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Cookware, according to home cooks

Only claims about cookware made by people we have grounds to call home cooks. The unrestricted cookware evidence is on the cookware page.

12 people we have grounds to call home cooks make 200 quoted claims about cookware across 40 sources. Membership of the home cooks group is recorded per person with its own evidence, and authority is scoped to cookware rather than to fame.

Which cookware do home cooks recommend?

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

Lodge cast iron skillet

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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)

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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.

All-Clad stainless pan

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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.

Le Creuset dutch oven

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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

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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

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Cites appearance, coating

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

Matfer carbon steel pan

3:31 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
I loved this pan so much that when I was testing it, before I was even done, I was like, "I want this pan," and I ordered one for myself, which I never do. So I've had mine for several years and I love it. I cook in it all the time.

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

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We tested eight pans, and believe me, they were not all good. Some of them were real clunky, some really just never took to seasoning. They had sides that were too high, really off in balance. They just were not worth it. This one's our favorite. It's Matfer Bourgeat 11 7/8-inch Black Steel Frying Pan.

best in class tested it Are Carbon Steel Pans Really The Best? | Gear Heads

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It also really took to seasoning well. It basically got seasoned and kept getting more and more non-stick. Some of the other pans seemed to really take a step back occasionally. You'd go through the whole seasoning process, cook something, and it would just come up. This really just kept building.

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

Cites seasoning durability

Heritage Steel cookware

13:34 supports Christopher Scott Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
I can honestly tell you that the first time my wife and I cooked on the Heritage steel pans there was a flavor component that we had been missing for the last 18 19 months while using hexclad the crust the my art effect the golden brown whatever you want to call it that we are getting out of these pans for our food is…

performance owns and uses it daily Our Journey From Hexclad to Stainless Steel

Cites ease of cleaning, flavour impact

and then if there are moments where you get some food stuck on your pan it h for us so far they have scraped off very easily just with a silicone spatula or with a wooden spoon
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It's one of the best values because it performs similarly to All-Clad, but it's less expensive, has a titanium-strengthened cooking surface, and because of the grinding and polishing they do by hand, the edges are noticeably smoother.

value tested it Is Heritage Steel the Best American-Made Cookware? My Honest Review

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Cites price

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Based on my testing, it's one of the best stainless steel brands on the market.

best in class tested it Is Heritage Steel the Best American-Made Cookware? My Honest Review

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All-Clad 10-piece cookware set

HexClad Hybrid

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And they're remarkably non-stick. Sloppy Joe's slide right off. Scrambled eggs slide off. hamburger, chicken, anything we have put on it over the last 18 months easily slides right off.

performance owns and uses it daily 18 months with Gordon Ramsay's Hexclad cookware, was it worth it?🤔

Owned 18 months

Cites ease of cleaning, non-stick surface

Getting back to the non-stick surface, another added benefit is how easy they are to clean. I don't think anything can provide more proof about their ease of cleaning than their still like new appearance 18 months after their first use.
5:01 objects Christopher Scott Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
but for me I don't want to have to replace my pots and pans every 18 to 20 months because the non-stick coating is wearing off on them so I won't be using these anymore I'm going to be switching to like a stainless steel all clad type of pot and pan and I'm not really sure what brand to buy yet

recommendation used to own one I Can't Recommend HEXCLAD Pots & Pans Anymore :(

so after all of that I have decided that hexclad pans are not right for me and therefore I don't recommend them on my channel anymore

Staub dutch oven

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

Demeyere Atlantis

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Demeyere Atlantis is the best of the best. Each piece is carefully crafted with the highest quality materials and a thoughtful design process.

best in class tested it Demeyere Atlantis vs. Industry Cookware (Key Differences & How to Choose)

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Cites build quality

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After the water boiled, I took each pan off the heat and measured the water temperature after 10 minutes. Demeyere Atlantis retained the most heat, again thanks to its super thick construction.

durability tested it Is Hestan Cookware Really the Best Money Can Buy? (Test Results)

