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Skillets

Skillets, according to cookware reviewers

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

15 people we have grounds to call cookware reviewers make 200 quoted claims about skillets across 34 sources. Membership of the cookware reviewers group is recorded per person with its own evidence, and authority is scoped to skillets rather than to fame.

Which skillets do cookware reviewers recommend?

Endorsements and objections about skillets from cookware reviewers, together, strongest evidence first.

Field cast iron skillet

5 voices 19 claims 6 objections

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

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

Cites appearance, surface finish, weight

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

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

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

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

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

but I will tell you what they done went and done they don't went and went to making a 10-inch skillet now I've had this about a week and I love this rascal
1:00 supports Kent Rollins Chef was given the product
but when I run my hand across it it was the smooth finish

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

Kent Rollins was given the product. Stated in the source: “we got this box in the mail we did an unboxing video on an 8 inch field skillet” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites non-stick surface, surface finish

so I fried me some bacon in there without doing a thing to it I just washed it out good with hot water dried it put that bacon in there it wasn't no sticking it wasn't like heated meaning something other ovens where I had to get to a putty knife a chisel and a hammer to knock it off there no it was good
what I put in there a scrambled egg and folks I was amazed there was no sticking like them egg whites will do too to where you can't even get them out of there
1:00 supports Kent Rollins Chef was given the product
but also when I look down at it I've seen the thickness of the walls it reminded me so much of an old Griswold or an old piece of Wagner ware

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

Kent Rollins was given the product. Stated in the source: “we got this box in the mail we did an unboxing video on an 8 inch field skillet” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites build quality, ease of cleaning, seasoning durability

the more you use it the better it is going to become to you the slicker it's going to get the better finish it has
now what I have found that really helps these new skillets a whole lot deep fry you something in for you enough grease in there that you can fry something I cook me some deep fried chili rellenos in them I'll deep fry some fishing deep fry some potatoes in it really works good on seasoning easy to clean up that away…
they finish quicker and smoother than any of that other iron I ever used unless you get back to the Griswold in the Wagner so many years ago
0:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
it's incredibly lightweight at just 5.5 lb, and because the construction is thinner than most cast iron skillets, it heats up much faster.

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

Cites heating speed, non-stick surface, stovetop compatibility

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cites durability

Lodge cast iron skillet

5 voices 16 claims 2 objections

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

best in class tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price

Stargazer cast iron skillet

4 voices 18 claims 2 objections

2:31 supports Kent Rollins Chef
right off the bat when I looked at this the very first time I'm thinking whoa I love the design of this handle because look how far I can stand away from the Heat and this thing is rounded to where it really don't hurt your hands when you grab a hold of it and it's got this v-notch in here which is going to keep it…

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

Cites handle, heat resistance, weight

here look at here a two-handle deal I really like this deal I do
a shorter handle means it's heavier for you to pick up you ain't got the leverage that you might have over here with this Skillet so that longer handle does help you out some on the weight that it's got
5:03 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer
perfectly cooked okay everything is juicy in the middle there's no hard crusty bits even the smaller pieces here haven't been overcooked so now perfectly cooked in the stargazer absolutely amazing

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

Cites even heating, moisture retention, searing and crust

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

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

Cites handle, shape and form

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

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

but if you're considering between something is as high quality as a field or stargazer i don't have one particular recommendation because they are both such high quality so it really depends on what you're looking for
17:46 supports BobbyGfl Cookware Reviewer
so there you have it I love this pan

recommendation tested it Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet

so there you have it I love this pan
thank you Stargazer for a fantastic product
thank you Stargazer for a fantastic product I am very impressed
0:31 supports BobbyGfl Cookware Reviewer
so it comes uh wrapped obviously it's not all oily because it's uh been seasoned by them usually when I order pans I order them uh seasoned you know they uh they do them in you know I don't know they they're just always even and and pretty nice

performance tested it Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet

Cites coating, non-stick surface, seasoning durability, surface finish, warp resistance

and they've machined the entire inside so the outside has the traditional texture in fact it's way smoother right out of the right out of the box than you would get on like say a lodge or some other mass produced Skillet
but what they've done is put this Pan on a lathe the entire pan and spun it uh to completely machine the inside so it's very smooth but it's not so smooth that that you would think that it's not going to hold seasoning
and as I'm heating it up to uh take care of that extra seasoning uh the pan doesn't Flex at all stays perfectly flat
oh yeah I can tell already you know you just can't get a fried egg to do this in a Teflon pan I mean look at that this look at that it's like almost almost non-stick I mean it's fantastic
oh yeah I can tell already you know you just can't get a fried egg to do this in a Teflon pan I mean look at that this look at that it's like almost almost non-stick I mean it's fantastic
0:36 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
Overall, it cooks as well or better than any cast iron I've tested.

