Le Creuset 12 2/3-Inch Oblong Skillet Grill, Red

By squaring this skillet and flaring its sides, famed French cookware manufacturer Le Creuset offers extra cooking room for steaks, fish, burgers, or any food that benefits from stovetop grilling and the caramelized flavor imparted by seared grill marks. The ribs in the grill's bottom not only provide those marks but also elevate foods so that fat collects between them for low-calorie cooking. Because cast iron is unmatched for heat retention and even distribution--no hot spots--foods will cook uniformly in the 10-inch-square grill. Enameled outside with a bright, smooth surface and inside with a black satin-texture finish, this is a heavy, durable grill that works on any stovetop, in the oven, or under a broiler. It's also stylish enough (think French farmhouse kitchen) to bring to the table. Though it's dishwasher-safe, hand washing preserves a patina that builds up with use and aids in the grill's stick resistance. --Fred Brack