Cookware: where beginners and r/BuyItForLife agree

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

7 people we have grounds to call beginners and r/BuyItForLife make 90 quoted claims about cookware across 13 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 r/BuyItForLife recommend?

Endorsements and objections about cookware from beginners and r/BuyItForLife, together, strongest evidence first.

Lodge cast iron skillet

4 voices 15 claims 4 objections

2:31 supports Papa Mau Cooking YouTube

could cook French omelets with minimal fat straight out of the box?

performance owns one The Uncomfortable Truth Behind Lodge Cast Iron Pans

Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface

The results were impressive. I made perfect dumplings

dumplings are perfect. No sticking at all.

frozen dumplings in this cheese grater, that means that everyone can.

5:31 objects Papa Mau Cooking YouTube

maybe rough pan are more technical you really need to dial in fine-tune your

use-case fit owns one The Uncomfortable Truth Behind Lodge Cast Iron Pans

Cites surface finish (against)

5:32 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

And as far as initial performance with that lodge, it works nicely out of the box.

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

Cites non-stick surface

4:01 objects Uncle Scott Beginners

And then the main handle I want to point out here, it works just fine, but if you cook for more than two or three minutes or so, it gets very hot very quickly and you will need an oven mitt.

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

Cites handle (against)

1:30 supports Quality Collapse

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

durability relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability, weight (against)

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

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

value 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.

6:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

If you don't want to spend that much, Lodge Classic is the best value. It costs a fraction of the price and still performs really well.

value tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites build quality, price

1:30 supports Quality Collapse

A brand like Lodge, which is still made in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee, sells a 12-in skillet for $25.

value relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites price

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

There are many other cheap cast iron skillets on the market, but Lodge is made in America, has been in business for over a century, and has high quality standards. So you know you're getting a good product.

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

Cites build quality, country of manufacture

1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this

Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.

use-case fit tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this

Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.

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

Cites heat retention

They may not have a perfectly smooth polished surface like some of the expensive artisan cast iron brands, but they perform just as well, and, in my experience, the rougher surface holds seasoning better.

Besides cast iron skillets, they make enameled cast iron Dutch ovens that perform like Le Creuset but cost much less.

1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this

Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.

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

Cites build quality, durability, seasoning durability

They may not have a perfectly smooth polished surface like some of the expensive artisan cast iron brands, but they perform just as well, and, in my experience, the rougher surface holds seasoning better.

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.

1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this

I can't talk about great quality, low-cost cookware without talking about Lodge.

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

6:02 mixed Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

It's heavier and the surface is rougher, but it holds on to seasoning better and it still passed the egg test with no sticking.

performance tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface, seasoning durability, weight (against)

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

They may not have a perfectly smooth polished surface like some of the expensive artisan cast iron brands, but they perform just as well, and, in my experience, the rougher surface holds seasoning better.

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

Cites surface finish (against)

Le Creuset dutch oven

3 voices 8 claims 1 objection

15:47 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this

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.

5:31 mixed Quality Collapse

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

value relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

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

5:01 supports Quality Collapse

You can take a Le Creuset Dutch oven from the refrigerator and put it directly on a hot burner without the enamel cracking.

durability relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites coating, heat resistance

5:31 supports Quality Collapse

When you cook acidic foods like tomato sauce for 6 hours, the enamel does not react or leach metallic flavor into the dish.

performance relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites acid resistance, flavour impact

7:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

It also retains moisture well and has wide handles, a comfortable knob, and flawless enamel.

performance tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites moisture retention, coating, handle, lid

7:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Le Creuset is noticeably lighter than the others, which makes it easier to lift, clean, and store.

handling tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites ease of cleaning, weight

5:31 supports Quality Collapse

The handles are cast as part of the pot, not bolted on with screws that loosen over time.

handling relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites handle

7:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

On top of that, it comes in over 20 colors.

appearance tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites appearance

Field cast iron skillet

2 voices 18 claims 8 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…

8:33 objects Uncle Scott Beginners

At one point I would put the uh pan on the Brevel and started heating up and it's supposed to go up to 270. It actually went all the way up to 400 400°.

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

Cites measurement accuracy (against)

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.

28:29 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

And I'm fully acknowledging here that lots of people and I hear from them here on Uncle Scott's Kitchen absolutely love their fields. There seems to be a common thread though that they've cooked in them for a long time.

mention relaying someone else Field Cast Iron Review: Egg Problems & Great Gratins

Cites reputation

15:23 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

And I've made several of these gratens over the last month or so, and um they all turned out really nicely in the field.

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

10:34 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

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 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

Not quite as much as a smiddy, but definitely five or six times more than a comparable lodge.

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

Cites price

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.

1:00 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

Also, it's a lightweight relatively speaking cast iron pan on a relative basis versus a similarly sized lodge.

