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Cookware: where beginners and home cooks agree

Only the cookware that beginners and home cooks have independently backed. A product one group praises and the other has never mentioned does not appear here.

9 people we have grounds to call beginners and home cooks make 117 quoted claims about cookware across 27 sources. Membership of each group is recorded per person with its own evidence, and authority is scoped to cookware rather than to fame.

Which cookware do both beginners and home cooks recommend?

Endorsements and objections about cookware from beginners and home cooks, together, strongest evidence first.

Lodge cast iron skillet

4 voices 14 claims 3 objections

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

value tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

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.” 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, price

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.
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.

Le Creuset dutch oven

3 voices 10 claims 1 objection

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Now, as far as the enamel, I think all of these Dutch ovens are goodlooking.

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

Uncle Scott 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 appearance, surface finish

The stoves and the L Crusades may be a scoch smoother, and I can't tell if that's actually true or if that's just what I expect. And um it's reinforcing my expectations.
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Along with Misen, Le Creuset handles have the widest openings.

handling tested it Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More

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.” 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, handle, heat resistance, lid, weight

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.
I love Le Creuset's color options, lightweight design, and large handles.
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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 relaying someone else 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.
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 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.
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you get the same flawless enamel quality as Staub but over 20 color options and a beautiful two-toned gradient that the brand has become known for

appearance tested it Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More

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.” 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, coating

a beautiful two-toned gradient that the brand has become known for

Field cast iron skillet

2 voices 21 claims 9 objections

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…
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…
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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.
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Now, on the upside here, blasting that pan up to 400°, that could have easily, if that had been a wide um carbon steel pan, some uh cast irons that easily could have warped or damaged the pan. But thankfully, the field um it took that blasting and remained flat. So, that's a good thing.

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

Cites seasoning durability, warp resistance

cooking red meat in a pan at high temperatures on a gas cooktop really does add some color to a piece of cookware, whether you're cast iron or carbon steel. And I think this was very good for the seasoning on this field.
Um, 0 to 10 cooks, 60%. So, lots of people are having better luck with the field um than I have had so [music] far.
7:03 objects Uncle Scott Beginners
Now, it's a high-end pan. Uh list for about 165. I got mine 20% off on a sale, so they do go on sale from time to time, but a fairly expensive pan.

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

Cites price (against)

Not quite as much as a smiddy, but definitely five or six times more than a comparable lodge.
But it's not going to change the fact that um I've had a little bit of difficulty with this with this guy and it's not worked as well as some lowerric cookware right out of the box. So, there's still a um problem with the value proposition there.
2:31 mixed Uncle Scott Beginners
I can get eggs to slide and release. Now, thank goodness the um the seasoning is developing and coming in, but I have yet to cook a single egg that I would really really love to eat in this guy.

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

Cites heating speed (against), non-stick surface, searing and crust

And holy cow, this thing is cooking very quickly, setting up very quickly. It's slid, but this is kind of one of those brown uh what I call internet eggs. [music] It slid, but it is kind of like shoe leather, and they wouldn't actually want to eat this egg.
Uh, normally I flip my steaks at two minutes when I do a hightemp sear on the stove top. So, I checked it at 2 minutes and actually I thought it could use a little bit more time. So, I put it back on that first side and gave it another minute. So, at 3 minutes I turned it and um, very nice browning and sear on there.…
And I'm going to say here that I can get an egg to slide now. The field, I mean, it's definitely come in. You can see the difference. It's darker and it's gotten better. But I am still waiting. I have yet to cook a truly delicious uh perfect fried egg in this guy after a month and a half of heavy seasoning and usage.
2:31 objects Uncle Scott Beginners
I also am having a little trouble getting the seasoning to develop and come in, or what they call the break-in period. At a month and a half in, I am still having trouble getting non-stick eggs.

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

Owned 2 months

Cites maintenance (against), seasoning durability (against)

I have reseasoned this pan multiple multiple times. I have seasoned it with Crisco, with grape seed oil, with peanut oil. I have seasoned it in the oven. I have done carbon steel type seasonings on a stove top, getting the pan smoking there.
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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.

