If you want a really nice cast iron skillet, check out the Smithey Ironware number 12 for $200, or for the best buy, check out the Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet for just $43.
Cites price (against)
Articles · Where two groups agree
What chef and cooking YouTube both recommend
Chefs and cooking YouTube split on maintenance, and the same seasoning process reads as a struggle to one reviewer and a success to another.
About Chef and Cooking YouTube.
We have not used any of these ourselves. We read 63 sources and structured what 33 people said. Of the 27 quotes below, 9 are complaints and 6 come from someone with a declared commercial interest. Every one of them links to the person who said it and the second they said it.
Based on 33 people, 63 sources and 637 recorded claims. A declared interest is labelled beside the quote rather than removed.
The answer
Chefs and cooking YouTube converge on five products, and the clearest picks come from people speaking for themselves. Julia, of America's Test Kitchen, points to the Smithey at $200, or the Lodge for $43, as the best buy; Cook Culture uses a Field every day and calls it one to cherish; and Papa Mau, who owns a Lodge, says it cooks fine despite the rough surface. Prudent Reviews, a cookware reviewer who discloses an affiliate interest on some tests, holds 49% of everything said about it.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 3 people
a pan that i i love and and cherish and use every single day
this cooks perfectly fine. Like needs nothing. It is rough. Yeah, it is.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
bad is in the pan. It's probably the cook is you.
| Product | Cited in favour | Cited against | Voices | Declared interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge cast iron skillet | durability (1), heat retention (1) | surface finish (2), handle (1) | 3 voices | none declared |
| Field cast iron skillet | heating speed (1), non-stick surface (1) | heat retention (1), maintenance (1) | 4 voices | 1 of 4 |
| Smithey cast iron skillet | base and rim (1), durability (1) | price (1) | 3 voices | 1 of 3 |
| Le Creuset dutch oven | ease of cleaning (1), even heating (1) | price (1) | 2 voices | 1 of 2 |
| Finex cast iron skillet | appearance (1), handle (1) | rust resistance (1) | 3 voices | 1 of 3 |
Where people disagree
- Prudent Reviews calls the Smithey's handle among the best it has tested, then faults the Staub's for having the smallest overall depth and length of any Dutch oven it measured.
- On price, Prudent Reviews calls the Lodge's cost incredible value, while arguing the Le Creuset's performance is matched by cheaper Dutch ovens.
- Prudent Reviews found the Lodge the best of twelve skillets for heat retention, and the Field the second lowest, tracing the gap to their different wall thickness.
The 6 quotes behind this, from 1 person · 3 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
I recently tested six of the highest-rated cast iron skillets on the market, and according to my tests, Smithey is the best overall. It had the best heat retention, the smoothest non-stick surface, the widest pour spouts, and one of the better-designed handles.
Cites base and rim, handle, heat retention, non-stick surface
they have the smallest overall depth and length of all Dutch ovens I tested
Cites handle (against), heat resistance (against)
Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.”
the knob diameter is also the smallest in the group
One downside is that the lid knob got extremely hot during testing, with the second-highest temperature of all brands.
The Lodge Classic is also a great option if you want something more substantial, and the value is incredible.
Cites price
Although the performance is great, the same could be said for much cheaper Dutch ovens, especially since they’re all made with the materials - cast iron with an enamel coating.
Cites price (against)
Le Creuset Dutch ovens are significantly more expensive than brands like Lodge, Tramontina, and many others. And based on my testing, you’re not getting any meaningful advantages in performance.
Despite the lighter construction, it actually had the best heat retention of all 12 skillets.
Cites heat retention, price
On the lower end, Victoria and Lodge Chef Collection are my two top picks.
But because there's less mass to hold on to that heat, it had the second lowest heat retention in the group.
Cites heat retention (against)
The Lodge cast iron skillet's handle is the objection: Prudent Reviews says its edges "dig into your hands."
Prudent Reviews, disclosing an affiliate interest, separately says a Lodge will "last forever, perform really well, and cost under $30," and measured its heat retention best of twelve skillets. Kent Rollins, of Cowboy Kent Rollins, faults the rough factory finish for disappointing him more than any other skillet's seasoning.
Papa Mau, who owns one, says it cooks fine despite the roughness. No one among the 33 people quoted states how long they have owned a Lodge.
The 5 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 2 objecting
The biggest issue for me is the handle. It gets very wide where it connects to the skillet, then it narrows toward the end, and the edges feel sharp and dig into your hands.
