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.
Articles · Where two groups agree
What home cooks and collectors both recommend
Home cooks and collectors converge on five cast iron skillets, and one Lodge owner unfavorably compares its finish to a 90-year-old family pan.
About Home Cooks and Collectors.
We have not used any of these ourselves. We read 16 sources and structured what 8 people said. Of the 30 quotes below, 17 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 8 people, 16 sources and 179 recorded claims. A declared interest is labelled beside the quote rather than removed.
The answer
Home cooks and collectors converge on five cast iron skillets: the Lodge, the Field, the Finex, the Stargazer and the Griswold. Papa Mau says a well-used Lodge cooks perfectly fine needing nothing more; Kent Rollins, sent his Field free, says he loves the skillet. Prudent Reviews, a cookware reviewer who discloses an affiliate interest on some tests, holds 53% of everything said about all five, and nobody among the 8 people quoted has owned a Lodge or a Stargazer at all.
The 2 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 1 with a declared interest
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
| Product | Cited in favour | Cited against | Voices | Declared interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge cast iron skillet | durability (2), heat retention (1) | surface finish (2), handle (1) | 4 voices | 1 of 4 |
| Field cast iron skillet | acid resistance (1), durability (1) | heat retention (1), heating speed (1) | 4 voices | 2 of 4 |
| Finex cast iron skillet | maintenance (1), seasoning durability (1) | ease of cleaning (1), handle (1) | 2 voices | none declared |
| Stargazer cast iron skillet | handle (1), heat resistance (1) | handle (1), price (1) | 2 voices | 1 of 2 |
| Griswold cast iron skillet | none recorded | none recorded | 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.
- 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 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 price
But it's the most expensive skillet and has the worst heat retention.
Cites price (against)
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," on a pan Papa Mau says some owners grind down entirely rather than live with its rough factory surface.
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 8 people quoted states how long they have owned a Lodge.
The 7 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 4 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
why so many people go all in and grind these pants completely
Cites surface finish (against), maintenance (against)
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.
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)
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 Field cast iron skillet's durability is probably the objection: Prudent Reviews found that "it warped significantly. The center curved downward," and rated it the worst heat retention among the cast iron skillets it tested.
Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do!, who was sent one free, says his family would fight for the pan at his funeral, and calls it easy to handle at about six pounds. Kent Rollins, also sent his free, likes the smooth finish and the skillet's old-style look. Uncle Scott, a month and a half in, is still having trouble getting the seasoning to develop and getting non-stick eggs.
Uncle Scott's month and a half is the longest ownership stated for a Field.
The 5 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 3 objecting · 2 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)
On the negative side, it has the worst heat retention of all the cast iron skillets I've tested, which means it cools down faster when you add cold ingredients.
Cites heat retention (against), heating speed (against)
Since it heats up so fast, you can easily overcook your food if you're not paying attention.
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
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.
The Finex cast iron skillet appears to rust with use: Prudent Reviews noticed it "rusted on the bottom inside the engravings," something it saw on no other skillet tested.
Luis J., two years into his, says the seasoning has developed well and calls Finex his favorite modern cast iron maker; that ownership is the longest stated for any product on this sheet. Prudent Reviews also found the handle thick and round enough to rotate awkwardly in the hand, and rated its heat retention toward the lower end of the group.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 3 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)
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…
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)
Heat retention was toward the lower end of the group and it warped slightly, but not enough to cause noticeable wobbling.
Cites ease of cleaning (against), handle (against), heat resistance (against), heat retention (against)
But when I heated it in a 400°ree oven to see how quickly the handle cooled, it was still too hot to touch after 15 minutes. And it wasn't any cooler than a regular cast iron handle.
And because the coil isn't removable, grease and moisture can collect underneath it around the cast iron shaft, and it's difficult to clean and dry.
The Stargazer cast iron skillet's price may be the objection: Prudent Reviews, disclosing an affiliate interest, calls it "the number one downside," pricier than the more familiar Lodge.
Prudent Reviews, also disclosing an affiliate interest, separately says the edges "can dig into your hand" and calls it not the most comfortable, though it also says a deep groove gives a secure hold that keeps the pan steady while cooking. Kent Rollins loves the handle's rounded, cooler-running design.
