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What cookware reviewer and professional kitchens both recommend

Cookware reviewer and professional kitchens converge on five products, and safety is argued to an exact draw: three voices praise it, three fault it.

About Cookware Reviewer and Professional Kitchens.

We have not used any of these ourselves. We read 61 sources and structured what 26 people said. Of the 33 quotes below, 12 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 26 people, 61 sources and 528 recorded claims. A declared interest is labelled beside the quote rather than removed.

The answer

Cookware reviewer and professional kitchens converge most decisively on five products: the Lodge, the Smithey, a Le Creuset dutch oven, an All-Clad stainless pan and a KitchenAid stand mixer. Cook Culture, sent a Matfer pan free, calls it tremendous, and David Gafford, also sent his HexClad free, says it has fit his family well for 18 months. Prudent Reviews, a cookware reviewer who discloses an affiliate interest on some tests, holds 53% of everything said about it, and nobody quoted has owned the Le Creuset or the All-Clad.

The 4 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 2 objecting · 2 with a declared interest
23:46 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great

recommendation about Matfer carbon steel pan Tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative”

really happy with these map for pans I would say to me for good carbon steel that's a 10 out of 10. I would highly highly recommend them
14:35 supports David Gafford Cookware Reviewer was given the product
So, the question remains, is HexClad the right pan or pot for you? If you want nonstick with the ability to use metal utensils, this fits the bill. The lifetime warranty is wonderful as long as they make it easy to fix something when it truly has gone bad. I've enjoyed having HexClad as our main pot and pan set here…

recommendation about HexClad Hybrid Owns it HEXCLAD Cookware Review | Worth The Hype After 18 Months of Testing?

David Gafford was given the product. Stated in the source: “HexClad sent us these pans over a year and a half ago for us to test and see if we like them.”

Owned 18 months

1:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
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.

value about Le Creuset dutch oven Tested it Don't Buy Le Creuset Until You Watch This (Test Results)

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.
What people said about each product discussed below, tallied from the quotes in this article. This is not our ranking. The number beside a reason is how many people cited it, not how many times it was said.
Voices counts everyone quoted about that product, and the last column counts how many of them had a declared commercial interest.
ProductCited in favourCited againstVoicesDeclared interest
Lodge cast iron skilletdurability (2), heat retention (1)weight (2), handle (1)3 voicesnone declared
Smithey cast iron skilletbase and rim (1), durability (1)price (1)3 voices1 of 3
Le Creuset dutch ovenappearance (1), coating (1)heat retention (1), lid (1)2 voices1 of 2
All-Clad stainless panbuild quality (2), price (1)ergonomics (1), warp resistance (1)4 voices1 of 4
KitchenAid stand mixerdurability (1)safety (1)2 voicesnone declared

Where people disagree

  • Prudent Reviews calls the Smithey's handle among the best it has tested, then faults the Lodge's for edges that feel sharp and dig into the hand.
  • Prudent Reviews calls the Lodge's cost incredible value, while faulting the Le Creuset dutch oven because the same performance can be found in much cheaper ovens.
  • Prudent Reviews found the Lodge the best of twelve skillets for heat retention, while ranking the Le Creuset dutch oven third-worst among the ovens it tested.
The 6 quotes behind this, from 1 person · 3 objecting
1:30 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Le Creuset was the third worst-performing brand. Although I was not surprised by this since it's the thinnest and lightest.

performance about Le Creuset dutch oven Tested it Don't Buy Le Creuset Until You Watch This (Test Results)

Cites heat retention (against), lid (against), moisture retention (against), weight (against)

Some brands, like Staub, have dimples inside their lids to encourage a self-basting process, but Le Creuset doesn't.
Since Le Creuset has a domed lid with a smooth interior, the evaporated water collected and ran down the sides of the lid rather than evenly dripping back over the food.

Lodge cast iron skillet

The Lodge cast iron skillet's handle is the objection: Prudent Reviews says its edges "dig into your hands," on a skillet it also found the heaviest and thickest in the group.

