Lodge

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Lodge

444 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 31, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  All clad for ss- for Dutch ovens and crocs- , staub, Le crueset, lodge cast iron skillet (needs upkeep)

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• #2Dec 31, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Enameled Dutch Oven (6 qt) Ten Inch Cast Iron Skillet 12 Inch stainless steel skillet 10 inch saucepan. You can do pretty much everything you want to do with those and with Le Cruesett, Lodge, All Clad, and Calphalon, you’ll be able to have those warhorses for life.

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• #3Dec 31, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I'm from Notrhern Europe, my skillets are mostly Fiskars 3-ply stainless steel. Quite heavy pans, probably similar to All-Clad. Alumnium core, couldn't justify copper core. For baking, I use Lodge cast-iron combination cooker oven. It is black, and heavy/dense, which is great for radiative heat transfer, compared to Le Creauset which is cream colour inside. For boiling water I use any pot, large enough stainless steel, brand doesn't matter.

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• #4Dec 31, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I've been using a Cuisinart Multiclad Pro triple ply stainless steel set since 2012 and it's still going strong. It was a budget stretch back then at $209 (I looked it up), but a great investment. Too many lids, if I have any complaints. I'm sure it's made differently now, like everything. We also use a 12" lodge cast iron pan with an old pampered chef glass lid, and a $35 enameled Dutch oven from Kohls. Enamel pot gets almost daily use and is stained but it's amazing.

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• #5Dec 31, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  You forgot the BBQ grill. Our power was out for 2 weeks in Virginia after a hurricane 20+ years ago. I would cook breakfast on the balcony over coals with our Lodge every morning. Bacon or sausage with fried eggs, pancakes, even French toast one day. We were the envy of the neighborhood. I have also used them on the grill for veggies when doing fajitas. If I could find an old waffle iron with the cast iron plates that was in good shape my life would be complete.

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• #6Dec 31, 2025

  How can a company continue to make money if their product lasts forever?

  Lodge and LA Cruiset are doing great company wise and unless you shoot them they'll last forever. They make a variety of products, they make great gifts.

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• #7Dec 31, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  No. I have both lodge and le cruset. Probably not going to buy another le cruset.

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• #8Dec 31, 2025

  Tragedy of the Honest in a capitalistic economic system

  Lodge makes a red one that works just as well!

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• #9Dec 31, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I’ve had Le Creuset dutch oven and cheapo Lodge dutch oven for 10 years. Sorry to say, but apart from aesthetics they are both amazing and comparable. Maybe 10 years is not long enough...

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• #10Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I agree stainless is 100% the way to go - the higher the ply (aim for 5!) and the grade (18/10 is the highest) makes it more resistant to warping, staining, etc. Make sure to get a continuous piece of metal, not one with an extra piece bolted to the bottom. Those will rust out and warp eventually. My parents have had a Calphalon set for 30 years that looks just as good as when they bought it, and they are avid cooks. We just bought the premier line for ourselves. It was a bit more affordable than the All-Clad counterpart and we didn't have to put up with AC's horrendously shaped (IMO) handle. Cast iron is another winner - and while Lodge will 100% do the job great for the price point, we have warped two or so pans over the years. Also, Lodge sand-finishes their pieces in production, which is cost-effective but comes at the price of a grittier, more stick-prone finish. Recently, we have been picking up vintage cast iron pieces at estate and antique sales to replace our Lodges. Many of our vintage pieces are cheaper than Lodge, have more character, and the finishes are as smooth as butter. My last note on dutch ovens - I have the trifecta: 1 Staub, 1 Le Cruset, and 1 Lodge. The inside enamel on the Lodge started chipping about 3 years in and is now only used for sourdough bread baking in a high-heat oven. My MIL's went after a year. Quality between Staub and Le Cruset is neck-and-neck in my use-case. I was gifted both around 9 and 10 years ago and they likely came from a discount store like TJ Maxx. Between the two, I would just go with whatever you can get at the best price for the style you like most! Stores like Crate and Barrel often will put their floor models on deep discount - just ensure there are no chips or cracks along the rim and lid!

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• #11Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  One lodge cast iron in 10/12" then the rest stainless all clad pans/pots in sizes u need&want don't buy the sets. Last you a lifetime. If you insist on a true omelette pan get a 8/8.5 carbon steel pan

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• #12Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  This is the way: 12” all clad D5 8” all clad D5 12” lodge 10” lodge The 12” all clad gets 95% of the workload. The lodges are mostly used for searing duty. Might end up getting a nonstick pan for my wife because every time she cooks with my all clad, she burns the shit out of whatever she’s cooking and I end up cleaning the damn thing.

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• #13Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Our stainless pots are tramonilta probably from Walmart in the 90s.  They still look brand new.   I also have similarly aged all clad stainless, a flea market cast iron skillet that was stripped and restored, and a lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven as well as carbon steel skillets.   I would make sure anything you buy is induction compatible for future proofing.  Cast iron (heavy) and carbon steel (lighter) have more nonstick properties but aren't good for simmering acidic sauces and have more care requirements.   At least in my household, the skillets get used a hell of a lot more than the large pots.  I would probably lean to spending more on the skillets.  

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• #14Dec 30, 2025

  A few brands I'll probably stick with for life

  I agree with your lists. They have been tested over the years.

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• #15Dec 30, 2025

  A few brands I'll probably stick with for life

  Lodge enamel cast iron is pretty good budget option if le is too much for people. Not made in America like their cast iron is though.

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• #16Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I bought this Mueller set 2 years ago for around the same price as now and they seem to be holding up. They are very light for stainless and the rivets connecting the handles appear to be the same material. I've seen aluminum and zinc rivets corrode away on otherwise high end pans. Using a chainmail silicone sponge and barkeepers friend I've been able to recover them from whatever my wife does to them. I use a lodge cast iron for anything non acidic. [17 piece Mueller pots and pans](https://a.co/d/bLY1kc2)

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• #17Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Staub or Le Creuset large Dutch oven A good quality 12 inch cast iron skillet (ideally with lid) and an 8 inch cast iron skillet. For vintage I prefer Griswold, Wagner and lodge are great as well. New- Finex, Smithey, Field company are all machined smoothly and come down to preference. A lodge will get smooth with either years of dedicated use or a long angle grinding, sanding, and re-seasoning session. 10 inch carbon steel- the 10 inches are really lightweight, great for egg duty and flipping things in the air that would kill your wrist on a cast iron. However I’ve found a 12 inch is too heavy for this and might as well use the cast iron if you’re not having to lift and flip Saucepan, stockpot, saucier- go for quality stainless steel or copper if you’re willing to spend a little extra. However, most vintage copper will not work on induction. Mauviel has developed a copper line that is induction compatible but each pan between like $400 and $1000 so it’s a sizable investment. I do some stir fry’s so I keep a wok, I usually use it outside on my propane burner for turkey frying/ seafood boils since you want some crazy high BTUs for a proper stir fry. Those wok kitchens are pumping out like 60k, you’ll never get there on a residential indoor range. Carbon steel for the wok- and you can get good ones at Asian grocery stores for like $20-$30. The above covers 95% of my cooking needs. There are a few niche pieces like a tagine (Staub) and paella pan (I think le creuset) that are the proper tools for those meals but don’t get much use otherwise.

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• #18Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  All Clad stainless steel! Got mine through the All Clad seconds sale. Got the [sauté pan with lid](https://www.all-clad.com/d3-stainless-3-ply-bonded-cookware-saute-pan-with-lid-3-quart.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping&srsltid=AfmBOooCJG4xYgX4xtTGTa4wy124WmBHCQfJiOF5YCFgwhBKYdkkEa0YLs0) as a Christmas gift and the recipient was over the moon happy. I found it in Home Goods a few weeks ago for a good deal. I have the same pan and use it probably every other day. I can’t say enough positive things about the pan, it’s just fantastic. And as somebody who is generally pretty rough on things, that pan is built like a tank. I have some other All Clad pieces, but that sauté pan gets the most use because it’s versatile. Not all stainless pans are made equal, though!! I have a family member with a cheap stainless pan and it’s very finicky and heats unevenly (again… I use my sauté pan at home all the time, so it’s not like I don’t understand how go cook with one…). Just buy the All Clad next time they have a seconds sale or you find one at Home Goods, it’s worth it. It is also worth getting a cast iron pan. I have 3 Lodge cast iron pans that were probably no more than $20 each. Those pans have different use cases - for example, acidic foods shouldn’t really go in the cast iron, so I’ll use my stainless pans for those meals; on the other hand, the cast iron pan + oven is my go-to for perfect steaks).

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• #19Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I cook almost everything that needs a skillet in one of my Lodge cast iron skillets. They've built up a nonstick surface over the years, and are great, if heavy. I don't have my forever sauce pans, so I'm using a medium-cheap little stainless stock pot, and an Allclad nonstick that's breaking down.

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• #20Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  We've used the same Lodge griddle and frying pan since we bought them in 1989. Supplemented with a 1930s Wagner (8") for breakfast use about a decade ago. Nothing will last like cast.

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• #21Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Our collection of pots/pans is: all clad stainless steel, lodge cast iron, le creuset (some enameled cast iron and some nonstick). The nonstick won't last but is great for quick cooking sticky stuff with little maintenance (just use silicone tools so it doesn't scratch). Stainless and cast iron can be beat to hell and back, revived, and work perfectly. It does require maintenance, and you can ***never*** use a dish washer for cast iron. But will genuinely last forever.

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• #22Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  For skillets check out Solidteknics from Australia - lighter weight version of cast iron pan, built to last forever and reasonably non-stick when seasoned properly and a bit of oil added. On a budget just get a lodge pan from a second hand store and restore it, or buy one from Kmart or Walmart. For saucepans I've had cuisnart from costco for 20 years - stainless steel with lids. Whatever you buy, make sure the bottom is thick so it doesn't warp. I also have a Staub dutch oven that has lasted more than 30 years, but you can get a lodge version for much less and it does the same thing and can be used camping. If you check thrift stores regularly stuff will come up that is very durable, can also check eBay but shipping might kill any savings.

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• #23Dec 30, 2025

  Need Help Finding a 16" Pizza Steel

  Been using a Lodge for like 2 years and it's solid, just takes forever to heat up initially but once it's hot it stays hot. The versatility is clutch too - I've made everything from focaccia to seared steaks on mine

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• #24Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Cast iron will last forever if you take care of it. You can use it on an electric stove, but I prefer using gas. We are currently using an electric stove, but will convert to gas eventually. I use cast iron for everything!!! We started with buying Lodge. Then my husband started collecting antique pieces and refinishing them. The items we reach for the most are the antique ones (like gait marked antique) and then we have Lodge and a Stargazer. The Stargazer is phenomenal!! I was scared to switch at first, but then we watched a documentary about non-stick cookware and I was sold. We do also have a few stainless pots, but all skillets are cast iron.

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• #25Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I have a 3 year old lodge, an I year old store brand, and a 100 year old polished Wagner. They all cook exactly the same. The Wagner is a little thinner so it's got less thermal mass and is a touch more responsive but doesn't really matter once you get a feel for cooking with any of them. Lodge is ubiquitous, $20-30, and will last for generations. That's why it's recommended.

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• #26Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  There’s no such thing as BIFL non stick. Stainless steel cast iron and carbon steel will last you forever but all of them have trade offs. SS is the easiest to keep but sticks the most. If you learn how to cook with it that can be mitigated but it wont perform like a true non stick. Cast iron and carbon steel form a seasoning that makes it stick less but they are heavy and have to be dried on the stove and cleaned without soap. Truthfully all 3 are worth owning. My suggestion is 1-2 stainless pans (ideally a 12 in all clad or madein and either a large sautee pan or a 10 in fry pan depending on what you cook) then either a cast iron (lodge) or carbon steel (lots of options but pricier and lighter - de buyer or Misen if you want budget). Those 3 pans will last you forever. I’d also get stainless pots in the sizes you want - my most used are a large stock pot and 3 quart saucier. But after those BIFL items - ide still buy at least 1 non stick pan that you need to throw out roughly every 3 years. Most of them perform the same. I’d just grab an oxo Tramontina or whatever is rated high on Amazon in the 50 dollar range. There’s just tasks that can’t be easily accomplished on another type of pan like an easy omelette, something you don’t want oil on, or a quick cleanup easy weeknight meal.

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• #27Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I got a Lodge 12 inch skillet (cast iron) from Target for around $30, I plan on having that for the rest of my life. It's actually not as heavy as the cast iron pan I got from my grandmother. They're making them a little lighter but they will still last for many years.

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• #28Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  All clad, cookware 360, made in, I love the lodge carbon steel pan as well. At least one cast iron is a must😤

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• #29Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I do a mix of all clad stainless steel plus lodge cast iron pans and their dutch oven…I expect the pieces to last a long time with ease (I grew up with cast iron pieces, so the upkeep measures associated with it are no big deal to me). In fact, I use the cast iron more often than the stainless steel. To each their own! Best of luck finding what works for you.

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• #30Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Stainless steel (all clad) are the only BIFL pans that are dishwasher safe. But, they’re not non-stick. If you want BIFL and non-stick, your options are cast iron or carbon steel, neither of which can be out in the dishwasher. Both require regular seasoning and a little extra care to wash them properly. IMO, the perfect set would be the following: 8” nitrided carbon steel from Misen. Not dishwasher safe, but low maintenance and non-stick. Use for eggs or small things like a single burger. I just got one of these and it’s absolutely magic. Non-stick without any coatings or seasoning. NOT dishwasher safe. 10” or 12” stainless steel by all-clad. Low maintenance. Can be out in dishwasher. 10” or 12” cast iron by Lodge (unpolished) or a fancy polished brand, of which there are many. 2qt and 3qt stainless saucepans by All Clad. 5qt - 6.5qt enameled cast iron Dutch oven by Lofge, Staub, or Le Creuset. Depends on your budget. All these will last a lifetime.

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• #31Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Exactly. I bought a large set at an estate sale for a song and expect the same set will last and be sold in my eventual estate sale. I have a couple of sizes of lodge cast iron pans and an older le creuset Dutch oven to round out my cookware.

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• #32Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  If I had to rebuild from scratch (it's just me): - Heritage Steel Eater Series 2QT saucier. I have a Demeyere I5 2 QT saucier now and use it as my pasta pot, saute pan, and stock pot. Would only change because of the handle. If any manufacturer is listening, make one of these with a helper handle and I will buy it right now. This is the pan I use most often and am generally dumping water out of. - no 6 size cast iron. Pick whatever brand. Lodge works, I prefer Field. Smithey and Stargazer are also fine choices, but Stargazer I do not believe makes this size. I was curious about Borough but they aren't worth the price IMO and have a few flaws. The lid from the saucier fits onto this size cast iron, at least mine do. This is the cast iron piece I use most often as it is exactly the same size as my burner and usually big enough for whatever I am asking it to do. I would prefer Field make a larger helper handle but I rarely pick this up anyway. Have yet to meet a carbon steel pan I love. Either the handles are enormous and/or uncomfortable or as was the case with my Darto they spun like mad. All the special care required for cast iron without enough thermal mass to be worth it. - no 10 cast iron if you're making two big steaks or most recently made vodka sauce in it and dumped the cooked pasta into and combined. - 10" stainless steel fry pan. Do NOT recommend Demeyere here, the handle was so heavy on my 8" it would tip if you ever let it go. All Clad, Heritage Steel, or Made In would all make me curious. Here the handle is what matters most to me. I don't own one of these as I have not come across anything I haven't either used the cast iron or saucier for. I personally would buy this last if I felt it was missing. - buy a lid a la carte for the 10 cast iron from a restaurant supply company either in person or online. Had the cast iron lid from Field for I think my 8 and sold it, never used it and was way too heavy for my usage. If I wanted something to stay warm in the same pan for a while I'd feel different. Your mileage can and will vary. This is what has worked for me.

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• #33Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I have a set of large and small all clad pans, and large and small lodge cast iron pans. I’ve been using them for 7-8 years now and planning to use them for decades.

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• #34Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Cast iron - once I learned to cook on it .. I will never ever beed another type of cookware. I have 2 lodge pans.

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• #35Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  All-clad stainless steel d3 or d5 for frying pans, saucier, sauté pans. Alternatively (same high quality but harder to find : demeyere) Staub or le creuset for Dutch oven and roasters If you want carbon steel, go for de buyer. But I find it more finicky than stainless. Lodge makes perfectly fine cast iron skillets. Good to have one in your arsenal. Not my favorite type of cookware at all but it has its use. There are more expensive alternative but I consider them more as luxury For stoneware, Émile Henry (made in France, not China like le creuset) Now I hear that madein does quality stuff too, but I haven't tried myself. Same for Hestan culinary. Stay away from gimmicky stuff like hexclad etc... I avoid non-stick, I only have one that I exclusively use for eggs (yes I know stainless steel works for eggs too but 🤷‍♂️) Now I would recommend you do NOT put your cookware in the dishwasher. Even the stainless steel stuff. Overtime it makes the surface more porous and you end up having to do some sort of seasoning on it. Just soak and hand-wash. Same for Dutch ovens or carbon steel. Stainless steel saucepan are fine in the dishwasher because you're never gonna sear anything in them so the surface doesn't matter as much.

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• #36Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Yep. All clad stainless (they have a second sale every year, sometimes just with damaged packaging), plus a 10 or 12” lodge cast iron skillet.

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• #37Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Lodge cast iron and Heritage stainless for me.

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• #38Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  If you are looking for non-stick there is no buy it for life as the coatings are not permanent. I’ve tried it all ceramic, diamond, hex coating. They all wear out Ive had an all clad stainless set for 25 years with zero issues. If you are only looking for those 4 pieces and are patient you can pick them up for cheapish. All clad has some decent friends and family /scratch and dent sales. I’ve recently purchased a couple of Heston pans (12" and 5"skillet and 5 quart sauce pan) with the titanium nano bond. I am thoroughly impressed. They are very light, oven and dishwasher safe. The surface is pretty much scratch proof so you can use a scrubbing sponge without issue. You shouldn’t have to resort to that as the release fantastic with a touch of oil. They are also a cool bluish color. They are very expensive. I’m probably going to pass the all clad set on to one of my kids and permanently swap to Heston I would suggest you get a Dutch oven as well for a 5th piece. If you know how to take care of them a lodge will last you forever and are super cheap. If you don’t know or want to protect the seasoning then get an enamel coated one such as Le Creuset (I’ve had my 5.5 quart for 20 years)

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• #39Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  And don’t let anyone dissuade you from buying a Lodge cast iron skillet because of whatever nonsense they come up with. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to take care of it. I’ve had mine for 12 years now, use it everyday with zero problems. It cooks eggs like a dream machine and way better than any “non stick” pan I have.

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• #40Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Dutch oven from Le Creuset Lodge cast iron skillet 12inch All clad Boiling pots Le creuset roaster

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• #41Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  All clad then get one cast iron pan and one dutch oven. I have a lodge for both.

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• #42Dec 30, 2025

  What are the best things you can buy for a teenage girl who loves fragrances and lip products off of Amazon for $50???

  Don't buy a cheap 12-piece non-stick pan set. Buy one Lodge Cast Iron skillet and one All-Clad stainless steel saucier.

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• #43Dec 29, 2025

  What are the up-and-coming companies known for quality goods?

  I think they are saying they could take a MIChina skillet and mill it/sand it, ie making it polished like a Stargazer. To their question though, nothing too special about Finex, Stargazer, Smithy, etc are all just nicer-finished cast. You can still fairly easily find old Wagner or Griswolds cheaper that will do a great job as well. Lodge is also great, some people swear that the rougher surface doesn’t perform as well, but you can easily fix that in an afternoon of sanding if necessary.

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• #44Dec 27, 2025

  Unpopular opinion: The 'BIFL' mindset is becoming a luxury most people can't afford, and that's by design.

  It only takes junk to be bought and replaced or trashed to open up and develop a BIFL mindset. Well used 10-40+ years and going strong: fountain pens, old Oster toaster, Zojirushi Rice Cooker, same old silverware, pottery bowls I've thrown, Le Creuset Dutch Oven, Lodge cast iron pan, 8 qt Fagor Pressure Cooker, Classic Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, G-shock watch, butter knife from Goodwill, old repaired Patagonia jackets/vests, etc ... the BILF list goes on and on but it is just stuff that helps make life less hassled, don't have to worry about because the quality lasts or I can repair. Not so much about luxury, just use over time. I think all of these things can be found used, on sale and not full retail.

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• #45Dec 27, 2025

  Need Help Finding a 16" Pizza Steel

  We have this https://www.lodgecastiron.com/products/seasoned-cast-iron-pizza-pan And this https://bakingsteel.com/collections/steels/products/the-baking-steel-original They make a 16" round one too

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• #46Dec 27, 2025

  Need Help Finding a 16" Pizza Steel

  Lodge makes a great one, I also use it for roasting vegetables potatoes.

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• #47Dec 26, 2025

  Little luxuries or upgrades that you made this year that makes your everyday better?

  Not Buy it for Life, but buy it for a long term investment: • Cotton-wool pillow from wool room with silk (slip) pillowcases. • 100% wool coat, not lined with polyester. • 100% wool blanket from Pendleton • 100% cashmere/wool leggings • 100% cotton boll & branch sheets • cedar wood and lavender to protect wool, silk, cashmere, etc • Le creuset • Lodge Cast iron • Pyrex • kitchen aid stand mixer • humidifier & dehumidifier • air purifier • balsam hill Christmas tree • robot vacuum • bidet • high end kitchen knives & sharpener • 100% silk or wool underwear • 100% wool socks • quality tools

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• #48Dec 23, 2025

  What was the best purchase you made this year?

