Articles · Where two groups agree

What r/buyitforlife and professional kitchens both recommend

r/buyitforlife and professional kitchens converge on five products, and safety is faulted twice for every time it's praised.

About r/BuyItForLife and Professional Kitchens.

We have not used any of these ourselves. We read 36 sources and structured what 10 people said. Of the 33 quotes below, 13 are complaints and 5 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, 36 sources and 277 recorded claims. A declared interest is labelled beside the quote rather than removed.

The answer

r/buyitforlife and professional kitchens converge on five products: the Smithey, the Lodge, an All-Clad stainless pan, a Matfer carbon steel pan and a Le Creuset dutch oven. Cook Culture, sent a Matfer free, calls it tremendous; Julia, a chef, calls the Lodge the best buy at $43; and 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.

The 3 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 1 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

3:31 supports Julia Chef

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.

recommendation about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price

7:03 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

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

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

Cites price

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.
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), price (2)	weight (2), handle (1)	3 voices	1 of 3
All-Clad stainless pan	build quality (2), price (2)	ergonomics (1), heating speed (1)	5 voices	1 of 5
Matfer carbon steel pan	induction compatible (1), seasoning durability (1)	safety (1)	4 voices	1 of 4
Le Creuset dutch oven	durability (1), ease of cleaning (1)	price (2), weight (2)	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.
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

5:32 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

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.

best in class about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites base and rim, handle, heat retention, non-stick surface

5:01 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

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.

handling about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites handle (against)

13:33 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

The Lodge Classic is also a great option if you want something more substantial, and the value is incredible.

value about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites price

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.

2:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Despite the lighter construction, it actually had the best heat retention of all 12 skillets.

best in class about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites heat retention, price

On the lower end, Victoria and Lodge Chef Collection are my two top picks.

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.

Smithey cast iron skillet

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 and the best overall handle. 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 7 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 3 objecting

3:01 objects Adam Cookware Reviewer

It was not, however, inexpensive. It was $200.

value about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price (against)

3:31 objects Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts

This pan by Smithey is around $200 compared to the Lodge's, $44 a quarter of the price.

value about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites price (against)

5:32 mixed Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

It's heavy and expensive, but it will last a lifetime, so it's worth the investment.

value about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites durability, price (against), weight (against)

10:33 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

If price is not a factor, Smithey is the best overall skillet.

best in class about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet? I Tested Lodge, Smithey, Field, Stargazer, & Calphalon

Cites ergonomics, heat retention, non-stick surface

2:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Because of that, it's the best overall handle.

handling about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet? I Tested Lodge, Smithey, Field, Stargazer, & Calphalon

Cites handle

2:30 supports Adam Cookware Reviewer

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.

best in class about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

14:04 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

I've used Smithey for over 2 years, and it's still one of the pans I reach for the most.

durability about Smithey cast iron skillet Owns it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites durability

Owned 2 years

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 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. Quality Collapse calls a Lodge a heavy, crude piece of iron that is nonetheless indestructible, able to take a steel brush without damage. Julia, a chef, calls it the best buy at $43.

No one among the 10 people quoted states how long they have owned a Lodge.

The 6 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 2 objecting · 1 with a declared interest

5:01 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:01.

handling about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites handle (against)

1:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

At 5 mm thick and 8.1 lb, it's the thickest and heaviest skillet in the group.

handling about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

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.

2:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this

The best part is that you can get a Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet that will last a lifetime for under $30.

value about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

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.

2:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:30.

best in class about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites heat retention, price

1:30 supports Quality Collapse

It is a heavy, crude piece of iron, But, it is indestructible. You can scrape it with steel wool. You can put it directly in a campfire. You can drop it on concrete and it will not crack.

durability about Lodge cast iron skillet Passing on someone else's experience The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability, weight (against)

3:31 supports Julia Chef

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 3:31.

recommendation about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price

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 its grip. Quality Collapse admits critics are right that it is expensive and requires preheating, but argues a $150 pan used for twenty years beats replacing cheap non-stick pans again and again. 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 10 people quoted states how long they have owned an All-Clad.

