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
Articles · Where two groups agree
What collectors and gear review youtube both recommend
Collectors and gear review YouTube split on handles, exactly evenly, across the five skillets they both back.
About Collectors and Gear Review YouTube.
We have not used any of these ourselves. We read 17 sources and structured what 10 people said. Of the 26 quotes below, 11 are complaints and 7 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 10 people, 17 sources and 190 recorded claims. A declared interest is labelled beside the quote rather than removed.
The answer
Collectors and gear review YouTube converge on five skillets, and the clearest picks come from people speaking for themselves. Julia, of America's Test Kitchen, calls the Lodge the best buy at $43, and Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do!, who was sent a Field free, calls it a nice skillet at about six pounds. Prudent Reviews, a cookware reviewer who discloses an affiliate interest on some tests, holds 49% of everything said about it.
The 2 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 1 with a declared interest
and i'm impressed with it really really nice skill skillet only about six pounds guys
Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! was given the product. Stated in the source: “i do want to thank the field company for sending it to me for a review”
so anyway the that's what i got to say about the field skillet i used it and if i didn't like it i would have quit using it i continued to use it all week it was a labor of love it wasn't tough it wasn't tough to decide hey i want to cook something else in this skillet
i'm i'm really satisfied with the skillet
anyway i think you would be too if you're in the market for a premium cast iron skillet my recommendation is go with field
| Product | Cited in favour | Cited against | Voices | Declared interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge cast iron skillet | durability (1), heat retention (1) | handle (1), seasoning durability (1) | 2 voices | 1 of 2 |
| Field cast iron skillet | acid resistance (1), appearance (1) | maintenance (1), seasoning durability (1) | 4 voices | 2 of 4 |
| Stargazer cast iron skillet | handle (1), heat resistance (1) | handle (1), price (1) | 3 voices | 1 of 3 |
| Finex cast iron skillet | seasoning durability (1) | handle (1), rust resistance (1) | 2 voices | none declared |
| Marquette cast iron skillet | ergonomics (1), handle (1) | handle (1), size and capacity (1) | 1 voice | none declared |
Where people disagree
- Kent Rollins loves the Stargazer's rounded handle for staying cool at the heat, while Prudent Reviews faults the Lodge's for edges that dig into the hand.
- Prudent Reviews calls the Lodge's cost incredible value, while faulting the Field for being the most expensive skillet with the worst heat retention it measured.
- Kent Rollins says the Finex bonds seasoning well from the first use, while faulting the Lodge's rough factory finish as the most disappointing seasoning of any skillet he owns.
The 6 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 3 objecting
right off the bat when I looked at this the very first time I'm thinking whoa I love the design of this handle because look how far I can stand away from the Heat and this thing is rounded to where it really don't hurt your hands when you grab a hold of it and it's got this v-notch in here which is going to keep it…
Cites handle, heat resistance, weight
here look at here a two-handle deal I really like this deal I do
a shorter handle means it's heavier for you to pick up you ain't got the leverage that you might have over here with this Skillet so that longer handle does help you out some on the weight that it's got
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)
The Lodge Classic is also a great option if you want something more substantial, and the value is incredible.
Cites weight
But it's the most expensive skillet and has the worst heat retention.
Cites price (against)
but something that it did do was it bonded seasoning really well first trip but folks it always takes seasoning back to it it always holds it well and it always performs well
Cites seasoning durability
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)
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.
No one among the 10 people quoted states how long they have owned a Lodge.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 2 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
The best part is that you can get a Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet that will last a lifetime for under $30.
Cites durability, price
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.”
Besides cast iron skillets, they make enameled cast iron Dutch ovens that perform like Le Creuset but cost much less.
Instead of paying over $400 for a Le Creuset Dutch oven, you can get a Lodge that's made of the same materials and is actually thicker for under $100.
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.
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 9:02.
Cites seasoning durability (against), surface finish (against)
The Field cast iron skillet's durability is probably the objection: Prudent Reviews found that "it warped significantly. The center curved downward," and the pan wobbled on the cooktop.
Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do!, who was sent one free, calls it easy to handle at about six pounds, and says his family would fight over it. Kent Rollins, also sent his free, likes the smooth finish and old-style look.
Uncle Scott and Kent Rollins each put a month and a half on a Field, the longest ownership stated for it.
The 7 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 2 objecting · 4 with a declared interest
During my testing, it warped significantly. The center curved downward, and the pan wobbled on the cooktop.