  Not sure which one is best for me yet tbh as I love all of my recent purchases. Ankarsrum mixer Cuisinart 14cup fp Lodge 7 qt dutch oven Lodge 12 inch skillet Lodge pie pan Also got an enamel 7 qt lodge Dutch oven but I don’t think it’s gonna last for decades.

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• #49Dec 23, 2025

  What was the best purchase you made this year?

  I bought a lodge cast iron pan and a yeti mug.

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• #50Dec 21, 2025

  Fissler Pure Collection Review

  No - Demeyere pans are made in Belgium. Fissler are made in Germany. Demeyere is also heavy and thick. Like the Pure the handles are also welded making it easier to hold. Basically - people complain most about All-Clad handles. You won’t until you hold a superior handle then you say “yep, I get it”. The top tier for both brands have thick bases & are workhorses whilst the thinner bases heat up more quickly. The pure collection used more recycled metal (for folks concerned w sustainability) & updated the look, made the handles easier & more comfy to use & are considerably lighter than the original ones. Tramontina - made in Brazil or china & folks say quality changes depending on where Other notable pans are Hestan - made in Italy. All-Clad made In USA - unless you have the copper or the cheaper 3 clad you have to wait the same to watch it heat up. The quality is about the same but the loyalty is that people like what they like. Most folks use a mix of every thing. You’ll find All Clad or Viking on sale here more. Miser made in Shanghai Heritage - USA Made-In - various & some folks say the quality depends on which factories it’s made in (USA, Italy, France) Emile Henry - made in France Cast Iron: LE Creuset - France (except for their stoneware - made in china) Staub - France (except stone ware) Lodge - USA

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• #51Dec 21, 2025

  Let’s Talk Wirecutter: What Was Worth It and What Wasn’t?

  Loved: - Lodge Dutch Oven - Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty - Frontgate Towels - Cotopaxi backpack but I got the bigger size - Rubbermaid food containers - TravelPro luggage - Wonderboom travel speaker - Oxo coffee grinder Didn’t work out: - EZ DUZ It can opener, Swing a way lasts much longer - Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow — Beckham Hotel pillow is much better —HP printer — the ink is such a ripoff and they block dupes from working

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• #52Dec 21, 2025

  I'm looking for a cookware and tableware set that will actually last.

  Stone cookware is definitely where it's at but All Clad is solid stainless steel - might want to check out brands like Emile Henry or Lodge for actual stone/ceramic options

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• #53Dec 20, 2025

  Need BIFL Recommendations as a Graduation Present!

  Just remember that you don’t need to go “high end” for cast iron. Lodge is an amazing brand, and you wont need $500 to get a few quality pieces from Lodge.

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• #54Dec 19, 2025

  What is an everyday item you own that you think everyone should invest in for life ?

  I love my Lodge cast iron frying pan and use it every day.

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• #55Dec 7, 2025

  Looking for a BIFL gift idea for my Gen Z daughter

  This is an amazing idea. The Lodge 12” 6qt cast iron camp Dutch oven would be an amazing gift. We’re campers but I learned how to use one as my son’s Boy Scout leader. It really elevates what you can make camping. Lasagne. The big cookie. Fajitas. And Theyll fight over it when you’re dead.

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• #56Dec 7, 2025

  Looking for a BIFL gift idea for my Gen Z daughter

  There’s a nice one by lodge with a bottom and top part they fit together for camping

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• #57Dec 6, 2025

  Best thing to buy for $100

  You *can* take some time with some tools and polish one of those stupid lodge pans glassy smooth. You’ll get the good interior but it’ll still weigh 8 pounds. Thermal mass is nice in some cases but with a skillet you don’t really need it. They need to make nice lightweight ones. I guess that’s what carbon steel is for.

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• #58Dec 5, 2025

  Unisex gift under $100

  https://www.lodgecastiron.com/products/yellowstone%E2%84%A2-seasoned-cast-iron-bucking-bronco-combo-cooker https://www.bialetti.com/it_en/venus-bialetti.html

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• #59Dec 5, 2025

  Best thing to buy for $100

  Lodge enamel Dutch oven! It's so versatile and easy to clean! I bought a 6qt on Amazon for $80 two years ago.

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• #60Dec 5, 2025

  Healthy but easy-to-use/maintain Pans to replace non-stick (for my cooking style) ?

  I have All Clad D3 Stainless set. Also Lodge Carbon Steel set. I think these two cover everything. I threw my Teflon non stick stuff in the trash.

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• #61Dec 4, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  I like my 12" lodge laclloxk. It's lighter then the cheaper lodges but does decent with heat retention.

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• #62Dec 4, 2025

  Healthy but easy-to-use/maintain Pans to replace non-stick (for my cooking style) ?

  **2/2** **Cast Iron**: Master carbon steel and then maybe you'll want to get yourself an old fashioned cheap Lodge cast iron skillet. Everything I said about carbon steel applies to cast iron. The difference is that cast iron is incredibly heavy, so lifting, tossing, even pouring out the water when you clean it, is a workout. But cast iron retains heat like nothing else. If you're searing proteins, nothing will perform as well as cast iron. **Stainless Steel**: In a well-equipped kitchen, stainless steel-clad pans (aluminum sandwiched by stainless steel) are your workhorse. It's easily the best material for sauce pans and sauciers, and is often the best choice for soup and pasta pots, boiling anything, and saute' pans, and any skillet dish that involves acidic foods or deglazing the pan. But if you take away one thing about stainless steel cooking, let it be this: 90% of the folks here that are telling you how to cook with stainless are focused on the tricks to make stainless behave non-stick. They are missing the point. To really cook well, you need to understand that "not sticking" during cooking should not be your goal. Easy cleanup is a reasonable goal. But sticking during cooking is a GREAT thing. The key to cooking with stainless -- and to taking your cooking to the next level -- is to embrace sticking. Every bit of food that sticks to stainless steel while you're cooking *will release on it's own* with patience and the right technique. And in the meantime, the stainless steel surface is helping to develop flavor compounds that you will not achieve in any other type of pan. Beginner cooks panic when food sticks, and end up creating a mess, but the mess in that pan would have been the basis for an amazing sauce with a little patience and technique. There is absolutely a learning curve. If you get a stainless pan, I'm happy to point you to some recipes to easily demonstrate this. Lan Lam has some great videos on technique, too. **The drawbacks**: Learning curve. Not the easiest for when you need truly nonstick performance, but it's possible. **The benefits**: Incredible versatility, no limits on acidic foods, great for building flavor, and good quality pans will last multiple lifetimes. I wouldn't rush into a set. I can see you building gradually and ending up with a carbon steel skillet, carbon steel wok, several stainless pans, and maybe some cast iron, too. They all have their niches in a well-equipeed kitchen.

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• #63Dec 3, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  Uh...frequently when sauteeing? The longer, angled handle is much more usable for cooking. Also a lodge skillet is 8lbs, and a DeBuyer pan that is a smidge larger is is 4.4... Honestly, I feel like you just don't cook, have no appreciation for the pans and their materials, and just want to be contrarian.

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• #64Dec 3, 2025

  What’s the BIFL item that you love but everyone around you thinks is ridiculous?

  I also have a lodge carbon steel pan, it’s amazing for many things and a reasonable price. Handle gets very hot so I have a silicone holder designed for it.

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• #65Dec 3, 2025

  What’s the BIFL item that you love but everyone around you thinks is ridiculous?

  Mine is made by Lodge, the same company that makes cast iron pans. I've never owned any others so I couldn't say how it compares to other brands, but I've been really happy with it.

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• #66Dec 2, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  Cast iron, lodge, buy at a garage sale or buy a new one and use an angle grinder on it.

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• #67Dec 2, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  I have some cheap Lodge skillets that have been around for a few decades. My mom has some cast iron skillets that she got from her mom and are likely over a century old at this point. My mom is 90, by the way.

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• #68Dec 2, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  I have made in stainless steel pans and a lodge cast iron pan. Made in was significantly more expensive but I dont regret either purchase. Both are great and will last for years. Get what you want or both, you won't regret either

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• #69Dec 2, 2025

  What have you used the most at home these two years?

  People are also worried about them getting wet and rusting. I’ve been able to store my seasoned cast iron lodge griddle outside no problem. There’s nothing better for pancakes…

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• #70Dec 2, 2025

  What have you used the most at home these two years?

  Came here to say something similar - my Lodge dutch oven. And my KitchenAid stand mixer for making bread.

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• #71Dec 2, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  Depends on what you're trying to accomplish... For day-to-day stuff, I almost exclusively use multiple layered stainless steel - but I cook with acid a lot and I need easy clean up most days. I use specifically all-clad and I also use a carbon steel pan for anything that I need to get a proper crust or anything that I need to cook in the oven as well as on the stove top. I also use straight cast iron, in this case it's just a cheap lodge pan that's been seasoned. I've got more expensive ones like staub and le creuset but it's no different, and I use it for things that I need to keep a very even temperature like fried chicken, or tortillas or Vietnamese pancake etc. But it's not really good for things when I have vinegar or tomato or other acids, where a stainless steel pan would shine. One 12-in cast iron pan, one 12-in stainless steel pan and one 12-in carbon steel pan and some carbon steel baking trays and you are literally covered for 95% of what you need to cook. For big families, add one each of those materials but with a true pot. One of the biggest hacks is understanding temperature and preheating, and using oil properly at the proper temps. If you understand heat, nothing burns unless you want it to.

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• #72Dec 2, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  They definitely did, because that's what my daughter had at her house -- and as much as I wanted to get one. I just looked it up: lodge *still* makes a 12" and 15" pans without helper handles.

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• #73Dec 2, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  Agree with your point, but Lodge has for years now put helper handles on their #8 skillets. Traditionally anything #10 and larger has had helper handles. Now you prompted a question to which I don't know the answer. Did anyone ever make a #10 or larger skillet \*without\* a helper handle? That does seem rather silly. My larger sized skillets are all modern Lodge, bought used, because sadly I can't afford to be paying vintage prices for such seldom used skillets - they get pricey in the bigger sizes. I think the largest vintage one I have is an arc/straight Wagner #9. I wouldn't even try to handle my #14 Lodge with one hand with any amount of food in it. That's just asking for a dent in the floor, a mess, and possibly a busted skillet.

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• #74Dec 2, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  If I had to make one single purchase to do everything and last me my entire lifetime, a Lodge combo cooker would be a very easy choice to me. Stainless doesn't heat as evenly because cast iron disperses heat into its larger mass. Rivets and welds in stainless break. Cast iron can take a beating that stainless would never survive. [https://www.lodgecastiron.com/products/cast-iron-combo-cooker?srsltid=AfmBOoqXOvnrR1r5bn9slmsWVtTnkSHKZha6LcoDjYjC-V-e4nF-d7Zp](https://www.lodgecastiron.com/products/cast-iron-combo-cooker?srsltid=AfmBOoqXOvnrR1r5bn9slmsWVtTnkSHKZha6LcoDjYjC-V-e4nF-d7Zp)

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• #75Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  Costco purchased lodge cast iron obviously. 

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• #76Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  In my opinion, you should have both cast iron and stainless steel pans as they are not interchangeable. You generally want to avoiding cooking acidic foods in cast iron. Also, if you are sauteing something, flipping it with a flick of the wrist is much easier in stainless steel. I've had really good luck with All-Clad stainless pans and Lodge cast iron. Both are basically indestructible.

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• #77Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  yup, i use an 80+year old Griswold right next to a 10 year old Lodge and both are great. Same goes for my 15 year old Stainless Calphalon.

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• #78Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  Lodge 15" cast iron skillet. Occasionally to big but rarely too small.

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• #79Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  I’ve had my tramontina and lodge Dutch ovens since I moved out by myself nearly 15 years ago. Enameled cast iron isn’t high tech, there is a limit to quality beyond that it’s just brand name. Also Le Cruset was known for putting plastic handles on some of their Dutch ovens.

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• #80Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  My lodge with 12 years of seasoning is just as smooth as a vintage pan. It just took a minute to get there.

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• #81Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  My exact lineup, practically perfect. Can do a le creuset for the enameled cast iron, but lodge gets you 90% of the quality at a fraction of the cost.

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• #82Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  Love all mine: All Clad D3 stainless steel, Lodge cast iron, and Lodge enameled cast iron. Carbon steel will be the one I add next.

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• #83Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  I'm a cast iron die hard (team Lodge)but if the weight is an issue for you, you can't really go wrong with a stainless steel.

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• #84Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  Neither is more bifl than the other. If I had to commit to one, it would probably be stainless, because I like having a bit more flexibility afforded by lower heat retention. But cast iron is cheap, no reason you can't have a workhorse Lodge next to your stainless fleet.

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• #85Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  In a proper kitchen, both stainless steel and cast iron have their place. Stainless steel is much better for many cooking techniques, and can get very hot much faster. Cast iron is great for oven usage and manages heat very well because the whole thing heats up pretty evenly and stays hot. For stainless steel, all clad D3/D5 are absolutely BIFL, with the choice between them coming down to how comfortable you are managing heat distribution. For cast iron, a $40 lodge will last you a lifetime if you keep it seasoned.

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• #86Dec 1, 2025

  About to buy the most expensive set of pots and pans in my life

  I wouldn't buy a set . A 2-3 quart saucepan An 8 quart pasta pot A 10-12" frying pan with lid A Lodge cast-iron inexpensive pan . Great for eggs + meats Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096N3FTZP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share These are great for fishing out whatever you're boiling https://a.co/d/hVAGiZ2

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• #87Dec 1, 2025

  Best Quality of life gift ideas under $150

  Just get a Lodge. No worries.

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• #88Dec 1, 2025

  Ever tried to save money and ended up spending more?

  Oh god. So I had used a lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven for years without incident (read: I know how to take care of it). I was getting more interested in cooking and decided to spring for a comparable size le creuset Dutch oven. I used the le creuset TWICE and the bottom of the pot is all mildly crazed/cracked. I was SO upset because I followed ALL the care guidelines, as I always do, and never had this happen to my lodge. It’s no longer safe to use, and le creuset did not honor warranty, so it’s now a decorative object in my cabinet 😑

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• #89Dec 1, 2025

  What have you used the most at home these two years?

  Didnt ask for this but a cast iron pan by lodge. It was $9 at target couple years ago. 0 regrets

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• #90Dec 1, 2025

  About to buy the most expensive set of pots and pans in my life

  I think i bought the same set like 5 or 6 years ago (i think). Still going strong, absolutely nothing wrong with them at all. But i did buy a lodge cast iron pan this year, just because this sub drove me to do it. It also doubles as a gym weight. If i had one complaint about the all clad, it’s the lids aren’t glass and the handles get hot (shocker). I’d buy the set again in a heartbeat

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• #91Dec 1, 2025

  Best Quality of life gift ideas under $150

  Costco has a 12” Lodge cast iron pan for sale now.

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• #92Dec 1, 2025

  Unisex gift under $100

  Lodge makes solid skillets for like $30-40 and honestly everyone needs a good one even if they don't know it yet

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• #93Dec 1, 2025

  Best Quality of life gift ideas under $150

  Go with a trusted brand. Lodge is the least expensive quality cast iron IMO. They have both enameled and non-enameled options in all styles and sizes.

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• #94Nov 8, 2025

  Looking for new BIFL cooking pans. Our Place?

  A lodge cast iron pan can do everything you need if you take care of it.  Learn how it works and how to treat it, and you could use the same pan for the rest of your life.   Living by yourself is nice - no worries about someone else killing your pan. Very inexpensive compared to other options. If cast iron scares you, then go stainless steel.  All Clad, Made in, and Heritage Steel all make nice stuff.  It's pricey, but will last for ever and no risk of chemicals getting into your food.

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• #95Nov 8, 2025

  Looking for new BIFL cooking pans. Our Place?

  No nonstick (teflon or ceramic) pans are BIFL. They’re not even recyclable, they are disposable and all destined for landfill. Stainless steel, cast iron, and carbon steel are all BIFL. Stainless is the lowest maintenance but the most “sticky” so a lot of people struggle switching from using only nonstick pans to using only stainless steel. Cast iron and carbon steel are less sticky, but a bit higher maintenance. They require a slightly different technique than nonstick pans also, so there’s a bit of a learning curve. A Lodge cast iron pan is cheap, though, so if get one and decide it’s totally incomprehensible to you, you’re only out $20-30 and there’s plenty of people out there who would be happy to take it off your hands (and if not it’s just a hunk of iron and totally recyclable).

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• #96Nov 7, 2025

  Looking for quality tableware, serverware, and cookware for my house.

  I second the recommendation for Corelle (new only, they used lead paint through 2005), and Lodge. I'll add Anchor-Hocking as another brand for glass, and Brazilian made Tremontina pots and pans.  Tremontina also sells cheap kitchen knives that are surprisingly good. Victronix is also great for knives that aren't expensive but last. It's usually what you'll find in restaurants. 

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• #97Nov 7, 2025

  Looking for quality tableware, serverware, and cookware for my house.

  Oneida for silverware, Duralex for glasses, Corelle for plates and some serving, Demeyere or American Kitchen (3-ply fully clad) for cookware, lodge for cookware

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• #98Nov 7, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  Bought one from Lidl for maybe $20 as a trial run before buying a Le Creuset. Lidl one is awesome and I never got the Le Creuset. Just stopped using it after six years because I stumbled upon a Lodge that coordinates better with my renovated kitchen.

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• #99Nov 7, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  Lodge, Staub, or La Crueset

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• #100Nov 7, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  Le creuset isn't worth the money imo. I would look at lodge for less $$. I use sur la table bc Bj's had them for 45$ so I bought 2 for my bread making and such

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• #101Nov 7, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  I’ve looked into the topic a bit recently and even the “Le creuset” fans are saying: same durability with Lodge. It’s personal preference in the design 

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• #102Nov 7, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  I have a Lodge and 2 from Aldi (Crofton is their brand I think) and all three work great! The Aldi ones show up around the holidays, I think they were maybe $40 each? Super heavy just like the Lodge one. I can't tell the difference.

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• #103Nov 6, 2025

  starting to care more about buy it for life stuff

  Regarding cast iron... Look for vintage skillets and pots. They are lighter and have much smoother surfaces than the current crap by Lodge, etc. You don't need the Wagner or Griswold ones which I think are a bit overpriced due to collector demand. I have some of those of course but most of mine have no names or markings. And yes you can use dish soap on them if properly seasoned.

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• #104Nov 6, 2025

  What’s a BIFL thing you bought and now swear by?

  Lodge cast iron pans 😃 Visions cooking pots 😃

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• #105Nov 6, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  I'm a big fan of Lodge for the price. I've got a couple of pieces of cookware from them that have held up great and (as far as I know) they're a great company.

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• #106Nov 6, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  For anyone in the US, TJ Maxx/Marshalls/HomeGoods is your friend. My local stores always have a ton of Lodge dutch ovens in stock. I got my 4.5qt for $30. Still not BIFL compared to Le Creuset/Staub but I also can't complain at that price. Makes it a bit of an easier buy compared to paying full price. If it chips I'll just buy another one.

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• #107Nov 6, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  Lodge also makes enameled dutch ovens that are pretty much 99.9% as good as the Le Creuset, and MUCH cheaper.

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• #108Nov 6, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  Lodge.

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• #109Nov 6, 2025

  starting to care more about buy it for life stuff

  Any Cast iron (stargazer is my favorite but lodge is great too), carbon steel (Made-in is my favorite) or if you prefer SS. All-Clad

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• #110Nov 6, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  I have a 10ish year old Lodge that gets used and abused nearly every day and the enamel is still damn near perfect. It has never seen anything but metal utensils.

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• #111Nov 6, 2025

  Looking for a Dutch oven

  Le Creuset will last, as will Lodge and Staub, which may be less expensive.

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• #112Nov 4, 2025

  What's the best cookware you've ever had?

  Any tefalon or ceramic item will need replaced - typically in 2-5 years. It’s fine to do this but I wouldn’t consider any non stick item as BIFL. Not every item has to last a lifetime. But if you want a BIFL item look to cast iron and carbon steel for non stick like cooking, and stainless steel for ease of care. I personally own a nonstick fry pan from oxo - cheap enough that I don’t mind tossing it after 3 years, a cast iron skillet from lodge, a carbon steel wok and fry pan from Madein (gifts but I like them), and several D3 and D5 stainless from all clad. The stainless probably does 90% of the cooking with cast iron and carbon steel coming out to sear steaks and non stick for omelettes and delicate stuff

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• #113Nov 3, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  I like my lodge pan. Gonna outlast me.

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• #114Nov 3, 2025

  I need new induction cookware I won’t have to throw away in two years.

  Since getting a Lodge cast iron crepe pan, I use it for a zillion things other than crepes. Pleasant surprise:it does perfect fried eggs, as long as you don’t mind flipping them to cook the yolk. Don’t have to add any fat—I just oil it after every use, and it’s ready for the next use.

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• #115Nov 2, 2025

  What's the best cookware you've ever had?

