Every home cook needs a cast iron skillet. However, there are a few important things to consider before making your purchase. You'll want a pan that's easy to hold and maneuver—that means a lightweight body, well-positioned handles, and large pour spouts.

Newbies to cooking with cast iron may also want to consider purchasing skillets that have been pre-seasoned to help get you started. And while you may be tempted to opt for the beautiful enameled varieties for your first purchase, we advise getting a simple, versatile option that can go from stove to oven to grill to table with ease. Enter Utopia Kitchen's 3-Piece Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set, which checks all of these boxes and more. 

To buy: Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillets, Set of 3, $25 (originally $41) at amazon.com

Not only did our editors deem this cast iron set the best value pick on the market, it's currently on deep discount at an impressive 40% off. You can snag this set of three that includes 6-, 8-, and 10-inch skillets for $25 on Amazon. However, the price point isn't the only reason to get excited about this cast iron set. The product has an impressive 7,500 five-star ratings, with reviewers saying these pans could "last a lifetime" if seasoned well—and at this price, Utopia Kitchen's cast iron skillet set just might be the best kitchen investment you make.

One shopper said that they loved these cast iron skillets so much that they threw out all the Teflon pans in the house. Another called the pans the "best bang for your buck" and said they liked that they were both thinner and lighter than Lodge's cast iron offerings.

Once you snag this cookware set, it's only a matter of time before you'll be whipping up our favorite cast iron skillet recipes like Cast Iron Roast Chicken with Lentil Vinaigrette and Cast Iron Cornmeal Cake with Buttermilk Cream. And make sure to practice regular cast iron maintenance to ensure these pans really do last a lifetime.