The 7 quotes behind this, from 5 people · 3 objecting · 1 with a declared interest

2:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

This pan heated fast and evenly, but the bottom warped noticeably in my testing.

durability about All-Clad stainless pan Tested it Don’t Buy Induction Cookware Until You Watch This (13 Brands Tested)

Cites warp resistance (against)

11:34 mixed Lisa Cookware Reviewer

Something like this handle, this is an All-Clad, they have sort of a famously uncomfortable handle.

handling about All-Clad stainless pan Tested it Made In vs All-Clad: Which Cookware Set is Best? | Gear Heads

Cites ergonomics (against), handle

3:30 objects Quality Collapse

Critics will say it is expensive. They will say it requires preheating. They are right.

value about All-Clad stainless pan Passing on someone else's experience The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites heating speed (against), price (against)

4:00 supports Quality Collapse

A $150 stainless pan used for 20 years is infinitely cheaper than buying a $40 nonstick pan every 2 years.

durability about All-Clad stainless pan Passing on someone else's experience The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability, price

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

7:03 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 7:03.

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

Cites price

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”

Matfer carbon steel pan

The Matfer carbon steel pan's safety record is the objection: Prudent Reviews says it does not recommend the pan "because of the ongoing recall situation," even though the pan passed France's national safety standards.

Cook Culture, sent theirs free, calls the pan tremendous and says it can get a cook out of non-stick pans for good. Autodidactically Yours, nine months in as of 2021, describes watching it go from a stripped silver pan to fully blackened with seasoning, the longest ownership stated for a Matfer. Lisa, of America's Test Kitchen, liked it enough during testing that she bought her own.

The 6 quotes behind this, from 4 people · 2 objecting · 2 with a declared interest

12:03 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

The two pans I don't recommend are Matfer because of the ongoing recall situation and De Buyer Mineral B because of its limitations while cooking in the oven.

recommendation about Matfer carbon steel pan Tested it Best Carbon Steel Pan? I Tested de Buyer, Lodge, Matfer & More

Cites safety (against)

4:01 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

This pan passed France's national safety standards, but regional regulators found that the pan released excessive levels of arsenic, chromium, and iron when cooked in a highly acidic solution for 2 hours.

reliability about Matfer carbon steel pan Tested it Best Carbon Steel Pan? I Tested de Buyer, Lodge, Matfer & More

Cites safety (against)

23:46 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 23:46.

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

24:16 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product

and if this is a pan that gets you out of non-stick then my job's done so that's why I'm telling you about these pants today

use-case fit about Matfer carbon steel pan Tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cites induction compatible

if you're on induction I'm leaning this way you know even though I'm a mineral B seller I sell the product this if I'm going to sell something in the future is the way I'm going to go for induction because this is proving itself as the right pan for induction

0:00 supports Autodidactically Yours Food Writer

i bought it in april it's now january so after a few mishaps there's been about six months in between this being a stripped silver pan and now being completely black

durability about Matfer carbon steel pan Owns it Black Carbon Steel Pan in JUST 6 MONTHS (3 EASY STEPS)

Cites seasoning durability

Owned 9 months

i have a new larger style mat for carbon steel pan here that i got for christmas and i've used about less than 10 times and you can already see the seasoning is developing on it

3:31 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer

I loved this pan so much that when I was testing it, before I was even done, I was like, "I want this pan," and I ordered one for myself, which I never do. So I've had mine for several years and I love it. I cook in it all the time.

durability about Matfer carbon steel pan Owns it Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Le Creuset dutch oven

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. Quality Collapse admits critics are right that it is heavy and costs too much, but argues a $350 pot used for decades still beats replacing cheaper ones every few years.

No one among the 10 people quoted states how long they have owned one.

The 4 quotes behind this, from 2 people · 3 objecting · 1 with a declared interest

1:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 1:00.

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

Cites price (against)

1:30 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 1:30.

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)

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.

5:31 mixed Quality Collapse

Critics will say it is heavy. They will say it costs too much. They are right, but a $350 Dutch oven that lasts 30 years costs less than buying a $70 version every 5 years.

value about Le Creuset dutch oven Passing on someone else's experience The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability, price (against), weight (against)

How long each one lasts

Prudent Reviews puts 2 years on a Smithey, elsewhere calling the same skillet worth buying for a lifetime without a number attached. Autodidactically Yours puts 9 months on a Matfer, timed from April to January in 2021, and Lisa, in 2023, says only that she has had hers for several years, without a number. Prudent Reviews separately notes a Le Creuset's enamel is covered for life under warranty, a guarantee about the product rather than anyone's personal ownership span.

No one among the 10 people quoted names any duration for the Lodge or the All-Clad stainless pan.