Prudent Reviews separately says a Lodge will last a lifetime for under $30, and measured its heat retention best of all twelve skillets. Kent Rollins, of Cowboy Kent Rollins, faults the rough factory finish as the most disappointing seasoning of any skillet he owns. Hannah, of America's Test Kitchen, calls it the most durable of the three she compared, though also the heaviest at eight pounds.

No one among the 26 people quoted states how long they have owned a Lodge.

The 7 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 4 objecting

Smithey cast iron skillet

The Smithey cast iron skillet's price is the objection: Hannah, of America's Test Kitchen, says it costs around $200 compared to the Lodge's $44, about a quarter of the price.

Prudent Reviews calls it the best overall skillet if price isn't a factor, ranking it tops for heat retention, non-stick smoothness, pour-spout width and handle design among six skillets it tested. BBQ and Bottles, sent theirs free, points out that the lid doubles as its own skillet. 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 5 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 1 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
6:32 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
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…

use-case fit about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

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”

Le Creuset dutch oven

The Le Creuset dutch oven's price is the objection: Prudent Reviews says its performance can be found in "much cheaper Dutch ovens," since they share cast iron and enamel construction.

Prudent Reviews ranks it the third-worst performing brand it tested, tracing that to thinner, lighter walls. The same reviewer, disclosing an affiliate interest, credits its handles with the widest openings among the ovens it measured and its enamel finish with more color options than Staub's. Liz, of America's Test Kitchen, gave it the top mark for heat retention and even cooking, tied with three other ovens tested the same way.

No one among the 26 people quoted states how long they have owned one.

The 5 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 2 objecting · 2 with a declared interest
10:03 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
Along with Misen, Le Creuset handles have the widest openings.

handling about Le Creuset dutch oven Tested it Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More

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.
11:04 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
you get the same flawless enamel quality as Staub but over 20 color options and a beautiful two-toned gradient that the brand has become known for

appearance about Le Creuset dutch oven Tested it Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More

Cites appearance, coating

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.”

a beautiful two-toned gradient that the brand has become known for
1:00 supports Liz Cookware Reviewer
all four ovens scored a perfect 10 out of 10 for heat retention and evenness of cooking

performance about Le Creuset dutch oven Tested it Amazon Basics vs Lodge vs Staub vs Le Creuset Dutch Ovens

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…

All-Clad stainless pan

The All-Clad stainless pan's durability is the objection: Prudent Reviews found "the bottom warped noticeably" in testing, despite the pan heating fast and evenly.

Lisa, of America's Test Kitchen, calls the handle a "famously uncomfortable handle" even as she credits the pan's even heat. Uncle Scott, who bought his own D3, says "i like it a lot" and tells other buyers they cannot go wrong setting their base level there. David Chang, speaking under a sponsorship, calls it one of the very few things America produces built to that standard.

No one among the 26 people quoted states how long they have owned an All-Clad.

The 5 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 2 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
0:30 supports Uncle Scott Beginners
so guess what i tried a d3 and i like it i like it a lot

recommendation about All-Clad stainless pan Owns it All-Clad D3: As good as they say?

Cites build quality, weight

i really do like this all clad d3 stainless steel frying pan been cooking in it heavily for about six months now so it's part of my go-to frying pan rotation it's easy to move around seems to be well made and most importantly it produces a ton of delicious food it gets a thumbs up
2:00 supports David Chang Chef paid by this brand
what I'm most excited about this pan is that it's an all clad this is one of the very few things that America produces that is like Best in Class

best in class about All-Clad stainless pan Uses it professionally Momofuku's David Chang Reveals What You Need in Your Kitchen | GQ

Cites build quality

David Chang paid by this brand. Stated in the source: “I feel like one of those Hair Club for Men guys it's like not only do I like sponsor this like I use it myself”

KitchenAid stand mixer

The KitchenAid stand mixer's head lock appears to be the objection: Prudent Reviews found the head on all three KitchenAid mixers it tested "doesn't lock in the raised position," which could pinch a finger.