Cites warp resistance (against)
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 1:00.
Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! was given the product. Stated in the source: “i do want to thank the field company for sending it to me for a review”
folks and your family will fight for this frying pan at your funeral
Cites acid resistance, durability, seasoning durability
Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! was given the product. Stated in the source: “i do want to thank the field company for sending it to me for a review”
skillet was easy to clean that night too and just getting some more good seasoning layer on there with that skillet
i was already trusting the seasoning coat to use acidic foods like lemon butter uh they were delicious and all that fond on the bottom of the pot went into my shrimp a2 faders a pound of shrimp a little more than a pound of shrimp in there also a can of rotel tomatoes but you can see the seasoning on the bottom was…
i've used it as much as i can look how black it is came sort of charcoal gray did get a little bronze that first day or two but it blackened up real quick it's as seasoned as i've ever had a skillet i've only had it a week
but look how easy it seasoned in one week it's not that charcoal gray color it's black all right almost like a mirror finish
but when I run my hand across it it was the smooth finish
Cites non-stick surface, surface finish
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”
so I fried me some bacon in there without doing a thing to it I just washed it out good with hot water dried it put that bacon in there it wasn't no sticking it wasn't like heated meaning something other ovens where I had to get to a putty knife a chisel and a hammer to knock it off there no it was good
what I put in there a scrambled egg and folks I was amazed there was no sticking like them egg whites will do too to where you can't even get them out of there
when I picked it up the very first time out of the box the thing that I liked about it was it was similar to the design of old authentic cast iron folks this is a pretty good lightweight skill it's sort of like the old stuff was made
Cites appearance, surface finish, weight
getting on down the field I think the thing that really impressed me the most about it was the weight sure but they had such a good machine finish on there to it
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 Stargazer cast iron skillet's price is probably the objection: Prudent Reviews, disclosing an affiliate interest, calls it "the number one downside," pricier than the more famous Lodge.
Kent Rollins loves the handle's rounded, cooler-running design, though Prudent Reviews, also disclosing an affiliate interest, says the edges "can dig into your hand" and calls it not the most comfortable. BobbyGfl puts it simply: he loves the pan.
No one among the 10 people quoted states how long they have owned a Stargazer.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 2 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
The number one downside to Stargazer is the high price. Lodge, which is arguably the most well-known cast iron brand, sells its skillets for less than half the price of Stargazer.
Cites price (against)
Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links so I will earn a commission if you click and buy but at no extra cost to you.”
but you pay a premium for it
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites handle, heat resistance, weight
However, the edges can dig into your hand, so it's not the most comfortable handle.
Cites handle (against)
so there you have it I love this pan
thank you Stargazer for a fantastic product
thank you Stargazer for a fantastic product I am very impressed
The Finex cast iron skillet may rust with use: Prudent Reviews noticed it "rusted on the bottom inside the engravings," unlike any other skillet it tested.
Kent Rollins says it bonded seasoning well from the first use and still holds it well. Prudent Reviews also found the handle thick and round enough that the skillet could rotate awkwardly in hand.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 2 objecting
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)
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 10:03.
Cites seasoning durability
The handle is also very thick, round, and smooth, so the skillet can rotate in your hand when you're tilting it, especially with a towel or an oven mitt.
Cites handle (against)
Marquette cast iron skillet
The Marquette cast iron skillet runs "quite a bit shallower" than its rivals: only Kent Rollins speaks to it, so we do not know whether that holds up broadly.
Rollins picks it as his overall favorite for design, though he wishes it had a second handle on the inside.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 1 person · 2 objecting
My overall pick for just best in design is I'm gonna have to go with the Marquette just because of the way it feels in my hand and the way that I know it performs and the two poor spouts
Cites ergonomics, handle, seasoning durability, shape and form, surface finish
if we had to pick a winner on a handle that was most comfortable to your hand it would be the Marquette
next we're going to go to Marquette this review not long ago to me this was the smoothest Skillet coming to me of anyone that I got out of the bunch
so my overall winner for seasoning is eeny meeny miny mo is going to be the Marquette because to me it had the smoothest glossiest finish when I got it and accepted seasoning the easiest
you notice it is quite a bit shallower depth wise than the lodge and the Stargazer
Cites size and capacity (against)
but I sure would like to see one more little handle right here on the inside of it
Cites handle (against)
What happens over time
Kent Rollins and Uncle Scott each put a month and a half on a Field and read it differently: Kent Rollins, sent his free, still loves the skillet and its old-style design. Uncle Scott, whose account this sheet records as testing rather than ownership, was still fighting the seasoning break-in and getting eggs to stick.
