Reached For

Cast Iron Skillets

Cast Iron Skillets, according to Cooking YouTube

Only claims about cast iron skillets made by people we have grounds to call Cooking YouTube. The unrestricted cast iron skillets evidence is on the cast iron skillets page.

22 people we have grounds to call Cooking YouTube make 200 quoted claims about cast iron skillets across 30 sources. Membership of the Cooking YouTube group is recorded per person with its own evidence, and authority is scoped to cast iron skillets rather than to fame.

Which cast iron skillets do Cooking YouTube recommend?

Endorsements and objections about cast iron skillets from Cooking YouTube, together, strongest evidence first.

Lodge cast iron skillet

10 voices 37 claims 7 objections

0:30 objects Papa Mau Cooking YouTube
The main complaint about lodge cast iron pans is always the same.

performance relaying someone else The Uncomfortable Truth Behind Lodge Cast Iron Pans

Cites surface finish (against), heat control (against), non-stick surface (against)

So rough that some people say it makes them impossible to cook on.
Out of the box is so rough that I can literally grate cheese on it.
I cooked two eggs and the pan was clearly too hot.
I had to abort the mission and start again.
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 tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price

3:01 supports Adam Cookware Reviewer
If you want to spend a little bit less, we have a best buy, which is old faithful Lodge cast iron. That's the Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet.

best in class tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price

1:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Because of the thick construction, it heated slower than the thinner skillets, but it retained heat well.

performance tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites heat retention, non-stick surface

Despite the rough cooking surface, the egg didn't stick at all. It didn't slide quite as freely as it did on some of the smoother skillets, but the difference was pretty minor.
This skillet performs great, but I'm not a huge fan of the handle.

Field cast iron skillet

6 voices 38 claims 15 objections

1:00 supports Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
and i'm impressed with it really really nice skill skillet only about six pounds guys

handling tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites base and rim, handle, shape and form, weight

i will say when i dump the potatoes out that first day i'm gonna dump the shrimp creole out um not shrimp creole what they'll make shrimp a two-fade right um and the gravy from the pork chops and stuff i'm gonna dump the leftover out uh that did well because it's real thick
also this is kind of nitpicky but i've got an induction stove and both skillets that i have my other number 12 skillet same size bottom they fit on that burner that over there that i use my number 10 skillet on but with the other one since this sides flare out i've got to kind of duck under and look to see if it's…
i really like the handle the handle doesn't look that cool on youtube every video i saw that and even looking at it on the camera it doesn't look as cool as it is in real life it feels awesome i just love the way this handle feels maybe it's because i got big hands whatever i like the way this handle feels that handle…
0:00 supports Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
folks and your family will fight for this frying pan at your funeral

durability tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites acid resistance, durability, seasoning durability

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
1:30 supports Kent Rollins Chef
when I picked it up the very first time out of the box the thing that I liked about it was it was similar to the design of old authentic cast iron folks this is a pretty good lightweight skill it's sort of like the old stuff was made

appearance tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites appearance, surface finish, weight

getting on down the field I think the thing that really impressed me the most about it was the weight sure but they had such a good machine finish on there to it
0:00 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer
field stargazer two of the world's highest quality cast iron skillets

best in class tested it Field cast iron skillet vs Stargazer - How do I choose?

but if you're considering between something is as high quality as a field or stargazer i don't have one particular recommendation because they are both such high quality so it really depends on what you're looking for
4:31 supports Kent Rollins Chef was given the product
when we did our unboxing video they sent us an 8 I love the skillet I do

recommendation owns and uses it daily Field Company Cast Iron Skillet Follow Up Review

Kent Rollins was given the product. Stated in the source: “when we did our unboxing video they sent us an 8” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

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
1:00 supports Kent Rollins Chef was given the product
but when I run my hand across it it was the smooth finish

performance owns and uses it daily Field Company Cast Iron Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites non-stick surface, surface finish

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
1:00 supports Kent Rollins Chef was given the product
but also when I look down at it I've seen the thickness of the walls it reminded me so much of an old Griswold or an old piece of Wagner ware

durability owns and uses it daily Field Company Cast Iron Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites build quality, ease of cleaning, seasoning durability

the more you use it the better it is going to become to you the slicker it's going to get the better finish it has
now what I have found that really helps these new skillets a whole lot deep fry you something in for you enough grease in there that you can fry something I cook me some deep fried chili rellenos in them I'll deep fry some fishing deep fry some potatoes in it really works good on seasoning easy to clean up that away…
they finish quicker and smoother than any of that other iron I ever used unless you get back to the Griswold in the Wagner so many years ago
1:00 supports Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
and i'm impressed with it really really nice skill skillet only about six pounds guys

recommendation tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

so anyway the that's what i got to say about the field skillet i used it and if i didn't like it i would have quit using it i continued to use it all week it was a labor of love it wasn't tough it wasn't tough to decide hey i want to cook something else in this skillet
i'm i'm really satisfied with the skillet
anyway i think you would be too if you're in the market for a premium cast iron skillet my recommendation is go with field
0:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
it's incredibly lightweight at just 5.5 lb, and because the construction is thinner than most cast iron skillets, it heats up much faster.

performance tested it Field Company Review: Best Lightweight Cast Iron?