  We have a Calphalon stainless cookwear set we got for our wedding 19 years ago. Still like new. Also my Lodge cast iron skillet and my LeCreuset enamel dutch oven.

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• #116Nov 2, 2025

  What's the best cookware you've ever had?

  The Lodge dutch ovens are really high quality and are 1/3 of the price of Le Creuset. I for one 12 years ago and still going strong.

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• #117Nov 2, 2025

  What's the best cookware you've ever had?

  Tri-play stainless steel pots and pans for everyday - can go in the oven and the dishwasher. Learn how to use butter or oil to create nonstick surface. I have all second-hand tramontina, cuisinart, calphalon, kirkland, and all-clad. If I purchased new, I would get the tramontina for sure, used the hell out of all of them. Enameled cast iron dutch oven for soups, stews, roasts, and bread - I have a lodge, tramontina, and le creuset. I'd go for the tramontina again, but I haven't used mine much, so maybe look for yourself. Cast iron skillet for steaks and cooking on grill and maybe a cast iron griddle if you'd like - any well known brand, easy to get used One 10" or 12" nonstick cheap skillet for various things like maybe low cal hash browns - I like the tramontina brand again here - they make the sams club skillets I believe. These will never be BIFL so I just don't use mine much anyway - optional And you should be set for life and then some.

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• #118Nov 2, 2025

  I need new induction cookware I won’t have to throw away in two years.

  Skip the boxed sets and get a few quality pieces. Tri-ply stainless skillet, a nonstick pan for eggs, a saucepan, and a Dutch oven. Made In, Misen, or All-Clad are great; Lodge or Le Creuset for Dutch ovens. Make sure they’re induction-compatible too 👌

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• #119Nov 2, 2025

  I need new induction cookware I won’t have to throw away in two years.

  You can get the essential cookware BIFL for under $500. Lodge 6qt or 7.5qt enameled cast iron Dutch oven. I’d go bigger if you make more soups/stews and smaller if you’re mostly cooking for 2 or like baking bread. This doubles as your stock pot. $100 - $120. - go with Staub or Le Creuset if money is no object. Lodge 12” cast iron skillet $40. - Antiques are better if you can find one. You’ll cook most of your meats in here. You could theoretically stop here. But, you’ll probably want some smaller, lighter, easier to use pots and pans. All-Clad D3 3qt stainless steel saucepan with lid $150. - Just a staple of every kitchen and will last for generations. I don’t think you can damage this if you try. Maybe if you left severely burned caramel stuck to the bottom. But even that could probably be fixed. Misen Carbon nonstick (nitrided) 10” fry pan $120 - Easier to use and less maintenance than regular carbon steel or cast iron. Perfect BIFL alternative to teflon or ceramic nonstick. Can you make eggs in cast iron? Sure. But, this pan will make eggs way easier.

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• #120Nov 2, 2025

  I need new induction cookware I won’t have to throw away in two years.

  All-Clad Stainless steel Pots/pans Le Creuset enameled dutch oven (dont use metal utensils on this) Lodge cast iron skillet, or a debuyer mineral b carbon steel Any/all of these options are rock solid and will last for multiple generations if cared for.

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• #121Nov 2, 2025

  I need new induction cookware I won’t have to throw away in two years.

  Depending on what /how you cook, consider the following Lodge cast iron Ikea stainless steel (forgot the name of the range sorry) All clad De buyer carbon steel

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• #122Nov 2, 2025

  I need new induction cookware I won’t have to throw away in two years.

  Just get anything quality made of ferrous metal. Which pretty much means cast iron or stainless and not aluminum.  Lodge Logic is heavy but tough and cheap as hell.  All Clad is the premium American product, and you can get great deals on seconds with very minor blemishes from various places.  Or Creuset or Staub or Demeyere or Mauviel or DeBuyer.  Any of this stuff is built like a brick shithouse and should last generations if it's not abused. 

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• #123Nov 1, 2025

  What's your frying pan for life?

  I use a 12" Lodge and an Argentinian Darto n27 carbon steel pan. The Lodge, my mom bought in 1979 when she was preggers with me. It's heavy, but legit perfection. As is the Darto. Super good quality and gives a seer like only carbon steel can. We also employ a full set of D3 All-Clad that was a wedding gift. 10/10 would recommend. Also,also... I do keep a 12" T-fal non stick I simply replace every few years as needed. It's cheap. I don't mind replacing it when it gets worn.

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• #124Nov 1, 2025

  What is a BIFL toilet paper? (Don't gatekeep me)

  For the last 82 years I’ve been pooping into my top loading Speed Queen, using a pile of stacked Lodge cast iron skillets as a step stool, and wiping with Darn Tough socks.

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• #125Oct 9, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  I have multiple brands of cookware based on what I use it for. All-Clad, Demeyre, Lodge, Le crueset, etc. I’ve had my Lodge cast iron for over 20+ years and love it except it is heavy. Abuse it, scrub it with water, dry, rub with oil and warm it up and let it sit on stove to cool. I still can use it for eggs and they slide off. Have an overpriced Smithey carbon steel one which is much lighter also seasoned it so eggs slide off too. Love it too but I use them both for different needs. I wouldn't spend $ on a cast iron as the thick heat retention is excellent for a perfect sear on a steak and other needs! Love the carbon for quick response on high and low temp. The best one for you will be based on your use as it is a very personal choice and shouldn’t be based on “Best” as it different for all of us. Good luck.

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• #126Oct 8, 2025

  Can anyone make a BIFL super list?

  Cast iron cookware - Lodge. You can get fancier, but you don’t have to…

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• #127Oct 8, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  The rough texture on the lodges' are so they can more easily season it at the factory. I think they call it mist seasoning. Most low cost vendors went to this to save money. There was a person on Etsy that was polishing lodge skillets and selling them.

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• #128Oct 7, 2025

  Whats some item you bought online that earned BIFL status?

  Lodge iron skillets. I got two, I stopped putting them away, they are on my stove all day every day soldiering on like a champs they are ...

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• #129Oct 7, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  Basically all cast iron pans are mostly the same. Find one at a thrift store! I've created a sleeve for mine, which is a rolled-up oven-mit-fabric square and a rubber band. It slips on and off for when it's on the range, but don't leave them in the stove.

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• #130Oct 7, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  I have several Field’s, old Griswold’s, Wagner’s, Wapak etc. When I’m just doing steaks, I pull out my trusty Lodge, it is a little thicker and therefore holds temperature a tad better. Lodge will do anything the others will do as well, I just like the others personally.

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• #131Oct 7, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  There might be a better pan than a Lodge, but you buy a Lodge and be happy with it for the rest of your life. Once it's seasoned, the differences will be negligible.

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• #132Oct 7, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  I've taken my Lodge pans back to raw cast iron and sanded them with a grinder using a flap disk; that works pretty well except for the corners. After reseasoning them they're a good 7/10. Still better to find one polished from the factory.

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• #133Oct 7, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  Lodge is decent quality and made in the USA, they’ve been making cast iron here a long time. To step up without getting an antique used one it’s going to cost at least 3x more. Some other made in USA cast iron brands are Smithey, Lancaster, Field, and Finex. A higher quality pan is usually lighter and smoother, but the heavier the pan the more heat it holds which isn’t a bad thing. I cooked my daughter’s breakfast in a lodge cast iron pan this morning, it’s a workhorse and will last forever

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• #134Oct 7, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  Best? Depends on what YOU require out of a pan. The Lodge is a workhorse. Nothing fancy and will definitely get the job done. The silicone handle cover can easily slide on or off if you prefer the oven mitt. Don't over think this.

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• #135Oct 7, 2025

  Stopped buying cheap versions of everything and cooking actually got easier

  Any chance you could claim a small shelf in the kitchen to store some tools just for you? I have a small collection of kitchenware that no one in the house touches but me. Everything is stored out of sight so nothing gets grabbed accidentally, and I don't touch anyone else's kitchen stuff. If you want an inexpensive, quality pan, Lodge makes very solid cast iron.

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• #136Oct 6, 2025

  What are some actual BIFL kitchen items?

  My German (wusthof I think? I got just a basic set, no frills) knives and cleaver take a beating and continue to sharpen well and hold an edge. Coming into squash season again and some of those heirloom varieties I end up needing mallet to split. Cast iron and stainless steel pots and pans, and also my discount rack—15 yrs old—lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven. My potato masher was my grandmothers that she got as a wedding present back in 1930. So is most of my Pyrex—sourced from Either from deceased family or estate sales. Essentially things without weak points where a seam or weld can give, made from durable metal or borosilicate glass will be BIFL. Just be careful with stone countertops or ceramic sinks/tile. I lost my favorite butter melting bowl to a ceramic sink in a rental we lived in a few years ago.

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• #137Oct 6, 2025

  Useful/cool things to buy

  [removed]

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• #138Oct 5, 2025

  What are some actual BIFL kitchen items?

  I have a flat cast iron griddle that we use almost daily for everything from eggs to bread (we no longer use a toaster) and it's amazingly nonstick because of all the use. Gets very little TLC and is just phenomenal to use and extremely easy to clean. I also swear by USA Pan baking sheets and other items (I love to bake) and Lodge bread pans. Stainless steel can range in quality but if you find good items it's a good base material for many things - mixing bowls, prep trays, and so on. Then basic white crockery that's easy to match and stands up under heavy use.

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• #139Oct 5, 2025

  What are some actual BIFL kitchen items?

  Cast iron is number one, I have a couple pans that are easily 100 years old, if buying new lodge Blacklock series is the closest to the old cast without breaking the bank. Enamel wear can last forever as long as you don't drop it.

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• #140Oct 5, 2025

  What are some actual BIFL kitchen items?

  Cast iron pan from lodge Metal spatula from lamson

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• #141Oct 5, 2025

  What are some actual BIFL kitchen items?

  Legitimate Pyrex glass bowls, pie plates and casserole dishes you can find the good stuff at yard sales usually. stainless steel or cast iron pots and pans, I think Lodge is a decent brand if buying new. wooden spoons, maple rolling pin. We have a hand crank flour sifter and hand crank egg beater that are both at least 100 years old. Metal measuring spoons and cups ( I think I got them from Target 20 years ago). I have basic ikea stainless steel flatware that is going to end up BIFL (we have used it daily for 10 years and looks barely worn). I have had a pioneer woman metal spatula with a red handle that I bought at Walmart about 5 years ago and it’s in almost new shape. I haven’t found any metal baking pans or sheets that I would recommend but would also like to hear what others have to say.

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• #142Oct 3, 2025

  If you had $300 for your kitchen, what would you buy that lasts?

  all clad, kitchen aid, le cruset, lodge.

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• #143Oct 3, 2025

  What’s something you’ve bought once and never had to replace?

  My grandpa was short af or else I would’ve raided his closet. Both of them actually. Got a few shirts and jackets. Dyed a jacket darker. Got one supreme vintage cast iron skillet. Thin, polished, seasoned to hell, just says 8-we” made in USA in the bottom. Unbranded is apparently desirable. I’m not really obsessed with it and forget why. lol Go to a lodge outlet and buy tf out of the factory seconds section. It’s all +/-$20, at least 5 years ago. Maybe a little longer. That’s where I got most of mine. And an old truck I refuse to let die. Would’ve killed for a suit to fit. Especially that level of one. I don’t know men’s suits at all. Just have 2 cheap ones.

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• #144Oct 2, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  The smoothness of that vintage iron is just unbeatable. Modern Lodge just can't compare :/

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• #145Oct 2, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  I have the same exact one. Was clearing out my grandmother's cabin and knew absolutely nothing about cast iron but thought it was cool. We know use it and a larger lodge for 90% of our stovetop cooking. Had no idea they could be that old. Is superior to the lodge I/m/h/o. Mines certainly not restored though!

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• #146Oct 2, 2025

  What’s something you’ve bought once and never had to replace?

  Just follow the lodge instructions https://www.lodgecastiron.com/pages/how-to-clean

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• #147Oct 2, 2025

  What’s something you’ve bought once and never had to replace?

  I own my great grandmother’s cast iron set. 3 pans. Wagners. I also have a new larger lodge. The lodge is good and at this point after year of use cooks almost as good as those, probably 100 year old ones from my great grandmother… but not quite as good. I kinda baby them. I like the cast iron page. The pans are one of my favorite things in the house. They rival my Toto washlet.

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• #148Oct 1, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  Depends on the pan - my modern lodges i hit with a palm sander on the cooking surfaces. Older pans were surfaced in production so you don't need to. Really not worth stripping a working pan if you don't need to, mine are kinda crusty on the outside and work A okay.

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• #149Oct 1, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  There's a comment above with a comment from OP and myself with different ways to restore them. If you'd like some tips on keeping it in good condition I'd just recommend thoroughly cleaning with soap (the idea of not using soap is outdated advice, modern soap won't hurt it at all), and using flat metal utensils, like a fish spatula, to help scrap any inconsistent areas down. Maybe season once a year. When you're done cleaning, if you don't plan on using it daily put a small layer of oil on it. The r/castiron community words it as "cover it in oil, but then wipe it all off like you weren't supposed to put oil on it". If you do too much it'll leave a sticky layer. Also, highly recommend looking for some old lodge cast iron. Modern affordable pans have a very rough cooking surface that makes it pretty difficult to clean stuck on messes. Vintage pans (and modern expensive pans, like smithy) have a milled smooth cooking surface, feels like glass. Makes for a much better experience and you can find vintage lodge for $10-$25 on fb marketplace, antique stores, and eBay

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• #150Oct 1, 2025

  What’s something you’ve bought once and never had to replace?

  Dang at that price the Lodge black lock line is probably a good investment. They're lightweight cast iron and pretty smooth as well.

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• #151Oct 1, 2025

  What’s something you’ve bought once and never had to replace?

  Honestly the new new Lodges are great. They started using a finer grain sand in the molds or something (it was in an AMA I think?). Anyways they are much smoother than 2-3 years ago.

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• #152Oct 1, 2025

  If you had $300 for your kitchen, what would you buy that lasts?

  Agree on a lodge enameled one. Use mine for everything. Even use like a sauté pan because the high wall contains most of the oil splatter so there is less to clean up.

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• #153Oct 1, 2025

  If you had $300 for your kitchen, what would you buy that lasts?

  Cheap victoriax knifes(chef, santoku, bread, boning, and paring) and decent pull through sharpener along with a winco 1” cutting board is all you need. Buy some Nordic sheet pans, cusinart stainless pans, and a lodge Dutch oven and that’s almost everything. Only thing that gets substantial better with price is a blender. Any $150-250 blender will have enough power to chop ice and seeds to create a good smoothy, have a big blender cup to create more than single servings, and will have a few attachments to double as a food processor for sauces. Don’t over complicate it.

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• #154Oct 1, 2025

  If you had $300 for your kitchen, what would you buy that lasts?

  Cheap victoriax knifes and decent pull through sharpener along with a winco 1” cutting board is all you need. Buy some Nordic sheet pans, cusinart stainless pans, and a lodge Dutch oven and that’s almost everything. Only thing that gets substantial better with price is a blender.

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• #155Sep 7, 2025

  Cast iron is intimidating

  I have a lodge Dutch oven and old Wegner pans. No Dutch oven in cupboard pans on a bakers rack All kinds, vegetable oil, olive oil, avadado oil, etc.. usually when I cook or when I rarely season. Pans are used usually weekly, Dutch oven occasionally sits for a month or two

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• #156Sep 7, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Between the two of you guys this is the dream cookware set I have come up with for my house too. All clad pots with a big flat bottomed “everyday pan”, a set of 3 Lodge skillets and a two burner griddle, Le Creuset Dutch oven and braiser, Victoria comal, carbon steel wok and a “cheap” All-clad nonstick for my kid to cook her eggs on. We have lots of cookware but we cook at home daily. I feel like this variety covers almost all the bases and I’m able to make just about everything with the carefully chosen pieces I have. Hopefully I won’t have to replace any of them ever again except for the single egg pan.

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• #157Sep 7, 2025

  Cast iron is intimidating

  I have some of my great grandmothers cast iron pans. They are some of my favorite things I own! I also have some newer lodge stuff as well as some carbon steel. You treat them all the same. Here’s what I do: The main things to remember with cast iron: 1. Don’t put a hot pan directly into cold water. It will crack 2. Don’t leave it wet. Dry it thoroughly. 3. Acidic foods like lemon or tomato sauce can strip the seasoning. It won’t ruin the pan, you can always get it back. But, I avoid cooking acidic foods in my pan. Especially long cooks like tomato sauce. Grab the pan before you start prepping and put it on the burner on low to warm it up. Once you are ready to start to cook, heat the pan to the desired temp. (Should take about 3 minutes). When you finish cooking scrape the pan with a plastic spatula to get the big bits off. Turn the burner off. (You can use metal utensils. But plastic is definitely safer to keep your seasoning in tact.) When the pan cools to warm (it will take a while) take it to your sink, run hot water over it and use a natural bristle brush to scrub the food off. I don’t use any soap. But you CAN use dawn. It won’t hurt anything. For stubborn stuck food use a chainmail or lightly use one of those metal scrub pads if needed. I rarely have to do this. Once clean, I take it to the stove and put it on a burner at low. Once it’s bone dry, I rub it with a very light coating of oil while it’s hot. If you use too much it will get tacky. Very little. Let the pan cool and then put it away. The pan will become more non stick the more you use it and build up your seasoning.

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• #158Sep 7, 2025

  Subreddit decline in quality

  Yes this is just a darn tough, lodge, and Le creuset subreddit at this point.

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• #159Sep 6, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Get a Lodge Cast Iron pan. I can't recommend it highly enough. They are cheap, pre-seasoned, non-stick, and tough as hell. The idea that a cast iron pan has to be a ton of maintenance simply isn't true. I was hesitant to buy one for years because I bought into the myth that you have to treat your cast iron pan like a baby. You don't. It's a fucking piece of iron. People have been cooking with them for thousands of years.

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• #160Sep 6, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  8 inch lodge cast iron skillet for breakfast. You will learn to love it and your eggs never stick. It’s amazing

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• #161Sep 6, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  I've had my Lodge skillet for 15 years now, and it's been a workhorse.

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• #162Sep 5, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Cast iron or carbon steel. If you get cast iron it might be worth a little more to get a machined one for the super smooth cook surface that lodge and other cheap ones lack

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• #163Sep 5, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  - Lodge cast iron skillet - Bialetti moka pot - Assorted fruit trees, bushes, and vines (there's nothing like fresh fruit)

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• #164Sep 5, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  I don’t maintain my Lodge skillet.  I fry tomatoes in it and clean it with a metal scourer. I haven’t reseasoned it in a very long time. Nothing wrong with it after almost 15 years except some carbon buildup on the outside. It’s not as non-stick as it could be, but it’s not bad at all!

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• #165Sep 5, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Stainless steel (I bought all-clad D3 everyday, worth every penny). I also use cast iron, but be slightly cautious. Spend slightly more on “nicer” options. I bought Lodge, and they work fine, but their castings are a bit rough which means you get a fairly uneven cooking surface. Spending even $10-15 more you get a much nicer finish. But if penny pinching is important to you they are hard to beat for the value.

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• #166Sep 5, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Cast iron pan by Lodge. 30 years daily use.

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• #167Sep 5, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  I bought a lodge cast iron skillet and I treat it horribly. It’s fine. I’m fine. It’ll outlive me for sure, despite how I treat it.

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• #168Sep 4, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  All Clad for daily use. Lodge cast iron for periodic things. Definition of BIFL and only answer you really need.

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• #169Sep 4, 2025

  Cast iron pans really do last forever

  Griswold and Wagner Ware are highly sought after for vintage cast iron with a very smooth glassy surface. Lodge is cheap and sold everywhere these days, and it's very good.

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• #170Sep 4, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  Lodge cast iron pans (other brands get hot spots and rust more easily), EZ-Duz-It can opener, I can’t tell you how many $2-3 can openers go dull and rust within a year, a Denman hair brush- the bristles don’t warp, fall out, it’s rubber and nylon instead of plastic, so it doesn’t cause static and make my hair frizz like plastic does, same with Kent combs, they’re made of cellulose acetate instead of plastic, so they don’t damage your hair, the prongs are also polished which prevents snags, rough damaged hair, and split ends

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• #171Sep 4, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Cast iron is incredibly low maintenance. There are just ways to fix it if you burn off the seasoning that require a few minutes or time and a few hours in the oven. Daily it’s Wash it with some water or soap and water, dry it, if you want dry it on the stove top on warm, add a few drops of oil and spread it around if you want to be nice to it and let it sit there. It will literally last you the rest of your life, your kids life, and their children’s lives. Before you cook add a little fat of some sort and let the pan warm up to temp before you cook. I have pans from the 1800s that I got from my great grand mother and they are going to my children. I have new stuff that is old enough to vote and my kids will get them too. A new lodge which will last as long as you use it and ignore it afterwards, it costs like 30-40 US.. it will never disappoint. You can go fancy and spend real $$$ but it’s not required or needed, it’s just fancy and shiny.

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• #172Sep 4, 2025

  Cast iron pans really do last forever

  I’ve got cheap arse lodge pans with sand casting texture so I sanded them down till they were smoother then recurred them. Works so much better now.

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• #173Sep 4, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Lodge Cast Iron.