Only three people speak to a KitchenAid on this sheet. Prudent Reviews separately notes the mixer starts running immediately if the speed lever is set above zero before it is plugged in. Joshua Weissman, six years into his, says it is "not even close to crapping out" despite how hard he uses it, the longest ownership stated for a KitchenAid.

The 4 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 2 objecting
7:02 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
One thing I noticed during my testing is that the head on all three KitchenAid mixers doesn't lock in the raised position. This could catch you off guard, create a mess, or potentially pinch your fingers.

handling about KitchenAid stand mixer Tested it Are KitchenAid Mixers Worth the High Price? (TEST RESULTS)

Cites safety (against)

The paddle hit the dough hook and sent it flying out of the bowl. It almost hit me in the face and it left white marks from the dough hook's coating inside the bowl.
3:30 supports Joshua Weissman Chef
alright so number one on this list is the coveted kitchenaid stand mixer one of my most favorite tools in my kitchen it does a million billion things other than just making dough it does everything i'm not even going to try and sell you on this it's too good

best in class about KitchenAid stand mixer Owns it 19 Tools To Make Cooking Easier

How long each one lasts

Hannah's 13 years on an All-Clad 10-piece set, said in 2026, is the longest figure stated as a plain number on this sheet; Christopher Scott separately describes a Heritage Steel sponge as lasting forever, an adjective rather than a count. Joshua Weissman puts 6 years on a KitchenAid stand mixer, and Prudent Reviews puts 2 years on a Smithey. John names 18 months on a HexClad Hybrid in 2025, the same span Christopher Scott, in 2024, calls not long enough for cookware of that class and price.

None of the 26 people quoted names any duration for the Lodge, the Le Creuset dutch oven or the All-Clad stainless pan.

The 6 quotes behind this, from 5 people · 1 objecting
15:04 supports Christopher Scott Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
and we also have these incredible sponges from Heritage steel that are forever sponges they've replaced every sponge we have in our house they're freaking awesome I never thought I'd geek out about a sponge before but I absolutely love these sponges

recommendation about Heritage Steel sponge Owns it Our Journey From Hexclad to Stainless Steel

0:30 supports John Cookware Reviewer
And they're remarkably non-stick. Sloppy Joe's slide right off. Scrambled eggs slide off. hamburger, chicken, anything we have put on it over the last 18 months easily slides right off.

performance about HexClad Hybrid Owns it 18 months with Gordon Ramsay's Hexclad cookware, was it worth it?🤔

Cites ease of cleaning, non-stick surface

Owned 18 months

Getting back to the non-stick surface, another added benefit is how easy they are to clean. I don't think anything can provide more proof about their ease of cleaning than their still like new appearance 18 months after their first use.

What happens over time

Christopher Scott, who stopped using HexClad after 18 months, says that span wasn't long enough for cookware of that class and price, a different kind of account than John, who still owns his and finds it non-stick after the same 18 months. Hannah, 13 years into an All-Clad 10-piece set, says it still looks brand new. Joshua Weissman, 6 years into a KitchenAid, says it is nowhere near giving out despite heavy use, and Prudent Reviews, 2 years into a Smithey, still reaches for it more than most of what it owns.

None of the 26 people quoted reports a longer span than Hannah's 13 years.

The 5 quotes behind this, from 5 people · 1 objecting

Also named, on thinner evidence

15 more products are named on this sheet without enough behind them for their own sections, among them Hestan CopperBond, an All-Clad 10-piece cookware set, a HexClad Hybrid and a Demeyere Industry. Thin coverage is not a verdict against any of them; it is simply what these 61 sources can carry.

The quote behind this, from 1 person

Who wants what

Prudent Reviews, a cookware reviewer, measures these products in millimeters, degrees and dollars: wall thickness, warp angle, a heat retention rank against a dozen rivals. Joshua Weissman, a cooking YouTuber, judges a KitchenAid by whether it has ever let him down across six years of hard use. Uncle Scott, who owns his own All-Clad D3, recommends it in the language of a baseline anyone can build from, where David Chang, speaking under a sponsorship, praises the same pan as proof of what American manufacturing can do.

