Weight, durability and even heat distribution make cast iron one of the best materials for cookware. It can be a little pricier than your every day pan, but you can get similar cooking performance results from tri-ply stainless-steel, and enameled and nickel-plated cast-iron skillets.
Cast-Iron Alternatives
Nickel-plated and enameled cast-iron skillets provide the weight, longevity and even heat distribution and retention of regular cast-iron skillets without the mineral leaching and transference. Enameled and nickel-plated cast-iron skillets don't require seasoning, and you can clean nickel-plated skillets in the dishwasher. Both types are oven safe but cost more than regular cast iron — a high-quality 10-inch enameled cast-iron skillet coasts around $100, and a 10-inch nickel-plated skillet coasts around $120.
Stainless Steel
Tri-ply stainless-steel skillets are oven safe and have the durability and even heat distribution of cast iron but don't retain heat as long. A 10-inch tri-ply stainless-steel skillet costs around $50.