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• #174Sep 4, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  All-Clad stainless steel and Lodge cast iron. That covers almost everything I cook.

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• #175Sep 4, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Lodge

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• #176Sep 4, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  I love lodge pans Lodge is a 130 company I can point at and be like “SEE! Planned obselescence doesn’t have to be a thing for a company to be successful!”

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• #177Sep 4, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  I do the vast majority of my cooking with my All Clad stainless and a Lodge cast iron pan. I also have a Tramontina nonstick skillet for eggs and more fidgety recipes…

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• #178Sep 4, 2025

  Cast iron pans really do last forever

  Mine are all Lodge.

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• #179Sep 4, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  Lodge cast iron skillet

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• #180Sep 4, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  a long wooden shoe horn to discourage you from smashing in the backs of your work shoes in the morning, and encourage you to put your running shoes on when it's time to go for a jog. also agree with the others recommending a lodge cast iron skillet. You can also find a carbon steel wok from your local Chinatown restaurant supply or Chinese market. Both of these I acquired over 10 years ago and still going strong - the only damage is a slightly-melted plastic wok handle, but that's user error.

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• #181Sep 4, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  It’s not BIFL but does fit your question, a bidet attachment is the single biggest and life changing thing I’ve bought under $50. Fits your question and is BIFL, a cast iron skillet. They are relatively cheap and if taken care of, will last forever. New lodges can be bought under $50 and I’m sure you could find high end brands at thrift stores. I use my skillet daily for everything, and is actually easier to clean off with better non-stick than a non-stick. Unlike non-stick, it is BIFL.

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• #182Sep 4, 2025

  ADHD friendly cookware

  It'll be fine. Don't think you have to soak things for days or even hours. Leave your dishes dry, even if dirty, because it prevents bacterial growth and mold. Before you wash it soak for a few min. Then scrub. It'll come up. You can even use steel wool on tough gunk. Even if you don't soak it's literally a few extra minutes of scrubbing. Non stick isn't worth the health risk or the limited life of the coating. Stainless steel won't stain from turmeric. I scrub, dishwash, and generally beat the crap out of my stainless. Get something nice. I had a roommate leave a cast iron Dutch oven with crap inside of it for MONTHS. He put it in my cabinet with the oil he'd fried chicken in, scraps and all. Stubbed, scraped, stripped, baked, and seasoned it. Like new again. Lodge brand. Cheap and durable.

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• #183Sep 4, 2025

  Best Buy it for Life Gift?

  Bidet and Lodge cast iron

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• #184Aug 12, 2025

  What's the oldest thing you still use daily that works like new?

  My grandma’s lodge cast iron skillet from the 1960s. I cook at home almost daily and had never used cast iron until my mom randomly gave it to me. Now I’m hooked and hardly use my stainless steel skillets.

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• #185Aug 11, 2025

  stainless steel or enamel cookware

  This. I can’t tell you how many high quality meals I cooked out of my $20 lodge. My kids will probably get this pan when I drop dead

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• #186Aug 8, 2025

  Looking to replace every single item we own

  Another vote for cast iron! After my frustration with nonstick pans being basically disposable (even with only using silicone tools and hand washing, they’re rarely nonstick for more than 6 months-1 year in my experience), our family switched over to cast iron and I couldn’t be happier. I use Lodge, and once you’ve cooked in them a bit (and thus built up a bit of seasoning), I find that these cast iron pans are just as good as nonstick, even for things like eggs.

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• #187Aug 8, 2025

  Looking to replace every single item we own

  Cookware: If you have a gas cooktop, you can’t beat a 12” Lodge Cast Iron Skillet. I did 80-90% of my cooking in that one pan. On an electric, I hated Misen, but am loving Hexclad Mattress: I went Helix Elite. Absolutely no regrets. Previously had Casper that I had to put a $400 topper on, and the Helix is FAR superior. Sofa: LoveSac. Comfortable, durable, customizable. Outstanding.

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• #188Aug 7, 2025

  Looking to replace every single item we own

  Cookware: I'd go w/ tri or 5-ply stainless steel. I have Cuisinart brand, but have noticed, because rims aren't sealed, the edges are getting sharp (similar to problem All-Clad was sued over). Misen and some other brands have sealed rims. Really only comes into play if like to use dishwasher. Another non-sealed/enclosed brand that's good but affordable is Tramontina. Also I'm leaning towards carbon steel pans as a non-stick option. Check threads for recommendations. Also America's Test Kitchen and other review channels on YT for other cookware suggestions. My personal affordable but good would include a Tramontina SS set that includes a 3.5-4 qt casserole, Lodge enameled dutch oven, a carbon steel pan. FWIW, for some of the more expensive pieces, cookware tends to go on sale/best discounts in October and maaybe v. early Nov each year.

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• #189Aug 7, 2025

  Looking to replace every single item we own

  Lodge is a manufacturer that currently makes cast iron pans. So you can get a new pan for a reasonable price and not get caught by a “vintage / collectible” price. You can often find cast iron pans at a thrift store/ second hand store, and if the prices are good that’s great. Sometimes those stores are overly proud of their cast iron because of the trend “get vintage cast iron” and they might charge $120-$300. To a collector that might be ok - if the collector knows that’s what they want; but a $30 new, a $3 thrift store and a $300 collector pan will all be capable of performing well.

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• #190Aug 7, 2025

  Best pot and pan set for a new homeowner?

  A fully stock BIFL kitchen = All-clad Stainless Steel D3 or D5 pots and pans for most items. Then add a couple cast iron pans (I have Lodge), a carbon steel wok, and teflon pan (that you’ll replace every few years).

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• #191Aug 7, 2025

  Looking to replace every single item we own

  Jumping in with cast iron. Vintage is cool, often very nice, but you can also jump in with some $20-$35 lodge and do wonderfully.

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• #192Aug 7, 2025

  Looking to replace every single item we own

  Babish Mixing Bowls Kyocera Vegetable Peeler Sherwin Williams Paint Safavieh Area Rugs The Frame Samsung TV William Sonoma Spatulas Schwinn Stationary Bike Weber Kettle Grill and Upright Smoker Boos Butcher Block Cutting Board Lodge Cast Iron Molly Mutt Dog Beds I’m really sorry to hear about your family’s circumstances. Best of luck to you all.

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• #193Aug 6, 2025

  Best pot and pan set for a new homeowner?

  I can't be bothered to go hunting for old cast iron, but have found that buying a cheapo lodge and sanding it down with an angle grinder using a polishing wheel will create the exact same product as any expensive/rare pan.

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• #194Aug 6, 2025

  Best pot and pan set for a new homeowner?

  This definitely depends on your cooking style and your preferences, but whatever you do, stay away from Teflon non-stick. In my opinion you should get stainless steel and/or cast iron/carbon steel cookware. A good quality enamel dutch oven is good too. I highly recommend getting at least one cast iron or carbon steel pan. I have one of each and they are my daily workhorses. I do steaks, roasted veggies, or anything else that needs a good sear in my cast iron. I use carbon steel for eggs, pancakes, and other items that are quicker cooking. They both do require special maintenance for the nonstick properties, but once you get over the learning curve, these things will last literally forever. As for brands go, you can go to r/castiron or r/carbonsteel (be careful as the rabbit hole goes very deep). Personally, I think cheap brands like Lodge are just fine unless you have a lot of money you want to spend.

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• #195Aug 4, 2025

  What's the best brand to get some pots and pans set from

  Cast iron is the best. Sand your lodge smooth or upgrade to vintage Wagner/griswold or get some smithy’s. All clad makes nice non stick as well.

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• #196Aug 4, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Lodge cast iron. I use a large cast iron pan for everything except for baking a few pastries, and some of them as well.

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• #197Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Non-stick doesn’t last. Cast Iron is the ultimate in buy it for life and can be passed down generations. Enameled cast iron? Not so much, but the standard black cast iron skillet is a work horse. If buying new, I like Smithey, but Lodge is reasonable and almost as good. That said…you don’t always want to use cast iron. I bought a set of all clad a couple years ago - I went with the copper core, but the standard or d5 is just as good. It was not a cheap purchase, but I know I’ll never need to buy another set of cookware.

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• #198Aug 3, 2025

  What are some of the best products/brands you love splurging on?

  Some things, it isn't the name brand that matters. Just check reviews. If the brand matters I tell the brand I recommend. If you want serious kitchen recommendations, check out *America's Test Kitchen* on YouTube. *"Lodge cast iron Dutch oven**. These are workhorses. You can use them on top of a stove, in an oven, on an outdoor grill or even in a campfire. You can cook a roast, make soups, bake bread and even bake cakes. **Lodge cast iron reversible griddle**. This can be used for pancakes, roasting vegetables, baking pizza, baking bread, cooking steaks. Like all cast iron, it can go from stovetop to oven to grill to campfire. **"Made-In*** **stainless steel 12 inch skillet** **Lodge cast iron skillet**, 9 or 10 inch *Kitchen-Aid mixer**. Especially if you cook from scratch. **Stainless steel nesting mixing bowl set with lids**. Ideally a set of 7 bowls. They work for storage as well as mixing. Stainless steel is easy to clean and can survive being dropped or even a hand mixer. **Lodge cast iron bread/loaf pan**. Good for meatloaf, quick breads and regular bread. Can be used on top of the stove, in the oven, in a grill, wherever. **Pullman bread loaf pan**. **Crofton (Aldi) bread boule baking set**. The lid can be used over other pans on the stove or oven and the base can be used to cook non bread items. **Speed Queen washer** **All-American pressure canner**. This can be used as a general stock pot and used for high-acid canning. They are heavy enough to be used on the stove and on a grill.

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• #199Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  My lodge is great. The bumps are totally fine, a bit of oil and I can get an egg no problem at all

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• #200Aug 3, 2025

  Suggest for my kitchenware?

  All-Clad for stainless steel pots and pans - expensive, but you’ll never need to replace them. For knives, Wüsthof or Shun are both great. Cast iron skillet, for that, Lodge is classic and will last generations.

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• #201Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  - Cast iron for sure. Lodge is fabulous. - Stainless from AllClad or Made In or Calphalon. (Tho consider ensuring they’re induction compatible). - A couple of carbon steel fry pans. - A cheap carbon steel wok (again, consider induction compatible like the Yosukata).

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• #202Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Lodge cast iron - skillet and pot/dutch oven. And carbon steel - I got a MadeIn set and I LOVE it. It became non stick so fast.

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• #203Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Lodge cast iron, two handle 17 inch....great for a roast, dutch baby, turkey... Also Le creuset...mine are 20 years young and still going strong

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• #204Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  i have a lodge cast iron, does the job well.

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• #205Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  just a regular ole lodge cast iron skillet. If you care for them correctly, they'll be passed through generations

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• #206Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Lodge Cast Iron. Way too useful not to have.

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• #207Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Has only been 10 years, but our Lodge (cast iron) is doing well :)

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• #208Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Carbon steel is very much like cast iron except it is much thinner (because it can be forged and doesn't have to be cast). It still needs to be seasoned and can rust if left out wet for too long. Lodge has some nice and cheap options, no need to spend more than $50 for a nice pan.

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• #209Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Cast iron will last for generations. Not even expensive. A basic Lodge can be used by your great-grandkids. 

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• #210Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Lodge cast iron. It’ll last longer than your grandkid’s grandkids. We use it in the kitchen. Throw it on a fire when camping. Can be used as a weapon. You cannot hurt it. Best $30 you’ll ever spend.

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• #211Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Lodge cast iron. Properly seasoned and used, it's non-stick, and lasts a lifetime.

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• #212Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  I have all-clad and Made-In. All-clad is better; I cook more with the Made-In. I love their 2 and 3 qt sauciers. I would agree though that lodge cast iron is the BIFL purchase. Also a medium-sized Le Creuset.

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• #213Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Anything carbon steel, cast iron, or stainless.  I have a debuyer mineral b pro carbon steel and a Darto carbon steel. Love them both All clad is great stainless, and lodge is classic cast iron (there are better than lodge, you can dive into the world of vintage and high end cast iron, but lodge is super chea and gets the job done) Id recommend at least one cast iron (best for steak), carbon steel should be your daily use pans, and stainless is great for acidic foods (white wine, tomato sauce, etc) There is a learning curve to cooking with and maintaining cast iron and carbon steel however, but it's not hard.  Non stick is never BIFL, they are only good for between 2-6 years and have to be thrown away after that

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• #214Aug 2, 2025

  what's your best BIFL item under $50 that most people overlook?

  Cast iron pan by Lodge. It will outlive you, provided you maintain it properly. ($20) Vintage surplus wool army blanket (check eBay, you can get them for under $50). Mag-Lite flashlight. (Forget how much, definitely under $50). Zippo lighter ($25-$50).

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• #215Aug 1, 2025

  What's the best brand to get some pots and pans set from

  Wish I knew this when younger but I would buy these and never have to buy similar pans again (this is pretty much what I have currently) All clad stainless steel pan - 12 inch Lodge cast iron pan - 10 inch A couple of carbon steel pans in different sizes - many brands to choose from Pizza stone for oven Enameled cast iron pot - probably Le Creuset but other cheaper brands available that should be nearly as good Cheap non stick pan for guests/kids to cook with at your place I've been thinking of getting a reversible cast iron or carbon steel griddle for use on the stove Pots and pans you should not spend a lot on: Stock pot - no reason to spend $2-300 for all clad ss pot. Can get cheap ones at restaurant supply store or online Saucier or the expensivr 2-3qt pots from all clad. Unless u making gourmet stuff. I use cheap pots for ramen, heating up soups/stews, etc. I don't ever make any sauce per se except for the jus after roasting a prime rib once or twice a year

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• #216Aug 1, 2025

  what’s something you bought once and never had to replace?

  Lodge cast iron griddle, 21 years old Revere ware pots and pans, 35 years old Corelle dishes, various years old some Longaberger baskets, from 89, 90 Gingher sewing shears from the 1990s 1970s crockpot that was my mom's

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• #217Jul 11, 2025

  Daily Use BIFL Breakfast Gear

  Can't see what is wrong with it, cast iron soaks up a lot of heat so it works very evenly on induction. Much better than stainless or teflon pans for that same money.

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• #218Jul 11, 2025

  Daily Use BIFL Breakfast Gear

  Not quite every day but I like my Le Creuset stainless steel frying pan. I love the design, especially the handle, but it has a bit of a hot spot in the middle. I have to be careful when cooking bacon in it, but other than that I love it. I abuse the shit out of it as well as my other cookware from the same line, and my roasting pan, by using SOS pads on them. However, it's easier and I tend to be lazy about cleaning so that's the best I can do. I actually have a related product connected to that moka pot. A bialetti Musa. It's the medium one. I use it daily because it's pretty idiot-proof and I don't need to fuss with filters. It has some drawbacks in the design, so I'm looking to get a replacement percolator. I also have a drip coffee maker that I'll use eventually. Oh, and I also have a few lodge pans, including 3 of those little ones. With matching black silicone handle sleeves. I have a lot of cookware which I like having on hand but which never seem to get used. Maybe I should make pan brownies in the big cast iron pan...

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• #219Jul 11, 2025

  Daily Use BIFL Breakfast Gear

  We have a 10” cast iron that basically stays on the stove top. It gets used 2-3 times a day. We have probably far too many coffee making variations. I rotate between chemex and the bialetti.

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• #220Jul 11, 2025

  Daily Use BIFL Breakfast Gear

  Cast iron skillet, Chemex coffee maker, and a good toaster xxx

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• #221Jul 10, 2025

  Started buying for LIFE

  I love my Le Creuset soup pot for making sourdough! Also Lodge has cast iron bread loaf pans (I have the XL versions) and they’re high quality ones.

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• #222Jul 9, 2025

  Important Kitchen Essentials?

  Restaurant quality, long handle, stainless steel utensils. Several spatulas, several size ladles, meat forks. Large display, instant read, meat thermometer Candy thermometer Set of sieves in several sizes Stainless steel colander Stainless steel steamer insert Stainless steel OXO good grips box grater. 8 or 9 inch cast iron skillet Insulated bottom cookie sheets Bread loaf pans. Cast iron and regular aluminum- NOT NON-STICK Dutch oven, heavy bottom- 6 quarts with a tight fitting lid. I have a cast iron Lodge I love. Cast iron double-sided griddle. I can use it to bake pizza and all kinds of bread, pancakes, hamburgers... It can go outside a grill, over a camp fire, in an oven and on top of a stove.

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• #223Jul 9, 2025

  Important Kitchen Essentials?

  I am waiting to see the other responses because I am currently working on the same thing. My advice and what I am personally trying to do is find stuff at your local second hand store. Metal tongs, metal strainer (fine mesh), fish spatual (super versatile), enamel dutch oven, grating block, metal mixing bowls. I am trying to remember of the dome. My personal two recommendations, and you can find these "used" like new most of the time and that would be a Stand Mixer that can accept attachments. The second would be a 8in, 10in, OR 12 in Cast Iron Skillet, one is good enough. Lodge works. Hope this helps. Like I said, currently doing the same thing. GOOD LUCK, HAPPY COOKING

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• #224Jul 9, 2025

  No gatekeeping this one

  Thats insanely expensive. The lodge 5qt one is $50 brand new

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• #225Jul 8, 2025

  Which Dutch Oven should I own?

   definitely go with cast iron, and whether to choose traditional or enameled depends on how you cook and how much maintenance you're okay with. if you're looking for something truly buy-it-for-life, bare cast iron like Lodge is hard to beat. it's super versatile for searing, baking, and even campfire cooking. it gets better with use if you season it right, and it’ll basically last forever. the catch is it needs upkeep cuz you can't leave it wet, and it reacts with acidic foods like tomatoes unless it's really well seasoned. enameled cast iron is pretty easy to live with cuz theres no seasoning, easy cleanup, and safe for all kinds of recipes so its p great for things like stews, curries, and baking bread. only downside is that the enamel can chip if you drop it or hit it against something hard also, it's usually more expensive [except this one i found](https://grassrouteguide.com/dp-B0CSZ8WN7B) which is le creuset quality for not le creuset money and they have similar colors to the LC too. also for most people, a size between 5 and 7.5 quarts is perfect it handles everything from soups to whole chickens (if you want any recipes hmuu)if you're looking for something truly buy-it-for-life, bare cast iron like Lodge is hard to beat. it's super versatile for searing, baking, and even campfire cooking. it gets better with use if you season it right, and it’ll basically last forever. the catch is it needs upkeep cuz you can't leave it wet, and it reacts with acidic foods like tomatoes unless it's really well seasoned.

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• #226Jul 8, 2025

  Going to university for 5+ years – what are the best affordable BIFL items I should invest in?

  If I was going back in time through college again, I’d get a good pair of Goodyear welt boots, a good rain jacket, a stainless steel water bottle, and a good backpack with a lifetime (or long warranty). When moving to my first housing with a stovetop, a fish spatula and a lodge cast iron.

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• #227Jul 6, 2025

  Pots and Pans for a wife that cooks multiple times a day

  I just saw this. I 1000% agree with lodge! I love mine. Stove top and/or oven. It can take all you can dish out. No pun intended!

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• #228Jul 6, 2025

  What BIFL items would you add to your wedding registry?

  Don’t do Kitchenaid do ankersrum, new KA models aren’t it. Borosilicate glass food containers, lodge cash iron,an enameled or creseut or smith/ can’t remember the exact name. Japanese knife set, knife sharpener, bamboo cutting board, humidifier, toaster oven, zojirushu rice and bread maker, vitamix, food processor, sebo vacuum or at least Miele,

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• #229Jul 5, 2025

  Stuff you will continue buying for life

  Weber Charcoal grills (what, you don’t have three either ;)) Lodge Cast Iron 100% wool blankets Toyota vehicles (not BIFL, but as close as it gets)

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• #230Jul 4, 2025

  Lodge ceramic color help

  I think it's teal color.

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• #231Jul 4, 2025

  Lodge ceramic color help

  It might be the lighting making it seem off, but according to google and the Lodge site that's the desert sage. Looks more like a sea foam to me.

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• #232Jul 4, 2025

  Lodge ceramic color help

  Desert Sage

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• #233Jul 3, 2025

  Your Top 3 BIFL Items

  It doesn't have to be expensive to be BIFL. * Buck 120 General knife * Parker Jotter ballpoint pen * Lodge cast iron skillet

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• #234Jul 2, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  Lodge cast iron, Colt Series 70 in G-ds caliber, Buck 112, Pendleton ( preferred brand) wool blanket, Felco pruning tools

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• #235Jul 2, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  My personal BIFL items 1. Darn Tough socks, with proper fitting shoes (I have wide feet, stopped wearing brands that don’t have wide feet options). 2. Cast Iron (Lodge) & Stainless Steel pots and pans (even tho it’s two, worth listing both). 3. Full-grain leather belt. I use Hanks everyday belt. 4. Any decent safety razor. Replacement blades are super cheap. I love feather blades. 5. Proper fit computer chair. I have the Steelcase Gesture. Best to try in person before getting it. And if able, pre-own to save even more money. This my personal items that I’ve actually tried and use till this day. Took lots of research and readings/watching reviews before buying these items.

