Cast iron frying pans, or skillets, are measured by their diameter across the top rim.
Understanding how cast iron skillets are measured is crucial for choosing the right size for your cooking needs. According to experts like those at Lodge, the standard method focuses specifically on the usable cooking surface size at the pan's widest point.
The Measurement Method
Based on industry practice, as cited in the reference, the measurement is taken in a straightforward way:
- Across the top of the cookware: This is the primary dimension used to size a skillet.
- Not including handles: The length of the handle is excluded from the measurement.
- From outside rim to outside rim: Specifically, you measure the diameter from one outer edge of the pan's rim directly across to the opposite outer edge.
This means a "10-inch cast iron skillet" typically refers to a pan with a diameter of approximately 10 inches measured across the top opening.
Why Measure This Way?
Measuring across the top diameter provides a practical indication of the cooking area and how the pan might fit on a stovetop burner or inside an oven. The handle length, while important for handling, doesn't affect the pan's capacity or its footprint on the heat source.
- Standardization: This method offers a consistent standard across different manufacturers.
- Practicality: It helps cooks understand the effective size of the cooking surface.
Knowing this simple measurement standard ensures you select the correct cast iron pan size whether you're cooking for one or a crowd.
