personally if i was you i would get a dutch oven just like this one or the size that suits you this is going to be fantastic
Articles · Where two groups agree
What gear review youtube and professional kitchens both recommend
Gear review YouTube and professional kitchens converge on five products, and their handles split the same evidence in opposite directions.
About Gear Review YouTube and Professional Kitchens.
We have not used any of these ourselves. We read 46 sources and structured what 14 people said. Of the 33 quotes below, 16 are complaints and 3 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 14 people, 46 sources and 386 recorded claims. A declared interest is labelled beside the quote rather than removed.
The answer
Gear review YouTube and professional kitchens converge most decisively on five products: the Smithey, the Lodge, an All-Clad stainless pan, a KitchenAid stand mixer and a Le Creuset dutch oven. MQ says plainly that a reader would do well to get a Le Creuset-style dutch oven; Uncle Scott, who bought his own All-Clad D3, says you cannot go wrong starting there. Prudent Reviews, a cookware reviewer who discloses an affiliate interest on some tests, holds 72% of everything said about it, and nobody quoted has owned the Lodge or the All-Clad.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 2 people
what i said is set your base level at d3 and then go from there kind of as budget and needs dictate and you can't go wrong
Cites price
so guess what i tried a d3 and i like it i like it a lot
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
| Product | Cited in favour | Cited against | Voices | Declared interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithey cast iron skillet | durability (1), ergonomics (1) | price (3), weight (1) | 3 voices | none declared |
| Lodge cast iron skillet | durability (2), heat retention (1) | weight (2), handle (1) | 3 voices | 1 of 3 |
| All-Clad stainless pan | build quality (2), price (1) | ergonomics (1), handle (1) | 4 voices | 1 of 4 |
| KitchenAid stand mixer | durability (1) | dishwasher safe (1), ease of cleaning (1) | 2 voices | none declared |
| Le Creuset dutch oven | ease of cleaning (1), handle (1) | heat retention (1), lid (1) | 2 voices | 1 of 2 |
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.
- Hannah says her All-Clad 10-piece set still looks brand new after thirteen years, while Prudent Reviews notices rainbow heat stains more often on Heritage Steel cookware than on other stainless it has tested.
The 5 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 2 objecting
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
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 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.
'Cause I got a similar All-Clad set for my wedding 13 years ago and I have to say, it looks brand new and I've used it for all those 13 years.
Cites appearance, durability
Owned 13 years
The Smithey cast iron skillet's price is the objection: Adam says plainly that it was not inexpensive, at $200, and Hannah separately puts it at about a quarter more than the Lodge's $44.
Prudent Reviews calls it heavy and expensive but says it will last a lifetime and is worth the investment, and separately calls it the best overall skillet if price isn't a factor, crediting the best heat retention of six it tested. Adam, of America's Test Kitchen, says it took the top spot among pans from smaller producers. 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 6 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 3 objecting
It was not, however, inexpensive. It was $200.
Cites price (against)
This pan by Smithey is around $200 compared to the Lodge's, $44 a quarter of the price.
Cites price (against)
It's heavy and expensive, but it will last a lifetime, so it's worth the investment.
Cites durability, price (against), weight (against)
If price is not a factor, Smithey is the best overall skillet.
In the end, it was one of these pans from a smaller producer that took the top spot. This is the Smithey Ironware number 12.
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 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 thickest and heaviest in the group.
Prudent Reviews, disclosing an affiliate interest, 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 14 people quoted states how long they have owned a Lodge.
The 7 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 4 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
At 5 mm thick and 8.1 lb, it's the thickest and heaviest skillet in the group.
Cites handle (against), heat resistance (against), weight (against)
It's a little too short, and when I boiled water in each skillet for 10 minutes to compare handle temperatures, it was too warm to grab with a bare hand.
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.
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)
This means that of these three, the traditional mass produced lodge model is the most durable. It's basically indestructible
Cites durability
but it's also the heaviest of the three options at eight pounds
Cites weight (against)
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 its grip. Prudent Reviews separately faults a deep handle groove elsewhere in the line for trapping heat against the hand. 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 14 people quoted states how long they have owned an All-Clad.