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

Cites weight

So about 20 25% uh lighter weight than uh lots of other cast irons.

0:30 mixed Uncle Scott Beginners

I'm going to give this Field Company 10 and a quarter inch cast iron a thumbs sideways.

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

4:32 objects Uncle Scott Beginners

the field, it looks smooth as we'll find out here in a few minutes. It's not as smooth as it looks on camera. If you run your fingers across it, it's got a little texture to it. It almost seems more um machined than polished.

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

Cites surface finish (against)

18:24 notes Uncle Scott Beginners

I've also cooked burgers. I've cooked uh breakfast sausage. I've cooked kind of broughtwur style sausage and it's performed um adequately there. Nothing great, but nothing bad either. So, it's done a [music] decent job there.

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

3:01 notes Uncle Scott Beginners

I did not take anything for free. I bought this with my own money and these opinions are my own after cooking in this field [music] for about a month and a half or so now.

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

Owned 2 months

6:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

If you want a skillet that's easy to handle, Field Company is the best option. It has a smooth surface just like Smithey, but it weighs significantly less and heats up faster.

handling tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites surface finish, heating speed, weight

6:02 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

The one major downside is that it warped significantly when I tested it on induction.

durability tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites induction compatible (against)

All-Clad stainless pan

2 voices 6 claims 3 objections

6:31 mixed Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

D5 heats slower and more evenly and is more forgiving, so you’re less likely to burn or overcook your food if you accidentally turn the heat too high.

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

Cites even heating, heat control, heating speed (against)

4:00 supports Quality Collapse

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

durability relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability, price

3:30 supports Quality Collapse

When you put an All-Clad pan on the burner, the heat spreads evenly across the entire cooking surface. You do not get hot spots that burn your garlic.

performance relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites even heating, heat conduction

4:00 supports Quality Collapse

The handles are welded, not riveted, so there are no crevices for bacteria to hide.

handling relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites ease of cleaning, handle

3:30 objects Quality Collapse

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

value relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites heating speed (against), price (against)

4:31 mixed Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

If those brands are out of your budget, the next best options are Made In, Heritage Steel Eater Series and All-Clad D3 Everyday. All three are roughly 3 mm thick with wide cooking surfaces and comfortable handles. They don't retain heat as long as the heavier pans, but they heat faster and are easier to handle.

performance tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites handle, heat retention (against), heating speed, size and capacity

Staub dutch oven

2 voices 5 claims no objections from beginners and r/BuyItForLife

15:16 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this

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!

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.

15:16 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this

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!

Cites lid

15:47 supports Uncle Scott Beginners earns commission on this

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!

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.

7:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Staub had the best heat retention and did an excellent job redistributing moisture thanks to its flat lid and large self-basting dimples.

performance tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites heat retention, moisture retention

7:33 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

It also has a high-end look and feel with a matte black interior that hides stains.

appearance tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites appearance, coating

Smithey cast iron skillet

2 voices 3 claims 1 objection

6:33 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

A smiddy. Uh, very smooth on that Smitty.

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

Cites surface finish

5:32 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

I recently tested six of the highest-rated cast iron skillets on the market, and according to my tests, Smithey is the best overall. It had the best heat retention, the smoothest non-stick surface, the widest pour spouts, and one of the better-designed handles.

best in class tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

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

5:32 mixed Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

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

value tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

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

What do beginners and r/BuyItForLife 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.

19:54 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

here is a brand new carbon steel skillet. Um straight out of the package, I seasoned it on the stove top. Took less than 15 minutes. And here's the very first egg. It released and slid. Got a nice flip. Um, and that thing is skating around like a hockey puck in there.

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

Cites non-stick surface, seasoning durability

4:31 objects Papa Mau Cooking YouTube

This is one of the trickiest dish to attempt on any iron cookware.

use-case fit owns and uses it daily The Uncomfortable Truth Behind Lodge Cast Iron Pans

Cites maintenance (against), non-stick surface (against)

are you willing to dedicate time to the craft of cooking?

It may not be for everyone

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)

7:38 objects Uncle Scott Beginners

put it on a burner 30 45 seconds evaporate that remaining moisture off of there so you don't get any rust

durability Five Carbon Steel Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Cites rust resistance (against)

25:57 objects Uncle Scott Beginners

cast iron skillets are not really known for flipping eggs, so the side walls are too tall, etc., etc.