Cites handle (against)
Few products in the world last forever, perform really well, and cost under $30.
Cites durability, price
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:30.
Cites heat retention, price
now of all the Skillets here the one that probably disappoints me the most in seasoning the way it comes to you or the way you buy it out of the store is Lodge with that rough finish on it
Cites seasoning durability (against), surface finish (against)
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:01.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
The Field cast iron skillet's heat retention is the objection: Prudent Reviews found it "had the second lowest heat retention in the group," for its thinner walls.
At $215, the same reviewer says it is only worth buying for a lightweight skillet that heats up fast, at 5.5 pounds. Cook Culture uses one every day and calls it a pan to cherish.
Uncle Scott and Kent Rollins each put a month and a half on a Field, the longest ownership stated for it.
The 6 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 3 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 9:02.
Cites heat retention (against)
At $215, this skillet is only worth buying if you want a lightweight skillet that heats up fast.
Cites price
it's incredibly lightweight at just 5.5 lb, and because the construction is thinner than most cast iron skillets, it heats up much faster.
Cites heating speed, non-stick surface, stovetop compatibility
I tested it against Lodge, Calphalon, and Stargazer, and it was the fastest to boil water on both induction and electric cooktops.
It has a smooth polished cooking surface that provides excellent non-stick performance, especially for eggs.
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 0:30.
I also am having a little trouble getting the seasoning to develop and come in, or what they call the break-in period. At a month and a half in, I am still having trouble getting non-stick eggs.
Cites maintenance (against), seasoning durability (against)
Owned 2 months
I have reseasoned this pan multiple multiple times. I have seasoned it with Crisco, with grape seed oil, with peanut oil. I have seasoned it in the oven. I have done carbon steel type seasonings on a stove top, getting the pan smoking there.
I've been using this skillet for a month and a half every day is it solid black everywhere no it's got some bronze coating to it a little spotted in colored a little motley color
Cites seasoning durability
Kent Rollins was given the product. Stated in the source: “we got this box in the mail we did an unboxing video on an 8 inch field skillet”
Owned 2 months
The Smithey cast iron skillet has no real detractors on this sheet: Prudent Reviews calls it the best overall skillet, crediting its heat retention and one of the better-designed handles among six it tested.
BBQ and Bottles, who was sent one, likes that the lid doubles as a griddle. Julia, of America's Test Kitchen, points to it at $200 for a reader who wants a really nice skillet, or the Lodge at $43 for the best buy.
After more than two years, Prudent Reviews still reaches for it more than most of what it owns, the longest ownership stated for the Smithey.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 1 with a declared interest
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:32.
Cites base and rim, handle, heat retention, non-stick surface
what i want to point out with the smithy is that the lid actually doubles as a skillet or a griddle and that i think is really really cool so it not only is this a lid so if you're baking bread or any other recipe that you're making that actually needs a lid you've got one but if you want to make smash burgers which…
Cites versatility
BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video”
I've used Smithey for over 2 years, and it's still one of the pans I reach for the most.
Cites durability
Owned 2 years
The Le Creuset dutch oven's price is the objection: Prudent Reviews says the same performance can be found in "much cheaper Dutch ovens," since they share cast iron and enamel construction.
Liz, of BestReviews, gave it a perfect score for heat retention and even cooking, alongside the other ovens she tested. Prudent Reviews, disclosing an affiliate interest, separately praises its handles for having the widest openings of any Dutch oven it tested.
No one among the 33 people quoted states how long they have owned one.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 1 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
all four ovens scored a perfect 10 out of 10 for heat retention and evenness of cooking
Cites even heating, heat retention, non-stick surface
the L cruset Lodge and stove have a non-stick enamel finish over the interior and exterior of the pots Amazon does not have enamel but instead is pre-seasoned lay cruset and Lodge each scored Perfect 10 out of 10 however we did notice some veggies sticking to the bottom of both the stove and Amazon dutch ovens while…
Along with Misen, Le Creuset handles have the widest openings.
Cites ease of cleaning, handle, heat resistance, lid, weight
Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.”
Because of that and the lightweight design, it's by far the easiest Dutch oven to pick up, wash, and store.
The lid has ridges that prevent a spoon from slipping off
the knob has a wide top and a thick stem, which makes it easy to grip and control
In my test, both knobs stayed cooler than most other brands, but the plastic knob barely heated up at all.
the plastic knob barely heated up at all
I love Le Creuset's color options, lightweight design, and large handles.