The 6 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 3 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
This pan heated fast and evenly, but the bottom warped noticeably in my testing.
Cites warp resistance (against)
Something like this handle, this is an All-Clad, they have sort of a famously uncomfortable handle.
Cites ergonomics (against), handle
Beside price, the main downside is the handle. It has a deep groove on top that prevents your hand from slipping, but it's not the most comfortable design to hold.
Cites handle (against)
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 0:30.
Cites build quality, weight
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
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”
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 bowl and its three attachments can go in the dishwasher, but the whisks that come with the Classic and Artisan cannot and must be washed by hand. 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
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.
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.
The bowl and all three attachments are dishwasher safe, unlike the whisks included with the KitchenAid Classic and Artisan, which need to be handwashed.
Cites dishwasher safe (against), ease of cleaning (against)
With cookies, the Classic and Artisan both mixed the dough well, but I still had to stop and scrape the bowl several times.
All three also handled the pizza dough well and produced excellent pizza, but the heads of the Classic and Artisan bounced a lot more during kneading, and their locking levers shifted away from the fully locked position, which caused them to bounce even more.
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
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
The Le Creuset dutch oven's price is probably 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. MQ says plainly that a reader would do well to get one, and Prudent Reviews separately confirms the maker covers the enamel for life.
No one among the 14 people quoted states how long they have owned one.
The 5 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 2 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
Le Creuset was the third worst-performing brand. Although I was not surprised by this since it's the thinnest and lightest.
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.
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.
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 6:33.
After speaking with their customer service, I confirmed that they cover the enamel for life. So, if 10 years down from now under normal circumstances, you see a chip in the enamel they'll replace the Dutch oven for free.
Cites warranty
After posting that video, dozens of people commented that Le Creuset does the same, and as the customer service rep confirmed, they were right.
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. Joshua Weissman puts 6 years on a KitchenAid stand mixer, and Prudent Reviews puts 2 years on a Smithey, elsewhere calling the same skillet worth buying for a lifetime without a number attached. Christopher Scott, in 2024, names 18 months as too short a span for cookware of that class and price, and separately says he does not want to replace pans every 18 to 20 months.
No one among the 14 people quoted names any duration for the Lodge, the All-Clad stainless pan or the Le Creuset.
The 6 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 3 objecting
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:32.
Cites durability, price (against), weight (against)
but I don't believe that 18 months is long long enough for a cookware of this class and price
Cites durability (against)
Owned 18 months, no longer
but for me I don't want to have to replace my pots and pans every 18 to 20 months because the non-stick coating is wearing off on them so I won't be using these anymore I'm going to be switching to like a stainless steel all clad type of pot and pan and I'm not really sure what brand to buy yet
so after all of that I have decided that hexclad pans are not right for me and therefore I don't recommend them on my channel anymore
What happens over time
Christopher Scott, who stopped using a HexClad Hybrid after 18 months, says that span was not long enough for cookware of that class and price, a different kind of account than the owners in these 46 sources. 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 14 people quoted reports a longer span than Hannah's 13 years.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 1 objecting
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 15:35.
Cites durability (against)
Owned 18 months, no longer
Also named, on thinner evidence
10 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 46 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
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 1:00.
Cites handle (against), heat resistance (against), weight (against)
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:00.
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”
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 · 1 with a declared interest
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:00.
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.”
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 10:33.
What the evidence doesn’t tell us
Prudent Reviews alone holds 276 of the 386 claims in these 46 sources, 72% of everything in scope, so much of these five products' cases rests on one reviewer's testing. None of the 14 people quoted claims to have owned anything longer than the 13 years behind Hannah's All-Clad set. Nobody quoted about the Lodge 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
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.
Christopher Scott
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
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
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.
David Chang
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
MQ
On this channel we mainly talk about cookware. We look at the technicalities and science of each piece of cookware to a level not usually seen elsewhere. We don't just look at the cookware itself, we look at how it will work with your kitchen setup at home. We do cookware reviews, first impressions, we look at the value proposition of each piece, and sometimes we do cooking tests. Most importantly, there is no "political correctness" on this channel. Everything we say is 100% our honest and sometimes "brutal" opinion.
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.
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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.