Buying Guides

Lodge, Stargazer, Smithey, Field, Le Creuset, Staub. Honest reviews and head-to-head comparisons across three price tiers.

A carbon steel frying pan with sloped sides and a long wooden handle, the lighter alternative to a cast iron skillet

Buying Guides

Cast Iron vs Carbon Steel: Which Pan to Actually Buy

Cast iron vs carbon steel, honestly compared: the thickness that explains everything, tested weight and heat numbers, pan shape, and which one to buy first.

May 29, 2026

Cast Iron vs Stainless Steel: Which Pan Wins Which Job

Cast iron vs stainless steel, honestly compared: tested heat-retention numbers, the pan-sauce trap, why chefs use stainless, and which jobs each pan wins.

May 26, 2026

A lineup of cast iron cookware: skillets, a grill pan, mini skillet, and enameled dutch ovens on a dark surface

Buying Guides

Best Cast Iron Skillet: Tested Picks ($30 to $300)

Best cast iron skillet: Lodge for value, Stargazer for smoothness, Smithey for heirloom, Field for lightweight. Honest brand breakdown with prices.

May 12, 2026