Which Cast Iron Pans Are Made in the USA

Cast Iron Pans are an essential kitchen tool that every home cook should own. They are used for cooking food at high temperatures, such as searing meat or browning vegetables. Cast iron pans are also known as “skillet” because of their shape.

They are durable and long-lasting and can last for years if cared for properly. . iron pans have a nonstick surface to prevent sticking while they heat up. This is important when you want to sear your steak without having it stick to the pan!

The most popular type of cast iron skillet is called a Dutch oven. It has two handles on top so you don’t need both hands to lift it out of the stovetop. You may find other types of cast iron pans like French Ovens, Skillets, Griddles, etc., but this isn’t made from cast iron. These pans are usually aluminum or stainless steel with an enamel coating which makes them easier to clean than cast iron.

Cast iron pans are an essential kitchen tool for anyone who cooks regularly. They’re durable, versatile, and can last for decades if properly cared for.

But there’s a lot of confusion out there about cast iron pans. Some people think that only certain brands are made in America, while others believe that all cast iron pans are made in China. The truth is, there are many different types of cast iron pans, and each type has its own unique characteristics.

So which ones are made in the USA? And which ones are made in China? Let’s find out!

Which Cast Iron Pans Are Made in the USA?

There are three main categories of cast iron pans: skillets, griddles, and dutch ovens. Each category has several subcategories based on size and design. We’ll go over these here.

Skillets

A skillet is one of the oldest forms of cooking equipment. A traditional skillet was just a flat piece of metal heated by the fire until hot enough to be useful. Today we use skillets for everything from frying eggs to baking cakes. There are many varieties of skillets available today including small, medium, large, oval, round, rectangular, and even deep fryers.

A good quality skillet will hold temperature well and won’t warp or crack easily. If you buy a cheap skillet, chances are it won’t perform very well. Look for a heavy gauge material and make sure it doesn’t rust.

Griddles

A griddle is similar to a skillet except it has raised edges around the perimeter instead of being smooth. Griddles are great for making pancakes, waffles, crepes, and grilled sandwiches.

Dutch Ovens

A Dutch oven is basically a pot designed specifically for cooking foods at higher temperatures. Most often found in the oven, a Dutch oven is ideal for roasting meats, boiling stews, braising soups, and slow cooker recipes.

There are many USA companies when we talk about cast iron pots. For example, Lodge Manufacturing Company produces some of the best American-made cast iron products. Their line includes not only Dutch ovens, but also pressure cookers, stockpots, casseroles, and more.

Other manufacturers include All-Clad, Le Creuset, Staub, Calphalon, Hamilton Beach, KitchenAid, and Wusthof.

The Field Company

If you want to know where your cast iron pan came from, look no further than The Field Co. This company specializes in selling high-end cast-iron products. On their website, they say "We have been producing fine cast iron since 1885." That means they’ve been doing business as long as I’ve been alive.

They sell cast iron skillets, grills, Dutch ovens, and much more. But what really sets them apart is how they treat customers. When you order online with them, they send you a free gift along with your purchase. You don’t pay to ship either because they deliver right to your door.

They offer two delivery options: standard ground service and expedited 2-day air. Both services cost $10 extra per item. So depending on how many items you need to be shipped, this could add up quickly. However, if you live near a major city, then this may be worth it. The field company does charge sales tax so keep that in mind before ordering.

Stephen and Chris Muscarella, the company’s founders, named it after their maternal grandmother. Her family passed down a pair of 1930s cast iron skillets that sparked their interest in cooking. They started out selling these pans through local markets and eventually opened an eCommerce store.

Today, The Field Co. sells over 100 different types of cast iron products ranging from skillets to grill racks. And all of their products come with a lifetime warranty against defects. The Muscarella brothers take pride in providing excellent customer service and support. In fact, they’re known for going above and beyond to help people who aren’t satisfied with their purchases.

For instance, if you return something within 30 days, they’ll give you a full refund without any restocking fees. Also, if there’s anything wrong with your product, they’ll replace it immediately.

Finex

Another option for buying quality cast iron products is Finex Brands. Like The Field Co., they specialize in selling top-quality cast iron products. Unlike The Field Co., however, Finex offers both retail stores and wholesale distribution.

Their products range from kitchen tools like spatulas and tongs to dinnerware such as serving platters and bowls. If you’re looking for a specific type of pot or skillet, they can get those too.

Their prices vary based on whether you buy directly from them or through one of their retailers. Wholesale pricing starts at around $20/pound. Retail pricing ranges between $30-$50/lb. Depending on which retailer you choose, shipping will likely run anywhere from $5-$15.

Finex is a brand of cookware that is only a few years old. It sprang from two phenomenally successful Kickstarter projects in 2012, one of which attempted to raise $25,000 from early adopters but raised over 800 percent of its target, generating $211,027 in pre-sales. The other project was called “Ceramic Cookware” and sought funding to create ceramic cookware made by hand using traditional techniques. After raising nearly $200,000, the campaign ended successfully.

Both campaigns were wildly popular among backers and garnered lots of media attention. As a result, Finex has become well-known throughout the culinary world. Their success also led to the creation of a new line of cookware called Ceramique.

The first thing I noticed about Ceramique when I looked into purchasing some was that every single piece comes with a certificate of authenticity. This means that each pan is individually inspected and stamped with a unique number. You won’t find another set of pots or pans quite like yours. I’ve been testing out several pieces so far and have found that most are very easy to clean. However, I did notice that my nonstick-coated ones tend to be more difficult than others. That said, I’m not sure how much this would affect performance since I haven’t used them long enough yet.

