Stargazer

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Stargazer

13 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 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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• #2Dec 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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• #3Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  If you are going through pots and pans every 2-3 years, buying more expensive cookware isn’t going to help you. In the end, it’s just a piece of metal, and even a cheap pan will last decades if taken care of properly. If you are buying non-stick that lose their coating over time, learn how to use cast iron instead. If you are throwing your pans in the dishwasher, start washing them by hand. If you are torturing cheap cookware to death because it’s cheap, go buy something expensive and treat it with love. My recommendations? Copper core All-Clad for the skillets, if you are comfortable cooking with stainless steel, but especially their saucepan. You can get factory seconds that are flawless for a fraction of the price too. Alternatively, Stargazer skillets (lids come out in March), and learn how to use cast iron. For the pot, just pick one with a shape/form that works best for you. You’re just using it to keep things at one temperature for a long time anyway.

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• #4Dec 29, 2025

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

  My bad. I was mixing it up with greater goods, another milled cast iron skillet that’s made in China. Around $50-60ish. Stargazer is MIUSA. Edited my comment.

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• #5Dec 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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• #6Dec 4, 2025

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

  i know a lot of people here like their cast iron but im a cast iron nerd. almost all my cookware is cast iron and generally im of the belief you cant hurt it in any way that matters but do not touch my 10.5" stargazer. dont even think about it. that is my baby and i use it every day.

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• #7Nov 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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• #8Oct 7, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  Smithey, field, stargazer, yeti, and finex are all good end cast iron brands. You also have enamel cast iron like staub and le creuset which doesn't require seasoning.

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• #9Oct 7, 2025

  Best cast iron skillet?

  Tons. Smithey, Field Co - my personal favorite is Stargazer, I have their 10" and use it constantly.

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• #10Jun 2, 2025

  All Clad D3 pan set worth it?

  The only non-stick pans that are BIFL are cast iron. As a certified cast iron nerd, my favorite is currently Stargazer.

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• #11Feb 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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• #12Feb 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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• #13Feb 4, 2025

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

  Unfortunately, you can. I have a Stargazer cast iron, it’s my go to pan.

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