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

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links so I will earn a commission if you click and buy but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

5:01 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Unlike the Lodge and Victoria skillets, the cooking surface is smooth and because of that, it performed extremely well in the egg test. The egg released immediately and slid around the pan without any help from the spatula.

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

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

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

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

Cites seasoning durability, shape and form, size and capacity

you can pour out of it without it running down the side of your Skillet all the time
it accepted seasoning fairly well in the beginning it did
so all in all the skillet performed well and it's seasoned well
13:12 supports BobbyGfl Cookware Reviewer
um this is uh the closest thing to carbon steel in cast iron uh that that I've ever used really impressed with the weight

best in class tested it Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet

Cites weight

2:32 supports BobbyGfl Cookware Reviewer
so we've got Stargazer made in USA

value tested it Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet

Cites country of manufacture, price

I got to tell you at priced at 88 bucks I think for unseasoned maybe it was a little more for seasoned um something like $10 shipping or something I mean it's this this this guy doesn't know what he has here because these pans could easily go for 150 bucks
2:37 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
The number one downside to Stargazer is the high price. Lodge, which is arguably the most well-known cast iron brand, sells its skillets for less than half the price of Stargazer.

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

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links so I will earn a commission if you click and buy but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites price (against)

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

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

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links so I will earn a commission if you click and buy but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites even heating, heat retention

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

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

Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links so I will earn a commission if you click and buy but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

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

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

Smithey cast iron skillet

4 voices 15 claims no objections from cookware reviewers

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

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

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

Cites versatility

2:30 supports Adam Cookware Reviewer
In the end, it was one of these pans from a smaller producer that took the top spot. This is the Smithey Ironware number 12.

best in class tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

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

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

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

Cites surface finish, versatility, weight

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

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

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

Cites durability

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

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

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

Cites appearance

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

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

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

Cites heat retention, surface finish

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

Finex cast iron skillet

4 voices 11 claims 1 objection

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

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

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

Cites appearance, handle, shape and form

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

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

Cites appearance, handle

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

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

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

Cites heat resistance, lid, shape and form

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

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

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

Cites heating speed, surface finish

not surprisingly because the field and the finex were actually the lightest pans they heated up the fastest and in that initial three or so minutes on the burner we actually got both of those up to around 320 to 325 degrees while the smithy and the lodge only heated up to 200 in the case of the smithy and 225 in the…
8:36 supports Luis J. Cookware Reviewer
so overall this number 10 has done wonderful it's held up seasoning really well it's cooked really well besides that small little defect with my time that it tends to warp I've had no issues and uh as you know as I said it cooked my breakfast beautifully and I'm happy with it so two years it's done great I'm happy and…

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

Cites seasoning durability

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

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

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

Cites durability

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

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

Cites acid resistance, heat retention, seasoning durability, versatility

you know yes the seasoning does take a hit but it bounces back right away and then it's back to its seasoned Glory even seasoning
but that's just pretty much the only downside to these Skillets they they cook beautifully they work beautifully they're heavy enough to retain a good amount of heat but they're not too heavy to the point that they're just over you know like overwhelmingly heavy

De Buyer carbon steel pan

3 voices 12 claims 2 objections

0:30 supports Tom's Kitchen Cookware Reviewer
the buyer mineral B is my favorite pan so for those of you that want a straight up answer to which one I personally like more there you have it the video is over the mineral B wins

comparison owns and uses it daily Why de Buyer Is A Better Carbon Steel Pan Than Matfer

he decided to give the buyer a try and instantly understood what I meant even with the seasoning process I think
0:00 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
not like to buy air in the the mineral B that comes with a beeswax coating that comes off really easily and actually helps with the seasoning process process Matt fur was problematic

performance owns one DEEP DIVE! Testing the New Matfer Carbon Steel Induction Ready Pans

