Cast iron skillets cook at higher temperatures than traditional pans while holding heat longer. So you can’t use regular spatulas since they’ll melt and damage your cookware.
So in this post, I’ll go through the five best spatulas for your cast iron skillet. I’ll also cover factors to watch out for when buying while answering commonly asked questions.
MANNKITCHEN Professional Grade Stainless Steel Spatula
Best For: Anyone looking for a durable and flexible spatula that won’t damage cast iron equipment.
The MANNKITCHEN spatula is an affordable yet quality option for cast iron enthusiasts. It has a hardwood handle with a beveled edge allowing for easy lifting and flipping.
These are the product specs for this MANNKITCHEN:
- 11.5 inches long
- 2.85 inches wide
- 1.5 inches thick
- 1.12 ounces heavy
Because MANNKITCHEN uses top-quality material, it’ll last for years even if you’re smashing burgers and scraping meat.
But what sets this spatula apart is it improves your cast iron surface over time instead of wearing it down.
MANNKITCHEN put more weight on the front when designing this spatula. So if you aren’t cooking steaks or burgers, the spatula rests on the hard stainless steel blade, not the handle. This is helpful if your handles always get hot when cooking.
The wooden handle uses stainless steel rivets so it’s sturdy. It’s also grippy so you won’t have to worry about the spatula falling out of your hand when carrying food.
Pros
- The quality materials ensure your spatula lasts for years, even if you’re beating burgers and steaks
- It has a wooden handle so it won’t slip out of your hand
- Your spatula balances on the blade, preventing hot handles
- You can travel with this spatula set because it’s heavy duty
- It improves your cast iron equipment instead of wearing it down
Cons
- The edges aren’t sharp, so you can’t use them to cut food
Sabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner
Best For: Home cooks looking for a nimble spatula that makes flipping delicate foods easy.
This Sabatier offers a narrow head, so if you make flapjacks and pancakes regularly, it’ll save a lot of time and hassle. No longer do you have to deal with broken flapjacks.
These are the dimensions for this Sabatier spatula:
- 9.65 inches long
- 2.76 inches wide
- Four ounces heavy
With the large head, it’s easy to slide your spatula underneath food without damaging your cast iron.
This sturdy spatula is a practical option if you’re sensitive to BPA or Teflon. The cooking surface doesn’t contain toxic ingredients that negatively affect your health.
But what sets Sabatier apart from other cast iron spatulas is it offers a lifetime warranty. So it’s more of an investment because it’ll last your entire lifetime. In the unlikely situation that it breaks, simply contact Sabatier, and they’ll replace your spatula.
The only drawback is that the handle is plastic. If it rests close to a fire, the heat can melt the handle. Also, when this plastic handle gets wet, it becomes less grippy. So unlike the MANNKITCHEN, it’s easy to let food fall if you aren’t careful.
Pros
- It doesn’t contain Teflon or BPA
- The large head allows for easy flipping without damaging your skillet
- It’s affordable
- You can wash it in the dishwasher with other stainless steel utensils
Cons
- It has a plastic spatula handle, so it burns easily
- The edges are sharp, so you can’t use them to cut meat or burgers
KUFUNG Grill Turner, Stainless Steel Metal Griddle Spatula
Best For: Those who want a spatula with a comfortable, grippy handle that’s also dishwasher friendly.
This KUFUNG grill turner is specially designed for cooking on skillets, griddles and grills because it doesn’t damage cast iron equipment like traditional kitchenware.
Here are the dimensions for this spatula:
- 7.3 inches long
- 2.8 inches wide
- Six ounces
When designing this grill spatula, KUFUNG made the handle super grippy. It uses non-slip ABS padding ensuring the spatula doesn’t slip out of your hands when carrying food. This comfortable grip helps when cooking for hours.
If your current spatula struggles to slide under flapjacks, meat and eggs, opt for this KUFUNG spatula. The long head and non-stick coating allow for seamless flipping.
You also have an option between three stainless steel spatula options:
- KUFUNG beveled spatula
- KUFUNG pizza and pie shovel
- KUFUNG cake server
But let’s say you don’t feel like washing your spatula by hand. This KUFUNG is dishwasher compatible, saving you time and effort. And when you’re finished cleaning it, you’ll find it’s easy to store. You can put it next to your spoons, knives and forks.
Pros
- The non-slip handles are comfortable and prevent food from falling
- Restaurants often use this spatula to prepare meals
- It comes in three different options
- The handles work for both left and right-handed chefs
Cons
- The stainless steel pancake turner
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Turner
Best For: Home cooks on a budget looking for an affordable spatula that offers monthly payment plans.
This affordable, sturdy stainless steel OXO spatula offers a broad head, allowing you to flip and beat burgers and other meats.
Here are the specs and weight for this spatula:
- 13.8 inches long
- 3.2 inches wide
- 6.7 ounces heavy
- 0.8 inches thick
The perforated head helps get rid of oily foods because any oil can run through the spatula.