Cites heat retention

To get a second read on heat retention, I heated each pan until the center reached 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, I quickly removed it from the heat and measured the temperature in the center of the pan after 5 and 10 minutes. While the All-Clad, Made In, and Hestan pans performed similarly, the Demeyere Atlantis pan…
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Pans in the Atlantis collection have a 3-layer steel bottom that they call TriplInduct. Since steel is magnetic and ultra-durable, having three layers of steel at the bottom of each pan provides better efficiency on induction cooktops and ensures the cookware will never warp.

durability tested it The Truth About Demeyere Cookware: My Brutally Honest Review

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Cites warp resistance

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Out of 19 pans, Demeyere Atlantis had the highest water temperature after 5 minutes and tied for highest after 10 minutes.

best in class tested it The Truth About Demeyere Cookware: My Brutally Honest Review

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Cites heat retention

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With both collections, Demeyere welds their handles to the pan instead of attaching them with rivets, so the cooking surface is completely smooth. Rivets tend to collect grime and become discolored, so the rivetless design makes cleaning much easier.

performance tested it Demeyere Atlantis vs. Industry Cookware (Key Differences & How to Choose)

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Cites ease of cleaning, even heating, handle, heat control, heat retention, induction compatible, speed and efficiency

Secondly, it makes the cookware 30 percent more efficient on induction cooktops. Induction cooktops only work with cookware that's made of magnetic materials. Steel is magnetic and since Atlantis pans have three layers of steel on the bottom, they work faster and more efficiently on induction.
Both collections retain heat well but due to its additional layers, thickness, and sheer weight, the Atlantis collection absorbs and retains heat better than Industry.
I repeated this test with several other pans and as you can see in the results Demeyere Atlantis retained heat better than every other pan after five minutes, and they tied with Made In after 10 minutes.
Atlantis cookware is more forgiving which makes it easier to cook with Because it's thicker and retains heat better, the temperature doesn't fluctuate as much while you're cooking and adding and removing ingredients. You won't burn your food if you accidentally turn the heat too high. It heats slowly and steadily.
Its thick 7-ply construction allows it to heat evenly and retain heat better than almost any other cookware.
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Another downside to Demeyere’s thick construction is that it takes a while to heat up. Compared to 19 other pans, the Demeyere Atlantis took the longest to boil two cups of water.

performance tested it The Truth About Demeyere Cookware: My Brutally Honest Review

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Cites heating speed (against)

Smithey cast iron skillet

Made In Stainless Steel

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So is Made In cookware worth buying? In my opinion, yes.

recommendation tested it The Truth About Made In: My Honest Review After 3+ Years

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Made In is not cheap, but it's significantly less expensive than brands like All-Clad, Demeyere, and Hestan.

value tested it The Truth About Made In: My Honest Review After 3+ Years

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Cites country of manufacture, price, warranty

Fortunately, they offer a generous 45-day return policy so if you get it in the mail and you don't like it you can return it.
But the best part about Made In is that the prices are fair. It's not the most affordable brand, but for quality fully-clad stainless steel cookware that's made in the United States and Italy, it's an excellent value.
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If you're looking for lightweight pans, you'll be disappointed. Made In pans are built solid with thick heavy walls. The 12-inch fry pan weighs over three pounds.

durability tested it The Truth About Made In: My Honest Review After 3+ Years

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Cites build quality, durability

It's exactly what you want in stainless steel cookware. It heats up fast and evenly, retains heat well, has large comfortable handles, an attractive brushed exterior, and it's built to last.
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Thanks to its three millimeter thick five-ply construction, it does a fantastic job searing, browning, and frying.

use-case fit tested it The Truth About Made In: My Honest Review After 3+ Years

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Cites build quality, heat conduction

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First and foremost, Made In stainless steel performs as well or better than any other cookware I've tested. That includes much more expensive brands like All-Clad and Demeyere.

best in class tested it The Truth About Made In: My Honest Review After 3+ Years

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Hestan NanoBond

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However, Hestan does offer a combination of features that most brands don’t. And with its ultra-smooth surface, NanoBond is one of the most unique cookware collections I’ve tested.

