School me on cast iron!

[CP]

I'm looking for a good 10" skillet for searing steaks but I'm a bit overwhelmed.  What should I be looking for in a CI skillet?  Is one brand better than the others? 

[jrebel]

You're likely to get a lot of differing responses.....and yes there is a difference in cast iron.  That said, a Lodge cast iron skillet will work just fine and it will get better with use.  If you don't have a budget, you could go with Smithy!!  I can't wait to have me a set of Smithy cast iron pans.....man they are beautiful. 

[Sakko300wsm]

I’m getting ready to order up a Smithy or 2 - they are bad ass!!

[MR5x5]

I'd be looking at carbon clad pans.  Much better thermal characteristics than cast iron.

[Boss .300 winmag]

The new lodge ware is the Walmart of cast iron cookware, much better stuff out there made in the USA cast iron. As mentioned Smithy, Lancaster, FINEX, Field Company, Stargazer, these are all premium cookware, plus several more if you research cast iron.

But if you go on EBay, or other on line sites you can find vintage lodge cookware that’s good, along with other brands not made anymore.

I went down the rabbit hole over a year ago because my daughter brought home a bunch of it that needed reconditioned, but anyhow another thread on here covers some of that.


https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,289899.0/all.html

[wadu1]

Most of my hunting/camping cast is older Lodge or Wagner. But my best is a set of 1924 Griswold's 6", 8" and 12". I've only heard good things about Smithy cast.

[jrebel]

Along the same line......I got a set of these lodge cleaning pads in my stocking this year, and they are amazing.  I am still on my first cloth and it is going strong.  We cook with cast iron on the regular so it is getting used a couple times a week minimum. 

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Everyday-Scrub-Cloth-Non-Abrasive/dp/B0CR57HD8F/ref=sr_1_6?adgrpid=1338106221779879&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PDPaK3vFfQwkrwCTG5_M6E8VFOeN77Sx7zJQjcVf09-w2HYJWdTcPL0dhgdgY8NEfWhBFBelACo645VK2a46yycxNgr7MQcITU01nd4PNDQMaMeuyDnEJ-r34yOM5j8k4Rmw03nudAF6tjnOLa3jY8zUCVGcaWK56hlWWpOYrxWegAX6-OS7ei1IIfvVQxgWmU2MuOJTSK1Y2hVTkmcxAbCVnAWNds0oKB7jwIdAWHqXjj8CXudXYo1iCk60ciF6C0jhmFIlWf0qWCbbNg-3R7rRooTuRPygG7g-Uq9WKZc.feFMi7aADRvI8Pu45Rdi8Ik4CU9czHg5wwBDsbu6C2o&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83631804789463&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=67422&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83631996935593%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=24625_10488455&keywords=lodge+cast+iron+scrubbing+pad&mcid=d1e7f5321af73df79be7afe1d3a29569&msclkid=b009c9ce231b1ab002b1a056dd3846f0&qid=1771634221&sr=8-6

[EnglishSetter]

Beware, that cast iron and glass top stoves often don't play well together.

I have one 12" vintage Griswold skillet I bought at the flea market decades ago.

[Stein]

Lodge works fine, if you are willing to put in time with a sander they can be almost as good as better ones.  The problem with cheaper ones is the cooking surface isn't polished and has the grain pattern from casting.  Not a big deal with steaks but much easier for stuff like fried eggs when you have.a super smooth surface.

We cook daily on a couple lodge pieces we've had some for 30 years and one or two newer ones.  We also inherited a dutch oven and pan that are third generation and they are noticeably nicer but the food tastes the same...

If you want grill marks they sell a two sided griddle with grill ribs on one side and flat on the other.

[jrebel]

Costco sells this one a couple times a year.  We have the 12" one that costco sells and it is pretty nice pan.  We have been cooking on for the last 2-3 years. 

Great value

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Tramontina-Preseasoned-2-Piece-Cast-Iron-Skillets-with-Silicone-Grips-80131-654/315029455?mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D28I-028_022_GRILLS-NA-MULTI-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PLA&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D28I-028_022_GRILLS-NA-MULTI-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PLA-16071651756-138487087808-2448327735974&msclkid=afca4d2558a1159d14c224bc14aeaeec&gclid=afca4d2558a1159d14c224bc14aeaeec&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7&gad_campaignid=16071651756#overlay


https://www.costco.com/p/-/tramontina-2-piece-cast-iron-skillets/100392427

[GeoSwan]

Don't forget about enameled cast iron, like Staub. You can treat them like crap and never need to season them.