Staub dutch oven

2 voices 15 claims 1 objection

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I got to say, I like the rim around the stove. I like the um the distinctive look to it.

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

Uncle Scott 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 lid, shape and form

That stove also has the baking spike basting spikes under its lid. And as I've shown in a different uh video, those basting spikes actually do work.
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Comparing lids, I think the stove has the best lid of the bunch.

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

Uncle Scott 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 lid

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Now, as far as the enamel, I think all of these Dutch ovens are goodlooking.

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

Uncle Scott 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 appearance, appearance, surface finish

The stoves and the L Crusades may be a scoch smoother, and I can't tell if that's actually true or if that's just what I expect. And um it's reinforcing my expectations.
The stove of course has a darker interior. It will not show stains, but they may be there even if you can't see them.
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I also appreciate the flat lid design, which lets you rest a spoon on top or add ice to make the lid cold and quickly turn steam back into liquid before it can escape.

use-case fit tested it Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More

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.” 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 availability, lid

Staub offers 10 different sizes and 15 colors - only one other brand, which I'll talk about next, offers more colors.
Staub's flat self-basting lid is fantastic
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The enamel finish is flawless, and the whole pot has a truly high-end look and feel, as it should at this price point.

appearance tested it Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More

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.” 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, coating

The enamel finish is flawless, and the whole pot has a truly high-end look and feel, as it should at this price point.
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with Staub, the construction quality is outstanding

reliability tested it Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More

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.” 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

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In my controlled experiments, Staub had the best heat retention score of all brands

performance tested it Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More

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.” 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, moisture retention

the flat lid and self-basting dimples resulted in excellent moisture distribution
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While this is a significant investment, both brands perform exceptionally well and can last for decades.

performance tested it I Tested the World's Most Expensive Cookware (Which Brands Are Worth It?)

Cites heat control, heat retention, lid, moisture retention

Their heavy lids lock in moisture, and the thick walls retain heat and maintain steady temperatures.
However, my testing shows that Staub retains moisture better, and its self-basting lid distributes liquid more evenly over the pot.
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stobe's lid knobs are made out of steel with nickel or brass exterior they are oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and get extremely hot whether you're cooking on the stove or in the oven

performance tested it Does Staub Outperform Le Creuset? My Tests Reveal the Truth

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” 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, heat retention, lid, moisture retention

stove Lids have small bumps that capture evaporated liquid and drip it evenly across the center of the pot luxurusa lids are smooth
not only did the stove lid distribute the water droplets more evenly but the lid also captured significantly more water
these results confirm that the design of stove Lids traps and distributes moisture better than Le Creuset so yes the bumps on the lid really do make a difference
stove retained 56 ounces and Le Creuset retained only 52 ounces although both dutch ovens retained most of the moisture stove is superior to Le Creuset in this category
but there's a lot to like about stove dutch ovens too they're thicker and heavier which allows them to retain heat and moisture better
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So, if you’re looking for a thoughtfully designed, high-performing Dutch oven for soups, stews, braises, and other slow-cooked meals, Staub is one of the best brands.

best in class tested it Staub Dutch Oven Review: Is It Better Than Le Creuset? (Test Results)

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.” 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

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So should you buy a Staub Dutch oven? Is it worth the high price? In my opinion, yes. As my testing proved, its thick walls and tight fitting lid retains heat better than the competition, and its self-basting lid distributes moisture back over the pot much more evenly than a domed lid with no bumps.

recommendation tested it Staub Dutch Oven Review: Is It Better Than Le Creuset? (Test Results)

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.” 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, moisture retention

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One of my favorite features is their flat lid. Since the lid isn’t sloped like most Dutch ovens, you can place ice on top without it sliding off. When the hot steam from inside the pot makes contact with the cold surface of the lid, it quickly condenses back into liquid, dripping back into the pot. This design ensures…

performance tested it Staub Dutch Oven Review: Is It Better Than Le Creuset? (Test Results)

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Cites build quality, heat retention, lid, moisture retention

