Best pan for frying potatoes

If you’re into frying potatoes but you find that your pans just aren’t cutting the mustard…you need a new pan. Fried potatoes are too delicious to risk ruining with a sub-par pan. We’ve taken a good, hard look at the highly-rated, high-quality pans out there to find the very best one for our starchy treats.

The pan we’ve found is versatile, epically sturdy and completely perfect for stovetop spuds.

But first, let’s narrow in on what attributes we require to make the best pan for frying potatoes…

Lodge 15-inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

Lodge is an American brand (Tennessee, to be exact) which has been around since 1896. They specialize in cast iron cookware, and are a trusted, highly-rated brand.

The Lodge 15-inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is large, heavy (in a good way), sturdy and versatile. It comes pre-seasoned, which means it has been baked at a hot temperature with a layer of oil. What this does is create a non-stick surface and keeps the pan from rusting over time.

Why we chose this pan

• Heat resistant: cast iron is incredibly tough and can withstand super high temperatures. This is great as you can blast your potatoes over the stove for that golden, crispy outer. Certain other cookware materials (such as ceramic) should not be used on very hot heat, but cast iron is made for it.
• Large: this pan is designed for large, family-sized meals. It gives you the option to cook small or large portions. It also means that you can cook your potatoes without overcrowding them. If you pack the potatoes in too tightly or densely, you risk having a few uncooked surfaces or an uneven result.
• Deep sides: the deep sides allow for you to cook a big batch of fried potatoes without that awkward spill. It also means you can cut your potatoes into large chunks and they won’t tumble out the sides.
• Oven proof: this pan can be used on the stove or in the oven, which opens up the possibilities and ease of use greatly. You can pop the pan straight into the oven to keep the potatoes hot while you prepare the rest of the meal. Or, if you’re planning on doing something delicious such as grilling cheese over your potatoes you can pop it directly under the broiler in the oven.
• Versatile: while this is a perfect fried potato pan, it can be used for a multitude of other dishes. You could cook cinnamon buns in the oven, sear steak on the stove or cook a Spanish frittata on the stove and in the oven.
• Good value: for the high quality and versatility, the price is incredibly impressive. The cost-per-use will be absolutely miniscule considering that this pan will last forever and will be used regularly if not daily.
• Sturdy: you can absolutely use metal utensils on this pan. Cast iron is incredibly durable and forgiving. Even if you do get a little overzealous with the metal spatula, any little scratches will be glossed over when you season the pan

Lodge 15 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet – Signature Teardrop Handle - Use in the Oven, on the Stove, on the Grill, or Over a Campfire, Black

• YOUR NEW GO-TO PAN: Lodge cast iron cookware is the perfect kitchen tool for beginners, home cooks and chefs. Cast iron can handle any kitchen cooktop, oven, grill and open flame. Crafted in America with iron and oil, its naturally seasoned cooking surface creates an easy-release and improves with use.
• SEASONED COOKWARE: Seasoning is simply oil baked into the iron, giving it a natural, easy-release finish and helps prevent your pan from rusting. Lodge pre-seasons all cast iron cookware with 100% natural vegetable oil; no synthetic coatings or chemicals. The more you use Lodge the better the seasoning will get!
• RUST? DON’T PANIC! IT’S NOT BROKEN: When your pan arrives you may notice a spot that looks like rust. It’s simply oil that has not fully carbonized. With regular use and care the spot will disappear. If you do notice rust simply scour the affected area with steel wool, rinse, dry and rub with vegetable oil.
• COOKING VERSATILITY: Our skillets have unparalleled heat retention that gives you edge-to-edge even cooking every time you use your skillet. Cast iron cookware is slow to heat up but retains heat longer which makes cast iron ideal for pan-frying and roasting. These delicious moments are cast to last.
• FAMILY-OWNED. Lodge is more than just a business; it’s a family. The Lodge family founded the company in 1896, and they still own it today. From environmental responsibility to community development, their heads and hearts are rooted in America. Lodge products are made in the USA with non-toxic, PFOA & PTFE free material.

$49.90

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Ozeri Stone Earth 12-inch Frying Pan with Non-Stick Coating

Ozeri is a German cookware brand with an impressive non-stick coating called “Stonehenge”. It’s a safe, non-stick, durable material free from nasty stuff like PFOA and APEO.

Why this one?

• Affordable: the price really is impressive, considering the high-tech design features and durable materials.
• Non-stick and scratch resistant: the cooking surface is non-stick for easily tossing those potatoes about. It’s made from a stone-based material with a diamond-hard resilience which resists scratching and marking.
• Safe and healthy: the non-stick coating is free from PFOA, APEO, NMP and NEP which are not commonly known but commonly found in non-stick products. This is a great pan for anyone with concerns surrounding eco-friendly cookware.
• High sides: the shape and size of this pan are ideal for pan-fried potatoes because it’s high enough to safely contain chunky potatoes even during tossing and stirring.
• Comfy handle: the handle has been coated with a silicone exterior which stays cool enough to touch while cooking on the stove.