Cites heating speed, non-stick surface, stovetop compatibility

I tested it against Lodge, Calphalon, and Stargazer, and it was the fastest to boil water on both induction and electric cooktops.
It has a smooth polished cooking surface that provides excellent non-stick performance, especially for eggs.
3:31 supports Uncle Scott Beginners
It's [music] got three layers of grape seed seasoning on it. So, you can just give it a wash and just start cooking.

performance tested it Field Cast Iron Review: Egg Problems & Great Gratins

Cites heat retention, maintenance, non-stick surface, searing and crust

the field turned out some nice cornbread, no sticking and a nice crust.
this field cranked out an absolutely delicious [music] grten with no sticking on the potatoes.
Butter potatoes. Those brown up pretty nicely and they did not stick. That's a good thing.
But the field did okay here and I think it helped with the browning that both the potatoes and the okra, they get moved around a little bit.
I think you did an okay job with bacon. Just a little bit of pulling on there, but the um the card says uh bacon can actually stick a little bit early on. So, with that in mind, I think it did uh just fine. I started it out in a room temperature pan, brought it up to heat, some early [music] flips, and mostly…
Um I mentioned that the pan doesn't have as much thermal mass as maybe some other cast irons or carbon steels for that matter, but I am still getting a good sear and browning here.
And here, summoning every bit of egg sliding mojo that I could muster, [music] I got a moderately decent sliding egg. It released even did okay on the flip. You know, cast iron skillets are not really known for flipping eggs, so the side walls are too tall, etc., etc., but it's still released on that second side, and…
12:04 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
but these are all heirloom pieces that will last for generations to come

durability tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites durability

9:04 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer
i love using my field i like the weight of it i like how easy it is to grab i can i can work the pan really easily i find that i you know flip and work it really easily and a lot the stargazer is considerably heavier especially when it's full of food so i may flip it a little but i'm not working it nearly the same…

use-case fit owns and uses it daily Field cast iron skillet vs Stargazer - How do I choose?

Cites weight

6:33 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer
but like i said i've used the field tons with the handle helper and it's about that's hot it's lighter so easy to kind of move around i find that why use the pan a lot with the handle helper i'll actually like flip things with it with the handle helper i could easily do that with this without the handle helper

handling owns and uses it daily Field cast iron skillet vs Stargazer - How do I choose?

Cites weight

5:33 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer
so the field no difference could be the same pan

performance tested it Field cast iron skillet vs Stargazer - How do I choose?

Cites moisture retention, searing and crust

so in the first test onions to onions you know thoroughly cooked through good hot heat um you know really brown these onions up nicely there's lots of flavor developed really caramelize the brought out tons of the flavor of the onion still super juicy in the middle it's really held onto that moisture everything is in…
i found that the results in which i got out of the two pans were very similar i i the end cooking was was impossible to tell the difference
2:01 objects Uncle Scott Beginners
I think that lack of heaviness, lack of thermal mass, lack of metal, however you want to um describe that, uh for me anyway, I think it made the pan a little bit more difficult to cook in. It's difficult to get it heated evenly. I feel like um it's responsive, which is great for a uh copper skillet, for example. But…

performance tested it Field Cast Iron Review: Egg Problems & Great Gratins

Cites base and rim (against), even heating (against), heat retention (against), non-stick surface (against), size and capacity (against), surface finish (against)

And I think one of the reasons I've had so much trouble with eggs in that field is that um those grooves, they uh I think they have not filled in yet and um they're kind of gripping food a little bit when I try and slide it around.
There is [music] a very tiny uh ring around the bottom of the pan which makes it sit up just a little bit. It's barely even noticeable. The Brevel has a temperature sensor in the middle of the cooking surface there and it has to stick up and make contact [music] with the bottom of a pan. Um there's also a logo here in…
Uh, no matter what I tried, I was getting, um, different essentially different cooking zones. I couldn't get the pan heated very evenly and I would put an egg in and sometimes um, part of an egg would stick and part would slide and the egg would come apart. And I think that's because the pan is not heated evenly and…
This uh 10-in pan um I had to work in two batches.
It's [music] um too narrow to lay out strips of supermarket bacon, but it will hold four if you cut them in half.
Let's talk a little bit more about that uneven heating though here. Uh you can really see it with these grilled cheese sandwiches. Give them their first turn there. And you can definitely see where one half of the grilled cheese is toasted and the other uh the butter is melted, but there is no toasting on there. So,…
I've also made some breaded squash and zucchini. And I like these for testing pans because I can lay them out all around the pan. Then when I flip them, I can tell if they're hotter or cooler spots. You can definitely tell that um some of these zucchini are much browner than the others.
And it's just a little bit more uneven and a little bit more difficult to cook in this pan than some others I have reviewed.
And after doing a ton of work on the seasoning and doing a lot of cooking, circling back to eggs, and I got this. And I got to say, I have never seen that [laughter] fried egg before. It's almost like uh orbiting almost like a planet or something. I don't know if that counts as half of a fried egg. never had um a…
And finally, I got to where I found that, uh, just trying different temperatures, if I went really, really low, um, I could get an egg to release, and this is after three or four minutes of setting up very, very slowly. I could get an egg to kind of sort of release and it'll move around, but I still say that egg is…
1:00 supports Uncle Scott Beginners
It's really good at certain tasks such as hightemp sears, um, oven performance, grotens, cornbread.

use-case fit tested it Field Cast Iron Review: Egg Problems & Great Gratins

So people that have maneuverability issues, have trouble with the weight of cast iron, uh they're going to like the field.
I think if you are in the market for a lighter cast iron pan, you might really like the feel, especially if your cook top can get it heated evenly.
5:01 supports Kent Rollins Chef was given the product
it ain't no work to it this skillet pays dividends every day that I cook into it because number one we're getting to absorb iron number two Shannon and the beagles really happy because I didn't burn nothing

value owns and uses it daily Field Company Cast Iron Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites maintenance