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• #236Jul 1, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  Let’s see: 1. 400 thread count pure cotton sheets 2. Lodge 10” Chef’s Collection cast iron skillet 3. Mac Superior 7” chef’s knife 4. Henckel’s 4-Star 3” paring knife 5. All-Clad Copper Core 3.5 qt Everyday Pan (skillet with high sides and rounded bottom)

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• #237Jul 1, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  1. G&L ASAT electric guitar (27 years). Very nice, well-built American-made guitar, but not ornate or outlandishly expensive. I got this new in the late 1990s, still play it daily, and expect to keep it as long as I live. 2. Rivendell Bleriot bicycle (15 years, bought used). Nice steel-framed bicycle that's great on pavement or gravel. I expect this bike to outlast me as long as I don't wreck it and can still get parts to maintain it. 3. Merkur safety razor (6 years, bought used). I never expect to need to buy another razor. 4. 12" Lodge cast iron skillet (10 years, bought used). I traded a 6-pack of beer for this when a housemate was moving out. 5. Osterizer classic blender (29 years). I got this as a wedding gift and it's outlasted the marriage by well over a decade.

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• #238Jul 1, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  These aren't must haves for anyone else, but they've served me well: - Herman Miller Aeron office chair - IBM Model F keyboard\* - Sennheiser HD600 headphones - Stanley thermos - Lodge cast iron skillet (\*The Model M is still in production by Unicomp and is better for most people, but the Model F is less prone to wear.)

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• #239Jun 6, 2025

  BIFL items to gift to someone when they’re young?

  Cast iron skillet!

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• #240Jun 4, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  - Tongs from Rosle - Anything from Nordicware Naturals - Handmade carbon steel cookware from Irons in the Fire - Waxed canvas lunch bag from Frost River - I don't know if my Staedtler 2mm mechanical pencil is truly bifl but the quality seems on par to be one. If it's not in sure Kaweco's pencils are. - Lodge cast iron products (non enameled). - Cast iron waffle iron from Appalachian cast iron - Maybe not super niche but Fjallraven bags don't get mentioned enough here.

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• #241Jun 4, 2025

  What’s one thing you bought once and it’s still going strong years later?

  I read these comments every time this question comes up which is often. For me, it’s: -le creuset Dutch ovens -lodge cast iron pans -Wustoff (spelling?) chefs knife -ll bean boat and tote bags -Patagonia “black hole” duffle bag -frye boots

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• #242Jun 3, 2025

  What’s one thing you bought once and it’s still going strong years later?

  Overall, I think stainless steel pots and pans are the best and most versatile. Zwilling (made in Germany) are very good. For skillets, I've found that you don't need SS, Carbon Steel and Cast iron but it's nice to have options. I've realized that the difference between high-end and mid-tier is negligible here. My reco: - Lodge for Cast iron (anything else is a waste of money). - Tramontina (mid/low-tier) and All-Clad (upper-tier) for SS. The difference between tramontina and D3 for clad pans is not noticeable. Copper core is a bit better, but not enough to make a big difference. Choose Tramontina or All Clad D3. Anything else is a waste of money. - As for carbon steel, I have only tested Ikea, DeBuyer, and Matfer. Among all, DeBuyer is the best (IMO). Together with Matfer these are my BIFL. Don't even bother to look at IKEA, they are flimsy and not worthy. I like the commercial series of Kitchen aid. The Stand mixer and Blender are perfect. I also own a Vitamix blender. All of them are BIFL. Do you have a specific utensil that you are looking for?

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• #243Jun 3, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  I bought the lodge CI reversible grill/griddle (honestly never used anything but the flat side though) and it saved me the need to buy a stand alone flat top grill like a blackstone. If i find i need more room than the 16x9 offers...i'll just get another one. I carelessly left it out and let it get gross and rusty once - all it took to get it back to working order again is some scrubbing and a couple rounds of bacon fat seasoning

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• #244Jun 2, 2025

  All Clad D3 pan set worth it?

  They have a clearance sale you can sign up for a few times a year. We bought 2 pans then and they are high quality but after using our Lodge cast iron, we can't go back to the "nicer" D3. We are struggling to get the "gunk" off of the D3 by just normal cleaning and that is frustrating. We can clean the cast iron pans in minutes and the cook better for how we use them. A cheap $20 cast iron Lodge is our main right now with a chain mail scrubber.

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• #245Jun 1, 2025

  What’s something you bought once and never had to replace?

  FWIW, the newer Lodge cast iron are pre-seasoned.  You still have to take care of it properly, but you don’t have to get it seasoned right in the first place.   That said, I have two otherwise-identical Lodge 12” cast iron skillets - one  bought unseasoned, and one a couple years later pre-seasoned.  I greatly prefer the surface of the one we seasoned ourselves and only use the other one when I need two at once.  

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• #246Jun 1, 2025

  Favorite/must haves in your home

  Anything Lodge and anything Le Creuset will stand the test of time.

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• #247May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Lodge

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• #248May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  I’ll play: Barbour and belstaff waxed jackets Japanese made denim: [raw denim brands](https://www.reddit.com/r/rawdenim/s/Ph7zRs5H6M) Shoes: Goodyear welted and high quality leather/suede(I nerd out here): Alden, Edward Green, Rancourt from Maine, . Learn to care for them: clean, wax and, protect them they’ll last a lifetime. Put on a record, pour a scotch and put a coat of wax on your fav boots. It’s pretty chill and satisfying. Knives: Wustoff, ZWILLING: learn to sharpen at home with a whetstone: it’s a game changer for lifelong sharp knives! Kitchenaid mixer is a tank Technivorm Mokka coffee maker: has a brass boiler. It lasts a long time. Sebo Vacuum : incredible machine. My carpet was never as clean and it will last 20+ years. Cast iron pan: I have a budget Lodge and use it 3-6x a week now for over 10 years. Maintain it as well and it will last. Cheers all.

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• #249May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Lodge cast iron, but one of my Dutch ovens has a Crack. Og brown label North Face down jackets. Leatherman, Swiss Army knives.  Sorel boots. Craftsman hand tools. Pendleton shirts. Woolrich esp. Vintage. I have had great experience with Eureka tents. Sportif hard shell Goretex jacket for years and years, just one sewing repair on a torn pocket edge.

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• #250May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Barbour, Tweezerman, Lamy, Wolverine, Omega, Lodge, AeroPress, Toyota.

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• #251May 10, 2025

  Is it necessary to spend $40 or $50 for an 8-10” ceramic skillet?

  There is no such thing that is good. The cheapest usable thing is a Lodge cast iron. Then De Buyer/Matfer, followed by All Clad D3/5, and expensive cast irons. That's BIFL in a nutshell. Xtrema is the only usable ceramic thing I know about, but they seem to be oddly fragile for some people but not others.

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• #252May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Lodge cast iron Darn tough socks Koss PortaPros Herman Miller Aeron Duke Traps Mr. Buddy Heaters Coleman Dual Fuel stoves Maglites Channelock pliers

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• #253May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Lodge and/or Victoria cast iron Traveler’s brass fountain pen Rep Fitness zero gap weight lifting bench Fiskar’s yard tools come with easy to use lifetime warranty Osprey backpacks

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• #254May 9, 2025

  Inherited my grandfather's 1950s cast iron skillet - still my go-to for Sunday breakfasts

  Not to be that "acktchually" guy, but they do make modern pans just as well as vintage. To put it in the most basic way I can, there's two types of pans you can get (obviously there's more, but you'll get what I mean).. cheap pans that have a rough cooking surface (haven't been milled to have a smooth surface) or expensive pans that have been milled (I'm talking $100+ for a cast iron). Vintage pans have been milled for a smooth cooking surface, which also helps with cleaning imo. A lot of vintage pans are also lighter in weight, making them slightly more user friendly if you struggle to lift less than 10 pounds. Modern Lodge pans haven't been milled and are quite heavy, but they will cook just as well as a vintage pan and with enough time and seasoning you will see a smoother and smoother cooking surface. With that said, you can buy a vintage Lodge for about the same price as it's modern equivalent so unless you're too lazy to look for a vintage pan I don't see any reason to get a modern one. Start getting into Griswold's and Wagner's and the price is going to be closer to the expensive modern pans of today. Modern milled brands would be Finex, Smithey, Field Company, etc

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• #255May 9, 2025

  Inherited my grandfather's 1950s cast iron skillet - still my go-to for Sunday breakfasts

  I have a nest of 5 or so pans, one is a recent lodge from 25 years ago, the rest are from early 20th century. My go to every day.

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• #256May 9, 2025

  Ok so I’m totally lost - a lot of people saying ceramic skillets are a cheap gimmick that won’t last a year, others it is a good alternative to Teflon

  Honestly Teflon isn't bad, a lot of it is misinformation about micro plastics. If you're just cooking simple things like eggs or heating up pasta, go with Teflon, treat it well, don't scrape, it'll probably be more convenient than ceramic. Do your own research, but I'm certain Teflon in non-stick cookware doesn't actually stay in the body, the bits are big enough to pass through. My easy everyday non-stick is a lodge cast iron skillet. It's almost only for eggs and some meats, so it gets very gentle cleanings, and I don't condition it, I just cook with more oil once it gets dry.

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• #257May 9, 2025

  Ok so I’m totally lost - a lot of people saying ceramic skillets are a cheap gimmick that won’t last a year, others it is a good alternative to Teflon

  I've got a couple of sizes of Lodge pan, I use the smaller one lost of the time. I've got a Carbon Steel (De Buyer) on the way now too.

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• #258May 9, 2025

  In Florida from Scotland right now, is there anything practical that I can pick up whilst here?

  Lodge - cast iron cookware you can find at Walmart, Target, etc. American Made and very affordable. But HEAVY. I'm not sure you want to add additional weight to your travels.

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• #259May 9, 2025

  In Florida from Scotland right now, is there anything practical that I can pick up whilst here?

  Lodge cast iron skillet? 

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• #260May 8, 2025

  Ok so I’m totally lost - a lot of people saying ceramic skillets are a cheap gimmick that won’t last a year, others it is a good alternative to Teflon

  Just need to keep using it. I have a cheap 12" Lodge skillet that's maybe 15 years old, it was definitely sand cast and never finished with anything other than the factory seasoning. The flat surface is just as smooth as my century old Griswold that was machined smooth (but that is just a dinky 6"er so I almost never use it).

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• #261May 8, 2025

  What did you wish you had at 21?

  A 12" All-Clad D3 Frying Pan with lid, an 8" and 12" Lodge cast iron skillet, a Le Creuset Dutch oven 7.25 quart, A Victorinox Fibrox Chef's knife 8".

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• #262May 8, 2025

  Found this cleaning out my grandparents’ basement….worth making my first coffee maker?

  Great roast, bro...

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• #263May 8, 2025

  Is it necessary to spend $40 or $50 for an 8-10” ceramic skillet?

  Absolutely not. Here's how to get the best cast iron pan ever made, for <$20: 1. get a lodge cast iron pan for $12, wire brush attachment for your electric drill, and 4 oz of avocado oil 2. use the wire brush to smooth out the surface of the pan, until it's like glass. 3. season with avocado oil (highest smoke point at 500 degrees F): wipe oil on, put in oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, let cool, wipe off excess oil (repeat 5 times).

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• #264May 8, 2025

  So is there really no non-stick pan that is safe to use as long as it isn’t chipped?

  The chef and author of The Food Lab Kenji Alt Lopez has spoken about the topic of Teflon coated non-stick pans being entirely safe so long as they are not scratched or heated over 500°. High temperatures degrade the coating and emits noxious fumes. To mitigate this potential risks always use a wooden utensil and cook at lower temperatures. Despite this, I don't think a man made chemical coating is necessary to cook great food that doesn't stick. I have exclusively used stainless steel and cast iron for many years and hardly ever have anything stick. Here's what I do: - Properly pre-heat stainless steel pans. Test to see if it sizzles before adding all of your first ingredient. Apply downward force when stirring to scrape fond off of the pan. If desired browning is achieved you can "deglaze" which will stop the sauteing process and begin the steaming process. Effectively releasing any stuck pits from the bottom. - Stainless copper exterior plated pan. The copper allows for unsurpassed heat conductivity and control. Because of the even conductivity it doesn't get hot spots like some other pans which leads to foods sticking. If I want a nice sear or browning on something I will reach for this pan every time. - Antique cast iron pans only. I would never purchase a modern Lodge or similar pan. I dont like the cooking surface. It's rough due to the sand casting. Lodge claims it helps the seasoning adhere better. However, I have found that food tends to cling on to the textured surface even when seasoned. Vintage cast iron pans were milled and polished rather than casted offering a slick coating even before a fully polymerized seasoning has been developed and in general more pleasant to use. If you have any questions message me!

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• #265May 8, 2025

  Is it necessary to spend $40 or $50 for an 8-10” ceramic skillet?

  Lodge cast iron and stainless steel pans

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• #266May 7, 2025

  Is it necessary to spend $40 or $50 for an 8-10” ceramic skillet?

  I think there's definitely diminishing returns. I definitely agree a 20$ lodge skillet can outperform a lot of other things. But there's also a minimum price floor for a lot of things, the materials themselves cost a certain amount no matter what the end cost is; the cost of materials as a percentage of the total item goes down the more you pay. If the materials of a good pan cost \~5$ no matter how much it retails for, then the more you pay, the more labour and design time you can pay for. I agree that a lot of cookware cost is marketing and bullshit. But at a certain price point, you've hit the floor of what you can reasonably expect out of a product.

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• #267May 7, 2025

  Is it necessary to spend $40 or $50 for an 8-10” ceramic skillet?

  Cookware is the one exception to getting what you pay for in my opinion. A $20 lodge skillet is infinitely better than a $100 hexclad pan. There are obviously exceptions but it's not black and white like almost everything else

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• #268May 7, 2025

  So is there really no non-stick pan that is safe to use as long as it isn’t chipped?

  I don’t think they’re that non stick without some oil or fat at least. But my husband got some lodge cast iron griddle pans, ground them down with sandpaper, and I seasoned them 4-5 times before using them. It’s a dream now. I just wash them and rinse them off, put them in the oven to dry off all the way. We recently got another griddle so we can make 3 pizzas at a time, and he ground it down and I have yet to season it. I put the same amount of olive oil in that one as the others, but the pizza still stuck in the unseasoned one. So evidently seasoning does make a huge difference, it’s not just the oil. I haven’t tried without oil yet in the seasoned ones, so maybe I can test that. We also made fried eggs the other day and it worked very well with a little butter. The factory seasoning wasn’t great, which is why we ground them down

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• #269May 7, 2025

  Top BIFL Household Items for Starting Over

  I love and would recommend my Lodge dutch oven!

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• #270May 7, 2025

  Top BIFL Household Items for Starting Over

  Cast iron cookware, like a Lodge skillet — inexpensive, lasts forever, and incredibly versatile in the kitchen.

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• #271May 7, 2025

  Top BIFL Household Items for Starting Over

  Thank you! Have always wanted a cast iron and will add a Lodge to the list.

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• #272May 7, 2025

  Top BIFL Household Items for Starting Over

  Lodge cast iron pan. Probably hurricane proof! I’m sorry you’re dealing with this stranger, and wish you the best of luck

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• #273May 2, 2025

  What’s a kitchen item you bought once and never had to replace?

  Toaster-Dualit Pots/Pans-All Clad Dutch Oven-Le Creuset Cast Iron Skillet-Lodge Knives-Wusthof Garlic press/spatula/spider/stainless mixing bowls- Rosle All these items I've had for 25 years or longer.

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• #274Apr 14, 2025

  Best Kitchen Cookware Set on the Market Now?

  I have a Lodge 12", I do 90% of my cooking in it. It almost never leaves the burner. I also have a Darto 10" for when I want something lighter. I have a Lodge 2.5"? for single eggs. I have a couple of Alclads D3s for sauce pans. Everything else is no-name that comes out once every few months when I need something special, like hard boiling 3 dozen eggs. Nothing Teflon coated is bifl. I don't trust enamel, but YMMV.

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• #275Apr 14, 2025

  Best Kitchen Cookware Set on the Market Now?

  None of the above. Lodge cast iron

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• #276Apr 13, 2025

  Europeans, what cookware brands do you use?

  All clad, Mauviel, Nordic, scanpan, lodge

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• #277Apr 12, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  New high quality stainless steel and vintage cast iron are the healthiest BIFL solution. Look for cast iron pans and griddles at your local thrift stores and research how to strip the gunk off down to bare metal and re-season them. It’s much easier than you think. The standard practice in manufacturing in the 1930’s and 1940’s was to machine out the bottom of the pans until they were glass smooth giving you very close to a non-stick experience. Unless you are buying a luxury brand these days the cast iron pans like Lodge are not machined which means they will never be non-stick. Plus you are recycling and saving cash. Get yourself some chain mail to scrub them out, avoid soap, and these pans will outlive your grandchildren.

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• #278Apr 12, 2025

  hex clad pots/pans worth the price?

  Father in law has some hex clad stuff. It's a marketing gimmick to sell overpriced pans. The non stick sections started flaking out after about 2 years of almost daily use, and it was never as non stick as a normal non stick pan. Save your money for regular stainless/carbon steel, and just go with lodge for cast iron. These are working tools and don't need fancy gimmicks. Keep it simple 👍

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• #279Apr 10, 2025

  What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?

  [https://www.lodgecastiron.com/product/seasoned-cast-iron-baking-pan?sku=BW15BP](https://www.lodgecastiron.com/product/seasoned-cast-iron-baking-pan?sku=BW15BP)

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• #280Apr 10, 2025

  Items that made your life so much easier/saved time?

  Better cooking utensils. I started out with a cheap Teflon pan set and some really crappy cooking knives. Then I got a single lodge cast iron pan ($20) since I heard it could help with my girlfriend's anemia. I fell in love, started cooking absolutely everything in it. I then slowly started replacing my most used other cooking utensils. I bought a single mercer 8in chef knife ($30) and it was better than anything I've ever cooked with, it glides through meat and it's held a great edge. Then I got some kitchen shears ($8), a second mercer chefs knife for the girlfriend 6in ($25), 2 henkels paring knives($15 for both), a cheap bread knife because I'm not likely to sharpen a serrated 8 inch blade ($8), and a honing rod ($10) over the course of the last 3 or 4 years. This weekend I bought a pretty thin stainless steel 3 ply pan ($20) for everything I don't want to cook in my cast iron pan alongside a metal fish spatula ($6). Having good cooking utensils makes cooking 1000x more enjoyable, easy, and relaxing. There's no sawing through meat like I did with my cheap old knife set. My cookwear doesn't rust or get severely damaged (though I've also learned better cookware care in conjunction with getting more stuff). My cookware just lasts now and it's great.

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• #281Apr 9, 2025

  What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?

  So many of my BIFL recommendations are kitchen gadgets. So skipping the obvious: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet! Zojirushi Rice Cooker (a made in Japan model) Vitamix Blender (skip all the fancy sensors and electronics, the 5200 series is great) Kitchen-Aid Stand Mixer (if you are a Sam's Club member, they nearly always have the "bowl-lift" model on sale for $300) Cladded Stainless Steel Cookware - (Hestan, All-Clad, Heritage Steel, etc.) This is splurge purchase, but you're a big espresso nerd, a European made espresso machine, thinking companies like Rancilio, Profitec, ECM. Thermo-Works instant read thermometer (Thermapen One) I use all of these at a minimum weekly, but as often as daily, or multiple times a day (espresso), and they've all lasted me and my wife years and some are pushing decades now.

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• #282Apr 9, 2025

  What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?

  Lodge pans. Reasonably priced and indestructible.

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• #283Apr 9, 2025

  Items that made your life so much easier/saved time?

  Miele vacum, dog blow dryer ive had it for 7 years its amazing egfki saved me months drying dogs. A good cast iron lodge is great. A good pepper grinder unicorn magnum. Electric shaver braun from costco. Icon digital torque wrench changing oil fluids. Good warranty at my store if anything happens

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• #284Apr 9, 2025

  What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?

  Cast iron cookware. Everyone knows about the skillet but no one seems to know about the Dutch Oven or the lodge cookie sheets. Say no more to buttering your pan every time you cook something sticky on your baking sheet. Just use canola oil on the lodge cast iron one. Smaller than a normal cookie sheet so I have 3.

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• #285Apr 9, 2025

  What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?

  i was gonna say lodge cast iron pans

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• #286Apr 8, 2025

  Best style or brand of non-stick pan that isn’t harmful?

  Lodge cast iron, seasoned. I’ve never seen a durable nonstick, and am dubioys of the stuff sold now.

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• #287Apr 8, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  I have a 12 inch and a 8 inch lodge and a cast iron Dutch oven with a lid, which perfectly fits the 8 inch lodge. I fry with the DO, and do meats in the 12, and vegetables in the 8. Or I'll switch if I'm needing the extra room. I'd keep a large pot for boiling pasta, and another for everything else, soups, tea, and other things.

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• #288Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  There are a bunch of off brand pans that do the same thing at a way lower price points than all clad. I have mostly Cuisinart pro multiclad pans and they're awesome. I have one all clad french pan. It's great but not really any better. The sets are super reasonably priced and will last forever. Get a set of those and a cast iron skillet (lodge is fine) and you're set for life.

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• #289Apr 7, 2025

  But I thought it was BIFL 😭

  My sister lost a new lodge and her old Griswold on her stove. 😭 The cool thing though is after the Griswold broke she emailed lodge to see if using cast iron was a mistake on induction. They said even though her pan wasn't lodge, they'll send her a new one anyway! Cool company. Although the new pan also broke. I'm thinking it heated too fast.