The 4 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 1 objecting · 1 with a declared interest

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 Smithey cast iron skillet if price isn't a factor and heat retention matters most: Prudent Reviews calls it the best overall of six skillets it tested.
  • Choose the All-Clad stainless pan if you want a proven baseline to build a cookware set from: Uncle Scott, who bought his own D3, says you cannot go wrong starting there.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 2 people

What the evidence doesn’t tell us

Prudent Reviews alone holds 281 of the 528 claims in these 61 sources, 53% of everything in scope, so much of these five products' cases rests on one reviewer's testing. None of the 26 people quoted claims to have owned anything longer than the 13 years behind Hannah's All-Clad set. Nobody quoted about the Le Creuset dutch oven or the All-Clad stainless pan speaks as an owner at all, and both carry no ownership duration whatsoever.

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

quoted on 15 points 7 against 2 with a declared interest

Cookware Reviewer, Gear Review YouTube, Home Cooks

Domain expertise: cast iron skillets (1.00), carbon steel pans (1.00), stainless steel cookware (1.00), dutch ovens (1.00)

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.

Hannah

quoted on 4 points 2 against

Buy It For Life Enthusiasts, Cookware Reviewer, Gear Review YouTube, Home Cooks, Professional Kitchens

No domain expertise derived for this person yet.

Christopher Scott

quoted on 2 points 1 against

Buy It For Life Enthusiasts, Cookware Reviewer, Home Cooks, Professional Kitchens

Domain expertise: non-stick cookware (0.50)

I’m Chris Maas (aka Christopher Scott) and I help businesses punch above their weight with marketing that actually connects. After growing this as a food channel (Beergr), I realized what I really love is showing business owners how to stand out, tell better stories, and get results from their content and that has been my day job for the last 15 years. That’s what this channel is all about now. If you run a small business, work in marketing, video production or content creation or just want to get smarter about strategy, branding, and content creation...hit subscribe. Every week, I share real-world insights, tools, and ideas you can put to use immediately. Let’s cut through the noise and build something that matters.

Joshua Weissman

quoted on 2 points

Chef

Domain expertise: stainless steel cookware (0.75), blenders (0.75), non-stick cookware (0.75), stand mixers (0.75)

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.

Uncle Scott

quoted on 2 points

Beginners, Cooking YouTube, Cookware Reviewer, Gear Review YouTube, Home Cooks

Domain expertise: carbon steel pans (1.00), dutch ovens (0.75), cast iron skillets (0.50)

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.

BBQ and Bottles

quoted on 1 point 1 with a declared interest

Cooking YouTube, Cookware Reviewer

Domain expertise: cast iron skillets (0.75)

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/

Cook Culture

quoted on 1 point 1 with a declared interest

Cookware Reviewer

Domain expertise: cookware (0.75), carbon steel pans (0.50), cast iron skillets (0.50)

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.

David Chang

quoted on 1 point 1 with a declared interest

Chef

No domain expertise derived for this person yet.

David Gafford

quoted on 1 point 1 with a declared interest

Cookware Reviewer, Home Cooks

No domain expertise derived for this person yet.

John

quoted on 1 point

Cookware Reviewer, Home Cooks

No domain expertise derived for this person yet.

This review channel is only days old....there will be regular review uploads of the most random products that everyday people use on an everyday basis. Subscribe to help get the channel going!

Kent Rollins

quoted on 1 point 1 against

Chef, Collectors, Cookware Reviewer, Gear Review YouTube

Domain expertise: cast iron skillets (0.50)

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

Lisa

quoted on 1 point 1 against

Cookware Reviewer, Home Cooks, Professional Kitchens

Domain expertise: stainless steel cookware (0.50), skillets (0.50)

Liz

quoted on 1 point

Cookware Reviewer

No domain expertise derived for this person yet.

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

Sources

Short quotes and deep links only. We publish no transcripts, and every quote above opens the original at the second it was spoken.

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.