1:00 supports Kent Rollins Chef was given the product
number one thing I liked about it when I pull it out of the box was the weight

handling owns and uses it daily Field Company Cast Iron Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites weight

open source supports Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
look at this skillet with the exception of the pour sprouts it looks like a skillet and it looks like it'd be right at home in a western movie without being period inaccurate

appearance tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! was given the product. Stated in the source: “i do want to thank field for sending it to me” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites appearance

but i appreciate the style of this it kind of fits my style um the other some of them are a little too cool for me you know a little too new little tube techno for me
9:04 objects Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
but when i was deep frying and i had my thermometer probe in there this little clip and i had to bend it and whatever but it still it doesn't fit on these thin little walls like it does on my enamel cast iron cookware or my other skillet and um for deep frying and it was kind of annoying it would come out and maybe i…

use-case fit tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites shape and form (against)

8:34 supports Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
but you've got these higher straighter sides more like a saute pan and that's a good thing when you're doing stuff like sauteing

use-case fit tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites shape and form

6:33 objects Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
there are a couple things i don't like um kind of iffy on the lack of pour spouts uh yeah you saw in our first video i'm trying to pour a red-eye gravy out of it and it dripped down it's a thin gravy

handling tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites base and rim (against), shape and form (against)

and the thinner things like the oil bacon grease i haven't cooked bacon in it yet by the way by the way this is a skillet review and i didn't cook any bacon everybody else does that i didn't cook bacon in the first one either right um but when i poured you know hamburger meat grease out of it that's what it was i…
the walls are kind of straight a lot more like a saute pan than a traditional skillet ah and i'm making that i made some the parmesan cheese things when i'm making the uh pancakes you gotta watch it kind of spatula you can't get your spatula in quite at the same angle you can with the skillet that has more flared…
6:33 objects Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors was given the product
now field company sent me this it's not something i probably would have bought uh i'm not in the market for bespoke i heard that word you know custom premium cast iron i didn't know what bespoke was i had to look it up right

value tested it Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

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” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites price (against)

i will say they are selling raw cast iron like at enameled cast iron prices

Smithey cast iron skillet

6 voices 17 claims 1 objection

6:32 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
what i want to point out with the smithy is that the lid actually doubles as a skillet or a griddle and that i think is really really cool so it not only is this a lid so if you're baking bread or any other recipe that you're making that actually needs a lid you've got one but if you want to make smash burgers which…

use-case fit tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites versatility

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 tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

11:34 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
but for us i actually really like the smithy and the reason for that not just the fact that it's really smooth but i love the extra weight to me it's not a big deal and that's the whole reason that we're cooking with cast iron is to get that thermal capacity and i also love the fact that the lid doubles as a griddle…

best in class tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites surface finish, versatility, weight

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 tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price (against)

12:04 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
but these are all heirloom pieces that will last for generations to come

durability tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites durability

9:02 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
similarly you can see on the back here they pay homage to that right with a stamp on the bottom of your skillet which is pretty cool i like that

appearance tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites appearance

it's not to say that these other skillets don't look nice they absolutely do i love the smithy you got some nice touches here with this bird imprint their logo right on the handle you've got nice little touch finishing touches up here beautiful stamps on the back of these so it's not that these skillets don't look…
2:31 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
you're gonna go across the smithy here same you don't feel any bumps at all

performance tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites heat retention, surface finish

now what you'd also expect is that the heavier panes would retain their heat better and that's exactly what happened if we look at the field in the finance they both lost between 180 to 185 degrees fahrenheit over a 15 minute period while the lodge in the smithy only lost 80 to 75 degrees fahrenheit

Finex cast iron skillet

6 voices 15 claims 1 objection

4:01 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
first i want to talk about the finex it has this beautiful coiled steel handle and the reason for that is this coil design not only does it look great

appearance tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites appearance, handle, shape and form

and you can actually see right here on the back of the pan they've got a really nice design that pays homage to that origin
now the next thing i want to compare is just the overall style or aesthetic of these skillets and the standout for me is going to be the finex there this octagonal shape i think looks really great i love the steel coiled handle it's just something really unique that sets that skillet apart from the others
6:02 supports Kent Rollins Chef
it is a great piece of cast iron to me really if you're sitting on the table full of something to eat and you want to make a statement and you set this out there that is a statement piece it is

appearance tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites appearance, handle

you want to make a statement this is the piece I mean a great different unique design that I've never seen on a piece of cast iron and the handle I mean it is the talking point of the kitchen but also the dining table because this thing is fancy enough to serve right out of it is
4:31 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
but it actually prevents this handle from warming up no matter how long we've cooked for using this skillet this handle won't get hot at all

handling tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites heat resistance, lid, shape and form

now going to the finex you might not see an obvious spout but because of this octagonal shape that they have to the pan you can actually use any of these edges as a pour spout and you won't get anything that drips out so that's a pretty cool feature there
so the finex comes with a lid you don't have to worry about fumbling around and finding a lid that will fit that shape
2:31 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
you rub your finger just along the base of the skillet there that is absolutely smooth just like glass

performance tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites heating speed, surface finish

not surprisingly because the field and the finex were actually the lightest pans they heated up the fastest and in that initial three or so minutes on the burner we actually got both of those up to around 320 to 325 degrees while the smithy and the lodge only heated up to 200 in the case of the smithy and 225 in the…
8:36 supports Luis J. Cookware Reviewer
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…

best in class owns and uses it daily Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet

Cites seasoning durability

0:30 supports Noah Klein Cooking YouTube
this is the finex 12-inch obviously and it's got a really good looking handle

appearance tested it $300 Cast Iron Skillet vs $20 (Finex vs Lodge)

Cites appearance, handle

so overall appearance i got to give it to the 5x for the win it's just a better looking skillet i mean it just looks beautiful not that this is a bad looking skillet but when it's next to this bad boy it's like miss america next to miss county or you know
12:04 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
but these are all heirloom pieces that will last for generations to come

durability tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites durability

2:03 supports Luis J. Cookware Reviewer
okay guys so now let's just talk about the cooking performance of this Skillet of the finex number 10 and I'm not disappointed because I've done a lot of things I've done gravies I've done um like uh searing a steak and then making a sauce with deglazing using wine beef stock or chicken stock you know and things like…

performance owns and uses it daily Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet

Cites acid resistance, heat retention, seasoning durability, versatility

you know yes the seasoning does take a hit but it bounces back right away and then it's back to its seasoned Glory even seasoning
but that's just pretty much the only downside to these Skillets they they cook beautifully they work beautifully they're heavy enough to retain a good amount of heat but they're not too heavy to the point that they're just over you know like overwhelmingly heavy
0:00 supports Woodwork Tattoo & Gallery
i gotta say opening the box i was so impressed with just how appealing it was and how heavy it was lifting and out like this is a legit murder weapon you could take down sand squash with it anyways uh you got to set this thing down nice and slow you can't be slamming it down it's got some grit to it but look at that…

appearance owns one FINEX 10" SKILLET: Best Birthday Present Ever

Cites appearance, handle, weight

Stargazer cast iron skillet

4 voices 21 claims 3 objections

4:32 supports I Heart RVing was given the product
let's take a look at the harom meter also called The Homer at certain Swanky steakhouses that cook their RI eyes in at least a full stick ofat butter it's showing 4.9 Stars oh that's a great rating

recommendation tested it I♥RVing Gear Review: Stargazer 12” Cast Iron Skillet

I Heart RVing was given the product. Stated in the source: “thanks to Stargazer for sending the 12-in skillet to put through a Year's worth of incredible cooking while building this review” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

2:31 supports Kent Rollins Chef
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…

handling tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

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
5:03 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer
perfectly cooked okay everything is juicy in the middle there's no hard crusty bits even the smaller pieces here haven't been overcooked so now perfectly cooked in the stargazer absolutely amazing

performance tested it Field cast iron skillet vs Stargazer - How do I choose?

Cites even heating, moisture retention, searing and crust

so in the first test onions to onions you know thoroughly cooked through good hot heat um you know really brown these onions up nicely there's lots of flavor developed really caramelize the brought out tons of the flavor of the onion still super juicy in the middle it's really held onto that moisture everything is in…
i found that the results in which i got out of the two pans were very similar i i the end cooking was was impossible to tell the difference
but what i found is that pretty much everything else that i was doing i was leaning towards a stargazer i was finding that the evenness of the heavier weight gave me even a more consistent finish and it slowed the process down even more so i could you know steam the lid on bring the heat way down and just let things…
3:32 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer
the field handle is too hot to touch comfortably like i can grab it for a sec where the stargazer handle is great i can use it

handling tested it Field cast iron skillet vs Stargazer - How do I choose?

Cites handle, shape and form

they have a cooling of design here so the way in which this small amount of material comes up to the handle it stops the amount of thermal transfer up into handle you'll see this a lot of time in stainless steel and that works great so that is probably yeah that's kind of hot to touch but you know if i had a cloth i…
i've also found that the usability was tremendous so you'll see that the edges here are really rounded they're edges in um the bottom edge and also the top edge so the splay of the pan is absolutely brilliantly designed
i really enjoyed using the handle helper and i found that the stay cool handle was brilliant and i was never dealing even open flame i use this an open flame outside all the time i wasn't dealing with a hot handle ever i never needed to use a cloth to grab that handle
0:00 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer
field stargazer two of the world's highest quality cast iron skillets

best in class tested it Field cast iron skillet vs Stargazer - How do I choose?

but if you're considering between something is as high quality as a field or stargazer i don't have one particular recommendation because they are both such high quality so it really depends on what you're looking for
0:36 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
Overall, it cooks as well or better than any cast iron I've tested.

best in class tested it Stargazer Cast Iron Review: Is This $145 Skillet Better Than a $30 Lodge?

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.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

1:00 supports I Heart RVing was given the product
the Stargazer 12-in Skillet is crafted to be incredibly nonstick in real world scenarios by which I mean eggs and some veggies that's proven to be true so much so that eggs have been sliding away from me when I try to flip them in other Skillets I've had to do that scrape but don't break the yolk deal to try to get an…

performance tested it I♥RVing Gear Review: Stargazer 12” Cast Iron Skillet

I Heart RVing was given the product. Stated in the source: “thanks to Stargazer for sending the 12-in skillet to put through a Year's worth of incredible cooking while building this review” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites build quality, even heating, non-stick surface, surface finish

how about sautéing spinach onions and mushrooms the onions and mushrooms Glide across the surface like a figure skater not awkwardly some would say dangerously like me on figure skates but a real figure skater
if you look at the bottom of the skillet the surface is completely flat there's no heat ring like some Skillets have it's just perfectly flat that means it gets truly even heat across the entire Pan
for surface finishing the products are shipped to Stargazer HQ in Allentown Pennsylvania where Craftsman use hand tools that's right they do it by hand to grind and smooth the surface the two-step surface finish makes for the incredibly smooth microtextured surface that Stargazer is famous for
5:01 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Unlike the Lodge and Victoria skillets, the cooking surface is smooth and because of that, it performed extremely well in the egg test. The egg released immediately and slid around the pan without any help from the spatula.