12" Stone Frying Pan by Ozeri, with 100% APEO & PFOA-Free Stone-Derived Non-Stick Coating from Germany

• Utilizes a stone-derived coating from Germany that is 100% free of APEO, GenX, PFBS, PFOS, PFOA, and the lesser known chemicals NMP and NEP.
• Eco-friendly pan delivers unprecedented non-stick performance without risk of exposure to these controversial chemicals.
• Features a hardened scratch-resistant coating that is super easy to clean.
• Interior of pan made out of durable heavy-gauge aluminum, with a magnetized base for use with rapid heat transfer induction stoves.
• Boasts a comfortable heat-resistant silicon coated handle that is reinforced to the pan via 3 solid rivets.

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Calphalon Contemporary Hard-Anodized Aluminium Non-Stick Fry Pan Set (10-inch, 12-inch)

Calphalon is one of the most well-known American cookware brands. They’re known for their hard-anodized cookware and non-stick surfaces at reasonable prices.

Why this one?

• Two sizes: you get two pans with this set, a 10-inch and a 12-inch which means you can mix and match according to the portion sizes you’re dealing with.
• Dishwasher safe: both pans are safe for the dishwasher so you don’t always have to contend with a heavy hand washing session after each potato fry up.
• Oven safe: these pans are oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit so you can keep them warm in the oven until required. Or, you can melt other ingredients over the top before serving.
• Even heat distribution: the thick, heavy-gauge aluminum gives an even heat distribution as well as a durable finish.
• Non-stick: the surfaces of these pans are non-stick thanks to three layers of non-stick coating to ensure a long-lasting non-stick finish. No stuck, burnt potatoes here.
• Cool-touch handles: the handles are made to remain cool during stovetop cooking so you don’t have to scald yourself every time you flip or shake the pan.
• Great shape: the sides are raised and curved just enough to keep our potatoes contained in the pan without tipping out each time we toss or stir them.

Calphalon 2 Piece Contemporary Frying Pan Set, Nonstick, Black

• Heavy gauge aluminum construction ensures even heating and is hard anodized for durability It also makes it dishwasher safe
• Interior includes 3 layers of nonstick coating 2 layers provide durability and the third layer offers easy release performance; Utensils: Nylon, Coated or Wood; Oven Safe: To 450° F
• The long, brushed stainless steel handles are designed to stay cool on the stovetop; Pans and covers are also oven safe, making it ideal for finishing a gourmet dish
• Flat, wide bottoms heat evenly and provide plenty of room for cooking; The sloped sides are designed for easy tossing and rolling; Recommended Stove Tops Gas, Electric, Halogen or Glass Stovetop
• The nonstick fry pan surface means you can cook healthier using less fat, with effortless cleanup; Comes with Calphalon full Lifetime warranty

$149.99

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What to look for in a pan for frying potatoes

• High heat compatible: to get that final crunch and golden shade on your potatoes you need to blast them with high heat. A metal such as cast iron is the best choice as it can really take the heat
• Deep sides: unless you’re cooking a very small portion of potatoes, a shallow pan is going to overflow. A pan with deep sides will hold more potatoes and will give you room to stir and toss
• Oven compatible: there’s a high chance you might want to finish your potatoes off in the oven, perhaps under the broiler. You might want to add cheese on top and give it a quick blast. For this reason, an oven-safe pan is going to serve you well and will save you from transferring your potatoes onto another tray
• Metal utensil friendly: fried potatoes need a little tough love to get them tossed and unstuck from the pan. They tend to form a crispy outer which needs to be nudged from the pan with a tough utensil such as a metal fish slice. A pan which can be used with metal utensils is ideal, as it won’t scratch or chip

Tips for seasoning a cast iron pan or skillet

• If your cast iron pan starts to develop a trace of rust or food starts to stick, it’s time to season
• Give it a good, thorough clean first. Use hot dishwater and a scrubbing brush to get it perfectly clean
• Dry the pan until it’s bone dry
• Rub vegetable oil over every surface of the pan (exterior, interior and handle)
• Pop it upside down into a hot oven (around 400 degrees Fahrenheit) for about an hour

Tips for pan frying potatoes

• Par-boil them to give them a fluffy, crunchy outer layer
• Give them a good shake in the pot once they’ve been parboiled, it creates texture on the outside. The more texture, the crunchier the spud. This isn’t crucial, of course, but it’s really delicious for peeled potatoes
• Use plenty of oil (or goose fat if you want to get really fancy)
• Turn the potatoes as they fry to ensure all sides come in contact with the hot surface
• Throw in a few garlic cloves, fresh rosemary and sea salt

See also:
Best Rissoto Plan
Best Pan for Fish
Best Flan Pan

Conclusion

The best pan for fried potatoes can withstand super high heats, it can be used in the oven, it has high sides and it can take a metal utensil like a champ. That’s exactly what the Lodge 15-inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet offers us. You can fry your potatoes, then whip up a batch of brownies for dessert…all with one oven-safe pan. Check it out!

See also: Best Cookware Sets this year.