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• #290Apr 7, 2025

  But I thought it was BIFL 😭

  Fr my lodge cast iron has to be at least twice as thick

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• #291Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  Forget sets, only get pots and pans you’ll actually use. A stainless larger stock/soup pot, an enameled cast iron cocotte/dutch oven, a couple stainless sauciers/sauce pans, a stainless fry pan, a cast iron and or carbon steel fry pan. One nonstick fry pan if you’re really big into omelets. Heritage steel or all clad D3 or D5 for stainless. Lodge for carbon steel, cast iron Staub or Le creuset (or lodge) for enameled cast iron whatever you want for nonstick because that’s getting replaced in a year or 2

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• #292Apr 7, 2025

  But I thought it was BIFL 😭

  What brand is that? That looks very thin compared to the cast iron I have. Go look at a Lodge 12"-14" skillet.

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• #293Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  I have a set of Calphalon stainless I bought in 2008 that have been all over the world with me. Best pans ever! My husband gave me some Cuisinart copper-clad pans that are about 12 years old that are in great condition, as well. I like my Lodge cast iron pans better than my Griswold; however, my 10-year-old Lodge cast iron enamel dutch oven already has pits and discoloration in it--probably my fault. Do not get a green pan--not worth the hype. I have a T-fal nonstick that we bought about five years ago. It is still holding up well, but I think there is a definite shelf-life for nonstick pans.

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• #294Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  This is maybe not in the spirit of BIFL and maybe more frugal advice, but if you used the same set of pans for YEARS and they’re FINALLY starting to degrade, maybe that’s all you need is another set. I do like my Kirkland set for a budget option. Though the small fry pan started to show wear after 3 years of being the most used. I use a Lodge cast iron to replace it, but all the other less used pans I expect to have for years.

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• #295Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  - Solidteknics carbon steel workhorse pan: I got a particular kickstarter campaign where it was a little lighter than their normal ones - Lodge cast iron pan: I got this one before the carbon steel pan and I don’t have the heart to give it away. Main downside is the weight but I have yet to see something I prefer cooking in this over the carbon steel - All-clad stainless steel saucepan - Le Creuset enameled cast iron pot - Cheap Korean dolsot pot Each one has served me really well and I got each incrementally to fill a particular need. I’ve had all of them for several years and I expect to last decades

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• #296Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  I was in same boat five years back. I got one french made carbon steel, one lodge cast iron and one stainless steel from demeyrere. Total cost was around 600 Canadian $ at that time but I have not looked back. No replacements, still doing very well.

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• #297Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  I just purchased a green Pan 3 frying pan set at Costco for $65. No lids but I have those already from the pans I threw out. 12” lodge pan or other top cast iron pan brand. You have to maintain and season it for it to work the best. We have various sizes of pots and we use them all.

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• #298Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  I would consider what size pans you actually use. I would buy a Lodge skillet - simple cast iron - in whatever size you use. Personally, I like the 10.5” size. It’s a good balance between size and weight, imho. If you want a 12, go for it. I would buy the Lodge lid, that matches. I would go to IKEA. I would buy an IKEA 365+ stainless steel sauce pan, in the size that matches your need. I would buy a Dutch oven. I would buy a stock pot. Buying a steamer insert and / or a colander is a good idea. If you are on a budget, I would buy the cheap three pack of stainless steel pans - two sauce pans and a Dutch oven. They are not BIFL, but for $25 they hit way above their cost. The big thing keeping them from being BIFL is the handles. They just aren’t durable enough. You would still need a stock pot. I would get an Aroma stainless steel rice cooker, sized to your needs. I like the 3 cup. If you need the 14 cup, it is also good. Note that these are the normal, dumb rice cookers with a stainless steel insert. In addition to this, you will need: A can opener. EZ-Duz-it s currently considered the BIFL darling. I have one. It is worth it. A chef’s knife. Spend money here if you have it. I have a cheap 6” vegetable knife from IKEA. It’s their Santoku knife. I prefer the club foot design, and I like how thick and easy to control it is. I have the **VÖRDA** version because the nonslip handle is nice. It does not hold an edge very well, but it takes an edge fast. I would suggest a Santoku knife design. I have a cheap one because I am brutal and will throw it away and buy new as needed. Cutting board: these are disposable. Get cheap. I like plastic because you can abuse them by throwing them in the sink and disinfecting them with bleach and they don’t dull knives. Wood is harder to take care of, but still good. Do not get glass or marble. Ideally, you will have one for meat and one for veggies. NOT BIFL. Buy it, use it, when it gets bad, replace it. This is an expendable. A flipper, a spoon, a ladle : I have a grey plastic set from IKEA. Really, get any that you like. These, too, are not BIFL. Use them until they wear out, then buy new. I find that if you treat cast iron like nonstick in terms of utensils, the seasoning lasts better. Measuring cups: haven’t found any I really like yet. Mixing cup: I really like the Anchor Hocking Fireking. The open handle design makes them stack and nestle better.

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• #299Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  Honestly? I regret buying any cookware sets. You usually end up using 2-3 of the pots/pans, then the rest collect dust. I declutterred all my cookware and settled on 5 pieces 1) I have a single Lodge cast iron that I use for frying, baking, etc. If you bake something oily in it, it maintains its natural nonstick coating. 2) I have a Viking stainless steel pan that I could go without, but they’re better for cooking acidic things in like tomatoes. 3) Then, for pots I have a small pot for mini batches of things like ramen or pasta… 4) A medium pot for stews… 5) And finally a massive, large pot for soups. All of my pots are stainless steel except this one is a Lodge Dutch oven.

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• #300Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  Lodge 12"

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• #301Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  Lodge 12"

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• #302Apr 7, 2025

  What's a good pan to buy to make Indian food like Dosa and Roti and even crepes? Any brands would be helpful. Dishwasher safe preferred but not mandatory.

  Dutch Ovens are a great multi use pan. They would work as a saute, skillet or a pot. Likely one of the most used tools in my kitchen. Lodge sells them but if you don't want to go through the hassle of making your pan non stick buy a used Griswald online. If you don't want to go the Griswald route the lodge will work just fine but know it will stick the first 3 times but after enough canola oil it will work just fine as non stick. Lodge likes to claim theirs is already seasoned but it is not non stick for the first 3 times with canola oil before the first time and hundreds more uses to get that flat surface vintage cast iron has (though it will get it eventually)

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• #303Apr 7, 2025

  What's a good pan to buy to make Indian food like Dosa and Roti and even crepes? Any brands would be helpful. Dishwasher safe preferred but not mandatory.

  Cast iron lodge. Liking the one I have below, but you cannot wash it in the dishwasher https://a.co/d/e9y1yJb

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• #304Apr 6, 2025

  NYT just put out a list of their BIFL picks

  All I’m going to say is they don’t call those cast irons “Lodge” for nothing

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• #305Apr 6, 2025

  NYT just put out a list of their BIFL picks

  To be fair, I once bought a no name cast iron 3 pan set from JC Penny's that were terrible. Cheap, thin cast iron that didn't retain heat and never really developed seasoning. Lodge really is a good choice and deserves to be ranked where it is imo.

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• #306Apr 6, 2025

  NYT just put out a list of their BIFL picks

  Depends how much you like luxury touches and minor details. Cast iron is pretty much cast iron, but Creuset looks better, feels better, and is more pleasurable to use. Lodge will cook just fine though. With stainless, heat distribution is a major factor and All Clad does better than most, if not all. Works great on all surface types too. If you’re boiling water you’re probably fine with whatever. Cooking on a skillet though Id much rather have All Clad than a cheap competitor.

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• #307Apr 6, 2025

  NYT just put out a list of their BIFL picks

  Agreed. I have both but all-clad has always been purchased on sale or clearance somewhere. My Lodge Dutch oven is had burn churning along for about 20 years now. Cant beat it. I actually have a members mark all/clad imitation that’s worked just as well and it’s also going on 20 years. I’ll leave them to my sons

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• #308Apr 6, 2025

  NYT just put out a list of their BIFL picks

  Just get a lodge. They are cheap and buy it for generations

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• #309Apr 6, 2025

  NYT just put out a list of their BIFL picks

  Calphalon is what we use for our pots and pans - in addition to a Lodge cast iron pan, a Staub Dutch oven, and an unknown ceramic omelet pan. Really comfortable stay-cool handles, etc. I DO NOT understand the obsession with all clad..

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• #310Apr 5, 2025

  What is a BIFL item/product you recommend?

  In the kitchen: Lodge cast iron skillet & dutch oven Le Creuset braiser (bought at a big discount) NordicWare half-sheet & quarter-sheet pans Victorinox knives 40-year-old set of RevereWare pots & pans

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• #311Apr 4, 2025

  Does anyone have BIFL options for a camping stove?

  I have an off brand stove from the '90s, it's basically just two burners in a stamped metal frame. I got it on clearance sale at K-Mart. It really doesn't have good controls. Keeping it lit in the wind is a problem. But the thing is - it has been working just good enough that I don't pitch the damn thing for the last 30 years. Even though it was still working just fine, I did buy a Coleman Classic propane stove last year. It's perfectly fine. It works great. I have no doubt that it will last 50 years, easy. Of course, my old one doesn't seem to be going worse anytime soon, either. Now, on the other hand, a Coleman Dual Fuel stove will be an annoying pain in your butt for the rest of your life, and for your children's lives, and their children's lives. It will be hard to pump up, you'll need to carve a new leather gasket for it every 3-4 decades. I have my grandfather's. It's like 70 years old at this point. It would work fine, except someone bent the generator, so I need to get that replaced. Coleman still stocks parts for it. I mean, honestly, buy a Coleman Dual fuel stove, buy a Lodge dutch oven, buy a Lodge skillet, possibly buy a gridle if you're feeling funky, take care of it all, and that should take care of your heavy car camping cooking requirements for the next 100 years or so.

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• #312Apr 4, 2025

  Beware of bots infiltrating this subreddit. Two different accounts, exact same formatting and word choice.

  Once you get a good layer of seasoning, it doesn't really matter how smooth the actual surface is. I think my Lodge is actually currently smoother and I feel like the seasoning actually sticks better on the Lodge due to its rough surface.

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• #313Apr 4, 2025

  Beware of bots infiltrating this subreddit. Two different accounts, exact same formatting and word choice.

  Higher maintenance? I own two cast iron pans. One of them is a $30 Lodge, one of them some fancy $200 super smooth pan. Cooking and maintenance is exactly the same on both of them. Absolutely no difference and I kick myself every time I remember how much I spent on one of them.

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• #314Apr 4, 2025

  Beware of bots infiltrating this subreddit. Two different accounts, exact same formatting and word choice.

  The extra maintenance takes me no more than perhaps 30 extra seconds after cleaning. Add a bit of oil to pan once you have dried it and use paper towel to rub in it. Done. Mine is used almost daily and is non-stick as hell. Lodge makes the Honda of pans. Are there better? Sure. But the cost is low and it still performs very well. Hard to find a better value. It is a true BIFL item, in my opinion and can be a go to.

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• #315Apr 4, 2025

  Beware of bots infiltrating this subreddit. Two different accounts, exact same formatting and word choice.

  This place has been astroturfed for a while, hasn’t been BIFL for even longer. I kinda assume any recommendation that’s not Victorinox, Lodge Cast Iron or another common meme is a bot these days

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• #316Apr 2, 2025

  What’s a specifit camping item you purchased and still love?

  We got a Kodiak tent 20 years ago. Still holding strong. Also our lodge cast iron skillets.

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• #317Apr 1, 2025

  Hello BiFL! I'm looking for ideas to put on a wedding registry! (Canada)

  1. Cast-iron Cookware (e.g., Lodge) 2. Enamelled Bakeware (e.g., Le Creuset) 3. Tempered Drinking Glasses (e.g., Duralex, Bormioli Rocco) 4. Decent Knife Set (e.g., Wusthof, Global) 5. Stainless Silverware (many options here) 6. Stainless Steel mixing bowls (multiple sizes) 7. Kitchenaid Mixer 8. Leatherman Multitool

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• #318Mar 12, 2025

  What's the most expensive item you've bought with the intention of keeping it for life?

  I am admittedly not old enough to have much weight in the area I don't think. At only 26yo and the owner of not to terribly many things, I think the most longevity able things I own (which is the basis for 90% of my purchases) would be my Winchester model 1894 rifle, made around the 70's or early '80s(difficult to verify because of a manufacturing plant fire, I believe. Or something of the sorts..), or my 1994 f250 idi that I bought because of the fact that it was the final year of the primarily mechanical component, diesel pickups. The model 1894 has more or less verifiably fed more families with self hunting than any other firearm because of their commonality and reliability. The idi was from my understanding, on of the last "million mile motors", regarding non commercial pick ups, because of just how common it is for them to just keep on trucking all while doing it with absolutely horrible treatment. Often times people will just put diluted motor oil into the gas tank because it just keeps on running, though probably very dirty. I've never done this. I also enjoy my lodge cast irons, but I haven't built my collection very much because I'd like to hold out for some Griswold's or lacrueset some time in the future and don't like the idea of throwing away cast iron to make room for more cast iron. So for now I am content with my 10in, 8in and 4in skillets.

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• #319Mar 11, 2025

  What's the most expensive item you've bought with the intention of keeping it for life?

  My Lodge cast iron skillets…

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• #320Mar 10, 2025

  UK, I'm looking for a frying pan set for a family

  Can't beat a 15" Lodge cast iron skillet, $40. With an induction burner, you need cast iron to make sure the heat is evenly dissipated. With a regular (thin) skillet, only the induction burner area will receive heat, giving you uneven heat on the cooking surface.

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• #321Mar 9, 2025

  Best Cast Iron Skillets Being Sold Today?

  I've been using my Lodge skillet for years, and it's never let me down. The pre-seasoned surface and even heat distribution make it a real workhorse in my kitchen.

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• #322Mar 9, 2025

  Best Cast Iron Skillets Being Sold Today?

  I've used a Lodge skillet for years, and it's consistently reliable for everything from frying eggs to baking cornbread. The durability and heat retention are solid, and I appreciate how it improves with regular seasoning.

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• #323Mar 7, 2025

  Stainless steel vs Hexclad pan set

  Well making sure you don't leave it wet and cleaning it in a special way is still extra care. You can't use a dishwasher either, like you can with stainless. Don't get me wrong, I love my CS and CI pans and would never go back to teflon but they do need a bit more of your time vs others, especially CS. My $20 CI Lodge has survived a decent amount of abuse and it's still like new.

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• #324Mar 7, 2025

  Stainless steel vs Hexclad pan set

  I’ve got an 8” Lodge CI skillet I use for eggs. 😘👌🏻

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• #325Mar 7, 2025

  This restoration belongs here

  Inherited my grandmother's after she passed a couple of years ago. Those and my Lodge enameled dutch oven are all I cook with now. Cookware is such a perfect keepsake, because it's like they're still feeding you, even after they've passed. Nice work here, OP!

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• #326Mar 6, 2025

  This restoration belongs here

  Nothing like cooking with a piece of history! I guess you could say Revere Ware is like a fine wine that gets better with age. Sure, those saute pans are skinnier than a runway model, but for other tasks, they’ve still got the sauce! I’ve tried various cookware from Lodge cast iron to ubiquitous Teflon-coated wonders, and landed on ConsumerRating for my picky gourmet tastes. It’s lit for finding practical cookware comparisons too!

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• #327Mar 4, 2025

  BIFL, but also BISecondhand. What are some things that everyone should keep an eye out for, but can commonly be found for cheap when preowned.

  Yup, got a nice old Lodge (from when they still sanded the inside) for $4 from an estate sale. Wire-wheeled it, burned off all the old seasoning, and reseasoned, now it's my go-to pan

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• #328Mar 3, 2025

  Best Cast Iron Skillets Being Sold Today?

  I've stuck with my Lodge cast iron skillet for years, and it’s been rock-solid in terms of quality and longevity.

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• #329Mar 2, 2025

  Best Cast Iron Skillets Being Sold Today?

  I've been cooking with cast iron for years and my go-to has always been Lodge. I appreciate how consistent its quality is and how it holds heat perfectly.

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• #330Mar 2, 2025

  Best Cast Iron Skillets Being Sold Today?

  I've used cast iron skillets for years, and I’ve always trusted Lodge. I appreciate how it builds a natural nonstick surface with regular use and holds up through countless meals.

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• #331Mar 2, 2025

  Best Cast Iron Skillets Being Sold Today?

  The Lodge.

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• #332Feb 8, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Lodge

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• #333Feb 8, 2025

  Brand Shout Out: Lodge Cookware

  Same! No clue the model didn’t have a proof of purchase or anything. Glad yours worked out too!

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• #334Feb 7, 2025

  What happened to my Creuset?

  I do like them, I like the density of the cast iron vs Lodge.. if I needed another i'd probably try a different brand for fun. Lodge is fine it's just so thick and heavy, and I much prefer the LC shape. But I'll probably never buy one new again esp when you can find deals on ebay if you are patient. But if it has to be an expendable product, like nonstick frying pans.. then so be it but I'm not paying LC prices for that when Ikea makes them now .. hell you can even get t hem at Aldi lol. (I have not tested either of these lol) I have not had any issues with my used one or my oval dutch oven, knock on all the wood. It just makes me happy to use it and it's such a shame it's so expensive based on name alone, and that their lifetime warranty is bullshit. It's so hard to explain this to people because they come at you with how it's all your fault. I'm not new to this cooking thing, and I'm sure you're not either.

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• #335Feb 7, 2025

  Brand Shout Out: Lodge Cookware

  A lot of cast iron products are buy it for life and Lodge makes some good enamel cutter products too.

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• #336Feb 7, 2025

  Brand Shout Out: Lodge Cookware

  Good to know they took care of you. I picked up one of their cast iron pans one sale and haven't had issue with it. People talk down on them, but it's treated me just fine. Maybe one day I'll get gifted one of my grandmothers really old ones, but until then this one works. I'd considering picking up their dutch oven too if I actually used that when I went camping. But even when watching others do it it still seems like such a pain, so I'll stick to whats easy for me.

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• #337Feb 7, 2025

  What happened to my Creuset?

  I have a used LC I got from ebay, has some chips on the edges. IDK how old it was when I bought it, it was only $40... but I've had it for about 10 years on my own now. New Lodge all has chips and rust on the edges. However my favorite (not) is the brand new LC I bought 20 years ago that around 10 years ago (before I got the ebay pot) the entire inside seems to have worn away and pops chips off the bottom every so often. They won't take it back because they claim the evenly abraded ENTIRE INSIDE is due to me using inappropriate cooking utensils lol. I still have it not sure what to do with it at this point, maybe I'll take up bread baking and line it with parchment.

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• #338Feb 7, 2025

  Cast iron or Carbon steel? Both suck?

  Lodge Cast Iron family member here. MODERN DISH SOAP DOES NOT HARM CAST IRON. The “no soap” rule came around in the 1800s when soap included lye and was far more caustic than it is today. Our marketing team has been trying to dispel this myth but it’s stuck around. Soap it up all you want, just don’t scour it with steel wool/abrasives and keep it out of the dishwasher.

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• #339Feb 7, 2025

  Cast iron or Carbon steel? Both suck?

  I use carbon steel pans for about 70 percent of my cooking and either cast iron or stainless steel for the rest. The idea of no soap comes from when lye soap was more  common. Lye will breakdown and ruin season on cast iron and carbon steel, but modern dish soap like dawn or Palmolive won’t. You also don’t generally need to scrub a kitchen brush gets it clean most of the time and a non stick pad for the rest.  To dry I wam the pan on the stove or in the oven, and add a little high temp oil, wipe on and wipe off, to keep a good seasoning and to prevent rust Cooking is a little more work than non stick, but essentially you should preheat the pan over medium high heat until you get the liedenfrost effect when you add a droplet of water. The water should bead up and dance around the pan. Add a thin layer of fat to the pan and you can start cooking. This prep process actually works with stainless steel as well. If you make eggs, use butter instead of oil because the properties of butter actually make the pan more non stick specifically with eggs.  A properly seasoned pan used properly, will be about as non stick as teflon.  Most of my pans are either lodge or antiques like Wagner pans that have been in my family for a couple of generations. I think the lodge pans are a pretty good value at around 50 bucks for the carbon steel pans and have held up well for the past 5-6 years of daily use. 

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• #340Feb 7, 2025

  Cast iron or Carbon steel? Both suck?

  We only use cast iron and carbon steel. We have a lodge cast iron. When it was new I took an orbital sander to it untill it was glass smooth then seasoned it, with hot oil and high temps. We use soap on our pans but you don't really need to just use heat to sanitize and clean it. Then oil when hot.

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• #341Feb 7, 2025

  What happened to my Creuset?

  This is normal. As long as it's smooth, you're golden. Dutch ovens are not about appearance–they're about performance. My Lodge is chipped on the bottom, and in several places around the lid, and it still performs exactly as designed. Don't worry about it.