best in class tested it Is Hestan Cookware Really the Best Money Can Buy? (Test Results)

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Cites surface finish

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NanoBond is the smoothest pan I’ve tested. It not only looks and feels smoother than standard stainless steel pans, but you can hear it. When you rub your fingers over the surface, it’s much quieter.

performance tested it Is Hestan Cookware Really the Best Money Can Buy? (Test Results)

Cites surface finish

In terms of actual cooking, it has slightly better non-stick properties than a typical stainless steel pan. But you still need to preheat the pan and add some oil or butter to prevent sticking. And if you don't get the heat right or don't add enough fat, eggs will stick just like they do with any other stainless steel…
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I did the same thing on the NanoBond pan. This time, there were no scratches at all. To make sure I wasn't missing anything, I rubbed another spot on the NanoBond pan, and again, no scratches.

durability tested it Is Hestan Cookware Really the Best Money Can Buy? (Test Results)

Cites base and rim, dishwasher safe, maintenance

Instead of exposed rims that can become sharp after washing in the dishwasher and lead to the bonded layers splitting, Hestan NanoBond and ProBond pans have sealed rims. So you can clean these pans in the dishwasher without any concerns.
and you can easily remove them with white vinegar. Just add a splash, swirl with water, scrub, and rinse.

De Buyer carbon steel pan

Le Creuset cookware set

3:31 objects Zoe Carter Home Cooks
let me show you what happens just after cooking for several times it doesn't matter how well you scrub it will eventually start to kind of char and it looks dirty but it's not

performance owns and uses it daily Le Creuset One Year Review! | How to clean, learning curves, is it worth it?

Cites ease of cleaning (against), non-stick surface (against)

if you try to move whatever meat you're cooking around too soon it will stick and break apart
the most difficult thing to cook on l cruset or any cast iron for that matter is over easy eggs or over medium eggs anytime you need to cook an egg and then flip it over to the other side it is extremely difficult
I followed all the hacks I found on YouTube I followed all the instructions from the L cruset website and I could not consistently make OV easy eggs easily
2:30 supports Zoe Carter Home Cooks
another Pro is they are very easy to clean they are dishwasher safe

performance owns and uses it daily Le Creuset One Year Review! | How to clean, learning curves, is it worth it?

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

okay some Pros everything cooks very evenly the pan is evenly hot with kind of more regular cheap pans there might be like the center is really hot and then the sides aren't very hot
when it is ready to be flipped it will release which sounds so weird but it is true
making scrambled eggs is perfectly fine
another thing to note is you can cook with lower temperatures and I found that the food actually comes out better if I cook on a lower temperature than usual on the stove

Field cast iron skillet

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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.

Fissler Original-Profi

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The Fissler Original-Profi had only a 4° difference between the center and the edge. That's not just better than every pan in this group—it's the most even heat distribution I've ever measured, and I've tested over 60 brands.

best in class tested it Best High-End Cookware? Fissler vs. All-Clad vs. Demeyere

Cites even heating, heat retention

However, there is now a new benchmark. After 5 minutes, the Fissler Original-Profi was still at 176°F—17° hotter than Demeyere.
If you're looking for a stainless steel pan that heats evenly and retains heat well, Fissler Original-Profi is the best you can buy.

Demeyere Atlantis Proline

Hestan ProBond TITUM

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But, if you’re looking for a non-stick pan, I don’t recommend buying Hestan ProBond TITUM.

recommendation tested it Is Hestan Cookware Really the Best Money Can Buy? (Test Results)

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Made In saute pan

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The other thing that mattered was the height of the sides. These are about two and a half inches.

handling tested it Are Special Pans Like Sauciers & Sauté Pans Worth It? | Gear Heads

Cites handle, shape and form

The third thing we really loved was this low handle. It was a nice level handle and it was comfortable to grip. Has this little bit of a dent in it that really helps you grab it when you're pouring out sauces and things. It actually stays rooted in your hand.
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They're both made of stainless steel and they're fully clad. So they have stainless steel, aluminum and stainless steel sheets that are bonded together before the pan is made. So you get nice even cooking with no hotspots.