On the handles, you’ll find small ridges. These ridges make it easy to grip the handle, especially when your hands are wet. The design is also sleek, so you can put it on the dinner table.
The OXO is your best option if you’re on a strict budget. Not only is it affordable, but it offers payment options. So if you don’t have the money for it immediately, opt to pay three dollars over four months.
Pros
- Its 13.8-inch long head makes flipping pancakes easy
- The perforated heads drain excess oil
- It offers affordable payment options
- It doesn’t contain BPA or other dangerous chemicals
Cons
- If your skillet pan is small, flipping food can become impractical due to the spatula head
Now that we’ve covered the best spatulas for cast iron enthusiasts, let’s go through what to look for when buying a spatula.
What To Look For When Buying An Spatula For Cast Iron
Consider these options when buying a spatula for your cast iron pan:
- Material
- Shape
- Flexibility
- Cleaning
- Weight
Material
The most important factor to consider when buying a spatula is material. This is because different types of material affect your cast iron cooking experience differently. When shopping for a spatula, you’ll find the following options:
- Unhardened steel spatulas
- Hardened stainless steel spatulas
- Plastic spatulas
- Wooden spatulas
Avoid buying unhardened stainless steel spatulas because it’s softer than cast iron. So although your skillet won’t get damaged, the spatula will wear down quickly.
Instead, opt for a hardened spatula. Cooks working in restaurants mainly use hardened stainless steel because it won’t damage the cast iron, but it’s hard enough to beat and press meats without breaking.
Another big no for cast iron cooking is plastic spatulas. These spatulas melt quickly, especially when in contact with cast iron that holds heat well.
You could also opt for wooden spatulas. These work well when cooking delicate foods like eggs and fish but won’t work with steaks. It’s also easy for mold to grow on a wooden spatula if it isn’t cleaned and dried correctly.
Shape
Next, look at the shape of your spatula. If you’re cooking many steaks, burgers, pancakes and eggs, opt for a square-shaped spatula with sharp edges. This maximizes the contact patch with your skillet, so flipping is easy.
A round spatula’s contact patch is smaller, so flipping is more challenging. It’s also easier to break delicate foods like eggs and pancakes.
Flexibility
If your spatula is too flexible, food will wobble when carrying it. But maneuvering delicate foods becomes a hassle if it’s too rigid.
If you make a lot of eggs, flapjacks and fish, go for a more flexible spatula. It’ll allow you to move the food around with ease. But if you’re smashing burgers and grilling steaks, opt for a more rigid spatula since you won’t need the flexibility.
Cleaning
After cooking meals for your entire family, the last thing you want to do is wash dishes. That’s why a dishwasher safe spatula can save time and energy. Simply pop it into the dishwasher, and you won’t have to hand wash it.
Weight
A spatula only weighs a few ounces, but if you’re holding it in your hand for 30 minutes to an hour, it’ll get real heavy. This is why getting the lightest possible spatula is critical. Your arm won’t hurt after just a few minutes.
But weight isn’t the only factor. Consider where the manufacturer put this weight. If most of the weight is with the handle, the spatula will rest on the handle, heating it up.
Instead, opt for a spatula-like the MANNKITCHEN. The weight is in front, so you won’t have to worry about balancing your spatula.
Now let’s answer some commonly asked questions.
FAQ
What Type Of Spatula Do You Use For Cast Iron?
Hardened stainless steel is the best type of spatula for cast iron. It’s strong so you can use it to smash burgers while being flexible, allowing for easy maneuvering when making eggs and fish.
A silicone spatula is also a helpful alternative because it’s heat resistant. Silicone spatulas are also soft, so you can use it for mixing and dishing if you’re making scrambled eggs.
Can You Scrape A Cast Iron Skillet With A Metal Spatula?
Metal utensils like scrapers can chip away at your cast iron pan and seasoning if you’re scraping too hard. This can cause food to stick. Instead, use a sponge or griddle scraper. The sponge is soft, so it won’t damage your cast iron pan while a griddle scraper is designed for cast iron griddles.
You may like our guide to the best kitchen utensil sets.
What Is The Beveled Edge On A Spatula Used For?
The beveled edges help your spatula slide underneath food while letting excess oil and grease drip through. Beveled edges can even chop food like burgers and meat, depending on how sharp it is.
What Spatulas Do Professional Chefs Use?
Professional chefs mainly use hardened stainless steel spatulas. They last long, and you won’t have to worry about scratching your pan. You can use it to smash burgers and flip delicate meats like salmon.
Read our guide to the best oils for seasoning cast iron cookware!
Final Word On Best Spatula For Cast Iron Pans
Choosing the correct spatula for your cast iron skillets and griddles is essential since the wrong spatula chips away at your equipment. Regular spatulas aren’t practical options since they aren’t used to the high temperatures of cast iron.
If you’re looking for affordable yet durable stainless steel spatulas, opt for the MANNKITCHEN, Sabatier, KUFUNG and OXO.
You also want to consider a few factors like material, shape, flexibility, cleaning and weight when shopping for a cast iron spatula.
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