Magnalite

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Magnalite

6 mentions from real owners

• #1May 7, 2025

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

  We tried Greenspan ceramic and found that the non-stick element didn't stay as non-stick for all that long. I have cast iron, but they are too heavy for daily use. I have some carbon steel (Lodge and Debuyer) but find them pretty heavy, and you have to be pretty careful with them. I picked up a couple of old non-coated anodized aluminum Magnalite skillets (I had a set that didn't include a 10", so didn't use them as much as my non-stick pans) from eBay and cleaned, then seasoned them well. Everyone in the family is now totally in love with them. As light as any other aluminum pan, no rust and fantastically non-stick. I'm very curious about the Strata pans with three plys: external stainless, internal core aluminum and cooking surface carbon steel. Seriously expensive, but seems like a great combination.

  View on Redditopen_in_new
• #2Feb 4, 2025

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

  There are 2 God tier pots and pans. All Clad - expensive, lasts forever, great construction, etc. Magnalite - they don't makes these anymore, but you can find them floating around eBay or second hand stores. They heat up very vast, cook like cast iron, and are virtually indestructible. These are the ones you pass down 3 or 4 generations. There is nothing better

  View on Redditopen_in_new
• #3Feb 3, 2025

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

  Hunt for vintage Magnalite at yard sales and wherever you can find it cheap.

  View on Redditopen_in_new
• #4Feb 2, 2025

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

  Honestly, in terms of what's on the market right now, I don't have the slightest idea. But I will share. In '82 I got a set of magnalite cast aluminum pans. Saute, deep fry, dutch oven and stew pot. A year later I found a set of copper sauce/stew pans (6) at an estate sale for a ridiculous price. I've had these for what? 40-something years? I don't know how long I live, but that's pushing on bifl. The copper pans are probably way over 100 years old. So I won't give a brand, I will say: Solid, metal, maybe old. For dog's sake don't go for fancy clad, hi-tec, non stick. I've been through sets of those in the time I've had these.

  View on Redditopen_in_new
• #5Feb 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.

  View on Redditopen_in_new
• #6Jan 8, 2025

  Enameled cast iron question

  And this is why the Magnalite style cookware, especially the Dutch ovens and roasters are so popular. They cook as well in the oven as cast iron, but weigh a ton less. It’s probably why most sainted grandmothers had them, they couldn’t lift the bigger cast iron pieces as they aged and lost strength. Carbon steel for same reason for stovetop. I have a mix of all three, but mostly use the cast iron stuff. Makes me feel better knowing I’m getting a little extra iron in my diet.

  View on Redditopen_in_new