For centuries, seasoned cast iron cookware has been a culinary staple. Over time, many companies have emerged as leaders in the industry. Each brand has its own history and reputation, and all feature a lifetime warranty.

In this article, we take a closer look at the history of the most well-known and high-quality cast iron companies. We will explore their origins, signature products and innovations, and the impact they have had on the industry.

Butter Pat Industries

Since 2013, Butter Pat has prided itself on using traditional, hand-crafted manufacturing methods and materials to create superior cookware that is both beautiful and functional. Its ultra-smooth surface allows for easy food release and easy clean up, as well as its ability to remain hot at the dinner table. This makes it a popular choice for both professional and home chefs who value precision, versatility, and quality in their cookware.

Butter Pat Joan 12" Polished Cast Iron Skillet

The Joan features a perfectly smooth surface for easy seasoning and a nonstick-like food release. It is perfect for searing, sautéing, and frying, and is a favorite among professional chefs and home cooks alike. With a pour spout on either side, it can be used on a variety of cooking surfaces, including stovetop, oven, and campfire. It's a great size for cooking for a big family or for when you have guests over.

Camp Chef

Founded in 1990, Camp Chef makes high-quality and durable pieces for outdoor enthusiasts and home chefs alike. Their key features include over-built construction, even heating, and the ability to withstand high temperatures. They also use advanced technology, such as their True Seasoned Finish, which helps to prevent sticking and makes for an easy clean-up.

Camp Chef Classic Dutch Oven

This versatile pot is perfect for slow cooking, baking, frying and it features a tight-fitting lid that helps to lock in heat and moisture for braising. In the home, the Camp Chef Classic is perfect for making soups, stews, and casseroles, as well as baking bread and cakes. Plus, it can also be used over a campfire or on a camping stove.

Field Company

Field Company produces high-quality, American-made cookware that is designed for both professional and home chefs. Founded in 2014, the company quickly became a popular choice among those who are looking for durable and versatile cookware that can be used on a variety of cooking surfaces. Their products’ lightweight design features a 100% grapeseed oil seasoning, which makes the surface more resistant to rust and provides a naturally nonstick cooking surface.

Field Company No.10 Cast Iron Skillet

The No. 10 features a smooth and even cooking surface that is perfect for searing, sautéing, and frying, as well as a lightweight design that is easy to handle. This cast iron skillet is a great choice for anyone looking for high-quality and versatile cookware.

Finex

Founded in 2012, Finex has quickly established itself as a top brand for superior heat retention in the cast iron cookware market. Their products’ unique octagonal shape allows for easy pouring and stirring, while the smooth, polished cooking surface is easy to clean and maintain. Finex cookware is suitable for a wide range of chefs and is particularly popular among those who value durability and superior performance.

Finex Skillets

This skillet’s large size makes it perfect for cooking large meals or for use as a serving platter. As is their signature, it features an octagonal shape that functions for pour spouts and a polished cooking surface. The skillet is also equipped with a stainless steel spring handle that stays cool to the touch—making it easy to use on the stovetop or in the oven.

Lancaster

Founded in 2018, Lancaster products feature a classic design and are handmade in Pennsylvania. Each Lancaster cookware piece is hand-crafted and seasoned with natural oils for a non-stick surface. They are perfect for outdoor cooking, camping, and chefs who want to create a rustic and authentic cooking experience.

Lancaster No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet

The Lancaster No. 10 is ideal for a wide range of cooking methods, including frying, sautéing, and even baking. With heavy-duty construction that can handle outdoor cooking, its ability to retain heat allows it to slow-cook ingredients that will eventually go into stews and soups. It is also great for searing and browning meats, making it a must-have for any chef who loves to create flavorful and hearty meals—even while camping or picnicking.

Le Creuset

Founded in France in 1925, Le Creuset Cookware has since become a household name synonymous with quality and style. Their signature enameled cast iron construction provides perfect heat distribution and stays hot at the dinner table in many vibrant color options. Perfect for both professional chefs and home cooks alike, Le Creuset products can be used on all heat sources—including induction. They are perfect for quick sears, sautéing, braising, baking, and more.