performance tested it Are Special Pans Like Sauciers & Sauté Pans Worth It? | Gear Heads

Cites even heating, heating speed, size and capacity

This one really did stand out from the pack because it had a few things that we loved. One is that the cooking surface is nice and broad. This is really important because if it's too narrow meat is crowded when you're browning it. So this broad cooking surface really did matter. Greens cooked quicker because they…
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The saute pan L-shaped sides, taller and straighter. You've got a higher side, you've got a big domed lid. You can hold a lot of food in there without anything spilling. This is gonna be great for brazing where you wanna simmer and it's going to hold in lots of food.

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Cites oven safe, size and capacity

Both pans can be used on the stove or in the oven because they're fully metal and the handles are both just plain stainless steel.

Heritage Steel Eater Series

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These handles are similar to Made In handles, except they fork right before the body of the pan to disperse heat and keep the handle cool.

handling tested it Is Heritage Steel the Best American-Made Cookware? My Honest Review

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Cites handle, safety

There's a small bump underneath to warn you when your hand is getting too close to the heat.
I strongly prefer the flatter design of the Eater series handle because it's less likely to rotate but is still comfortable.
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I haven't had any issues with pitting with the Eater Series, so while that is an advantage for the Titanium Series, it hasn't become an issue with the other pan.

durability tested it Heritage Steel Titanium vs. Eater Series: Is the Pricier Pan Better?

Cites build quality, country of manufacture, durability, rust resistance

Overall, these are two high-quality pans that are made in America. They're both durable, well-made, high performing, and will last a lifetime.

Viking PureGlide Pro

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So, the short answer is yes, it definitely is worth buying.

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

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This pan is not cheap, but if you want non-stick performance without worrying about the surface wearing out, this is worth buying.
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Besides these control tests, I've been cooking eggs, meat, and other sticky foods with this pan almost every day for the past four months, and I've tried different combinations of fat and heat. What I found is that butter makes the biggest difference. When I use butter or a mix of oil and butter, the results are…

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

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Owned 4 months

Cites coating durability, coating durability, durability, ease of cleaning, ease of cleaning, rust resistance, scratch resistance, scratch resistance, scratch resistance, scratch resistance

There were some white marks that looked concerning at first, but it turned out to just be metal dust from the utensils transferring onto the pan. It wiped right off with no permanent damage.
Next, I took a serrated steak knife, attached two magnets weighing 130 g, and rubbed it across the pan 15 times, and there were still no scratches or damage.
After that, I put a heavyduty Scotch-Brite sponge green side down on the pan, placed the 5lb weight on top, and pushed it back and forth 20 times. Again, there was no damage.
After all that, I wanted to see if any of these tests affected the non-stick performance. So, I ran the same egg test again with a half teaspoon of oil and 2 grams of butter. And fortunately, the egg didn't stick at all.
After all three rounds, the Viking showed zero signs of pitting or corrosion.
But the Viking handled the worst case scenario without any damage at all.
The titanium surface doesn't scratch, and after 4 months of almost daily use, it performs exactly the same as day one.
The Viking wipes clean easily with no residue buildup, and because of that, the performance hasn't changed.
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The egg slid around with just a shake of the pan. I didn't need to loosen it with the spatula at all.

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

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Cites searing and crust, even heating, heat control, heat control, non-stick surface, non-stick surface, non-stick surface, non-stick surface

I ran the same test with several other titanium pans and a stainless steel pan, and they all performed well, but Viking was the sickest.
I also cooked pancakes on each pan with a little butter. Viking passed this test easily, as did the other pans.
Without any butter, the pancake didn't stick to Viking, but it did stick a little bit to some of the others.
In terms of evenness, after 2 minutes on medium heat, the gap between the center and the outer edge was only 35°. The average gap for a pan like this is around 80°. Because of this, food browns evenly across the whole surface instead of darkening in the center and staying pale around the edges.
Beyond the numbers, the real world cooking experience has been excellent. It sears well. It cooks evenly edge to edge, and the temperature stays steady. It doesn't get too hot too fast and burn your food, and it doesn't lose heat the second you add something cold. It's a very easy pan to control and it's enjoyable to…
The non-stick performance is excellent.