The Finex cast iron skillet's durability is the objection: Prudent Reviews noticed it "rusted on the bottom inside the engravings," unlike any other skillet it tested.
BBQ and Bottles, who was sent one, praises its coiled steel handle for looking great as well as working well. Luis J., two years into his own, says the seasoning has developed well, though not yet jet black.
Luis J.'s two years is the longest ownership stated for the Finex.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 1 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
I also noticed that it rusted on the bottom inside the engravings, which didn't happen with any of the other skillets.
Cites rust resistance (against)
first i want to talk about the finex it has this beautiful coiled steel handle and the reason for that is this coil design not only does it look great
Cites appearance, handle, shape and form
BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video”
and you can actually see right here on the back of the pan they've got a really nice design that pays homage to that origin
now the next thing i want to compare is just the overall style or aesthetic of these skillets and the standout for me is going to be the finex there this octagonal shape i think looks really great i love the steel coiled handle it's just something really unique that sets that skillet apart from the others
so with that said guys this video is going to be about finex cookware and specifically my number 10 which is now two years that I've had it two years that I've owned it and used it as you can see the seasoning has developed really well not completely jet black but we'll get into the specifics right now
Cites maintenance, seasoning durability
Owned 2 years
to be honest it holds up really well um it's not difficult to maintain it's not difficult to keep seasoned and and honestly the more you use it the more you cook with it the better it does become and that's just something that I love about Finance they're not they're easy to maintain they're not hard and the seasoning…
How long each one lasts
The longest timed figures are two years each: Prudent Reviews on a Smithey, Chef Kevin Riese on a Staub, and Luis J. on a Finex, each reporting steady, unremarkable wear. Joshua Weissman's six years on a KitchenAid stand mixer, in 2024, is the longest stated by any of the 33 people quoted, and still not even close to crapping out.
Kent Rollins and Uncle Scott each put a month and a half on a Field, the shortest figures here. I Heart RVing timed a year on a Stargazer, camping-tested and, in the reviewer's words, worth the expense.
No one among the 33 people quoted names a duration for the Lodge or the Le Creuset.
The 7 quotes behind this, from 7 people · 1 objecting · 2 with a declared interest
here but there are no stains no chips no scratches i don't use metal i always use wood or plastic like they want you to and it's it's pretty much the same as i got it two years ago
Cites coating durability, maintenance, scratch resistance, surface finish
Owned 2 years
too worried about that and the top same thing looks pretty much brand new inside and outside
these last so long I've had this stand mixer for probably 6 years and it's not even close to crapping out and I beat the out of this thing
Cites durability
Owned 6 years
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 3:00.
Cites seasoning durability
Kent Rollins was given the product. Stated in the source: “we got this box in the mail we did an unboxing video on an 8 inch field skillet”
Owned 2 months
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites maintenance (against), seasoning durability (against)
Owned 2 months
it's expensive after a year of putting the thing through all sorts of camp cooking I can tell you it is so worth it
Cites price
I Heart RVing was given the product. Stated in the source: “thanks to Stargazer for sending the 12-in skillet to put through a Year's worth of incredible cooking while building this review”
Owned 12 months
What happens over time
Joshua Weissman's KitchenAid mixer, six years in, is still not even close to crapping out despite heavy use, the longest account on this sheet. Chef Kevin Riese, two years into a Staub, reports no stains, chips or scratches, and Luis J., two years into a Finex, says the seasoning has developed well without going fully black.
Kent Rollins and Uncle Scott each put a month and a half on a Field and read it differently: Kent Rollins accepts the mottled bronze color as normal for cast iron, while Uncle Scott is still troubleshooting the seasoning break-in. Prudent Reviews, two years into a Smithey, still reaches for it more than most of what it owns.
The 6 quotes behind this, from 6 people · 1 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:04.
Cites coating durability, maintenance, scratch resistance, surface finish
Owned 2 years
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 3:00.