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

Cites shape and form (against)

1:35 supports Uncle Scott Beginners

you do not have to season your pan 11 times to get it to work correctly that's just crazy that's like a new hobby or lifestyle commitment you don't have to do that what you need to do is season your pan correctly one time once you've done that it'll pass the fried egg test

performance Matfer Carbon Steel Pan Seasoning Problems Solved

Cites speed and efficiency

9:39 notes Uncle Scott Beginners

she's one of these good old southern traditional cooks she's been using 70 80 year old cast-iron skillets that were handed down from her mother she's been using these for 40 or 50 years

ownership relaying someone else Matfer Carbon Steel Pan Seasoning Problems Solved

3:01 supports THE FOOD-DEE Professional Kitchens

these pans are built to last they will last your generation your kids generations you can pass them down to your great grandchildren and they'll still be around and still working great as long as you take care of them these things are meant to take a beating from my years of cooking we use cast iron pans and carbon…

durability owns and uses it daily Don’t Make this Mistake! Follow These Rules for Carbon Steel Cookware & Cast iron

Cites coating durability, durability, repairability

these pans are built to last they will last your generation your kids generations you can pass them down to your great grandchildren and they'll still be around and still working great as long as you take care of them these things are meant to take a beating from my years of cooking we use cast iron pans and carbon…

if you do for some reason scratch the coating off your pan and leave a big gouge in it don't worry it's not the end of the world all you need to do a little secret here all you need to do is cook with it that's it as you cook with it the oils are going to polymerize back to the pan and rebuild up that scratch piece…

your pan is rusted that's it it's over pans ruined throw it out get a new one no all you need to do is give it a good cleaning scrub all that rust off heat it up re-season your pan and continue cooking with it that's it hand recovered

8:02 supports Quality Collapse

When the stainless lining eventually wears through after 20 years of daily use, you send it to a shop and they pour a new lining. The copper itself is permanent.

repairability relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites repairability

7:02 supports Quality Collapse

A $60 carbon steel pan will outlast a dozen nonstick pans.

value relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability, price

But the most expensive cookware you can buy is the one you have to buy twice.

0:00 objects Quality Collapse

We showed you how the cookware brands you used to trust now coat cheap aluminum with Teflon that flakes into your food within 3 years.

durability relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites coating (against), heat resistance (against), safety (against)

Those chemical coatings are fragile. You cannot use metal utensils. You cannot get them too hot. And no matter how careful you are, within 3 years, the coating scratches and flakes off.

6:01 supports Quality Collapse

Professional chefs do not use nonstick pans in restaurant kitchens. They use carbon steel. It is lighter than cast iron, but just as durable.

recommendation relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability, weight

2:30 supports Quality Collapse

We have seen cast iron skillets from 1920 that are still being used daily.

durability relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability

We have seen carbon steel pans from the 1950s that are still in professional kitchens today.

0:00 objects Quality Collapse

How your grandmother's pans lasted 40 years, but yours die in two.

durability relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites coating (against), durability (against), rust resistance (against)

They have thin enamel that chips the first time you drop the lid. The cast iron underneath is rough and porous. After 1 year of use, the enamel cracks and moisture seeps into the iron causing rust spots that leach into your food.

8:32 supports Quality Collapse

A $400 copper saucepan that lasts 50 years is cheaper than replacing stainless pans every decade.

value relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability, price (against)

2:00 supports Quality Collapse

The oil bakes into the pores of the iron, creating a natural nonstick surface that does not leach chemicals into your food.

performance relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites heat control, heating speed, non-stick surface, safety

The difference is responsiveness. Carbon steel heats up fast and cools down fast, giving you precise temperature control.

2:31 supports Autodidactically Yours Food Writer

put it back in the oven for about 10 more minutes you're gonna have the crispiest crust you've ever had from a homemade pizza

use-case fit owns and uses it daily Black Carbon Steel Pan in JUST 6 MONTHS (3 EASY STEPS)

Cites heat retention

21:45 objects Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer

to prove how phenomenal these kind of pans are and that they can so easily be used by anybody to get rid of Teflon in your kitchen nobody needs it

recommendation DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

21:45 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer

to prove how phenomenal these kind of pans are and that they can so easily be used by anybody to get rid of Teflon in your kitchen nobody needs it

use-case fit tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cites ergonomics

10:04 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

The big drawback is durability—ceramic non-stick coatings wear down fast.

durability tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites durability (against)

8:02 objects Quality Collapse

Critics will say it is high maintenance. They will say it tarnishes and dents. They are right. Copper is soft. You have to polish it.

durability relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites durability (against), maintenance (against)

2:00 objects Quality Collapse

Critics will say it is heavy. They will say it requires maintenance. They are right.

handling relaying someone else The Only 5 Cookware Brands That Still Last (The "Buy It For Life" List)

Cites maintenance (against), weight (against)

2:31 objects Autodidactically Yours Food Writer

now this is obvious for anyone who's done any research on using a carbon steel pan you obviously do not want to put tomatoes or vinegar in the pan right

durability owns and uses it daily Black Carbon Steel Pan in JUST 6 MONTHS (3 EASY STEPS)

Cites acid resistance (against), seasoning durability (against)

another weird one raw spinach i did some research on it afterwards and apparently there is a acidic element in spin it raw spinach that strips the seasoning from the pan when you cook it in there