Cook Culture earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “even though I'm a mineral B seller I sell the product” 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 coating, ease of cleaning

of course you know I am a big fan of of the mineral B pen they work extremely well
4:01 supports Tom's Kitchen Cookware Reviewer
both pans have zero issues there's no warping although that has a lot to do more with improper use or user error the rivets are sturdy the handles are perfect with no signs of giving out and the seasoning has been great they really have treated me really really good for the last five ten years or so

durability owns and uses it daily Why de Buyer Is A Better Carbon Steel Pan Than Matfer

Cites build quality, warp resistance

2:30 supports Tom's Kitchen Cookware Reviewer
I have the 11 inch model which I find perfect for two people

use-case fit owns and uses it daily Why de Buyer Is A Better Carbon Steel Pan Than Matfer

Cites oven safe, size and capacity

the buyer was going to be more of a personal everyday Pan
I've had no issues at all since I've done that and it works just like the mat for in the oven or the broiler now
with the the buyer I feel it's similar enough to cast iron that it's totally replaced cast iron for me
if I didn't own the buyer and only had the mat for I would still feel the need to own a cast iron pan but if it was the other way around the buyer would fill in that cast iron need for me

Matfer carbon steel pan

3 voices 10 claims 3 objections

23:46 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great

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

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

really happy with these map for pans I would say to me for good carbon steel that's a 10 out of 10. I would highly highly recommend them
3:31 supports 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

1:30 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
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

24:16 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
and if this is a pan that gets you out of non-stick then my job's done so that's why I'm telling you about these pants today

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

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” 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 induction compatible

if you're on induction I'm leaning this way you know even though I'm a mineral B seller I sell the product this if I'm going to sell something in the future is the way I'm going to go for induction because this is proving itself as the right pan for induction
0:30 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
they now are putting into a plastic bag and coming with a little moisture absorbent um little pillow inside to allow you to get a pan that is basically raw from the factory so seasoning should be a lot easier

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

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” 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 coating, ease of cleaning, handle, heat control, heat resistance, induction compatible, maintenance, non-stick surface, oven safe, shape and form, warp resistance

and the thing that's great with the matte fur is that the handle can go into whatever temperature into the oven we want
it now is kind of kind of turned like a golden orange color because it's oxidizing a little bit so it's very obvious that that pan is being exposed the raw metal is being exposed to the air
and now the new matte fur come without anything on them they're really nice and easy to clean
but this guy is definitely you know non-stick on there there's no doubt about that right
so looking at these two pans we've got that this was the first time that I ever cooked on them you know that you know nothing's really stuck on here
this guy here behaved a lot better in being at a preheat of 250 previously like I was saying I was at 250 preheat it looked like I got too hot I went down it got too cool and it wasn't a great result this guy's looking quite perfect at the moment sitting at 250
so that's a really nice result right there doing its thing induction burner gets a little bit mad when you do that this guy here same thing so great result okay so definitely that factor of that first cook with a new pan you know seedling that surface definitely helps so our second result here is really great
right now there is zero spinning from this is the one that was abused this is the one that was not and they are not spinning whatsoever
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
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great
3:31 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
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

23:46 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
so you know Matt fur I would give you know a big big thumbs up I think they're tremendous I love that they have non-vivided handles onto the pans the shape of them of course are ideal I really enjoy that they the handles don't have epoxy on them and they can easily just go straight into the oven they're great

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

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “I'm just so super clear I'm not sponsored by Matt fur they sent me these pants to try I had no responsibility to them whatsoever to give them a positive or A negative” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites handle

Matt fur makes sense if you love no rivets awesome

Made In carbon steel pan

2 voices 7 claims 2 objections

18:41 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
So, you know, as a usable pan, I would say over my copper pan that this is even more of a usable pan.

use-case fit tested it The Pan I Waited A Year For... Did Made In Meet My Sky-High Expectations?

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “this pan here was given to me by Maiden.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites versatility

But, you know, for my trusted Duboet, you know, the Mineral B and the Mineral B Pro, um, you know, I think it fits in there beautifully.
especially if you're thinking about giving it to somebody, it's absolutely fantastic.
7:33 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
Overwhelmingly, people really enjoy the pan and it's doing what they want it to do

performance tested it The Pan I Waited A Year For... Did Made In Meet My Sky-High Expectations?