Staub Dutch ovens are thicker and heavier than most. The 5.5-quart Dutch oven has 4 mm walls and weighs 12.8 pounds. For comparison, the Le Creuset 5.5-quart Dutch oven has 3.6 mm walls and weighs 11.5 pounds. The added thickness and weight allow these pots to retain heat exceptionally well.
I brought 32 ounces of water to a boil then removed the pot from the heat and let it cool on the counter. After ten minutes, the water was 136°F. And after 20 minutes, the water was 111°F. I repeated this test with Tramontina, Lodge, Le Creuset, and Great Jones Dutch ovens and, as you can see, Staub retains heat…
When I lifted the lids, the paper towel under the Staub lid was dotted with water droplets, evenly spread out. The paper towel under the Le Creuset lid had fewer droplets, and they weren't as evenly distributed. This simple test proved that the small dimples on the Staub lid do, in fact, work.
When I finally lifted the lid and measured the remaining water, Staub retained almost the full 32 ounces. I ran the same test with Lodge, Tramontina, Le Creuset, and Great Jones and Staub outperformed them all.
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they have the smallest overall depth and length of all Dutch ovens I tested

handling tested it Best Dutch Oven? I Tested Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge & More

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.” 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 (against), heat resistance (against)

the knob diameter is also the smallest in the group
One downside is that the lid knob got extremely hot during testing, with the second-highest temperature of all brands.

All-Clad stainless pan

2 voices 11 claims 2 objections

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For most people, D3 is the best option. It's less expensive, heats up faster, and has that traditional shiny appearance.

best in class tested it All-Clad D3 vs. D5: Six Key Differences and How to Choose

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And since copper has a much higher thermal conductivity than aluminum and steel, this cookware heats up and responds to temperature changes more quickly.

performance tested it Don't Buy All-Clad Until You Watch This (Test Results)

Cites heat control, heating speed

I tested All-Clad Copper Core against the start-up brand Goldilocks, and the chicken browned much faster in the All-Clad pan due to the fast-heating copper.
Copper Core and G5 pans pans react incredibly fast to temperature changes.
For context, Copper Core and G5 pans boiled two cups of water about 20% faster than D3, HA1, and D5 pans in my standard heat conduction test.

Smithey cast iron skillet

2 voices 8 claims no objections from beginners and home cooks

What do beginners and home cooks say about cookware in general?

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

2:36 objects Uncle Scott Beginners
if you have an electric flattop stove it makes it more difficult to get your pan seasoned now i season my pan regularly when our gas stove top if you're cooking on a gas stove top the flame hits the bottom moves outward enough around the sides of the pan so you get a good even distribution of heat all over the pan…

use-case fit owns and uses it daily Matfer Carbon Steel Pan Seasoning Problems Solved

Cites heat conduction (against)

1:30 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
the non-stick pans that you buy are gonna gradually become less and less non-stick. So the great steering that you can get in this pan and its ability to become more and more naturally non-stick makes this a favorite here at The Test Kitchen. All of our Test Cooks love this pan and we love to use it. In fact, we kind…

best in class uses it professionally, daily Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

Cites coating durability, heat retention, maintenance, non-stick surface, versatility

As we saw with the burgers, the carbon steel pan has certain traits that really make it a great all-around pan. It definitely has that nice heat retention and heat transfer of a cast iron pan. It has that nice release of a non-stick pan. This is a great all-around pan, does almost anything you want it to do, it's…
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Retains a lot of the properties that we love in cast iron, this ability to retain heat and really put a nice sear on food, but it's much easier to handle.

performance owns and uses it daily Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

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

Other secret of this pan is its ability to become naturally non-stick. So the smooth grain of this takes to seasoning a little faster than cast iron and it becomes very rapidly non-stick when you season it. And you can cook in it with just a little bit of fat, and food will just come right out. So if you're really…
Stainless steel or, in particular, a fully clad pan where there are layers of stainless steel, aluminum, and stainless steel is really known for its ability to make even, uniform heat. The aluminum transmits heat very quickly, stainless steel much more slowly. The stainless retains it so it spreads, and you get this…
In the carbon steel, I think we got the sort of Goldilocks moment. You get this really beautiful golden brown crust that is deeply brown, and nice, and crusty. Inside is nice and pink. And you really get this nice contrast between the brown crust and the cooked interior that is nice and juicy. So I thought it was a…
When we were done, there was almost nothing in the pan. It was just, I wipe it out, rinse it out, and we're good to go.
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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Carbon steel, with its lower carbon content, is more pliable. In other words, it can be bent and shaped without cracking.

