7 Cast Iron Brands To Buy And 5 To Avoid
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We should be so lucky to cast a gaze upon cast iron. Webstaurant Store reports that cast iron has a long history dating back to ancient China. Cast iron is made by forging steel and iron together, which is then poured into a unique mold made of sand and clay. Once the metal has cooled, the mold is broken open to release the pan. The sturdy cookware is then sanded to a smooth finish. Once these techniques spread and were further developed in Europe around the 16th century, cast iron pans became very popular. They were also a central part of the early American kitchen.
But the 20th century saw a sharp decline in the once-beloved cookware, as lighter aluminum became a popular cooking alternative (via Webstaurant Store). In recent years, however, it seems that cast iron is coming back in style. Health concerns around non-stick pans, sustainability, longevity, and even aesthetics may be helping this classic style of cookware make a comeback.
In our humble opinion, it's about time! There's just something right about having cast iron in the kitchen. But which ones are the best? Whether you're looking for some new additions or are just starting your cast iron collection, here are seven cast iron brands to look out for and five to avoid altogether.
Buy: Le Creuset
What better place to start than with the king? Le Creuset has long been heralded as some of the finest cast iron cookware around. Le Creuset is a French brand and is associated with a country that boasts some of the finest cuisine arounds around probably doesn't hurt. But, there's more to this brand than its origin.
As per Money, Le Creuset may come with a pretty steep price tag (usually in the double digits), but it's a fine brand that is known to work well and last for an extremely long time when treated properly. A family's cherished and classic bright red Le Creuset Dutch oven could be passed down from parents, or even grandparents. There's a certain beautiful and unmistakable aesthetic to Le Creuset that ranges from classic to modern or even playful at times.
Of course, shelling out hundreds for kitchen cookware can be a big ask, but there's hope even for those with tight budgets. As House Beautiful points out, Le Creuset does run major sales, though products do quickly sell out. For tried and true bargain hunters, it's also possible to find vintage Le Creuset pieces at garage sales and even thrift stores for a major deal.
Buy: Staub
Staub is another French cast iron brand that's eagerly compared to the other French legend, Le Creuset. But some key differences make Staub one-of-a-kind. As Boonie Hicks explains, the company was first founded in 1974, which is pretty astounding given the name it's been able to make for itself in just a few decades. More importantly, Staub cast iron has a unique composition. The brand utilizes more clay in its molds than other operations, resulting in weightier cookware. That may not be appealing to some, but clay has some major selling points. The resulting vessels are much thicker and so more durable. The same thickness also helps the cookware to retain or ward off heat for a longer period of time than other cookware.
If you're looking for a deal on French cast iron cookware, Staub is by no means a discount brand. Currently, a 3.5-quart Staub cast iron braiser was priced at around $339.95 on Amazon, so get your wallet ready.
Avoid: Old Mountain
While the name Old Mountain may evoke the ancient peaks of the Appalachian range, this brand is actually made in China. Ultimately, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, China originated cast iron cookware, as per Webstaurant Store. Unfortunately, Old Mountain doesn't hold up to the sort of quality that you want in a piece that you think is meant to last you a lifetime.
As of writing, one 10.5-inch Old Mountain skillet was available for around $20. But, as some Redditors point out, these pans are typically low quality. Some may argue that these cheap pans make for some decent vessels that you can use for travel or camping without worrying about messing up quality vessels. But who wants a disposable piece? Even if it is cast iron, there doesn't seem to be much point in buying cheaper, lower-quality pieces when affordable higher-quality brands exist.
Buy: Lodge
While French cast iron may be a big thing on the market these days, there's nothing to say that American cast iron doesn't get the job done, too, and at a fraction of the cost. There's perhaps no better example of this than Lodge Cast Iron. Founded in 1896, this Southern cast iron company has remained in its birthplace of South Pittsburg, Tennessee for well over a century. The company promises that its goods will be a long-cherished staple in any household.
As reviewed by Gear Patrol, this oldie is truly a goldie that delivers on its promise of longevity. For those looking to create a set that can be passed down, the company has a wide selection of cast iron goodies. This is pretty impressive, given that at the date of writing, a 5-piece Lodge cast iron set costs just $105.95 — that's the price of a single pan in other brands!
Avoid: Cast iron with wooden handles
Cast iron pans are heralded for their versatility, with many arguing that they perform just as well in the oven as they do on the stovetop. Yet this means that a cast iron pan with a wooden handle may defeat that purpose! Sure, it may look delightfully rustic and the wood is unlikely to catch on fire under normal circumstances. As per Hunker, wood needs to reach around 800 degrees Fahrenheit to catch on fire, which will very rarely happen at home. Still, the wood handle may pose a danger even at lower temperatures.
When at broiling temperature, which is typically between 500 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, the handle could emit gases that can spontaneously ignite. That's certainly something you wouldn't want in your kitchen. Even at lower temperatures, the wood has the potential to split and make things very uncomfortable for your hands. When it comes to cast iron, it's smart to stick to metal accents only.
Buy: Vintage cast iron
Given the longevity of cast iron, it's smart to familiarize yourself with both modern and vintage cookware. Modern pieces, as the name implies, are bought brand-spankin' new. Vintage pans are well-aged products best suited for those willing to do some diving at the local thrift store or online. There's a pretty strong case for vintage cast iron cookware. These pieces tend to be lighter and thinner than contemporary ones and may even be hand-finished. What's more, you'll know that they've stood the test of time!