9:05 objects Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer

induction and carbon steel can be a bit problematic as most people have found out that have spinning pans or have seen a video where pans spin induction plates can be a problem I have already kind of proven that once in a video lots of people do complain about their pants becoming Spinners

performance tested it DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cites induction compatible (against), warp resistance (against)

okay so clean and cool cool zero spinning so that is great that cheap what I think is kind of crappy induction cooktop I have been able to make spinners out of other carbon steel with that cooktop um it does make spinners these guys didn't that's a tremendous result so super stoked

6:01 objects THE FOOD-DEE Professional Kitchens

it is very important you don't soak your carbon steel pans to remove stuck on food they may be well coated but water will get to the metal and rush your pans if you leave it there so don't do that

durability Don’t Make this Mistake! Follow These Rules for Carbon Steel Cookware & Cast iron

Cites coating durability (against), rust resistance (against)

don't use a scouring pad when cleaning your carbon steel it will take off the seasoning if you scrub too hard

1:00 objects THE FOOD-DEE Professional Kitchens

everyone assumes that carbon steel or cast iron pan is super nonstick it's just not the facts are you if you're coming from teflon to a carbon steel pan you're going to want to make sure you give it a good seasoning and set your expectations it's not going to be super nonstick

performance Don’t Make this Mistake! Follow These Rules for Carbon Steel Cookware & Cast iron

Cites non-stick surface (against)

everyone assumes that carbon steel or cast iron pan is super nonstick it's just not the facts are you if you're coming from teflon to a carbon steel pan you're going to want to make sure you give it a good seasoning and set your expectations it's not going to be super nonstick

6:31 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

The stainless steel pan I ran through the same test started developing dark spots after the first round that I couldn't remove with vinegar or Barkeeper's Friend. By the third round, those spots were starting to eat into the steel, and I could feel the indentations with my fingernail.

durability tested it Finally, a Nonstick Pan That Actually Lasts a Lifetime

Cites rust resistance (against)

4:31 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

For comparison, I ran the same test on a traditional non-stick pan, and the knife cut right through the coating.

durability tested it Finally, a Nonstick Pan That Actually Lasts a Lifetime

Cites ease of cleaning (against), scratch resistance (against)

I've tested other non-stick alternatives that perform well, but over time, residue can build up on the surface and cause sticking if you don't keep it clean and smooth.

10:34 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

That's why I only recommend owning one fry pan just for delicate foods like eggs.

use-case fit tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

10:04 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Ceramic non-stick pans have an aluminum or steel base with a slick and glossy coating on the cooking surface made from sand-derived materials like silica. Unlike traditional non-stick coatings, this kind doesn't contain PFAS (also known as forever chemicals), and it won't release harmful fumes if you accidentally…

value tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites safety

6:32 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Enameled cast iron is essentially the same as traditional cast iron, but it's coated in a thin layer of hardened glass. This enamel acts as a permanent barrier that prevents rust and eliminates the need for seasoning.

durability tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites maintenance, rust resistance

1:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

The good news is that these studies use extreme conditions like 20-hour simmer times. Unless you have a known allergy to nickel, the actual risk is extremely low under normal cooking situations. So from a health perspective, stainless steel is a great option.

value tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites heat resistance, non-stick surface, safety, safety

Carbon steel is the thinner, lighter version of cast iron. It's made from about 99% iron and 1% carbon. And like cast iron, it's durable, it can handle extremely high temperatures, and it's naturally non-stick when well seasoned. It's widely considered one of the safest cookware materials.

1:00 mixed Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

Stainless steel cookware has no chemical coating. It doesn't rust or corrode, and it won't noticeably affect the taste of food. Because of that, it's considered one of the healthiest cookware materials. However, it's not perfect. Scientific studies show that small amounts of nickel and chromium can leach from these…

value tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites safety, safety (against), safety (against), coating, rust resistance, safety (against)

Cast iron is made of about 98% iron and 2% carbon, and it's considered one of the safest cookware materials. However, studies show that small amounts of iron can leach into food, especially when cooking acidic ingredients or simmering for long periods.

There are some reports that the enamel on vintage pieces made before the 1970s may contain lead, but modern enameled cast iron from trusted brands is safe and doesn't come with any health concerns.

1:30 objects THE FOOD-DEE Professional Kitchens

even the best teflon pans after the first or second use you gotta add a bit of all that pan or that egg is sticking and you don't want that

durability Don’t Make this Mistake! Follow These Rules for Carbon Steel Cookware & Cast iron

Cites coating durability (against)

5:32 mixed Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer

If you have a condition where your body stores too much iron, cast iron is not the best choice. But for most people—especially those who are iron deficient—this is actually a benefit.

use-case fit tested it Best Non-Toxic Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Made In, Le Creuset & More

Cites safety