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “this pan here was given to me by Maiden.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

Cites ease of cleaning, even heating, heat conduction, maintenance, non-stick surface, seasoning durability, surface finish

This guy is conducting more heat. More heat's being pulled into it. So, it is a little bit of a hotter pan.
I had brought this down just cooking this on a one out of 10. So really, really gentle heat just to get a nice even fry.
Uh, but you know what it's done in such a short time I think is completely adequate.
Uh, but you know what it's done in such a short time I think is completely adequate.
So, I think it look great. Made in pan here. Little bit residue. Really nothing much. And residue, nothing on there.
So, I think it look great. Made in pan here. Little bit residue. Really nothing much. And residue, nothing on there.
It's got that that micro texture on it, which is a a purpose thing done by Maiden. They do several different finishings to the pan to give it a texture and then they season that to grab hold of that texture to make sure that it works incredibly well and that it stands up really well.
So, the seasoning that I've done from cooking has worked out great with a simple egg test.
But the heat is down on the maiden pan. But I would say that that pan is cooking a nice delicate crepe beautifully.
I am finding that using this seasoning that they've done and the the finish has worked out really really nicely. It's really even and it works beautifully. So I have no problem with how that pan has finished up. Like it's it's seasoning beautifully.
So, you know, the ease of maintenance to what they've done makes it great.
7:33 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
there's now a lot of reviews online from the previous 9-in pan that was launched a a year ago and they've got 4.6 six out of five stars.

best in class tested it The Pan I Waited A Year For... Did Made In Meet My Sky-High Expectations?

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “this pan here was given to me by Maiden.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

I love what they've done with this pan. They've replicated an old pan and what is old is new. And to me, that is a beautiful thing in cookware.
So, this is, you know, a a celebration of the history of cookware that Maiden has done. And I think that is a absolutely tremendous thing.
So, I'm a fan. I think what they've done is amazing.
5:02 supports Cook Culture Cookware Reviewer was given the product
And they had created this small run of this amazing looking pan.

appearance owns and uses it daily The Pan I Waited A Year For... Did Made In Meet My Sky-High Expectations?

Cook Culture was given the product. Stated in the source: “this pan here was given to me by Maiden.” 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

9-in beautiful pan and it was sold out.
superficially, I'm in love with this pan. Like the first time I saw that amazing Ferrari in Ferris Beer's Day Off car that I could not get out of my head. This pan is the same to me.
this pan is in brilliant, brilliant shape. It's hardly any carbon buildup. It's just such a beautiful, beautiful pan.
this pan is in brilliant, brilliant shape. It's hardly any carbon buildup. It's just such a beautiful, beautiful pan.
Like, you know, this guy is wonderfully uniform in its in its color, and that's already started that way. So, it looks beautiful to start with.

Mauviel M'Heritage M200CI

2 voices 4 claims no objections from cookware reviewers

Marquette cast iron skillet

1 voice 4 claims no objections from cookware reviewers

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

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

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

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

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

Cites appearance, shape and form, surface finish, weight

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

Anolon EverLast N2

1 voice 4 claims 1 objection

6:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
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.
6:32 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Anolon was by far the fastest to heat, but that means it's also very easy to overheat. A few times during testing, I had to stop, open a window, and start over because the pan started smoking before I could even add food.

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

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

They're not optimized for heat retention like thicker carbon steel or cast iron pans, but within this group, Strata held its temperature the best by about 10°.
The only issue was with Anolon on my first try. Because it heats so quickly, the pan got way too hot and the egg stuck.
Finally, I cooked pancakes with no fat at all. Anolon had just a little sticking, but I was able to flip the pancake without breaking it.
They're not as slick as a brand-new Teflon pan, but if you don't overheat them and you use a little oil or butter, food won't stick.
The only times I've had issues were when I overheated them.
3:31 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
After that, I set up a stand mixer so a whisk was in constant contact with the cooking surface for two straight minutes. All three ended up with some light scuff marks, but no deep scratches or any real damage.

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

Cites acid resistance, coating durability, maintenance, rust resistance, scratch resistance, warp resistance

To test it, I measured how flat each pan was, then heated them to 425°F on induction for 2 minutes. All three started out slightly concave, which is common because manufacturers build in a little curve to allow for expansion. After heating, none of them showed any visible change.
To see if Misen and Anolon's claims are true, I got all three pans wet and left them overnight. The next morning, none of them had any rust.
Next, I simmered crushed tomatoes in each pan for 15 minutes. Acidic foods usually break down seasoning, and that's exactly what happened with Strata. Its surface went from dark and seasoned to light and patchy. Misen and Anolon were unchanged.
I haven't noticed any decline or change in their performance.
But because it needs seasoning and that seasoning can break down with acidic foods, it requires more maintenance than Misen and Anolon.