There's a pretty wide range of vintage cast iron cookware out there. Some vintage cast iron enthusiasts, like those over at Southern Cast Iron, note that you can determine how old a piece of Lodge cast iron is by the type of logo stamped into it. In fact, there are lots of visual markers on cast iron to help date it, according to Cast Iron Chaos.
There are a few darlings of the vintage cast iron scene, including Old Griswold and Birmingham Stove Range products (via Antique Electric Waffle Irons and Southern Cast Iron). Both brands, now long out of business, were known for their great quality and unique designs, so be sure to snatch one up if you spot it at your next garage sale.
Avoid: Damaged vintage cookware
When buying vintage cookware, much like buying anything second-hand, you have to keep an eye on certain things to make sure you're still buying a high-quality, well-loved, but functional product. There are a few things to keep in mind and sight when eyeing up that gorgeous piece of century-old cast iron cookware. As advised by Taste of Home, some of the obvious red flags include holes and cracks, both of which are very much a no-go.
Make sure also that the cast iron piece that you're buying doesn't have a warped base. If it does, your cast iron won't heat evenly and simply won't cook as well. To test for this issue, just put the cookware on a flat surface and put some pressure on the handle. If it doesn't wobble, you're good to go. Surprisingly, rust isn't a deal-breaker for cast iron cookware. This is typically a surface issue that can be easily scrubbed away. Just be sure you know how to properly do so, such as soaking the cookware in a vinegar and water solution, as per Bob Vila. Even potatoes might lend a hand.
Buy: Our Place
Instagram-ready cast iron brand Our Place has been praised by pop culture icons like Oprah Winfrey and Paris Hilton, as per CNN. It's not hard to understand why this cast iron brand has achieved cult status with its sleek, modern, and bright designs.
Given that the Our Place Always Pan retailed at $145 on the date of writing, this pan can't just be pretty. It needs to be able to cook well, too! Architectural Digest reviewer Audrey Lee sought to test the trendy pan with what she deemed the best litmus test for any cast iron pan: cooking an egg frittata. To produce a good frittata, the pan needs to have the most efficient and even conduction possible. After digging into her fresh frittata, Lee could only praise the pan for being as good as it looks! For those who are looking to get into cast irons and want a bright pop of color in their kitchen, this may be just the place to start.
Avoid: Martha Stewart Cast Iron
We'll be the first to tell you that there is a wide range of celebrity-endorsed products that can be good, occasionally great, and far too often overhyped. While Martha Stewart's cast iron line may not be inexcusably bad, some major points raise an eyebrow and may make you want to close your wallet.
While the reviews for Martha Stewart are generally favorable, as one reviewer on Amazon noted, the quality can be lacking. The reviewer complained that the cast iron pot's enamel had chipped within a month's use. This is a pretty big concern, after all, these enamel chips can be quite dangerous, especially when cookware. The chipping problem has gotten so bad that around 960,000 units were recalled in 2011 for safety concerns (via Consumer Reports). In the grand universe of cast iron cookware, from the lower-priced modern and vintage pieces to the high-end French cookware, it's better to invest in specialists that offer products that are built safe and built to last.
Buy: TAKU
Not every cast iron story starts with love, but with the company TAKU, it sure does. According to the company's website, creator and founder Dr. Solas started developing cast iron cookware to aid his ailing wife. The doctor wound up creating ironware that was created through a ceramic mold, which may be cleaner than sand molds that typically reuse material. The company argues that it's often hard, if not impossible to gauge just how clean this sand is and where it was sourced from.
TAKU argues that the goodness of cast iron begins in the very mold that makes it. While one may disagree with this principle, it's impossible to deny the beauty of the products, which are simple, sleek, and sublime. While TAKU got its start in Taiwan, it's since opened its first store in Cupertino, California. There's no telling just how bright this cast iron star will shine in North America and beyond.
Avoid: Mainstays
There's something alluring about Walmart's Mainstays cast iron: its incredibly low price point. Currently, a Mainstay 12-inch cast iron skillet retails for $12.94 at Walmart, with overwhelmingly good reviews.
But you'll want to pass on this deal. It's still cast iron, but with some worrying questions about quality. Nothing highlights this as much as one photo posted to r/castiron that showed a Mainstay skillet with a snapped-off handle. You don't need to be a master blacksmith to know that cast iron simply shouldn't do this.
As some commenters theorized, the break was most likely a result of a supremely bad batch of cast iron that hadn't been treated properly. But even under the best of conditions, the texture of Mainstay cast iron tends to be a bit rougher than the competition. On a budget, it will do the trick, but slightly more expensive brands will make up for the price difference with much better quality.
Buy: Stargazer Cast Iron
Stargazer Cast Iron is a new brand that has all the youthful ideals that one would expect. Stargazer Cast Iron was founded in 2015 by a kitchenware designer who was frustrated with what he perceived as the worsening state of American-made products. He set out to make a cast iron skillet that was rooted in American tradition while being a well-rounded and remarkably light piece that combined old and new.
This vision isn't hard to see, given the skillet's bright and brassy color that is punctuated with star accents. According to SFGate, the golden hue of the pan has to do more with how it's been seasoned. More traditional black cast iron pans have been pre-seasoned, while Stargazer products have only been minutely pre-seasoned. The idea is that the home chef can and should break in the pan to their specifications.
SFGate's review concludes that there are two great things about this new form of cast iron: its unique shape allows for some remarkably easy stir fry, while the unique smoothing process used for the Stargazer gives it an astonishingly great finish, especially on its base.