The best cast iron pans vary by your cooking style and budget. The classic Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet is the best overall for its unmatched value, while Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet is the premier choice for premium, heirloom-quality, non-stick cooking surfaces.
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 overall best cast iron skillet is widely considered to be the Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet. It is the top recommendation by culinary experts and testers alike for its unbeatable balance of durability, even heating, and low cost (typically around $25).
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!
Bobby Flay by GreenPan 12" Cast Iron Frypan | GreenPan.
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.
The highest-quality cast iron pan depends on whether you want traditional, heirloom-style iron or a low-maintenance, non-reactive enameled option. Premium artisan brands dominate the market, featuring hand-polished interiors and superior craftsmanship.
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:
Lodge cast iron is famously affordable because it skips expensive, labor-intensive polishing and is mass-produced in highly automated U.S. foundries. Instead of hand-sanding or milling the interior for a smooth finish, they use a direct sand-cast method and pre-season the pans.
The Costco version of Le Creuset is Tramontina. Costco frequently sells a highly-rated 2-pack of Tramontina enameled cast-iron Dutch ovens (typically a 4-quart and 6-quart) for around $70.
A "poor man's Dutch oven" is a popular, budget-friendly baking hack used to recreate the steamy, high-heat environment of a heavy cast-iron Dutch oven. It is commonly used for baking no-knead sandwich or artisan loaves without having to purchase expensive equipment.
Meghan Markle expressed surprise at the online backlash she received for using premium Le Creuset cookware on her Netflix show With Love, Meghan. When asked about the criticism that the pots were too expensive and unrelatable, she told a New York Times interviewer:
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.
These are the most common symptoms in the first 6 hours after ingestion.
Lodge cast iron carries a Prop 65 warning due to California’s strict "right to know" laws, which require warnings for trace amounts of listed chemicals, including heavy metals or byproducts like BPA. It does not mean the cookware is dangerous.
Avoid any non-stick pans coated with Teflon, PTFE, or "forever chemicals" (PFAS), especially if they are scratched or pre-2014. You should also steer clear of unlined copper, uncoated aluminum, and cheap "ceramic" non-stick pans with degrading coatings.
The most sought-after cast iron depends on whether you are looking for vintage/collectible pieces or modern, high-end cookware. In both categories, collectors and chefs highly prize specific brands known for their ultra-smooth cooking surfaces, historical significance, and unmatched craftsmanship.
Yes, you can absolutely cook eggs in cast iron. In fact, it is an excellent method for achieving crispy edges on fried eggs and fluffy frittatas. A well-seasoned skillet prevents sticking and avoids chemical coatings.
The best cast iron brand depends on your cooking style and budget. Lodge is the best overall for traditional cast iron due to its affordability and durability. For enameled cast iron, Le Creuset and Staub are the premium gold standards, offering beautiful, non-reactive surfaces that don't require seasoning.
Field Company is generally considered better for a premium, lightweight, and smooth cooking experience, while Lodge is better for budget-friendly durability and value. Field skillets are roughly 30% lighter with a machine-polished surface, whereas Lodge offers heavy-duty, rougher-surfaced pans for a fraction of the price.
Several trusted brands manufacture cast iron cookware in the USA. Lodge is the most iconic and accessible, producing its classic seasoned cast iron stateside. For a premium, smooth, and lightweight feel, brands like Lancaster, Field Company, Stargazer, and Smithey Ironware are highly regarded.
The healthiest pans to cook with are made from cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, or pure ceramic. These materials are free from toxic synthetic coatings (like PFAS and Teflon) and will not leach harmful chemicals or microplastics into your food when heated.
Washing cast iron is perfectly safe. Contrary to common myths, modern dish soap will not strip a pan's polymerized oil seasoning. However, leaving cast iron soaking in water or failing to dry it completely will cause it to rust.
Gordon Ramsay exclusively uses and endorses HexClad Hybrid Cookware for both his home kitchen and his studio/YouTube sets.