performance tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites base and rim, heating speed, non-stick surface

The flared rim also poured cleanly.
It was one of the fastest skillets to heat, but there was a large difference between the center and the edge after 2 minutes, and heat retention was middle of the pack.
3:01 supports Kent Rollins Chef
one other thing that I really liked about it from the start when I first seen it was the depth that it had I think this thing right here you could put a lot of gravy in there folks and that'd be some fine dining

performance tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites seasoning durability, shape and form, size and capacity

you can pour out of it without it running down the side of your Skillet all the time
it accepted seasoning fairly well in the beginning it did
so all in all the skillet performed well and it's seasoned well
2:37 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
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.

value tested it Stargazer Cast Iron Review: Is This $145 Skillet Better Than a $30 Lodge?

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.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites price (against)

but you pay a premium for it
0:36 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
It's an ideal skillet for searing and roasting meats because the temperature doesn't fluctuate as you add ingredients; it stays hot and it cooks evenly.

use-case fit tested it Stargazer Cast Iron Review: Is This $145 Skillet Better Than a $30 Lodge?

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.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites even heating, heat retention

0:06 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
First and foremost, the performance of this skillet is excellent. I've used it to cook steak, chicken, fish, and several other meals, and every time the food comes out great.

performance tested it Stargazer Cast Iron Review: Is This $145 Skillet Better Than a $30 Lodge?

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.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites ease of cleaning, even heating, heat retention, induction compatible, non-stick surface, searing and crust, surface finish

The skin on the chicken gets golden and crispy, salmon gets an even sear, and steak gets nice and charred.
But once it's hot, it retains heat really well.
If you compare Stargazer next to other brands you'll notice that the Stargazer cooking surface is significantly smoother. This is due to their proprietary two-step treatment that smoothes out the surface while creating enough texture for the seasoning to stick to.
Because of this foods like eggs and pancakes are much less likely to stick and it's easier to clean.
There are a few things I like about the bottom. First, there's no heat ring like you'll find on some cast iron skillets. It sits completely flat which helps it heat evenly on electric and induction cooktops.
5:02 supports I Heart RVing was given the product
the size and weight are intentional design elements that make for great convenient cooking

use-case fit tested it I♥RVing Gear Review: Stargazer 12” Cast Iron Skillet

I Heart RVing was given the product. Stated in the source: “thanks to Stargazer for sending the 12-in skillet to put through a Year's worth of incredible cooking while building this review” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites weight

the Stargazer 12-in Skillet takes camp cooking from something you have to do to something you look forward to doing whether it's breakfast on a cool morning by a lake or a gourmet steak dinner by a campfire
2:01 supports I Heart RVing was given the product
the handle is not only comfortable it dissipates heat really well the two-prong connector to the pan makes for a lot of open air around what on other Skillets is a thick connection that transfers heat to the handle the curv shape is not only comfortable for holding it gives more surface area to dissipate heat in the…

handling tested it I♥RVing Gear Review: Stargazer 12” Cast Iron Skillet

I Heart RVing was given the product. Stated in the source: “thanks to Stargazer for sending the 12-in skillet to put through a Year's worth of incredible cooking while building this review” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites handle, heat resistance, shape and form

the beveled Rim instead of having a specific spout for pouring you can use whatever angle is most comfortable for the task at hand and pour easily without creating a mess
0:00 supports I Heart RVing was given the product
it's expensive after a year of putting the thing through all sorts of camp cooking I can tell you it is so worth it

value tested it I♥RVing Gear Review: Stargazer 12” Cast Iron Skillet

I Heart RVing was given the product. Stated in the source: “thanks to Stargazer for sending the 12-in skillet to put through a Year's worth of incredible cooking while building this review” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Owned 12 months

Cites price

Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven

1 voice 5 claims no objections from Cooking YouTube

0:35 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this
I'm going to give this guy a 90% thumbs up on the pro side.

recommendation tested it NEW: Lodge USA Enamel Review with cooking & Staub/Le Creuset comparison!

Uncle Scott earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “USK currently has affiliate links and/or influencer links with Amazon, Falk, De Buyer, Thermoworks, Breville, Lodge, Smithey and others.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites appearance, country of manufacture

But I am glad I have one of them in my Battery Deuisine now. They crank out a ton of delicious food. I think they have a nice look and design. They're made in America.
Um, I really like mine. I'm giving it a 90% thumbs up.
1:05 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this
This lodge is pushing 15 pounds. Holy cow, that is a sturdy piece of cookware.

handling tested it NEW: Lodge USA Enamel Review with cooking & Staub/Le Creuset comparison!

Uncle Scott earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “USK currently has affiliate links and/or influencer links with Amazon, Falk, De Buyer, Thermoworks, Breville, Lodge, Smithey and others.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites weight

0:35 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this
First is realworld cooking performance. It has turned out a ton of delicious food and that is the most important factor.

performance tested it NEW: Lodge USA Enamel Review with cooking & Staub/Le Creuset comparison!