durability Carbon Steel Pans EXPLAINED (What They Don’t Tell You)

Cites acid resistance, durability, ease of cleaning, flexibility, maintenance, scratch resistance, seasoning durability

carbon steel pans are made thinner and significantly lighter than cast iron while still being incredibly durable.
For acidic foods, stainless steel and enameled cast iron are better options since there's no seasoning to damage and those materials are non-reactive.
For acidic foods, stainless steel and enameled cast iron are better options since there's no seasoning to damage and those materials are non-reactive.
But you don't need to do it often and after you do it once, you realize how easy it is.
In my experience, mild dish soap does no harm.
One of the biggest advantages of carbon steel is its durability. It won't crack or break if you drop it, which can happen with cast iron.
And there's no coating or enamel that can wear down or chip.
You can use metal utensils and even cut food in it, although I try to avoid that because the sharp edge will scratch the seasoning.
It’s one of the rare products that gets better with age. The more you use it, the better the seasoning develops.
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The higher carbon in cast iron makes it harder but also more brittle. That's why cast iron has such thick walls - thinner walls would be prone to cracking.

durability owns and uses it daily Carbon Steel Pans EXPLAINED (What They Don’t Tell You)

Cites acid resistance (against), dishwasher safe (against), durability (against), maintenance (against), rust resistance (against), scratch resistance (against), seasoning durability (against), warp resistance (against)

The one major limitation with carbon steel pans is acidic foods. A squeeze of lemon or a splash of wine won’t hurt, but prolonged exposure to acidic foods, like tomato sauce, will strip the layer of seasoning right off the looking surface.
Bare cast iron pans have this same issue.
Carbon steel consists primarily of iron, which rusts when exposed to water and air.
The fact that you need to season carbon steel pans may seem like a major downside, and for some, it's a deal-breaker.
The two rules that I do highly recommend following are, one, don’t put carbon steel pans in the dishwasher. The hot water, steam, and dish detergent will ruin the seasoning.
And two, always dry your pans completely after washing them. Even a well-seasoned pan can rust if moisture is left on it for long periods.
if you notice tiny black bits on your food when you cook with carbon steel, or if you wipe the pan with a paper towel and the paper towel turns black, that's a sign that you need to deep clean your pan. Those black bits are either tiny pieces of the seasoning flaking, burnt food, or both.
One of the biggest advantages of carbon steel is its durability. It won't crack or break if you drop it, which can happen with cast iron.
You can use metal utensils and even cut food in it, although I try to avoid that because the sharp edge will scratch the seasoning.
The one thing you need to be cautious about is warping. If you expose it to drastic temperature changes, like rinsing it under cold water when it's piping hot, the metal can expand and contract unevenly, which leads to a wobbly, unusable pan.
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The first one is that, as I said before, it's healthier. You don't eat the chemicals, you don't poison your body, and it's much, much better for you.

performance owns and uses it daily I Switched to Stainless Steel Pans 3 Years Ago. No Regrets

Cites flavour impact, safety, searing and crust

The second thing is that, from my experience, once I realized how to use a stainless steel pan, the food comes out tastier. And I feel that in many cases, what I cook tastes better from most restaurants.
There is that level of crust that you can't do in pans that are not stainless steel pans or iron cast pans that give that special texture and umami, and it's amazing.
There is that level of crust that you can't do in pans that are not stainless steel pans or iron cast pans that give that special texture and umami, and it's amazing.
Another example is that just from the smell that comes out of the pan, I know the level of heat of the pan. I know it sounds weird, it sounds bad even, but trust me, it's that film that you can compare to any other pan.