The "best" cast iron brand depends on your budget and whether you want traditional bare cast iron or smooth enameled cast iron.
In the context of cookware, a "#1 cast iron" typically refers to two different things depending on whether you are looking at modern or vintage pans:
We finally tried out Hexclad pans this year, and we are sold! They are what Gordon Ramsey uses in his restaurants, they have a layer aluminum between two layers of stainless steel which allows you to sear while also having the durability of cast iron. They are super easy to clean and have held up so well!
Standard cast iron cookware is more durable than enameled cookware, which can chip over time. Le Creuset's enameled cookware, however, is more durable than Lodge's enameled cookware. To extend the life of enameled Dutch ovens, cook on low or medium heat, use non-metal utensils, and clean with non-abrasive brushes.
The best cast iron skillet depends on your needs, but Lodge is widely considered the best overall for its durability, affordability, and pre-seasoned surface. For premium, smooth-milled pans, Smithey Ironware is a top choice, while Le Creuset is the gold standard for enameled cast iron.
The most popular and highly recommended budget alternatives to Le Creuset are Lodge, Crockpot, and Tramontina. These brands offer durable enameled cast iron that handles braising, baking, and stewing beautifully, but at a fraction of the cost.
Designed for a lifetime of cooking, world-renowned chef Bobby Flay has partnered with GreenPan to combine his expertise with their innovations in this powerful cast iron collection.
They're too heavy and cumbersome to use in most restaurant kitchens. Things need to be dishwasher-able to keep things running, so mostly stainless and nonstick pans are used. A lot of the things we'd cook in a cast iron pan at home are done on the flat-top in restaurants instead.
HexClad pans are generally not worth the premium price tag unless you specifically want a hybrid pan that marries the easy cleanup of nonstick with the durability of stainless steel. At an average cost of $150 to $200+ per pan, they face criticism for failing to deliver perfect nonstick performance without the use of cooking oils.
Field Company and Lodge represent two distinct philosophies of cast iron. Field pans are expensive, lightweight, and smooth, designed to mimic vintage, mid-century cookware. Lodge pans are heavy, affordable, and durable, serving as the modern workhorse of cast iron.
Checking cast iron quality comes down to inspecting the metal for flaws, testing its cooking surface, and ensuring it has a solid, warp-free structure. Good cast iron should be thick enough to retain heat, sit completely flat, and have no cracks or deep pitting.
The "healthiest" cast iron skillet is any 100% natural, uncoated cast iron pan (like Lodge Cast Iron or Lancaster Cast Iron) because it is entirely free of PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, and heavy metals. With proper use, they develop a natural, chemical-free non-stick seasoning.
Avoid traditional non-stick pans with worn coatings or synthetic "forever chemicals" (PFAS), as well as unlined copper and reactive aluminum. Scratched or overheated pans release toxic fumes or leach heavy metals into your food.
Both bare and enameled cast iron are great options. Bare cast iron becomes more non-stick over time with seasoning, while enameled cast iron gives you an easy-to-use, non-reactive surface.
Premium American-made cast iron brands range from historic, legacy foundries to modern boutique artisans. They focus on heirloom-quality, machine-polished surfaces, and lighter, modern designs.
The "best" cast iron brand depends on your budget and whether you want traditional bare cast iron or smooth enameled cast iron.
Avoid cooking highly acidic foods, delicate fish, strong-smelling dishes, and sticky foods (like eggs) in cast iron. These can strip your pan’s seasoning, leach metallic flavors into your food, or leave behind lingering odors.
Gordon Ramsay exclusively uses and endorses HexClad Hybrid Cookware for both his home kitchen and his studio/YouTube sets.
The most sought-after cast iron skillets fall into three distinct categories: premium modern artisan pans, luxurious enameled options, and elusive vintage "holy grail" collectibles.
Bobby Flay's 10-year marriage to actress Stephanie March ended in 2015 following allegations of infidelity, with reports alleging he had a three-year affair with a young assistant, Elyse Tirrell. March was reportedly left "sobbing uncontrollably" upon learning of the betrayal, and the divorce became contentious over a prenuptial agreement.
The best approach is to use both. Use a high smoke-point oil to sear the steak, then add butter at the end to baste and flavor the meat.
Tramontina's cast-iron Dutch ovens are now available at Costco in a budget-friendly bundle—two sizes for just $70. With enameled interiors, oven-safe construction, and rave reviews, they offer a great alternative to pricier brands like Le Creuset.
A "poor man's Dutch oven" is a budget-friendly DIY hack that emulates a traditional cast-iron Dutch oven. For baking bread, it involves taking two identical metal bread pans, placing one on top of the other (inverted) to trap steam, and securing the edges with Heavy Duty Metal Binder Clips.
Sure it would be nice to see a big heavy well-seasoned black skillet up in there. But did anyone expect that? So Yes, Le Creuset is beautiful but it is not merely performative cookware." According to The New York Times, Meghan is frustrated by accusations that she is unrelatable and out of touch.