Uncle Scott earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “USK currently has affiliate links and/or influencer links with Amazon, Falk, De Buyer, Thermoworks, Breville, Lodge, Smithey and others.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites heat retention

it is nice to see the Lodge USA made Dutch oven competing nicely with the stove and I think this beef bergen was equally delicious in both.
the oil temperature only dropped down to about 342. So that is not much of a drop in temperature at all. And then of course it rebounded on up.
So there's a lot of heat trapped in that thermal mass of a lodge and I think it did a great job.
It's winter time in Utah at the moment and I've been using these lodges to crank out some shephardd's pies and they've turned out fantastically.
11:35 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this
What I like here is that with this six quart size, I can lay out the dry spaghetti completely and submerge it before it turns soft.

use-case fit owns one NEW: Lodge USA Enamel Review with cooking & Staub/Le Creuset comparison!

Uncle Scott earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “USK currently has affiliate links and/or influencer links with Amazon, Falk, De Buyer, Thermoworks, Breville, Lodge, Smithey and others.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites browning visibility, size and capacity, versatility

So, boiling, browning, stove top, deep frying, um making sauces, going from stove top to the oven. I think the Lodge has done a fantastic job with cooking and has turned out a ton of delicious food.
Next to a Luset, you can really see how light the interior color of the lodge is. Now, this is great for seeing food as it cooks.
1:35 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this
I think it's a good-looking piece of cookwware. It's got some design elements. We'll get to that here in a minute. And it's made in the USA.

appearance tested it NEW: Lodge USA Enamel Review with cooking & Staub/Le Creuset comparison!

Uncle Scott earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “USK currently has affiliate links and/or influencer links with Amazon, Falk, De Buyer, Thermoworks, Breville, Lodge, Smithey and others.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites appearance, country of manufacture, shape and form

I think it is kind of distinctive though. And that design, it's actually raised. I don't know if that comes through on camera. And then you can feel the uh the opposite of it on the inside of the pan. So that's kind of neat.

Marquette cast iron skillet

1 voice 4 claims no objections from Cooking YouTube

6:02 supports Kent Rollins Chef
My overall pick for just best in design is I'm gonna have to go with the Marquette just because of the way it feels in my hand and the way that I know it performs and the two poor spouts

best in class tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites ergonomics, handle, seasoning durability, shape and form, surface finish

if we had to pick a winner on a handle that was most comfortable to your hand it would be the Marquette
next we're going to go to Marquette this review not long ago to me this was the smoothest Skillet coming to me of anyone that I got out of the bunch
so my overall winner for seasoning is eeny meeny miny mo is going to be the Marquette because to me it had the smoothest glossiest finish when I got it and accepted seasoning the easiest
4:31 supports Kent Rollins Chef
when I first picked this up right out of the box I'm thinking feels like a Wagner or a Griswold into me just the way it sort of felt it's got a light weight to it and look here right off the bat two poor spouts now I really do like that I do

appearance tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites appearance, shape and form, surface finish, weight

we get down to the Marquette to me the thing that really just stood out most of all to me what is the closest resemblance to the old cast iron I'm talking Griswolds and Wagner's to me it was the closest design to it and had this finish that was just like they used to have on them

Lancaster cast iron skillet

1 voice 3 claims 1 objection

Calphalon cast iron skillet

1 voice 3 claims 3 objections

Tramontina cast iron skillet

1 voice 2 claims 1 objection

0:30 supports Approved By Elle earns commission on this
and this one is very high quality. So, if you need a cast iron skillet, this one is a great choice.

recommendation owns one Enameled Cast Iron Skillet Review | Tramontina Bestow 12-Inch Pan #amazonfinds #castironcooking

Approved By Elle earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites build quality

0:00 objects Approved By Elle earns commission on this
It's also super heavy because it is real cast iron. I can barely lift it with one hand. And even two hands, I'm still putting in a good bit of effort.

handling owns one Enameled Cast Iron Skillet Review | Tramontina Bestow 12-Inch Pan #amazonfinds #castironcooking

Approved By Elle earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites weight (against)

Le Creuset enameled cast iron skillet

1 voice 2 claims 1 objection

Finex cast iron pan

1 voice 2 claims no objections from Cooking YouTube

8:07 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube
so for serving mistake if we want to dry these steaks into the cast-iron pan just like that drop in the rosemary the garlic so you can see presentation-wise lay your dinner out in the cast-iron pan serve it on the table like this that's gonna be absolutely beautiful your guests will love it so just look at that who…

use-case fit tested it Steak Experiments - Lodge vs Finex Cast Iron Pan

Cites appearance

7:07 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube
now it's a beautiful steak you've got the rosemary and the garlic flavor and that rich buttery Ness from the clarified butter even though you clarify it you still get that rich beautiful flavor that was really textbook I'm really really pleased with the outcome here and no complaints at all

performance tested it Steak Experiments - Lodge vs Finex Cast Iron Pan

Cites ease of cleaning, searing and crust

now we just ate our steaks we're doing cleanup here look at how much cleaner the fine axe is after just wiping it down with a quick paper towel so that's one benefit that we didn't realize until this stage so that's pretty big plus if you ask me

Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

1 voice 1 claim no objections from Cooking YouTube

0:30 supports Liz Cookware Reviewer
the lodge 6q enameled cast iron Dutch oven is a versatile and durable piece of cookware known for its ability to retain and distribute heat evenly

performance tested it Amazon Basics vs Lodge vs Staub vs Le Creuset Dutch Ovens

Cites even heating, non-stick surface, ease of cleaning, even heating, heat retention

all four ovens scored a perfect 10 out of 10 for heat retention and evenness of cooking
the L cruset Lodge and stove have a non-stick enamel finish over the interior and exterior of the pots Amazon does not have enamel but instead is pre-seasoned lay cruset and Lodge each scored Perfect 10 out of 10 however we did notice some veggies sticking to the bottom of both the stove and Amazon dutch ovens while…
while the lodge was a pretty quick cleanup there was some Browning we noticed from the oven that didn't come out when cleaning taking it down to a 7 out of 10

Viking enameled cast iron skillet

1 voice 1 claim no objections from Cooking YouTube

Griswold cast iron skillet

1 voice 1 claim no objections from Cooking YouTube

Victoria Signature Series

1 voice 1 claim 1 objection

What do Cooking YouTube say about cast iron skillets in general?

