Articles · Where two groups agree
Home cooks and professional kitchens converge on five products, and price splits the evidence in an exact tie, ten voices each way.
About Home Cooks and Professional Kitchens.
We have not used any of these ourselves. We read 53 sources and structured what 19 people said. Of the 34 quotes below, 15 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 19 people, 53 sources and 460 recorded claims. A declared interest is labelled beside the quote rather than removed.
Home cooks and professional kitchens converge most decisively on five products: the Smithey, the Lodge, a Le Creuset dutch oven, an All-Clad stainless pan and a KitchenAid stand mixer. David Gafford, disclosing a gifted set, says his HexClad has fit his family well for 18 months; Papa Mau says a well-used Lodge cooks perfectly fine needing nothing more. Prudent Reviews, a cookware reviewer who discloses an affiliate interest on some tests, holds 61% of everything said about it, and nobody quoted has owned the Lodge or the Le Creuset.
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…
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
this cooks perfectly fine. Like needs nothing. It is rough. Yeah, it is.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
bad is in the pan. It's probably the cook is you.
| Product | Cited in favour | Cited against | Voices | Declared interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithey cast iron skillet | durability (1), ergonomics (1) | price (2), weight (1) | 3 voices | none declared |
| Lodge cast iron skillet | durability (2), heat retention (1) | handle (1), surface finish (1) | 3 voices | none declared |
| Le Creuset dutch oven | durability (1), ease of cleaning (1) | heat retention (1), lid (1) | 1 voice | 1 of 1 |
| All-Clad stainless pan | build quality (2), price (1) | ergonomics (1), handle (1) | 4 voices | 1 of 4 |
| KitchenAid stand mixer | durability (1) | safety (1) | 2 voices | none declared |
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.
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:01.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
It's heavier and the surface is rougher, but it holds on to seasoning better and it still passed the egg test with no sticking.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface, seasoning durability, weight (against)
The Smithey cast iron skillet's price is the objection: Hannah 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 among six it tested, and separately calls it heavy and expensive but worth the investment since it will last a lifetime. 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.
This pan by Smithey is around $200 compared to the Lodge's, $44 a quarter of the price.
Cites price (against)
If price is not a factor, Smithey is the best overall skillet.
It's heavy and expensive, but it will last a lifetime, so it's worth the investment.
Cites durability, price (against), weight (against)
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 pan Papa Mau compares unfavorably to a 90-year-old family skillet.
Prudent Reviews separately says a Lodge will last a lifetime for under $30, and measured its heat retention best of all twelve skillets. Papa Mau, despite the rough surface, says a well-seasoned Lodge cooks perfectly fine and needs nothing else. 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 19 people quoted states how long they have owned a Lodge.
compare that to my 90 years old grease wool. Yeah, massive difference.
Cites surface finish (against)
Few products in the world last forever, perform really well, and cost under $30.
Cites durability, price
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 5:01.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
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 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 separately says a Le Creuset can perform exceptionally well and last for generations despite the upfront cost.
No one among the 19 people quoted states how long they have owned one.
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.
While this is a significant investment, both brands perform exceptionally well and can last for decades.
Two judgements rest on this sentence:
Their heavy lids lock in moisture, and the thick walls retain heat and maintain steady temperatures.
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 19 people quoted states how long they have owned an All-Clad.
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)
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
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
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 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.
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.
When you plug in the KitchenAid Classic or Artisan with a speed lever set above zero, the mixer starts running immediately.
Cites safety (against)
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
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. John names 18 months on a HexClad Hybrid in 2025, the same span David Gafford, disclosing a gifted set, names in the same year.
No one among the 19 people quoted names any duration for the Lodge, the Le Creuset or the All-Clad stainless pan.
'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
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:32.
Cites durability, price (against), weight (against)
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.
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.
Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 14:35.
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
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 53 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 19 people quoted reports a longer span than Hannah's 13 years.
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
15 more products are named on this sheet without enough behind them for their own sections, among them an All-Clad 10-piece cookware set, Heritage Steel cookware, a HexClad Hybrid and Hestan CopperBond. Thin coverage is not a verdict against any of them; it is simply what these 53 sources can carry.
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. 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.
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 2:00.
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”
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 10:33.
Prudent Reviews alone holds 281 of the 460 claims in these 53 sources, 61% of everything in scope, so much of these five products' cases rests on one reviewer's testing. None of the 19 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 Le Creuset speaks as an owner at all, and both carry no ownership duration whatsoever.
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