Made In skillet

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In my heat tests, the center heated fairly quickly, but there was a 130° difference between the center and the edge after 2 minutes of heating, which was the second largest gap in the group.

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

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

The smooth surface also performed extremely well in the egg test. The egg released immediately and slid around the pan with no sticking and the pour spouts didn't drip at all.
The smooth surface also performed extremely well in the egg test. The egg released immediately and slid around the pan with no sticking and the pour spouts didn't drip at all.
Made In has my favorite handle of the group, and it cooks extremely well once it's fully preheated.

Calphalon cast iron skillet

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro

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Cuisinart is best known for its small appliances like food processors and toasters, but their MultiClad Pro cookware collection is one of the best low-cost stainless steel options.

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Misen 7qt Dutch oven with grill pan lid

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The grill pan lid retained the most liquid of all nine Dutch ovens I tested

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

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Cites moisture retention

the ridges on the grill pan lid collect and redistribute moisture evenly over the pot
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when you use the grill pan lid, the entire Dutch oven weighs close to 17 lbs, which makes it the heaviest by far

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

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Cites handle (against), weight (against)

the grill pan doesn't have a knob, so it can be tricky to lift

Made In carbon steel pan

Matfer copper frying pan

Hestan CopperBond

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Of the eight pans I tested, Hestan CopperBond heated the fastest, followed by All-Clad Copper Core.

performance tested it Is Hestan Cookware Really the Best Money Can Buy? (Test Results)

Cites heating speed, heating speed, heating speed

After one minute, Made In and Hestan CopperBond had the highest temperature in the center, but Hestan ProBond and Hestan ProBond TITUM heated the most evenly.
After three minutes, All-Clad Copper Core, Hestan CopperBond, and Hestan ProBond were the hottest in the center, but All-Clad D3 had the most uniform temperature.

Stargazer cast iron skillet

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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?

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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.

Lodge Essential Enamel

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If you're looking for the best value, I recommend the Lodge Essential Enamel Dutch oven.

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Cites price

It has a large knob and handles, a warranty that covers chips and cracks, and a reasonable price.
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If you're looking for the best value, I recommend the Lodge Essential Enamel Dutch oven.

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

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Made In dutch oven

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In my controlled experiments, Made In had the second-best heat retention, the second-best moisture retention, and the lowest knob temperature, and it didn't chip from my durability test.

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

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Cites heat retention, moisture retention

In my controlled experiments, Made In had the second-best heat retention, the second-best moisture retention, and the lowest knob temperature, and it didn't chip from my durability test.
On top of that, it performs excellently in real-world testing.
in the $200 to $300 price range, Made In has a more functional knob and performed better in my tests
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the handles stick out further than any Dutch oven I tested, giving you plenty of room to grip

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

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Cites handle, heat resistance

I also love the lid knob, which has the widest diameter of the group.
In my controlled experiments, Made In had the second-best heat retention, the second-best moisture retention, and the lowest knob temperature, and it didn't chip from my durability test.
I really like Made In's large knob, big handles, and wide cooking surface.
in the $200 to $300 price range, Made In has a more functional knob and performed better in my tests

HexClad cookware

2:01 objects Christopher Scott Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
about a month ago I posted a video called called I can't recommend hexclad cookware anymore and in that video I mentioned how almost all of the claims made by hexclad were pretty much just marketing

recommendation used to own one Our Journey From Hexclad to Stainless Steel

0:00 objects Christopher Scott Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
spoiler yes hexclad will eventually fall apart on you whether you use it exactly how it's marketed or even if you baby it with a pair of white gloves

durability used to own one Our Journey From Hexclad to Stainless Steel

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

you can make it last as long as you can don't use metal utensils on it even though they say you can and that it's safe it's not don't stick them in the dishwasher don't cook with them at high temperatures and you'll pretty much be fine if you can get three to five years out of them I'd say you're probably winning the…
don't use metal utensils on it even though they say you can and that it's safe it's not
that nonstick PTFE coating Teflon coating that they put on there will eventually wear off and the tricky part here is you don't actually notice when it starts starts to become unviable you may eventually notice that it peeled off or flaked off or chipped off or scratched off yes but PTFE or Teflon can start to degrade…

Victoria skillet

Lancaster cast iron skillet

Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven

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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!