Not a recommendation for a specific product — technique, materials and what to look for in cast iron skillets. Citable on its own terms.

8:33 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
First, a broad cooking surface. We preferred pans that offered at least 10 inches of flat cooking surface.

recommendation tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites handle, shape and form, size and capacity

That extra height is really necessary for containing hot oil and food, such as when frying donuts and shallow frying chicken.
but we preferred those with wide broad loops that we could really hang onto, especially when wearing oven mitts
Generally though, we recommend buying a 12 inch skillet if you can. It's always good to have the option of a bigger pan for recipes of different sizes
3:01 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
Artisan makers often cast their to have thinner sides, but a thicker bottom which cuts down on the total weight of the pan, but keeps that heat retention capability.

performance tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites heat retention, non-stick surface, surface finish, weight

Most artisan makers will also take the time to hand polish their pan surface, which makes it naturally non-stick much faster than a mass produced pan.
2:01 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
Generally being a single piece of metal also makes these skillets very sturdy.

durability tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites build quality, coating, durability, ease of cleaning, maintenance, rust resistance

These cast iron pans start out like traditional cast iron, but then they're coated in a glass like vitreous glaze that seals the pan from air and moisture that could cause rust
their enamel coating makes enamel cast iron pans virtually maintenance free. You never have to season them and you can soak, use soap and scrub as much as you'd like.
Okay, that is my buying guide for these wonderful lifetime pans.
0:30 supports Valerie Li Stack Cookware Reviewer
And with plenty of views in the right care, their surface becomes naturally non-stick.

performance tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites non-stick surface, seasoning durability

As Hannah said, an important feature of cast iron skillets is its natural non-stick ability.
Repeated exposure to smoking hot oil continues to build on this coating, making it more slippery and durable. That's why even though most skillets these days come with a factory seasoning, the surface will become even more non-stick with repeated use.
0:30 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
In terms of cooking, there's very little these pans can't do.

performance tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites even heating, heat conduction, heat retention, searing and crust, versatility

Its superpower is that it can retain and conduct plenty of heat for deep browning of food.
like regular cast iron, these pans have excellent heat retention, so they'll sear, fry and braise well maintaining the heat you want without undesirable temperature dips as food is added or flipped
Though all of these are gonna sear a great steak.
A thick heavy pan has the mass and density to hold more heat than a thinner pan does, and once preheated will cook more evenly than a thinner and lighter pan
0:00 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
Cast iron skillets are one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can buy since they work on the stove top in the oven, even on the grill.

use-case fit tested it Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads

Cites acid resistance, induction compatible, maintenance, oven safe, stovetop compatibility, versatility

Best of all, you can cook almost anything, even acidic foods that need to be simmered for a long time like a tomato sauce because the enamel seals the cast iron making the pan rust proof and non-reactive.
While both regular and enameled cast iron pans are induction compatible, the smoother enameled bottoms can be a little gentler on glass cooktops
Enameled is for the person that never wants to think about seasoning their pan. Enamel doesn't need it.
0:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Most cast iron skillets today come pre-seasoned so you can start cooking right away

performance You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites acid resistance, ease of cleaning, even heating, heat retention, maintenance, non-stick surface, rust resistance, seasoning durability

When you do need to season it, all you have to do is clean it, dry it, rub it with a thin layer of oil, and bake it in the oven. Although the baking portion takes an hour or so, the actual work you need to do takes less than 5 minutes. It’s not a big deal and it’s not difficult
But the reality is that seasoning isn't just oil; it's polymerized oil that's been bonded to the cast iron. It's hard and tough and as long as the dish soap doesn't contain lye or sodium hydroxide, a few drops won't hurt
I always recommend using a chainmail to clean cast iron, but if you cooked an especially messy meal and chainmail is not doing the trick, mild dish soap is okay
As you can see, the soap didn’t impact the seasoning at all
Cast iron develops non-stick properties over time with proper seasoning, but it's not totally non-stick like a Teflon-coated pan
But flavoring food with a small amount of acidic ingredients, such as a splash of wine, vinegar, or lemon juice, won't cause any issues
If you're not cooking highly acidic foods for a long time, like over 30 minutes, the seasoning should be fine
To prove this point, I squeezed a whole lemon into this cast iron pan and let it simmer for about 4 minutes. After removing the lemon juice and wiping the skillet, you can see that the seasoning wasn't affected at all
One of the reasons I love cast iron is that it retains heat exceptionally well
Once it's fully preheated, it retains heat well, so your food will cook evenly
That may be true, but in my experience, this step is completely unnecessary. If the skillet is well-seasoned and you dry it thoroughly, it shouldn’t rust, and you don't need to oil it after each use
0:00 supports
And because they retain heat so incredibly well, they're even better than traditional stainless steel skillets when it comes to browning and searing food or shallow frying.

performance tested it Equipment Review: The Best Traditional & Enameled Cast-Iron Skillets / Pans & Our Testing Winners