Made In skillet

1 voice 4 claims 1 objection

7:01 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
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.

Griswold number 10 skillet

1 voice 4 claims 3 objections

12:33 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
After about 85 years of use, the seasoning isn't perfectly even, and there are some small pits and marks in the surface, so that likely played a role.

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

Cites surface finish (against), seasoning durability (against), warp resistance (against)

This skillet was already slightly warped when I bought it, which is one of the risks with vintage cookware. After the warp test, it got worse and the pan wobbled and spun on the cook top.
12:33 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Because of that, it was the fastest skillet to heat, but it also had the biggest temperature difference between the center and the edge and the lowest heat retention in the group.

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

Cites even heating (against), heat retention (against), non-stick surface (against)

Because of that, it was the fastest skillet to heat, but it also had the biggest temperature difference between the center and the edge and the lowest heat retention in the group.
The cooking surface on this Griswold is extremely smooth. But surprisingly, it had the worst result in my egg test. I had to work the spatula underneath the egg to release it, and a small amount stuck.

Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven

1 voice 3 claims no objections from cookware reviewers

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

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

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

Cites appearance, country of manufacture

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

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

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

Cites weight

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

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

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

Cites heat retention

it is nice to see the Lodge USA made Dutch oven competing nicely with the stove and I think this beef bergen was equally delicious in both.
the oil temperature only dropped down to about 342. So that is not much of a drop in temperature at all. And then of course it rebounded on up.
So there's a lot of heat trapped in that thermal mass of a lodge and I think it did a great job.
It's winter time in Utah at the moment and I've been using these lodges to crank out some shephardd's pies and they've turned out fantastically.

Lancaster cast iron skillet

1 voice 3 claims 1 objection

Calphalon cast iron skillet

1 voice 3 claims 3 objections

Matfer Bourgeat carbon steel skillet

1 voice 3 claims 1 objection

2:02 objects Uncle Scott Beginners
the old directions were very precise about that now for the updated pans you still need to use potato peels oil and salt but the directions are a little bit more ambiguous there's a little bit more wiggle room here they're not nearly as precise

reliability tested it Problems seasoning an UPDATED model Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel pan?

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

this video has pretty much gone off the rails at this point uh midway through the seasoning i noticed things looked like they were sticking the potato peels the oil the salt it just seemed to be sticking i didn't know if it had to do with the amounts and i went through that second round of it it was sticking again and…
it looks like these pans are indeed coated coated now i was told by maffer that the reason for these bags is that they protected the pans and there was no need to apply any coating at the factory that's what they told me now i bought my pans myself use my own money i did get to buy early models so i've got an email…
went back to the old way and just scrubbed the heck out of this pan for about 15 minutes i could see what looked like some coating on there and i didn't think there was going to be coating at first but there's coating on there

Matfer copper frying pan

1 voice 2 claims 2 objections

Le Creuset enameled cast iron skillet

1 voice 2 claims 1 objection

Victoria skillet

1 voice 2 claims no objections from cookware reviewers

Smithey Farmhouse carbon steel skillet

1 voice 2 claims 1 objection

All-Clad skillet

1 voice 2 claims no objections from cookware reviewers

5:31 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
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, searing and crust, shape and form

They both have a wide cooking surface, but then that skillet has those low flaring sides that bow out like this. This is great for browning nicely and encouraging evaporation with those low sides.

Fissler frying pan

1 voice 2 claims no objections from cookware reviewers

Finex cast iron pan

1 voice 2 claims no objections from cookware reviewers

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

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

Cites appearance

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

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

Cites ease of cleaning, searing and crust

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

Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

1 voice 1 claim no objections from cookware reviewers

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

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

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

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

Strata carbon steel pan

1 voice 1 claim no objections from cookware reviewers

Lodge carbon steel pan

1 voice 1 claim 1 objection

Viking enameled cast iron skillet

1 voice 1 claim no objections from cookware reviewers

Griswold cast iron skillet

1 voice 1 claim no objections from cookware reviewers

Victoria Signature Series

1 voice 1 claim 1 objection

What do cookware reviewers say about skillets in general?