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• #342Feb 7, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Here's my list of brands that have earned my loyalty: * **Saddleback leather -** It's pricy, but I've never been disappointed with anything I've purchased there and the quality is rock solid. I've now bought multiple bags, a wallet that I've carried for 10+ years, and a desk pad. * **Patagonia** \- Great company, great products, great warranty. * **Lodge** \- The best value Cast Iron around. Sure, you can find better pans. . . for 5-10x the cost. Lodge delivers an excellent product at a very fair price. * **Spyderco** \- I spent a lot of years casually collecting pocket knives, with well over a hundred pocket knives in my set. Spyderco isn't necessarily the fanciest, and some people don't care for the look, but their excellent quality and the functionality is top notch. * **Victorinox** \- A Swiss Army Knife is still a great knife and I carry one regularly. Their multi-tools are better than Leatherman, and their kitchen knives are rockstars for the price. * **ThermoWorks** \- If you want a good thermometer (and if you cook, you do), this is the brand you should buy. The Thermapen is the gold standard, but the ThermoPop is a great budget option, the SPOT is a great fridge thermometer, and the DOT is an amazing probe thermometer. I've got half a dozen thermometers from ThermoWorks and I wouldn't buy one from anyone else. * **Rockwell Razors** \- Traditional safety razors. I bought their Original 6S Stainless from their first Kickstarter. The first attempt didn't cut it quality-wise. Rockwell made it right by replacing the razors from everyone who received the first batch of sub-par razors. I haven't seen any Kickstarter company that went as far as Rockwell did to take care of their backers. And the final product hit it out of the park. I've bought multiple razors from them since and they're all excellent. I'm probably forgetting a few, but I have trust and faith in the quality of anything I buy from these companies.

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• #343Feb 6, 2025

  What’s one product you bought that has lasted forever and was totally worth it?

  Lodge cast iron pan

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• #344Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Lodge is quality but some people don't like it because it is a very rough material. Some other cast iron brands smooth out the cooking surface much more, which helps avoid sticking.

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• #345Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Japanese wife and a German mistress

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• #346Feb 6, 2025

  BIFL - Best products from the USA

  I have two Lodge enamel Dutch ovens. Don’t know what I did without them. Lol, never thought about a BIFL spatula, I’m getting on that one.

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• #347Feb 6, 2025

  What happened to my Creuset?

  I mean, to each his own. I'm verry happy with my LC. I have a Lodge and they are also durable and their warranty is a lot easier but I prefer using my LC by miles. It doesn't bother me enough to get a different brand. Further, I had a porcelain enameled sink that did the same thing, it's just life.

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• #348Feb 6, 2025

  BIFL - Best products from the USA

  I only have a few of their utensils and not any of the knives but Lamson makes great spatulas. The fish spatulas (good for so much more than fish) come in righty and lefty versions too. I really want to buy more but I already have too many kitchen things. Lodge also sells a line of US made enameled cast iron dutch ovens now.

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• #349Feb 6, 2025

  Buyitforlife from Canada, what’s your favourite things made in Canada?

  Cast Iron - Lodge and Stargazer cast iron are fantastic Pot and pans - All Clad can’t be beat. Lighters - Zippo, everyone has to own one. Pocket knives - Hinderer, Case, and Great Eastern Cutlery are the best Leather Jackets - Langlitz has been making awesome custom leather jackets for 77 years. Woodworking - Lie Neilson Tool Works make the best hand tools.

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• #350Feb 6, 2025

  A list of BIFL not made in the USA

  Cast Iron - Lodge and Stargazer cast iron are fantastic Pot and pans - All Clad can’t be beat. Lighters - Zippo, everyone has to own one. Pocket knives - Hinderer, Case, and Great Eastern Cutlery are the best Leather Jackets - Langlitz has been making awesome custom leather jackets for 77 years. Woodworking - Lie Neilson Tool Works make the best hand tools.

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• #351Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Seconding Lodge. They've got a weird reputation amongst cast iron people but they work incredibly well. Just did a cake in a 9x13 baking pan and it turned out perfectly

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• #352Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Orvis, Leatherman, Kelty, Parkhurst, Lodge, Kimber

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• #353Feb 6, 2025

  Going back to before electricity

  My grandparents have been using the same Lodge cast iron skillet for decades and a wind-up radio that somehow still works. And for coffee? They’ve had the same Bazaar Anatolia brass coffee grinder for 60 years, because power or no power, coffee is sacred.

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• #354Feb 4, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Lodge.

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• #355Feb 4, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Hi! After trial and error with big brands, my wedding registry picks, and discount store/secondhand shopping, I’ve got some suggestions for the basics (and brand recommendations)! - <b>Splurge: Staub Dutch oven </b> (the dimpled lid allows for better steam distribution than the others) - <b>Cast iron pan</b> 10 or 12” — Lodge is really affordable and available at Target - <b>stainless steel pasta pot </b> (you can also use it as a stockpot for homemade chicken soup - the strainer feature is great here) — I got AllClad, but just be sure to get a high quality stainless steel (lower quality versions can allow nickel and other heavy metals used as the base to be exposed to your food as it deteriorates) - <b>MadeIn stainless steel anything</> — I just got a saucepan from them and I used it to melt chocolate yesterday— I’m amazed. Superior even to my AllClad pans, and I wish I’d registered for these. - <b>Crow Canyon porcelain enamel sheet pans</b> - <b>Silpat sheet pan liners</b>better for you than aluminum foil and, per a caterer I asked what to put on my registry, a “must have” — I’ve been so glad to have these for cooking and baking) - not a pot/pan, but <b>Epicurean cutting boards</b>. Nontoxic (unlike plastic cutting boards which release microplastics into your food) and dishwasher safe. - <b>HexClad</b> whether these are in fact nontoxic (as long as you don’t damage the protective layer, so it says) is iffy, but they’re great for things that are prone to sticking, like eggs. - <b>Visions glass cookware</b> you can find these at thrift stores or on Etsy/Ebay. They’re made of a super strong glass and allow you to see what you’re cooking as it cooks, as well as dishwasher safe. Good for some things, not as much for others (I.e., pan-wise, not ideal for something you want a nice sear on), and it is crucial that you get one without any damage (cracks, nicks, whatever) because some that have been damaged can kind of explode (uncommon). - <b>cooking tools</b> ditch anything metal! A good set of wooden or bamboo tools is great. So are GIR silicone tools. I LOVE the meat chopper for ground beef. - <b>oven-to-table cookware</b> you can’t go wrong with Corningware (though ugh, mine chipped at first dishwashing— something I’d never seen before), Pyrex, or Anchor Hocking. You can get these secondhand pretty easily, but be careful of the pretty vintage ones, as the paints can contain lead. I hope this is helpful! I’m not a star chef at all, so everything I’ve included and found are pretty forgiving to screwups. Oh and a big “not worth it”: Caraway (even with normal use and no metal utensils, coating scratched in <1 year). Pretty until it gets stained from heat or cooking.

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• #356Feb 4, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Get a Lodge cast iron pan, a stainless skillet, and a 4 quart pot. Those are what you’ll use the most.

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• #357Feb 4, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Marketplace has a lot of good stuff if you are patient. IMHO buying new I would get a cast iron pan (20-30 bucks), a steel pan (70 bucks?), a nonstick (only for eggs and low heat, 30 bucks), a stock pot/steel pot like 5 qt ($50?), and an enameled cast iron like 5.5qt (lodge or Costco stuff) and a sauce pan like 30 bucks These can last a very long time. And don't put in dishwasher, ever.

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• #358Feb 4, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  All clad (D3,D5, copper core) 2 qt pot, 3qt pot, saucier, 8qt stock, 12 or 10” fry pan. Lodge 12” cast iron.

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• #359Feb 4, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  lodge cast iron pan. purchased 20 years ago for $14.99 somewhere at a factory store in TN. still going strong.

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• #360Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Agreed, go to TJ Maxx/Marshalls and look for an All Clad saute, stockpot, sauce pan. Those are your core basics and will cover you for 90% of meals. You also see Lodge Dutch oven and enameled skillets there on a regular basis and I love them. The only other thing I consider a must-have is a nonstick small pan for eggs, but I am a breakfast omelette person. (Do some research on nonstick coatings though, there are lots of different types, safety profiles, and durabilities)

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• #361Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I use my Lodge Iron skillet almost daily, and I also have my grandparents’ iron skillets. They do require their own way of cleaning and seasoning but they will never let you down. It doesn’t have to be an expensive brand. I have a Martha Stewart iron Dutch oven that wasn’t that expensive but I know it will last.

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• #362Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Depends on your budget. If you don't want to spend a ton, any nice stainless set will be great. There's a Kirkland set at Costco that would do just fine. And then maybe add a Lodge skillet and you're all set.

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• #363Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Just buy what you need as you find a use for it. I have things that i got in sets for my wedding or other big life events from the last 20 years that i don't think have ever even been used. And i have others that i have so many times i know exactly what i do and don't want out of the next one when its time to replace. This is BIFL though, and the only BIFL cookware i own and know will never need replacing is my cast iron. It is not expensive (mostly) but they are heavy as hell, and not the sort of thing you want to move a huge collection of every time your lease is up either. A Lodge CI skillet can easily outlive you if cared for, but if it breaks, a new 12 in skillet is all of 25 dollars (or you can cruise thrift stores for 100 year old Griswolds if you want to get fancy)

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• #364Feb 3, 2025

  What’s one product you bought that has lasted forever and was totally worth it?

  My Lodge cast iron pans and my Bamix hand/stick blender.

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• #365Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  If you have to buy a set, buy the smallest set you can get so you aren't buying things you don't need/won't use. I've always bought my pots and pans individually. You buy one at a time. You buy the thing you actually want, not what's included in the set. Your stovetop is not a display for prestige so don't worry about matching. I've got pots of varying quality. Paderno, Lagostina, Calphalon, Le Creuset, and just got a Lodge skillet as a giveaway. There's one or two others in there, including some random ones that have been passed around the whole family over decades and refuse to die that you'd never have thought were BIFL. So buy good quality open stock sizes and shapes that you see yourself reaching for day in and day out based on what you regularly cook. I make big batches of soup, stew, and spaghetti sauce so I have multiple stock pots and Dutch ovens I use all the time. If you don't make stuff like that it'll be in your way. I've got two pasta pots because we combined yeah households. We use them a lot, but if you won't use them don't get them. When I was buying for myself I bought a great 2L Calphalon saucepan because it has a small footprint and that meant I didn't also need a 1L saucepan. To this day I regret not purchasing a 13" lidded Calphalon skillet when I worked at a kitchen store because I frequently want a huge skillet with a lid because I like to make large batches of things, and/or put multiple parts of the meal in the same pan. Just pointing out kind of how I know what kinds of things I want. Ask yourself about what you cook, and how you cook it, and what kinds of pots and pans you keep going "you know what would be really great? One of these!" about. Buy the best version you can of those things, one at a time. If you need more pots and pans right now because you just don't have enough, get a cheap set and gradually replace/augment with open stock.

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• #366Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  My favorites/BIFL as someone who cooks most days. Cuisinart Chef’s classic stainless steel- 3qt sauce pot, 8qt stock pot, 10” skillet. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic - Enameled Cast Iron 5qt Casserole. Lodge 10.25” skillet. For family get togethers, I do have an additional sauce pot if needed. A small stainless steel prep bowl serves as a double boiler when needed. I’ve been considering adding a carbon steel wok to my collection.

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• #367Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Don't buy Tramontina Cuisinart or other such nonstick coating pans, they are made in China. They will eventually scratch up and are too sensitive and I don't trust foodware made in China. I'm a big fan of enameled Dutch ovens made in Europe. There is a lot of stainless pan cookware made in the US. All-clad is made in the US. Lodge cast iron pans are made in the US and are extremely inexpensive - I would start there. The only thing about cast iron, is that acidic foods can't be cooked in it for long periods. If you need nonstick, Scanpan makes pans with a nonstick surface that you can use metal utensils with. They have a lifetime warranty. I recently bought a Staub enameled braiser with glass lid for $149 on sale. I use it everyday now in addition to a Staub 3.5 quart dutch oven, which I also bought on sale.

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• #368Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  My vote is always for cast iron! Lodge is great or if you can afford the splurge, finex is amazing. Also, I love le creuset for my baking pans and Dutch ovens. They can also be pricey but if you can find an outlet store then you can get incredible deals on items that have the barest imperfection or blemish. I've received all of my le creuset as gifts from my mom and dad over the past several years. My mom goes to the outlet mall near the mall of America in Minnesota (we're in WI) and I can rarely tell what the blemish is that made them discount the item or if I can tell, it's like a little color blemish on the bottom of the pan that no one ever sees.

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• #369Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Two vintage cast iron or Lodge 10” skillets as your workhorse pans. A stainless steel sauce pan. Towncraft is buy it for life, but expensive. Buy them from EBay for steep discounts. A lodge or other quality cast iron Dutch oven. A 6 or 8 quart stainless steel Twoncraft stock pot with lid. This will cook 99.9% of what you will ever need and will be a buy it for life set. You can buy the cast iron Dutch oven and skillets from estate sales for vintage pieces. They’re higher quality and lighter weight and will often be in need of a reseasoning. Alternatively, you can get lodge at Walmart or Target for reasonable prices.

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• #370Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  For skillets, I bought Lodge cast iron. I have a mishmash of sauce pans. My favorite is an All-Clad 6 qt. It's heavy, but is such a good pan.

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• #371Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  i got the same set up. 10 and 12 inch all clad d3 fry pans and cuisinart multiclad saucepans in 2 and 4 qt. then a lodge dutch oven and thats basically i use.

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• #372Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Just buy individual Lodge cast iron pots and pans. You’re not just buying for your life but also your kids and grandkids. Cast iron will last hundreds of years and Lodge stuff isn’t super expensive.

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• #373Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  A 10.25” Lodge Cast Iron. Relatively inexpensive and take care of it and it will last you for life. Pick up a clad stainless steel pan. If you’re in the US, All Clad has a factory seconds wharehouse. They sell stuff slightly damaged or defected but not enough to actually be unusable just enough they can’t sell it. Stainless steel pots. Get one medium sized one that will fit all your day to day stuff. Get a large stock pot too. Take care of them and these will last you your life + some more

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• #374Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I like All-Clad stainless steel and Lodge cast Iron. Don't buy non-stick pans, they don't last. Learn how to properly care for your cookware and it will out last you. I have scored some good deals by being on the email list and getting scratch and dent stuff or sale items. Buy them one at a time or as needed. Also keep a lookout out at charity shops and estate sales.

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• #375Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  This! We have mix and match but we have a lodge cast iron I got at homegoods for $16.99 and it works amazing and we’ve got it seasoned. We have a large henckles sauce pan that we love from Costco, and recently we were gifted some green pans for Christmas! I cook 5 nights a week and these get me thru. We’ve done so much research on pans it’s insane. Get what works for you and forget the rest. If you can cook, you can make something tasty in anything.

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• #376Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Lodge skillet, 4-6 qt switch oven with a good warranty on it

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• #377Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Le Creuset, Staub, All-Clad, Lodge… get the pieces you need as you need them. No sets.

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• #378Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Learn how to use cast iron pans. I use lodge. I love my tri-ply tramontina I got at Costco. I don’t use the pans, really because I use cast iron, but they’re great. I don’t regret getting a set on sale. I use every pot and the set made it so the pans were free. They have a set of just pots right now. I have one allclad, and it’s not better than the Tramontina in my view. I actually prefer the Tramontina handles.

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• #379Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I’m with everyone on not buying the set. I have yet to find a good brand I love but I just got the 3 set of pans at Costco from heckles I think it’s like the hex clad dupe and are pretty good. I’ve had them for a couple of months they’re still distributing the heat correctly and nothing has stuck yet. They don’t have lids so that’s the only downside but for 70$ for 3 skillets I think is good. Stainless steel is definitely the way to go. I had 2 I had found at good will that they were the best pans I’ve ever had lost them in a move. Get definitely a lodge skillet make sure to always heat dry not use a lot of soap and season before using, a ceramic Dutch oven pan . I’ve had some ponta and pans I bought as a set and never used them. Definitely try around. Until you find ones that you like

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• #380Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  So, I was about your age when I had the same dilemma. Sets start at 1k for an absolutely grossly cheap set of pans. Now, I have had seriously bad buyers remorse throughout my life, so I have to analyze everything and look at all the options. I'm also a welder, fabricator, so I know my metals Where I landed? Cast iron, and I love it. My first, was a small 6-8" pan, and for learning, thicker is better. My absolute favorite, is the lodge combo cooker set, it hasn't gotten more than 5 get from my cooking area for the past 10 years. Avoid non-stick like the plague. Non stick must be replaced every 5 years and it's actually not safe after that time. No. Exceptions. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.

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• #381Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I bought a midrange set of pots at IKEA around 30 years ago. Still going strong with heavy use! I prefer a nicely weighted stainless steel without non-stick coating or any bells and whistles. I’m also at 15 years now with a workhorse of a Lodge cast iron pan.

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• #382Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Lodge cast iron. Stainless steel stock pot, many brands. Carbon steel frying pans. I like darto.

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• #383Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I agree with the person who said to not buy a set all at once. Buy individual pieces or mini sets of the right pieces for you. That's what I've done over the course of many years and I don't regret it. That said, I have All Clad pots and pans in a mix of D3 and D5. One Made-In pot and judging by that alone I'd consider more. Le Creuset dutch oven. Lodge cast iron frying pans. One Lodge carbon steel pan. One De Buyer carbon steel pan. I'd recommend every one of those. I own one nonstick that gets used only for scrambled eggs cooked low and slow and I don't think the pan is anything special.

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• #384Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Just me and my partner and have a 5 pieces: 10” carbon steel pan (Lodge brand), 12” cast iron pan (Smithy’s brand), a soup pot, sauce pot and then a 8 quart pot. My pots came from HomeGoods (AllClad). That’s honestly, that’s all I need and I cook all the time. A wok would be nice but our house is too small for it.

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• #385Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  This. I have used my Calphalon pots and my Lodge skillet regularly for 20-25 years now and all of the pieces look new. I’d recommend Calphalon tri-ply in either a small set or just get a 3-3.5 qt. pot (for pasta or to hold a steamer basket) and a 1qt pot (I use this all the time for reheating soup, melting butter for popcorn, etc,), a 10” Lodge skillet, and an 8” or 10” T-Fal non stick pan (for eggs, etc.). It is helpful to find a casserole dish that you like as well, HIC makes nice ones that are inexpensive and often rated for broiler use. Also, pick up a container of Barkeeper’s Friend powder to keep the Calphalon shiny and beautiful.

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• #386Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  A cast iron skillet 10-12", a ceramic coated ditch oven. Lodge is great if you don't have Le Creuset money. Stainless sauce pan, and medium size pot is a good start. Remember anything non-stick wont last more than a couple years unless you like eating Teflon.

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• #387Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Every non-stick pan we've owned has failed. My cast iron and stainless steel pans have lasted decades. Don't buy sets. They always have some weird size you never use and are missing a size you'll wish you had. Our favorite, heavy use pans were bought one piece at a time by consistently checking TJ Maxx and other discounters or thrift stores for bargains on All Clad and the like. Set a Google alert for Lodge cast iron sales. The only thing I've splurged on full price is a good enameled Dutch oven.

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• #388Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I’d recommend not one, but 2 All-Clad 3-quart saucepans, because we end up using both of them at the same time when cooking even simple meals. We have a 10” non-stick Le Creuset skillet for eggs and other stuff that tends to stick to cast iron, and a $20 Lodge cast iron for everthing else. Check r/castiron for seasoning tips. For a soup pot, cheap stuff is okay.

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• #389Feb 2, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Everyone is gonna have a different opinion. Buy in pieces, not sets. Buy what makes you happy to cook the things you like to cook. Also keep in your head that it should work on induction if at all possible. For me I have 2 LC 5.5's and an oval LC I think he's 7qt but don't hold me to that. And a 10" lodge cast iron and USE it it will look just as good as those vintage pans if you just use the thing and not listen to people whining about how they aren't polished anymore - it works the same. I have been rocking a basic set of Farberware that I got for my wedding 20+ years ago and a couple older pieces of it from bronx-made that I got at thrift shops. I did recently buy a bunch of basic calphalon because I needed to cook on an induction burner (LC and CI will work on induction... farberware apparently doesn't) Is the tri-ply nice? Sure. If I was younger I'd probably spend the money but now that I have the money I don't really think it would make a difference. I have a single Cuisinart saucepan I do enjoy a lot. Most of the use of my 1-3 qt potst is by my kids making ramen or mac and cheese so I really don't care. I'll use the cuisinart to make a quick gravy but the regular pots are fine for a bechamel or something. I have also had revere ware from a college roommate that I thrifted because it was too hodgepodge but that stuff was nice. I kind of want one of those hexclad frying pans, but there's litereally no need. Gotta separate needs/wants and weigh against how much space you actually have to store this stuff. I have a bunch of different sized lodge dutch ovens that while I don't regret them I really don't use them and they are a bear to store. I do have a tiny little non-enameled dutch oven that I literally only use to cook beans when I'm grilling. I could just as easily microwave the beans or bake them in a pyrex dish lol but the little bean pot makes me happy. You don't heed expensive pots to cook good food, you need to know how to use whatever material/type you've got (within reason obviously. I don't think anything I have or have had was "crappy" with the exception of the flecked black stock pot I used to have that I literally melted to an electric coil burner because I forgot about it, but that thing was fine for making pasta... lol)

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• #390Feb 2, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  1.) Cast iron. Look up videos of how to properly take care of it. The cheap ones like Lodge are likely just as good as the expensive ones so don't go crazy. 2.) Carbon steel. Similar to cast iron, but there are upsides and downsides comparatively. Decide which is better for you. 3.) All-clad stainless steel. Yes, they're expensive, but sign up for their factory seconds sales (scratch/dent, open box, etc.) and you can get them for a huge discount every few months. I've bought all mine that way and I've never noticed what was "flawed" about any item I've gotten. They promise they all function as well as brand new and are just visually different. If you do get all-clad, be sure to look up videos of how to cook with stainless steel properly. You have to get the pans hot enough for them not to stick. I wasn't aware of this and hated them after first getting them. Once I learned the proper way to cook, they're fantastic.