Cites seasoning durability
Kent Rollins was given the product. Stated in the source: “we got this box in the mail we did an unboxing video on an 8 inch field skillet”
Owned 2 months
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites maintenance (against), seasoning durability (against)
Owned 2 months
Also named, on thinner evidence
Fifteen more products are named on this sheet, none with enough behind it for its own section: the Staub dutch oven (6 recommenders), the KitchenAid stand mixer (4), the All-Clad stainless pan (6), the Stargazer cast iron skillet (4), the Griswold cast iron skillet (2), the Marquette cast iron skillet (1), a Vitamix blender (1), a Mauviel copper-clad stainless steel pan (1), Corningware Pyroceram cookware (1), an All-Clad pan (1), a Revere Ware pan (1), a Zojirushi rice cooker (1), a Calphalon Soup pot (1), Made In stainless steel cleaner (1) and HexClad Terrabond (1). Thin coverage is not a verdict against any of them; it is simply what these 63 sources can carry.
The quote behind this, from 1 person · 1 objecting
one thing I've always thought about Lodge and some of their old stuff wasn't as bad this way this corner is pretty Sharp now if I was going to use this every every day I know what had happened to it I'd take a grinder to it
Cites safety (against), surface finish (against)
Who wants what
Kent Rollins, a chef, and Papa Mau, a home cook, read the Lodge's rough factory finish in opposite directions: Rollins says it disappoints him most in seasoning, while Papa Mau, who owns one, says it cooks fine as is. Cookware reviewers dominate this evidence by volume: Prudent Reviews times heat retention across a dozen skillets, where Cook Culture, a cookware retailer, praises the Field in the plain language of daily use rather than a lab result.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 1 objecting
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 9:02.
Cites seasoning durability (against), surface finish (against)
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:01.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:30.
Cites heat retention, price
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 0:30.
What the evidence suggests
- Choose the Lodge cast iron skillet if price and long-term seasoning matter most: Prudent Reviews says it will last a lifetime for under $30, and Papa Mau, who owns one, says it cooks fine despite the roughness.
- Choose the Field cast iron skillet if you will use it daily and don't mind a seasoning break-in: Cook Culture uses one every day and calls it a pan to cherish.
- Choose the Smithey cast iron skillet if a smoother finish and better heat retention are worth roughly four times the Lodge's price: Prudent Reviews, over two years in, still reaches for it more than most of what it owns.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 3 people
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 10:33.
Cites durability, price
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:01.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 0:30.
What the evidence doesn’t tell us
Prudent Reviews alone holds 315 of the 637 claims in these 63 sources, 49% of everything in scope, so much of what these products' cases rest on is one reviewer's testing. None of the 33 people quoted claims to have owned anything longer than the 72 months behind Joshua Weissman's KitchenAid mixer. Ten products rest on a single recommender's word, and thirteen carry no ownership duration behind them at all; for some, including a Marquette skillet and a Zojirushi rice cooker, none of the people quoted speaks as an owner, a professional user, or someone who stopped using one.
The quote behind this, from 1 person
Who says so
Authority here is scoped to the subject, never to how large someone’s audience is. Where we hold no domain expertise for a person, the page says so rather than implying one.
Prudent Reviews
Our mission at Prudent Reviews is to help you find the best products for your home. We take the stress out of shopping by testing, analyzing, and comparing the top products. Our reviews, comparisons, and product guides are in-depth, carefully researched, and completely unbiased. Since launching, we've helped millions of people across the globe find the best products and improve their lives at home. If you have questions or want to partner with Prudent Reviews, email Andrew@PrudentReviews.com. As an Amazon Associate Prudent Reviews earns from qualifying purchases.
Kent Rollins
Love outdoor cooking? Want to learn more about Dutch oven cooking, cast iron or grilling? Then you've saddled up to the right place. I've been cooking outdoors over live fire for over 34 years as a chuck wagon and cowboy cook. We have a new series on the Outdoor Channel "The Cst Iron Cowboy" You may have also seen me on Chopped Grill Masters, Chopped Redemption or Beat Bobby Flay. Stick around and be sure to subscribe for tips, tricks and recipes. Keep the fire hot and the wood dry... Kent
BBQ and Bottles
Some of the best memories I've created over the years have been the result of slaving away over a meal that gets shared with friends and family. In this age of technology the dinner table is one of the last few places where everyone puts their phones down to connect again as humans. It's these moments that justify the effort that goes into making the meal and that effort is just another way of showing people some love. We started this channel in hopes of inspiring more people to grill or barbecue at home, to slow down the pace of life for just a brief moment and to create your own memories with family & friends. Thanks for being part of this community! Don't forget to follow us on: Website: bbqandbottles.com Instagram: instagram.com/bbqandbottles/ Facebook: facebook.com/bbqandbotles TikTok: @BBQandBottles Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BBQandBottles/
Chef Kevin Riese
Cook Culture
We are a small kitchenwares business based in Vancouver Island, Canada. We specialize in lifetime cookware and tools, We believe that the one thing that everyone can make in the kitchen is a better life.