One downside to ceramics is that they don’t conduct heat evenly. Finex skillets have hexagonal shape holes that allow air to circulate better than round shapes do. But because these holes are smaller than standard sizes, cooking times may increase slightly.

I think the best part about Finex is that they offer free returns. So if you decide after trying out a couple of pieces that you want to exchange them for something else, no problem! Just send back the item along with an explanation of why you’d prefer the replacement items. They’ll then issue you a credit toward future orders.

Lancaster Cast Iron

If you live near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, there’s a great place to shop: Lancaster Cast Iron. Located just outside of town, it’s a small store owned by husband and wife team John and Mary Ann Haines.

They sell everything from knives to baking sheets to mixing bowls. And while many people know Lancaster Cast Iron for its knife selection, it actually sells a lot more than that. In fact, they carry almost anything you could possibly need for your home bar. John says he started selling cast iron products as a hobby before opening his own business. He began making knives himself and eventually decided to start selling them wholesale. Now, he makes all of his own tools and even does custom work.

He says that customers often ask him what type of steel he uses in his blades. "We use a special blend of carbon steels," he explains. "It gives us good edge retention." Thousands of American cooks rely on Lancaster’s lightweight, smooth-finish cast iron skillets. Before it reaches your stove, each of their cooking utensils passes via a variety of local service providers in Pennsylvania. The company works closely with suppliers who specialize in high-quality stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, porcelain-enameled cast iron, glass, ceramic, and other materials.

"Our goal is to provide our customers with top-quality kitchen equipment at affordable prices," says John. "And we’re proud to say that we meet those goals."

Lodge Cast Iron

Cast iron has always had a reputation for being heavy duty. It can take a beating without breaking down. Lodge Cast Iron takes pride in manufacturing quality cookware made from 100% pure virgin red oak wood. Their motto is simple: "Cooking should never compromise taste."

Their line includes traditional cast iron skillets, Dutch ovens, griddles, roasters, fryers, sauté pans, saucepans, stockpots, pasta makers, woks, and more. All of their products come with a lifetime warranty against defects in material and craftsmanship. If one breaks, Lodge will replace it.

Their website offers recipes using their products, which include tips on seasoning and care. For example, they recommend washing cast iron regularly with soap and water. Then dry thoroughly with paper towels. Once dried, coat with vegetable oil and let sit overnight. The next morning, wipe off excess oil and pat dry again. Finally, season with salt or nonstick spray.

The site also features videos showing how to properly clean and maintain cast iron. You can watch these online or download them onto your computer so you have access anytime. In 2002, Lodge was the first foundry to provide pre-seasoned cast iron cooking containers, a product that most cookware customers now expect. It uses soy-based vegetable oil to season all of its grill pans, skillets, and Dutch ovens. This process helps prevent rust and extends the life of the pan by up to 10 years.

For over 30 years, Lodge has been producing premium cast iron cookware. They are committed to providing superior customer service and support. To learn more about their products, visit lodgecastiron.com.

Smithey Ironware

This family-owned business produces some of America’s finest cast iron cookware. Founded in 1892, Smithey manufactures only the highest-quality cast iron cookware available today. Each piece is handcrafted in small batches and then polished until perfectly smooth.

In addition to their signature cast iron pots and pans, Smithey carries an extensive collection of accessories including trivets, serving pieces, ladles, spatulas, tongs, and much more. They offer free shipping within the continental United States. Visit smitheyrichardson.com to see their full selection of products.

Smithey Ironware has the best cast iron pans around! I’ve used many different brands but none compare to theirs. My favorite thing about this brand is that they make everything themselves right here in the US. That means no cheap imports. Also, they don’t just sell cast iron – they actually manufacture it too. So if something goes wrong with your purchase they’ll fix it instead of sending you back home empty-handed. And lastly, they stand behind every single item they sell. No matter what, they guarantee it.

Smithey’s skillets are distinguished by their compact design and curved edges, which make food simple to move and flip. The extended handles, on the other hand, aid in keeping your hands cool. Their classic round shape makes for easy cleaning as well. These pans are perfect for any kitchen from large families to smaller households alike.

I love my Smithery skillet because it cooks evenly without burning. Plus, it looks great on our countertop. We use ours daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, etc. I highly recommend this skillet to anyone looking for quality at a reasonable price.

Stargazer

Stargazer is one of the oldest companies making cast iron cookware in the U.S., having started production in 1885. Today, Stargazer continues to produce high-end cast iron cookware made in the same American factories where it began.

They carry a wide variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from traditional frypans to specialty items like woks and dutch ovens. All of their products come fully seasoned and ready to go straight out of the box. If you’re new to using cast iron, Stargazer offers a helpful video tutorial series called "Cast Iron 101" that will help get you started.

Stargazer skillets start in the company’s Wisconsin foundry, where iron ore is smelted and poured into green sand molds to create raw-cast cookware. After being baked twice, each pan undergoes multiple inspections before leaving the factory floor. This ensures that all Stargazer castings meet or exceed industry standards for safety and performance.

The company also uses state-of-the-art technology to ensure its products stay true to size throughout the entire manufacturing process. In fact, Stargazer tests each batch of steel against a set standard so that customers can be confident knowing exactly how big their product should be when purchased.

Conclusion

There are so many options when choosing between cast iron or stainless steel pans. It can be overwhelming trying to decide which type of pan works best for you. However, there are certain things to consider before purchasing either option.