https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCF_9veykQk
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Which cast iron skillet is the best? To find out, I tested 12 of the most popular options, including Lodge Classic, Lodge Chef Collection, Lodge Blacklock, Victoria, Victoria Signature, Stargazer, Made In, Smithey, Field Company, Lancaster, FINEX, and an 85-year-old Griswold.
*****Products Featured in This Video*****
I may earn a fee if you buy via the affiliate links below (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
WINNERS:
Lodge Chef Collection (Low-Cost Winner): (Amazon)
Lodge Classic (Low-Cost Winner): (Amazon)
Victoria (Low-Cost Winner): (Amazon)
Made In (Premium Winner): (MadeInCookware.com)
Smithey (Premium Winner): (Smithey.com)
WORTH CONSIDERING:
Stargazer: (Amazon)
Field Company: (Amazon)
Lancaster: (Amazon)
NOT RECOMMENDED:
Lodge Blacklock: (Amazon)
Victoria Signature Series: (Amazon)
FINEX: (Amazon)
Griswold is available on eBay
You can buy the surface thermometer I used in this video here: (ThermoWorks.com)
Read the article version of this review here:
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Want to see all the products that performed best in our hands-on testing? Browse a curated list of our top-rated cookware, knives, appliances, and kitchen tools. Go to:
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0:00 Test Methods
1:10 Lodge Classic
2:01 Victoria
2:43 Lodge Chef Collection
3:33 Sponsor Thank You
4:36 Lodge Blacklock
5:16 Stargazer
6:08 Victoria Signature
6:51 Made In
7:58 Smithey
9:09 Field Company
9:59 Lancaster
10:32 Finex
11:52 Griswold
13:25 Winners & Losers
14:51 Comparison Chart
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A couple quick notes about this video. First, all 12 skillets I tested are linked below and in the video description.
WINNERS:
Lodge Chef Collection (Low-Cost Winner): https://amzlink.to/az0D3u45grQcH (Amazon)
Lodge Classic (Low-Cost Winner): https://amzlink.to/az0xvyAm6vCAk (Amazon)
Victoria (Low-Cost Winner): https://amzlink.to/az0SF7tdonzBT (Amazon)
Made In (Premium Winner): https://madeincookware.pxf.io/KBYmEy (MadeInCookware.com)
Smithey (Premium Winner): https://smithey-ironware.pxf.io/y2MgMv (Smithey.com)
WORTH CONSIDERING:
Stargazer: https://amzlink.to/az00AtZ7G2BO8 (Amazon)
Field Company: https://amzlink.to/az0Tk9xRCytrv (Amazon)
Lancaster: https://amzlink.to/az0J9zp4McaWS (Amazon)
NOT RECOMMENDED:
Lodge Blacklock: https://amzlink.to/az0NMxw1EUWBO (Amazon)
Victoria Signature Series: https://amzlink.to/az0GAXl02mr01 (Amazon)
FINEX: https://amzlink.to/az0YqzRHqvDRp (Amazon)
Griswold is available on eBay
You can buy the surface thermometer I used in this video here: https://thermoworks.sjv.io/Qjg2do (ThermoWorks.com)
I may earn a fee if you buy via the affiliate links above (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I also wanted to give a little more detail on how I ran the tests:
*Heat conduction & distribution* – I heated each skillet on medium for 2 minutes, then measured the surface temperature in the center and near the edge to compare heating speed and evenness.
*Heat retention* – I heated each cooking surface to 400°F, removed the skillet from the heat, waited 5 minutes, then measured the surface temperature again.
*Handle temperature* – I boiled water in each skillet for 10 minutes, then measured the handle temperature to see which stayed coolest during normal stovetop use.
*Egg test* – I heated each skillet to 325°F, added 1 teaspoon of oil and 5 grams of butter, then cooked one egg to compare sticking and release under the same conditions.
*Pancake test* – I cooked 3 small pancakes at the same time, positioning parts of each pancake near the center and near the sidewalls so I could compare browning across the cooking surface.
*Warp test* – I checked the bottom of each skillet with a metal straight edge before and after heating it to 425°F on a Breville Control Freak induction cooktop and holding it there for 2 minutes. This was an intentional stress test because induction heats cast iron very quickly.
*Pour test* – I poured a glass of water from each skillet into a standard drinking glass to compare accuracy and see whether water dripped or spilled over the rim.
*FINEX handle cooling test* – To test FINEX’s “Speed Cool” handle claim, I heated FINEX and two standard cast iron skillets in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes, then measured the handle temperatures immediately and again after 5, 10, and 15 minutes of cooling.
We use a Best Made (Sears) pan made by Griswald.
It was a little rusty when I got is for free at the swap shop at the transfer station.
Just lucky I guess.
Make a video on temu iron skillets
When you said Smithy was your top pick for top end, you lost all redibility with me. Smithy is garbage from the factory. I am not spending $200 for a skillet that I have to strip, blue and season myself because the factory seasoning is complete trash. I’ll stick with my set of Griswold I inherited and the couple odd and end lodge and off brands that I own.
Lodge classic is still the best at its price, but I still also love my Finex, Smithey, and Blacklock skillet too