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• #391Feb 2, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Hestan nanobond, or demeyer Atlantis for stainless Stargazer for plain cast iron. Lodge for cheaper. Staub or le creuset for enamel cast iron Blanc creatives for carbon steel. Matfer for cheaper. Faulk for copper. Really only worth it if you have gas. Generally would get a mix of fry pans in the different materials to see what you like.

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• #392Feb 2, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Depending on cooking style, I recommend avoiding non-stick pan sets entirely. Very common for multi-piece sets of non-stick cookware to cost well into three figures for items that won’t last long with regular use. Thrift stores are a great place to score deals on lasting cookware. Cast iron is durable and affordable. Stainless steel is also durable, but tends to be more expensive and requires more technique to cook with. Personally, 99% of my cooking is accomplished with a 10in Lodge cast iron pan and a 5qt Magnalite Dutch oven I scored from Goodwill. Both pieces are older than me and aren’t even close to being worn out.

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• #393Feb 2, 2025

  What’s one product you bought that has lasted forever and was totally worth it?

  Lodge cast iron skillet - grandma hand-me-down from the 50's. Timberland bookbag - 1997 Parent's pull out sofa - 1980's Sony Plasma TV - 2000's heavy as heck but still trucking along in the basement.. Classic NES - 80's one day my kids will appreciate it with the gun and gamepad in the 2030's, WILD!

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• #394Feb 2, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Cast iron (lodge or le cruset) and all clad. Buy the allClad on sale and build a set. Stick to d3 or copper core. https://homeandcooksales.com/

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• #395Feb 2, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I would avoid purchasing a big set and instead buy pieces you need as you need them. I purchased a big set of stainless steel Calphalon pans a couple of decades ago and while they're still in great condition and I use them all the time, several pans in the set never got used so I donated them. Wirecutter probably has a brand they recommend for basic stainless steel stuff. Also, grab a decent sized Lodge skillet, griddle, and Dutch oven. Also, a ceramic cast iron pot is super useful.

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• #396Feb 2, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Lodge cast iron pans are not expensive and are definitely BIFL. You can also often find individual pieces of tri-ply clad stainless (I bought a set at one point and sold the pieces I didn’t need, for example). Tramontina, Cuisinart Multiclad Pro, MadeIn, and of course All Clad ($$$) are reliable brands of tri-ply stainless. I have also seen the Viking brand of stainless at Marshalls, and that would be worth buying as well.

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• #397Feb 2, 2025

  What’s one product you bought that has lasted forever and was totally worth it?

  Lodge double dutch oven. You can bake bread, make a roast, and use the lid as a skillet if you want. Super versatile, and will outlive me. https://www.lodgecastiron.com/product/double-dutch-oven?sku=L8DD3

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• #398Feb 2, 2025

  Best Cast Iron Skillets Being Sold Today?

  Lodge is the most accessible and reliable option for traditional cast iron. It’s what I started with, and it holds up great with regular use. If you want something smoother and lighter, I’ve heard good things about Field Company and Smithey, but they cost way more.

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• #399Feb 2, 2025

  Best pot and pan set

  A few times a year, an authorized seller for All Clad does a factory seconds sale. You can get on their email list so you'll be notified when it's coming up. https://homeandcooksales.com/?cjdata=MXxOfDB8WXww&cjevent=4992ce54e16e11ef812104220a82b836 They tell you what the cause of it being a "second" is, and the discount reflects whether it's something cosmetic, something that might affect performance (though they don't sell anything that would be majorly flawed), or even just packaging damage. That's how I've bought my All Clad pans, and while they still weren't cheap, they were certainly more affordable for investment pieces. Learning to cook in stainless steel is an investment in your long-term health. I'm also a cast iron fan, but you can easily pick up a Lodge pan or two anywhere. All cast iron is BIFL and also for your children's lives.

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• #400Feb 2, 2025

  Best pot and pan set

  Non stick like others said will never last. Sets that last a lifetime are also usually not cheap. Stainless steel, carbon and or cast iron can all cook non stick if you know how to use them and care for them. [Great deals for all clad](https://homeandcooksales.com/) if you sign up for the link they send out emails when they have sales on all clad which are usually extremely expensive. These are lifetime buy once items and sometimes they are up to 70% off. Lodge cast iron is the single best deal in cookware at its regular price. You can get a skillet for about $30 and it can last you a lifetime. Cast iron is extremely durable and even when you mess it up it can be fixed. Once they are seasoned nice and you learn a bit of temp control they can be non stick. Those 2 combined is all my cookware, cast iron and stainless steel. I'll likely never have to spend another penny on pots and pans unless I want a different sized pot.

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• #401Feb 2, 2025

  Best pot and pan set

  I would recommend looking into cast iron pans. They aren't expensive, and are the kind of thing you can use literally for the rest of your life. A Lodge cast iron skillet will cost you like, 20 bucks and you can use it forever. I also own nice stainless steel All-clas pots and pans, which may be a good direction to go for pots, but I use my cast iron way more.

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• #402Feb 2, 2025

  Best Cast Iron Skillets Being Sold Today?

  I have a griswold I found in a field and cleaned up. I have used it now for 10 years and just recently found out it is a sought after brand. I have several lodge pans of all different sizes. My Griswold is my go to for eggs or anything delicate.

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• #403Feb 2, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that has lasted for YEARS and was worth every penny?

  I cannot choose one. Lipault luggage, Moccamaster coffeemaker, Lodge cast iron everything, Frye boots, Arche shoes, New Balance Sneakers, Duralex water glasses, Snag Tights, Darn Tough socks, Maple Corner cherry Shaker bedframe, Bosch dishwasher. This is fun! love reading all of yours!

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• #404Feb 2, 2025

  Buy Once Cry Once items?

  Lodge is NOT as good for a long lasting enameled dutch oven, that is not even an argument on this subreddit. Everyone recognizes that lodges enamel will die within 5ish years of decent use. Which, to their credit, is not insignificant. But if you want an heirloom enameled dutch oven, lodge is not the answer. And I say that as someone who has a half dozen ish lodge cast iron pans, and a naked lodge dutch oven (not enameled).

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• #405Feb 1, 2025

  Buy Once Cry Once items?

  I love our Lodge!

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• #406Feb 1, 2025

  Buy Once Cry Once items?

  Older Bernina Sewing Machine. My Mom and grandma constantly used their machines for decades and only did clean and maintain them. Never missed a beat. Sebo Vacuums, I finally broke down and bought one. It’s so well engineered and easy to use. But what I like is it’s easy and cheap to maintain. It’s powerful and versatile. Lodge cast iron skillets Staub ceramic cookware Danner boots, I have the made in USA models that can be rebuilt. Stainless steel plates and cups from India. Only downside is you cannot microwave them but they are easy to clean and virtually indestructible.

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• #407Feb 1, 2025

  Buy Once Cry Once items?

  It's marketing bullshit for a simple cunk of cheap iron with a simple glaze. Lodge is great

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• #408Feb 1, 2025

  Buy Once Cry Once items?

  The name. That's it. Lodge is absolutely just as good.

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• #409Feb 1, 2025

  Buy Once Cry Once items?

  Lodge enameled dutch ovens are every bit as good. I have both, and I'd rather have two of the Lodge.

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• #410Feb 1, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that has lasted for YEARS and was worth every penny?

  Ahh gotcha! I usually recommend a lodge for anyone starting out because they’re decent and cheap and then get a Staub or LC once they know they’ll use it and they want a higher quality one

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• #411Jan 10, 2025

  What did you buy not realizing you bought it for life?

  I bought solid wood mission style dining room chairs from World Market or maybe Pier One more than 25 years ago, and at this rate my grandkids will end up using them. Also a solid wood Value City Furniture mission style bedroom set that is twenty+ years old and going strong. Also an extremely sturdy set of Value City sofas that I used for 15 years, then I gave them to my mom who used them for 10 years and then gave them to somebody else, who as far as I know is still using them. I have a talent for finding incredibly sturdy, cheap, reasonably attractive furniture. (I’m a maximizer and I researched how to identify well-made furniture back in my twenties when I had more time on my hands, and apparently it worked.) Vintage Lady Gillette safety razor on eBay. It’s older than I am. (As opposed to a Leaf safety razor, which broke in under a year and left my husband with a big scar.) My stupidly cheap Lodge cast iron (added to my grandmother’s hand me down cast iron which is probably older than my mom).

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• #412Jan 10, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  So I had a Lodge with a similar issue and they replaced with zero questions asked after like 4 years. Just take pics and reach out to Lodge.

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• #413Jan 10, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Same thing happened to me. Mine was probably 10 years old. I reached out to Lodge and they sent me a brand new one

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• #414Jan 9, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Can I get you to give a short TEDTalk to my wife on metal utensils and enamel/nonstick cookware? She has also ruined at least three nonstick pans with chopsticks and high heat. It's gotten better though. I'm about to at my wits end. Have a feeling I'll eventually end up with all carbon steel/cast iron and I'll just be doing the cleaning/seasoning. But at least I'll only have to buy them once. I do have one fully-clad stainless pot that has worked well for her cooking, I've just had to scrub quite hard a few times to get stuff out.

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• #415Jan 9, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Me too! I made it clear that it was human error that broke it, not their mistake. They asked for photos and sent out a new one - I didn't have to ship anything.

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• #416Jan 9, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Third. I have the same piece here and a crack in the enamel developed after deep frying. Sent a pic to Lodge and had a replacement a week later. That replacement is still going strong after almost 15 years now.

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• #417Jan 9, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  All that you mentioned, don’t use anything more abrasive than astonish paste and try to just repeatedly use soap, time (soaking) and water first. We hand wash and dry. Barkeepers friend is too abrasive, astonish paste is the last resort. My wife has a few recipes where she sears in the pot, it makes a mess- but a silicon scraper with hot water really will eventually get it all out 90% 0f the time.

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• #418Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Last year I emailed them a pic of a crack on a 20 year old cast iron casserole pot, had a replacement within a week. Couldn't be more impressed.

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• #419Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  My husband and I have had our enameled lodge for about 5 years now. We used it multiple times per week and it’s holding up great. Take care of it. Don’t use metal utensils. Clean it promptly so you don’t have to scrub it like crazy to get it clean. We did get a chip up at the rim from a mishap with a stone counter, but it hasn’t gotten any worse over time and it doesn’t affect how well it works.

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• #420Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  They asked me for pics and details within a few hours of emailing. I had a brand new one the next week and they told me to keep to old one

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• #421Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  We’ve used everything and found zero difference in anything but the price. Le Creuset, Staub Tramontina, Lodge, et al.

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• #422Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Just saying, you can buy four or five Lodge enameled Dutch ovens for the price of one Le Creuset.

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• #423Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  I did replace one through the warranty, and was reluctant to for all the reasons you list. I only went through with it because it was a smaller piece (2.5 qt DO) — had it been a large piece I might have just taken the L. When I called initially, they grilled me about it. It was an older piece and I couldn’t remember where and when I bought it, which they really pushed me on. But then I mailed it back and a week later a replacement was on the way to me. Since it was an older piece, I was worried about their review of it, but they replaced it. Though I’m sure the leniency of the review is down to the person who opens it and what kind of a day they’re having.

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• #424Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Comes down to what you are cooking too. I have never had an issue with my enamel dutch oven and I don't have a lacruset. I have whatever the walmart sold version it. And It's been cooking for eight years with no issue. It was a wedding gift. My wife loves to cook in it. The ones I've ususally seen ruined are the ones that have been used for really high temps to bake in. like 475*+ That's when the enamels start failing. Usuallly if you have one that the enamel has failed in already, you can lay your parchment paper down in it, then proceed to bake your bread without concern or issue. Or perhaps buy a cheaper one for this purpose that you don't mind the enamel cracking in. Alternatively plain cast iron dutch ovens wouldn't have that issue obviously. But they also wouldn't be super easy to clean your pot roast out of either which is the appeal of the enamel dutch oven for us.

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• #425Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Seconding this! Send Lodge this photo (they have a customer service form on their website) and they’ll send you a free replacement.

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• #426Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  I have the same lodge dutch oven and it bakes bread wonderfully! you could certainly still use it for that, since you generally put parchment paper on the bottom. I imagine there are other baked items you could still use it for as well.

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• #427Jan 8, 2025

  List your 3 favorite BIFL items and at least 1 regret or fail

  1. Goruck GR1 - survived deployment and multiple field excursions. It’s been around the world and back with me and it looks like I got it out of the box yesterday. 2. Lodge cast iron and Dutch oven - never had a problem, period. 3. Tough to narrow down but probably my Moccamaster with a 1zpresso hand grinder. Great coffee every time. My only regret was a waxed canvas field jacket from Orvis but it’s no fault of the coat. It’s an awesome coat but I should’ve bought something warmer.

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• #428Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Contact Lodge. They will replace it for free. I had the same problem and they replaced

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• #429Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  Ouch. Rest in peace, Lodge.  For what it's worth, I have this exact pan and I consider it BIFL. The enamel just has to be handled properly. I would expect the same from more expensive models.

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• #430Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  As long as the surface is smooth (the enamel is intact), then it's fine. Discoloration is normal.

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• #431Jan 7, 2025

  Pots and pans that last?

  Fwiw I have lodge cast iron pans and an enameled dutch oven. They will outlive me and the dutch oven (for the price) performs just as good as the more expensive ones.

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• #432Jan 7, 2025

  Has everything we buy reduced in quality over time? Has anything increased in quality or stayed high quality and durable?

  There must be *some* truth to explain WHY the vague 1960s/70s/sometimes 80s wear/reliability/build quality mythos exists, but I'm not aware of any specific objective basis that actually holds up to inspection, and it is always a wild goose chase to pin down the exact what and why of an account of something being worn out prematurely, catastrophically failing or any apparent quality screwup. Including that whatever is/was behind this appears on a large scale to have become unobservable today with the same equipment, whether it is built to stock spec now or is original and actually was built in the supposed problem-era. (Those of you who drive a 1970s vehicle that is mostly stock: do you overhaul engines every 5 years? Didn't think so.) "Back in MY day all our engines needed overhauls after 5 years!" Well; mine still has great compression and burns no tangible oil after 10 times that. It's also an engine that is known without qualifications as a standard of durability, and one of the best stock pickup truck engines of all time. Similar reputations for numerous other powertrain components introduced or common in that era. I'm more inclined to believe it's all hearsay and that realistically, like EVERY era, this period of automotive engineering produced both a lot of excellent equipment AND a lot of total crap. And that like every era, anecdotes about reliability, quality and "lemonhood" are highly biased by chance and by good or bad decisions made by the commentor, more than reflecting the merit of an entire industry over an entire span of time. You can find plenty of examples of problematic engines that are commonly ending up grenaded within 5 years from the current timeframe for that matter.

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• #433Jan 6, 2025

  Pots and pans that last?

  This is fair! The lodge eci pieces are also really nice. The only real differences are the style and the weight. Cannot speak for cuisinart, but in the lodge vs lc weights lodge is about 3 lbs heavier for the same pan (12 vs 15 for 3.5 qt braiser). They’re already ridiculously heavy so I am happy for any less weight. I think there’s a lot of crossover between frugal and BIFL, so I will note I will only buy on sale or second hand. Tjmaxx has both occasionally for steep discounts. I have had the copper core pans over six years and lc just a few.

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• #434Jan 6, 2025

  Pots and pans that last?

  You can find some quality stainless at places like Home Goods. I have Calphalon tri-ply pieces and love them. Most I got when they had outlets, but have found pieces at Home Goods along the way. You should also have a can of Barkeepers Friend when it starts to look dull. Lodge cast iron is great instead of nonstick, which will never be BIFL. There's a whole r/CastIron sub too.

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• #435Jan 6, 2025

  Pots and pans that last?

  I do not have any nonstick pans. But what I personally use is a well seasoned lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet for breakfast items like eggs and bacon. It just feels right. Le Creuset for everything else and that includes a mix of triple ply stainless and the enameled cast iron. I use my braiser the most. It lives on my stove. There are benefits and downfalls to each. Purchase what suits your cooking style.

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• #436Jan 6, 2025

  Pots and pans that last?

  Cast Iron: Lodge Stainless Steel: All-Clad D3 Non-Stick: Nothing I've found is truly BIFL.

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• #437Jan 5, 2025

  BIFL Dutch oven: Le Creuset vs Lodge

  I bought a Lodge 5.5qt in red for $40. It's beautiful, smooth interior surface, and just as hefty and solid as my cast iron pans. It's absolutely perfect for my sourdough.

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• #438Jan 4, 2025

  Looking for a BIFL espresso machine + other kitchen gadgets

  Lodge enamel coated crocks are really nice as well. Great for stews and braising as well as baking breads.

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• #439Jan 4, 2025

  Looking for a BIFL espresso machine + other kitchen gadgets

  I am offering a lot of budget advice since you are starting out. Of course there are brands like allclad which make excellent stainless steel. I recently bought a viking 3qt-ish sautee pan and I'm really liking that for larger meals. I also recommend getting glass lids so you can monitor your cooking. There's also le creuset once you have a good budget, staub is great too. A Great Dutch oven is a must in the long run if you want to cook really great food and they're excellent for making things like bread. You can even find le creuset at tjmaxx as well, their little baking dishes fit in my toaster oven which is great for avoiding the the teflon coated trays that come with toaster ovens. As for more expensive brands for cast iron, I bought a smithey which is a polished cast iron. Its incredible, and less upkeep than pitted cast iron but comes with a hefty price tag. But I watched many comparison videos between different cast iron pans and it really is the best. But someone who's starting out would probably not really be able to tell a difference. But also regular Lodge cast iron will still cook perfectly fine. I also have a enameled cast iron pan from Le creuset which I used over my little Lodge. I enjoyed how little upkeep I needed to do with that one. I highly recommend getting wooden utensils to not scratch the surfaces of anything enameled. I also really love my Nordic Ware baking trays, especially the ones that come with the baking rack. They really come in clutch for a good roast since the air is able to circulate under the food. I can also use the tray without the rack to bake cookies or big pans of food.

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• #440Jan 4, 2025

  Looking for a BIFL espresso machine + other kitchen gadgets

  For pots and pans, I recommend going to Marshalls t.j Maxx or home goods and buying some stainless steel pots and pans to start out. They have great deals. Avoid Teflon and non-stick coating as they will not last long. With stainless steel, you will have to learn how to heat the pan properly so that the cooking experience is pleasant. Another buy for life is of course the cast iron pan which is highly recommended. A simple cheap Lodge will do, you just have to learn how to maintain, clean and season it over time.

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• #441Jan 2, 2025

  BIFL & new hobbies?

  It depends on the hobby and the relative cost/quality of the stuff you need. I took up sewing for a while, bought a very good quality sewing machine and serger used from a dealer who threaded the serger for me. Cost about as much as cheap new machines. Even though I really don't have time to do it anymore, I definitely got my moneys worth and I can pull them out to mend or alter clothes when I need. Baking, I bought a lodge dutch oven new because the cost and quality justified it. Now I still use it for cooking, even if I don't use if for baking nearly as often. Tried golfing, but went for pretty cheap gear because the good stuff is expensive, it's only usable part of the year where I live, and when I inevitably lose interest as a hobby, they serve no other purpose. For my level of skill, I'd never have noticed the quality difference anyways.

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• #442Jan 2, 2025

  Stainless steel cookware recommendations?

  +1 for All-clad. Your best bet is to wait for factory seconds sales or shop at second hand stores. Still pricey, but they are true BIFL and will last forever, as long as you don't toss em in the dishwasher. I have a couple pieces inherited from my wife's grandparents and they look just as good as my new ones. I also agree with the mentions of getting carbon steel for general purpose pans. Lodge makes some good, inexpensive skillets that are now workhorses in my kitchen. Easy to season and get slicker than cast iron in a fraction of the time. I actually donated/sold most of my cast iron because I like em that much.

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• #443Dec 5, 2015

  [BIFL Request] What should I ask for for graduation/christmas?

  Treat it well and you can be using it when you're 90 years old. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson's_Bay_point_blanket Do you cook? Do you cook outside? https://www.lodgemfg.com/ Do research on blazers and sport coats. A nice one will last years. Ask about them at /malefashionadvice Also, if you do cook, ask in one of the cooking subs about quality cookware collections. Ditto for utensils.

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• #444Aug 25, 2011

  What brands, kinds, &amp;c. of kitchenware (particularly knives and cookware) can be bought for life?

  Lodge cast iron. If you take care of it, you'll pass it on to your grandchildren. Your immediate children will unfortunately have to buy their own, because you'll still be using it.

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