No one among the 8 people quoted states how long they have owned a Stargazer.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 3 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
However, the edges can dig into your hand, so it's not the most comfortable handle.
Cites handle (against)
The deep groove gives your hand something to grip, so the skillet doesn't twist when you're holding it with a towel or oven mitt. But the edges dig into your hand, so despite being long and secure, it's not a very comfortable handle.
Cites handle
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites handle, heat resistance, weight
Griswold cast iron skillet
A Griswold cast iron skillet has nothing said against it among the 8 people quoted, an absence of criticism rather than praise, from just one voice.
Kent Rollins names it, alongside Wagner, among his favorite pieces of cast iron.
No one among the 8 people quoted states how long they have owned a Griswold.
The quote behind this, from 1 person
still my favorite pieces are Wagners and Griswolds
How long each one lasts
Luis J.'s 24 months on a Finex, said in 2023, is the longest figure on this sheet. Kent Rollins names a month and a half on a Field in 2018, and Uncle Scott separately names a month and a half on one in 2026. Papa Mau, in 2025, compares his Lodge unfavorably to a different pan entirely, his "90 years old grease wool," so that figure belongs to the older pan, not the Lodge.
None of the 8 people quoted names any duration for the Lodge, the Stargazer or the Griswold.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 2 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
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
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites maintenance (against), seasoning durability (against)
Owned 2 months
compare that to my 90 years old grease wool. Yeah, massive difference.
Cites surface finish (against)
What happens over time
Uncle Scott, tested for a month and a half on a Field, was still fighting the seasoning break-in and getting eggs to stick, a shorter and different kind of account than the two people who report owning theirs. Kent Rollins, sent his free and owning it for the same month and a half, already loves the skillet's old-style design. Luis J., two years into a Finex, reports the seasoning has developed well with only a small defect to show for it.
No one among the 8 people quoted reports a longer span with any of these five skillets.
The 3 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 1 objecting · 1 with a declared interest
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites maintenance (against), seasoning durability (against)
Owned 2 months
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
so overall this number 10 has done wonderful it's held up seasoning really well it's cooked really well besides that small little defect with my time that it tends to warp I've had no issues and uh as you know as I said it cooked my breakfast beautifully and I'm happy with it so two years it's done great I'm happy and…
Cites seasoning durability
Who wants what
Papa Mau, a home cook, judges the Lodge by whether it gets the job done without fuss, a rough pan that cooks perfectly fine once you know how to use it. Prudent Reviews, a cookware reviewer, measures that same roughness in millimeters and pour-spout width instead. Kent Rollins, a chef, judges handles by feel and how far he can stand from the heat, where Luis J., two years into a Finex, judges seasoning by how black it has turned.
The 4 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 1 objecting
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:01.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
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.
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:31.
Cites handle, heat resistance, weight
What the evidence suggests
- Choose the Lodge cast iron skillet if price and a rough, well-seasoned surface don't bother you: Papa Mau says a well-used one cooks perfectly fine needing nothing else.
- Choose the Finex cast iron skillet if you want a smoother finish and don't mind occasional rust spots: Luis J., two years in, calls it his favorite modern cast iron cookware.
The 2 quotes behind this, from 2 people
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 8:36.
Cites seasoning durability
What the evidence doesn’t tell us
Prudent Reviews alone holds 94 of the 179 claims in these 16 sources, 53% of everything in scope, so much of these five skillets' cases rests on one reviewer's testing. None of the 8 people quoted claims to have owned anything longer than the 24 months behind Luis J.'s Finex. Nobody quoted about the Stargazer or the Griswold speaks as an owner, a professional user, or someone who stopped using one, and three of the five products carry no ownership duration at all.
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
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! 🔥
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.
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/
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
- Griswold cast iron skillet
- Lodge 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
- Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads
- Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet
- 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
- Field Company Review: Best Lightweight Cast Iron?
- I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst
- Stargazer Cast Iron Review: Is This $145 Skillet Better Than a $30 Lodge?
- 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.