just that. It\u2019s the ideal cookware piece for anyone who loves cooking with cast iron but hates feeling weighed down. The cherry on top? It doesn’t need to be seasoned<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just us\u2014behind the scenes here at Food52\u2014who love this pan. Food & Wine and Bon App\u00e9tit both raved about this featherweight workhorse. \u201cIf you\u2019re after a pan that will live permanently on your stovetop, this is the one,\u201d wrote Lauren Joseph<\/a>. The audience we trust the most, our community, is equally smitten. In our Shop, the best-selling pan holds an average 4.8-star rating. \u201cThis is now my \u2018go to\u2019 pan for everything from filet mignon to blistered green beans,\u201d one reviewer wrote alongside a five-star review. \u201cIt is amazingly light, versatile, durable, [and] cleans up well. I don’t know why I put it back in the drawer every night\u2014I should just leave it out on the range!\u201d<\/p>\n The only downside to its beautifully crafted wooden handle? It\u2019s not oven-proof. But don\u2019t sweat it, if you want a lightweight cast-iron piece that can easily go from your stovetop to your oven to your table, Vermicular made an equally easy-to-lift, cast-iron frying pan<\/a> with an aluminum handle.<\/p>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.food52.com\/3kbUiuumVozvs8tO5yni4sBb6AE=\/470x470\/7a67f049-4ec3-42e4-8ca2-de7487a08dfd--2023-0629_email-hero_brand-focus_cast-iron_mid_1x1_mj-kroeger-369.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
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\nWhat\u2019s your favorite cast-iron skillet? Let us know below!<\/em>
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