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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.

de Buyer Alchimy

Tramontina Professional collection

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While I'm a fan of the Tri-Ply Clad collection, Tramontina is best known for the Professional collection, which was named the best non-stick pan by The New York Times.

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Cites non-stick surface

Great Jones oval Dutch oven

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While it looks nice, it's not nearly as functional as a traditional circular knob. You can only fit two fingers, which makes it difficult to lift and control the heavy lid.

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

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Cites handle (against)

Similarly, I'm not a fan of the looped side handles. Compared to the other Dutch ovens, the design is very basic, and they're not long enough to comfortably fit four fingers.
the Great Jones lid handle is a deal-breaker for me

Made In 10-piece cookware set

Strata carbon steel pan

Heritage Steel Titanium Series

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The third and final difference between these pans is the cooking surface: the Eater Series has an industry standard 18/10 stainless steel cooking surface, but the Titanium Series has a 316Ti steel, which is an alloy that's reinforced with titanium to help it resist pitting.

durability tested it Heritage Steel Titanium vs. Eater Series: Is the Pricier Pan Better?

Cites build quality, country of manufacture, durability, rust resistance

Overall, these are two high-quality pans that are made in America. They're both durable, well-made, high performing, and will last a lifetime.

Le Creuset enameled cast iron skillet

Hestan ProBond Forged

Fissler M5-Pro Ply

Finex cast iron skillet

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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

Anolon EverLast N2

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The water from the Misen and Anolon came out completely clear, but the water from Strata was cloudy with a yellow tint, which means bits of the seasoning layer were breaking down and leaching into the liquid.

performance tested it Which “Forever Nonstick” Pan Is the Best? I Tested Them All

Cites flavour impact, heat control, heating speed, non-stick surface

Anolon was by far the fastest to heat, but that means it's also very easy to overheat.
When I preheated it slower, it worked fine.
Next, I cut the fat in half, using just a half teaspoon of oil and 2 g of butter. Again, all three pans handled it without sticking.
Then I tested pancakes with a light layer of butter. Misen and Anolon released cleanly, but Strata had some slight sticking.
Misen and Anolon were both impressively nonstick right out of the box, and they've stayed that way for months.
To be totally honest with you, this was one of the toughest reviews I've ever done because all three pans perform really well, and they're all priced pretty much the same.

Farberware Classic collection

Ninja NeverStick

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Ninja NeverStick is an affordable non-stick collection that’s worth buying for one main reason.

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

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Cites price, warranty

All those things are great, but the main reason to buy these pans is because they come with a 10-year warranty that covers the performance of the non-stick coating.

Caraway 6.5qt Dutch oven

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This Dutch oven performs fine in cooking tests but poorly in my controlled experiments.

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Cites heat retention (against), moisture retention (against)

It had the second-worst heat retention and the worst moisture retention
It had the second-worst heat retention and the worst moisture retention
despite the flat lid and self-basting dimples, evaporation runs to the edges and doesn't drip over the middle of the pot

Tramontina 5 1/2 qt Dutch oven

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It had the worst heat retention score

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

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Cites heat retention (against), moisture retention (against)

the ridges under the lid that are supposed to redistribute moisture evenly over the pot don't really do anything

Xtrema pure ceramic stovetop pan

Smithey Farmhouse carbon steel skillet

Goldilocks 8-piece cookware set

What do 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.

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.
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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
1:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
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.
1:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
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.
2:00 supports Yair Home Cooks
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.

How do cookware score among home cooks?

Computed only from claims about cookware by people we have grounds to call home cooks, so the axes answer “according to home cooks” rather than “according to everyone”.

Domain authority

1 recommender, weighted by demonstrated expertise in cookware. 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.