Not a recommendation for a specific product — technique, materials and what to look for in skillets. 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…
0:30 supports Lisa Cookware Reviewer
Retains a lot of the properties that we love in cast iron, this ability to retain heat and really put a nice sear on food, but it's much easier to handle.

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

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

Other secret of this pan is its ability to become naturally non-stick. So the smooth grain of this takes to seasoning a little faster than cast iron and it becomes very rapidly non-stick when you season it. And you can cook in it with just a little bit of fat, and food will just come right out. So if you're really…
Stainless steel or, in particular, a fully clad pan where there are layers of stainless steel, aluminum, and stainless steel is really known for its ability to make even, uniform heat. The aluminum transmits heat very quickly, stainless steel much more slowly. The stainless retains it so it spreads, and you get this…
In the carbon steel, I think we got the sort of Goldilocks moment. You get this really beautiful golden brown crust that is deeply brown, and nice, and crusty. Inside is nice and pink. And you really get this nice contrast between the brown crust and the cooked interior that is nice and juicy. So I thought it was a…
When we were done, there was almost nothing in the pan. It was just, I wipe it out, rinse it out, and we're good to go.
8:33 supports Hannah Buy It For Life Enthusiasts
First, a broad cooking surface. We preferred pans that offered at least 10 inches of flat cooking surface.

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

Cites handle, shape and form, size and capacity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cites non-stick surface, seasoning durability

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

performance You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

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

When you do need to season it, all you have to do is clean it, dry it, rub it with a thin layer of oil, and bake it in the oven. Although the baking portion takes an hour or so, the actual work you need to do takes less than 5 minutes. It’s not a big deal and it’s not difficult
But the reality is that seasoning isn't just oil; it's polymerized oil that's been bonded to the cast iron. It's hard and tough and as long as the dish soap doesn't contain lye or sodium hydroxide, a few drops won't hurt
I always recommend using a chainmail to clean cast iron, but if you cooked an especially messy meal and chainmail is not doing the trick, mild dish soap is okay
As you can see, the soap didn’t impact the seasoning at all
Cast iron develops non-stick properties over time with proper seasoning, but it's not totally non-stick like a Teflon-coated pan
But flavoring food with a small amount of acidic ingredients, such as a splash of wine, vinegar, or lemon juice, won't cause any issues
If you're not cooking highly acidic foods for a long time, like over 30 minutes, the seasoning should be fine
To prove this point, I squeezed a whole lemon into this cast iron pan and let it simmer for about 4 minutes. After removing the lemon juice and wiping the skillet, you can see that the seasoning wasn't affected at all
One of the reasons I love cast iron is that it retains heat exceptionally well
Once it's fully preheated, it retains heat well, so your food will cook evenly
That may be true, but in my experience, this step is completely unnecessary. If the skillet is well-seasoned and you dry it thoroughly, it shouldn’t rust, and you don't need to oil it after each use
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.
1:00 objects Adam Cookware Reviewer
But you know, in our test, testers found that actually it didn't sear or brown food quite as evenly. It ran a little bit hot because it was a little bit lighter, and simple formula, less mass, less heat retention, less even browning.

performance tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

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

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

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

Cites heat retention, seasoning durability, stovetop compatibility

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

performance You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

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

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

durability You've Been Lied To About Cast Iron Cookware

Cites durability (against), rust resistance (against)

However, cast iron is actually brittle. It contains about 98% iron and 2% carbon. The carbon adds hardness but also makes the material more brittle
Unlike other metals like aluminum and steel, cast iron isn't ductile, which means it will break before it bends
If you drop a cast iron skillet or subject it to extreme pressure, especially against a hard or pointed surface, it can crack and break
5:01 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
One of carbon steel’s biggest strengths is its versatility. It’s compatible with all cooktops, even induction, and you can use it safely in the oven, under the broiler, and on a grill.

use-case fit Carbon Steel Pans EXPLAINED (What They Don’t Tell You)

Cites heat resistance, induction compatible, non-stick surface, oven safe, versatility, weight

Because of its high heat tolerance, it’s ideal for searing and browning.
Because it’s much lighter than cast iron, it’s great for sauteing vegetables, tossing food, and any other situations that require you to lift and maneuver the pan.
The lightweight construction, high heat tolerance, and relatively slick surface make it fantastic for one-pan meals and recipes that require searing on the stove and finishing in the oven.

How do skillets score among cookware reviewers?

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

Domain authority

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

0.06

Independent consensus

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

0.04

Long-term ownership

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

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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.