Cites even heating, heat retention, non-stick surface

They also gradually get a slick surface patina that releases food easily.
In fact, a well seasoned cast iron skillet can rival and certainly outlast any non-stick pan.
Now, as for the enameled pans, we saw that in recipes that required plenty of fat, like steaks or fried chicken cutlets, enameled pans all released foods well and delivered good browning.
When we made cornbread and flipped over the pans, all the traditional skillets instantly turned out perfectly brown, crisprusted cornbread, but four of the six enamelled models stuck to the cornbread and tore out a chunk of the bottom crust.
Both are going to give you great heat retention and browning.
1:00 objects Adam Cookware Reviewer
But you know, in our test, testers found that actually it didn't sear or brown food quite as evenly. It ran a little bit hot because it was a little bit lighter, and simple formula, less mass, less heat retention, less even browning.

performance tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites even heating (against), heat retention (against), weight

13:06 supports Big Lew BBQ & Other Things I Want to Do! Collectors
um i do have an eight that dates to the roosevelt administration that i use a lot one that dates to the other roosevelt administration that i use a lot actually predates that one and uh it's got a gate mark on the bottom

durability owns and uses it daily Field Company No. 10 Skillet Follow Up Review

Cites durability

3:38 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
In my experience, cast iron works perfectly fine on electric glass cooktops. I know this because I've cooked hundreds of meals in cast iron on my electric cooktop without any issues

use-case fit owns and uses it daily You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites heat retention, seasoning durability, stovetop compatibility

Also, I've never experienced problems with the cookware radiating excessive heat back onto the cooktop, nor have I heard of this being a common issue from others
Bacon cooks really well in cast iron skillets, and cooking fatty meats like bacon can contribute to the seasoning process
2:08 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Cast iron develops non-stick properties over time with proper seasoning, but it's not totally non-stick like a Teflon-coated pan

performance You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites acid resistance (against), even heating (against), heat conduction (against), heating speed (against), non-stick surface (against)

But a well-seasoned cast iron pan still needs to be greased. And even when it is greased, eggs can sometimes stick if the temperature of the pan isn’t right
For example, simmering tomato sauce or braising short ribs in red wine for extended periods will damage the seasoning and make your food taste like metal
But when people say it heats evenly, they're wrong. The truth is that iron is a terrible heat conductor. Because it has a much lower thermal conductivity than other cookware materials like aluminum and copper, it doesn't heat as fast or evenly
But it takes a while to get there, and as it heats up, the middle of the pan closest to the heat source will be significantly hotter than the sides
0:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Although cast iron without seasoning will rust, the seasoning process is easy and you don't need to do it often

durability You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites durability (against), rust resistance (against)

However, cast iron is actually brittle. It contains about 98% iron and 2% carbon. The carbon adds hardness but also makes the material more brittle
Unlike other metals like aluminum and steel, cast iron isn't ductile, which means it will break before it bends
If you drop a cast iron skillet or subject it to extreme pressure, especially against a hard or pointed surface, it can crack and break
3:01 supports
Traditional pans all became slicker every time we used them, but the enamelled pans stayed the same and a few even release slightly less well by the end of testing.

performance tested it Equipment Review: The Best Traditional & Enameled Cast-Iron Skillets / Pans & Our Testing Winners

Cites even heating, heat retention, non-stick surface

Both are going to give you great heat retention and browning.
But you keep in mind that an enamel pan isn't ever going to match a well seasoned traditional cast iron pan for releasing food.
5:31 mixed Lisa Cookware Reviewer
Cast iron, that is a very heat-retaining material. Once we preheated the pan, we dropped that burger, it stayed pretty steady and it got quite hot. We got a deep brown crust almost to the verge of being almost burned, which is, I kinda like it that way, but not everybody does. By the time we were really ready to take…

performance tested it Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites flavour impact, heat control (against), heat retention, non-stick surface (against)

The stainless steel pan, as is their want, left some fond. It stuck a little bit. There was a brown spot where the burger had cooked, and that's great if you're gonna make a pan sauce or whatever. It's not a non-stick pan. It has none of the traits of non-stick the way cast iron or very well-seasoned carbon steel have.
1:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Unless you plan to use your Dutch oven over a campfire, get one that's enameled.

recommendation 10 Dutch Oven Buying Mistakes to Avoid

Cites browning visibility

Although I appreciate that a dark interior makes discoloration less noticeable, it's more important to be able to monitor your food's progress. So, if all else is equal, I prefer Dutch ovens with a light interior.

How do cast iron skillets score among Cooking YouTube?

Computed only from claims about cast iron skillets by people we have grounds to call Cooking YouTube, so the axes answer “according to Cooking YouTube” rather than “according to everyone”.

Domain authority

1 recommender, weighted by demonstrated expertise in cast iron skillets. Weighted by expertise in this category, never by audience size.

0.06

Independent consensus

1 independent voice across 1 source. How many independent voices converge, unweighted.

0.04

Long-term ownership

no dated ownership reports yet. Volume and length of dated first-hand ownership reports.

—

Performance

1 performance claim. Claims about how well it does the job.

0.04

Value

no value claims yet. Claims about what it costs relative to what it does.

—

Repairability

no repairability claims yet. Claims about whether it can be maintained or rebuilt.

—

Community breadth

all evidence from a single community so far. How many distinct communities converge, rather than one echo chamber.

0.00

Recency of evidence

most recent evidence from 2024. How recent the evidence is. Old evidence is not wrong, just older.

0.54

Objections raised

3 negative claims, mostly ergonomics and aesthetics. Weight of negative claims. High is not bad — it is well-documented.

0.19

These are separate measurements, not components of a score. They are never added together, and there is no overall rating — which of them matters depends on what you are buying the thing for. A dash means no evidence on that axis yet, not a low result.