The 5 quotes behind this, from 3 people · 1 objecting

14:04 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 14:04.

durability about Smithey cast iron skillet Owns it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites durability

Owned 2 years

5:32 mixed Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 5:32.

value about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites durability, price (against), weight (against)

0:00 supports Autodidactically Yours Food Writer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 0:00.

durability about Matfer carbon steel pan Owns it Black Carbon Steel Pan in JUST 6 MONTHS (3 EASY STEPS)

Cites seasoning durability

Owned 9 months

3:31 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 3:31.

durability about Matfer carbon steel pan Owns it Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

6:32 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

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.

repairability about Le Creuset dutch oven Passing on someone else's experience Don't Buy Le Creuset Until You Watch This (Test Results)

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.

What happens over time

Prudent Reviews, 2 years into a Smithey, still reaches for it more than most of what it owns. Autodidactically Yours, 9 months into a Matfer, describes it turning from a stripped silver pan to fully blackened with seasoning, a shorter but still meaningful span by comparison.

No one among the 10 people quoted reports a longer span than Prudent Reviews' 2 years.

The 2 quotes behind this, from 2 people

14:04 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 14:04.

durability about Smithey cast iron skillet Owns it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites durability

Owned 2 years

0:00 supports Autodidactically Yours Food Writer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 0:00.

durability about Matfer carbon steel pan Owns it Black Carbon Steel Pan in JUST 6 MONTHS (3 EASY STEPS)

Cites seasoning durability

Owned 9 months

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. Julia, a chef, simply names the Lodge the best buy at $43. 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. Cook Culture, sent a Matfer free, praises its handle with a plain thumbs up.

The 5 quotes behind this, from 5 people · 1 objecting · 2 with a declared interest

1:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 1:00.

handling about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites handle (against), heat resistance (against), weight (against)

3:31 supports Julia Chef

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 3:31.

recommendation about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price

7:03 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 7:03.

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

Cites price

2:00 supports David Chang Chef paid by this brand

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:00.

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”

23:46 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 23:46.

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

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

2:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 2:00.

value about Lodge cast iron skillet Tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

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.”

10:33 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 10:33.

best in class about Smithey cast iron skillet Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet? I Tested Lodge, Smithey, Field, Stargazer, & Calphalon

Cites ergonomics, heat retention, non-stick surface

7:03 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 7:03.

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

Cites price

What the evidence doesn’t tell us

Prudent Reviews alone holds 200 of the 277 claims in these 36 sources, 72% of everything in scope, so much of these five products' cases rests on one reviewer's testing. None of the 10 people quoted claims to have owned anything longer than the 2 years behind Prudent Reviews' Smithey. 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

14:04 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Quoted earlier on this page. Hear it at 14:04.

durability about Smithey cast iron skillet Owns it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites durability

Owned 2 years

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 17 points 8 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.

Quality Collapse

quoted on 4 points 2 against

No domain expertise derived for this person yet.

Quality Collapse exposes why modern appliances, RVs, and home systems fail early — from factory shortcuts and weak parts to repair traps, builder-grade design, and “replace-not-fix” economics. We break down what changed, why service got worse, and what still lasts.

Adam

quoted on 2 points 1 against

Cookware Reviewer, Professional Kitchens

Domain expertise: stainless steel cookware (0.50)

Cook Culture

quoted on 2 points 2 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.

Lisa

quoted on 2 points 1 against

Cookware Reviewer, Home Cooks, Professional Kitchens

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

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.

Autodidactically Yours

quoted on 1 point

Food Writer

Domain expertise: carbon steel pans (0.50)

I'm curious. Whenever I encounter something, I like to know what it is and how it works. It doesn't matter if it is a machine, culinary process, social organization, or work of art. I'm fascinated by just about everything. Once I understand something, I like to share my excitement about it with others. I've gotten pretty good at that by working as an educator for ten years. I recently moved away from that profession, so this channel is my new outlet where I will share my adventures on becoming an amateur expert in cooking, technology, and other topics. This channel is operated by Jake Nabasny, PhD. You can find my free cookbook and other texts at my personal website: https://jake.nabasny.com/

David Chang

quoted on 1 point 1 with a declared interest

Chef

No domain expertise derived for this person yet.

Hannah

quoted on 1 point 1 against

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

No domain expertise derived for this person yet.

Julia

quoted on 1 point

Chef, Professional Kitchens

No domain expertise derived for this person yet.

What this piece cites evidence about

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How this page was made

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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.