I Heart RVing
If you can’t wait to hop into your RV or grab your tent and head out of town, what we’re putting together on the IHeartRVing YouTube channel is for you. We’re developing content to help make your trips more immersive, convenient, and frankly, more fun. I hope you’ll love what we’re doing, and that some of our gear reviews, insights, and stories help level up your adventure. There's so much to talk about - it's so exciting!
Joshua Weissman
I love food, maybe too much. The goal here is give out all the secrets I've ever learned completely for free, teach people how to cook, or make them unbelievably hungry. If any of the 3 things happen then I'm happy.
Liz
Luis J.
God, Cooking, Iron Skillets, and Family. My channel will be of moments in my life, Bible scripture, vintage iron skillets, cast iron skillet reviews, Apple tech reviews and Amazon finds.
Papa Mau
Cooking with Healthy and Durable Cookware: Cast Iron, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, etc I’m PapaMau, a dad with roots in Argentina, living in Australia for the past 15 years. I’m here to inspire families to choose healthier, long-lasting, and undeniably cooler cookware that's making a massive comeback. Specializing in cast iron and carbon steel, I create How-To and Tutorial videos to help you care for your cookware, master cooking techniques, and replace Teflon with sustainable, durable alternatives. I share cooking tips, tools, and recipes to help home cooks impress family and friends—whether in the kitchen or around the fire pit. Together, let’s cook better, eat healthier, and make the world a better place, one meal at a time. Join me on this journey to make cooking an adventure and forge unforgettable memories with cookware that’s built to last! 🔥
Uncle Scott
Our Motto: You can never have too much great cookware and kitchen gear. Our Philosophy: If you have great equipment and great ingredients, with a little practice you can cook any dish in the world. At USK, we make recipes, review frying pans, deep fryers, knives, grain mills, gadgets, pots and pans, and anything else you might find in a high-end kitchen. We teach people how to season carbon steel and cast iron pans, show people the proper way to cook eggs, tell a few jokes, and cook delicious meals. We really like high quality brands such as De Buyer, Falk, Matfer, Lodge, Smithey, Mauviel, Le Creuset, live, Staub, Breville, and others. And, importantly, Uncle Scott buys all of the products he reviews with his own money, and unlike many cookware channels, no free items are accepted for review. This keeps Uncle Scott's reviews genuine, trustworthy, and unbiased. Any sponsored videos or affiliate sales links are clearly labelled.
What this piece cites evidence about
Every product, brand and category named in a claim behind this article, not only the ones with a section of their own above. Where we hold a full page for one, it is linked; the rest are named as text because the evidence has not cleared that bar yet.
Sources
Short quotes and deep links only. We publish no transcripts, and every quote above opens the original at the second it was spoken.
- Amazon Basics vs Lodge vs Staub vs Le Creuset Dutch Ovens
- Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge
- Best Cast Iron Skillet? I Tested Lodge, Smithey, Field, Stargazer, & Calphalon
- Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More
- Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More
- Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet
- Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?
- Don't Buy Le Creuset Until You Watch This (Test Results)
- Every Cooking Gadget You'll Ever Need
- Field Cast Iron Review: Egg Problems & Great Gratins
- Field cast iron skillet vs Stargazer - How do I choose?
- Field Company Cast Iron Skillet Follow Up Review
- Field Company Review: Best Lightweight Cast Iron?
- I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst
- I♥RVing Gear Review: Stargazer 12” Cast Iron Skillet
- Staub Cocotte After Two Years of Use.
- The Best Cast-Iron Skillets
- The Uncomfortable Truth Behind Lodge Cast Iron Pans
How this page was made
The prose above was written by a model from a fact sheet assembled out of the evidence, then checked line by line: every quote verbatim against the evidence table, every name against a claim, every number against the sheet. Prose that fails is not published. It is derived data, not testimony. The testimony is the quotes.
Verified 2026-09-17
How we handle commercial relationships
When someone quoted here was paid, sponsored, sent the product free or works for the brand, the quote says so and, where they said it themselves, gives their own words about it. We keep those quotes rather than dropping them: a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.