Every home cook requires a cast iron skillet. They're the perfect vessel to fry up crispy eggs or bake a golden brown cornbread. And if taken care of correctly, they're just about guaranteed to last a lifetime. 

If you don't yet have one in your arsenal, consider the Cuisinel 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, which boasts thousands of positive reviews from shoppers and is currently 30% off at Amazon. The pan has excellent heat distribution—so you don't have to worry about hot spots—making it ideal for frying, grilling, baking, broiling, sautéing, and braising. What's more, it's  pre-seasoned, so it's ready to be used straight out of the box, and it comes with a silicone handle cover to protect your hands from burns. 

This skillet is compatible with just about every kind of cooktop, including induction, and can, of course, be slipped into the oven or placed on top of a grill. To ensure that the cast iron skillet maintains its longevity, make sure to clean and maintain it properly: After it's used, hand-wash it and fully dry it before sticking it on the stove over medium heat and seasoning it with a neutral oil. 

To buy: Cuisinel 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, $28 (originally $40) at amazon.com 

Nearly 2,500 Amazon shoppers have given the skillet a five-star rating, with many noting that it's "easy to clean." One reviewer even wrote, "This pan has changed my cooking forever," while another said, "This is a great cast iron pan for the price."  

"I have thoroughly enjoyed cooking with my 12-inch cast iron skillet and am always looking for new recipes to try out," one five-star reviewer shared. "This is my first time using cast iron. I was always afraid of how much it would take to clean and care for it. I'm totally surprised at how easy it really is, and how much easier it is to cook with even heat." 

"I bought this, mostly because of the reasonable price point and positive feedback. I went ahead and seasoned it with pork lard (thin coat, one hour at 400 degrees Fahrenheit), and no issues with either sticking, flaking, or even smoking," another user explained. "I was able to sear a couple of steaks and the results were restaurant quality." They added, "I looked at other cast iron offerings at local grocers and retail and they were about double in cost."

Head to Amazon and shop the Cuisinel 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet for just $28 before this sale ends and the price goes with it.