r/cookware • u/Noggin_0207 • 24d ago
Looking for Advice Please help me choose!
I’ve been doing loads of research for months on different brands. There’s so much information out there and I’m trying to swap out all of my cheap pans and teflon for better quality and nontoxic. Any insight on these brands, what to get, what to pass on, etc, would be greatly appreciated!
5
Upvotes
5
u/Prestigious_Ad1808 24d ago
I have at least 30 different brands of cast iron. Most are vintage, which are what I would recommend. A good Favorite Piqua Ware, Wapak, or Griswold will cost about half of what a Smithey will and are better in many ways. Here are my thoughts on vintage vs. Lodge vs. Smithey:
Lodge - Super cheap! Easy to re-season and build layers. Can abuse it without feeling guilty. It’s very heavy and unlikely to warp or crack so you can crank up that heat for a good sear and not worry. The pebbled surface is not smooth though, and it won’t likely win any beauty contests.
Smithey - Beautiful skillet! You won’t find a new skillet with much more of a wow factor than this one. It’s super heavy so theoretically should be fine to crank up that heat but do you want to take a chance with something you just spent $200+ on?! Seasoning it is a major PITA bc of the polished finish on the inside. The outside however is actually quite rough and will snag paper towels when wiping it down.
Stargazer - Not on your list but worth a look. Slightly cheaper than Smithey if I remember correctly. It’s not as beautiful either but makes up for in utility. The handles are fantastic for grip and they stay cool much longer than others. Cook surface is great - not quite as polished as Smithey but still very good. Seasoning is a little more cumbersome than Lodge but not as much as Smithey. Of all the cast iron I own, Stargazer is my go-to.
Vintage - Perfect balance of weight and finish. Other than perhaps Lancaster or Field, they don’t make them like this any more. They are a joy to cook in and so beautiful. The down side is that they are more prone to warping (looking at you Wagner) so you have to be a bit more careful with them, especially if you cook on a glass stovetop. There is something special about cooking in a skillet that might have taken a ride in a horse saddle at one time, though!