No one among the 10 people quoted reports a longer span with any of the five skillets.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 1 objecting · 2 with a declared interest
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
when we did our unboxing video they sent us an 8 I love the skillet I do
Kent Rollins was given the product. Stated in the source: “when we did our unboxing video they sent us an 8”
but I will tell you what they done went and done they don't went and went to making a 10-inch skillet now I've had this about a week and I love this rascal
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites maintenance (against), seasoning durability (against)
Owned 2 months
Also named, on thinner evidence
Two more products are named on this sheet without enough behind them for their own sections: a Griswold cast iron skillet and Smithey Ironware cast iron cookware, each resting on a single recommender. Thin coverage is not a verdict against either; it is simply what these 17 sources can carry.
The quote behind this, from 1 person
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 6:02.
Cites ergonomics, handle, seasoning durability, shape and form, surface finish
Who wants what
Kent Rollins, a chef, judges handles by feel, how far he can stand from the heat and whether the metal stays cool to the touch; Prudent Reviews, testing the same skillets, measures the same handles by how far the edges protrude. BobbyGfl, reviewing a Stargazer, sums it up in four words, that he loves the pan, where Prudent Reviews spends a paragraph on its warp test and its price against the Lodge.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 2 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites handle, heat resistance, weight
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 17:46.
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.
- Choose the Field cast iron skillet if you can live with a seasoning break-in: Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do!, sent one free, calls it easy to handle at about six pounds.
- Choose the Stargazer cast iron skillet if a smoother cooking surface is worth the extra price: BobbyGfl simply says he loves the pan.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 1 with a declared interest
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 1:00.
Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! was given the product. Stated in the source: “i do want to thank the field company for sending it to me for a review”
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 17:46.
What the evidence doesn’t tell us
Prudent Reviews alone holds 94 of the 190 claims in these 17 sources, 49% of everything in scope, so most of these five skillets' cases rest on one reviewer's testing. None of the 10 people quoted claims to have owned anything longer than the 2 months behind the Field accounts. None of the 10 people quoted about the Finex, the Marquette, Smithey Ironware cookware or the Griswold speaks as an owner, a professional user, or someone who stopped using one, and six products carry no ownership duration at all.
The quote behind this, from 1 person · 1 objecting
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites maintenance (against), seasoning durability (against)
Owned 2 months
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
Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do!
Barbecue and other stuff I want to do; such as cast iron cooking and deep frying turkeys and fish. I'm a family man. I enjoy cooking, it's fun, especially outdoor cooking. I'm doing this channel for fun. If it ever becomes not fun I'll quit doing it. I'm not a professional chef or cook, I haven't been formally trained in culinary arts. I'm not a competition BBQ guy. Therefore, I don't have to impress judges or paying customers with my skills and meals. I only have to impress my family, if it makes them smile, then it makes me smile. I hope my videos will make you smile too. Much of my equipment is very affordable. Many of my grills cost less than $100. For 5,000+ years of recorded history, mankind has cooked with wood and charcoal, so do I. Occasionally I cook with propane or electricity. For inquiries- email: biglew.dos@gmail.com Thanks for a cup of coffee. PayPal link: https://www.paypal.me/BigLewII On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigLewBBQ/
BobbyGfl
Random videos you may enjoy.
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.
Products
- Field cast iron skillet
- Finex cast iron skillet
- Lodge cast iron skillet
- Marquette cast iron skillet
- Stargazer cast iron skillet
Sources
Short quotes and deep links only. We publish no transcripts, and every quote above opens the original at the second it was spoken.
- Best Cast Iron Skillet? I Tested Lodge, Smithey, Field, Stargazer, & Calphalon
- Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)
- Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?
- Don’t Buy Induction Cookware Until You Watch This (13 Brands Tested)
- Field Cast Iron Review: Egg Problems & Great Gratins
- Field Company Cast Iron Skillet Follow Up Review
- Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review
- I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst
- Stargazer Cast Iron Review: Is This $145 Skillet Better Than a $30 Lodge?
- Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet
- The Best Cast-Iron Skillets
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.