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

This versatile pot—also known as the French oven—is perfect for slow-cooking stews, soups, and braises. It's available in a variety of sizes and colors and has a tight-fitting lid that locks in moisture, flavor, and nutrients.

Lodge

Lodge Cast Iron, a family-owned company, has been making high-quality, American-made cast iron cookware since 1896. Known for their durability and versatility, Lodge products can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, on the grill, and even over an open fire pit. They’re also known for their ability to retain heat and distribute it evenly—making perfect tools for searing, deep frying, and baking. Lodge products are versatile and fit for all types of chefs: from home cooks to professionals.

Lodge Chef Collection 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

One of Lodge Cast Iron's most famous products, this skillet is perfect for cooking everything from pancakes and eggs to steaks and burgers. It's also great for making cast iron skillet cornbread and pizza. It features a heat-treated surface that renders it naturally non-stick—making it easy to clean. The skillet also boasts a long handle that provides a safe and secure grip, and it is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil in three layers—so it's ready to use right out of the box.

Rikumo

Rikumo, a lifestyle brand based in Philadelphia, celebrates Japanese craftsmanship, design, and aesthetics. Their products showcase a culture that is unique to Japan but also powers the modern, interconnected world. In the kitchen, their goal is to help you to create dishes that are both visually striking and delicious.

Rikumo SSC Featherweight Cast Iron Frying Pan

The Featherweight Cast Iron Pan is a product derived from Sanjo Special Cast, located in Tsubame Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture—a town renowned for its metalworking skills. This collection is made from a special ductile, graphite-rich FCD cast iron material that allows for the creation of extremely strong yet thin cookware. The walls of the pan measure only 1.5mm in thickness, making it barely half the weight of traditional cast iron cookware—yet it still boasts superior heat-conducting properties. The pan is also somewhat smaller than typical, allowing it to move seamlessly from a compact oven to the tabletop. Plus, its heat-resistant silicone coating ensures longevity.

Smithey

Smithey Ironware Company is a small cookware manufacturer based in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2015, Isaac Morton, a third-generation blacksmith and ironworker, started the brand with the goal of reviving the lost art of hand-forged iron cookware to make it accessible to home cooks. Smithey's cookware is made using traditional techniques and materials, and each piece is hand-finished to ensure the highest quality. The company's products have been well-received and have gained a loyal following among home cooks and professional chefs alike.

Smithey NO.11 Deep Skillet with Glass Lid

Highly recommended for its versatility and durability, this skillet's polished, curved walls are ideal for browning and stirring a variety of ingredients. The pan comes with a custom-fit glass lid— which makes it perfect for steaming, simmering, or braising—and its extra depth helps minimize oil splashes when frying. When it comes to casseroles, the smooth round interior and even heat retention of the No. 11 ensure perfect bakes every time. The skillet is built to last for generations—unlike some other everyday pans on the market that wear out quickly.

Stargazer

Founded in the early 2000s, Stargazer quickly became a favorite among professional chefs and home cooks alike for their premium quality. Their products feature rugged durability, precision craftsmanship, and advanced technology that makes them ideal for a wide range of cooking styles—from searing to simmering.

Stargazer 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet

This skillet’s high-quality cast iron construction features a smooth, polished surface that is perfect for searing, sautéing, and frying. It’s ideal for high-heat cooking methods like stovetop, oven, and even campfire cooking. And its wishbone handle keeps the grip cooler while over the flame. The skillet can be ordered pre-seasoned (and ready to use) or bare—making it a great option for those who are new to cast iron cookware and want the choice of DIY or ready-to-go.

Staub

Since 1974, Alsace-based Staub Cookware has been known for their high-quality, durable, and versatile cast-iron French cookware. Key features include a heavy-weight cast iron construction, self-basting lids that lock in moisture, and a wide range of colors and finishes to choose from. The brand’s advanced black matte enamel interior is designed to improve the cooking process by promoting better heat distribution and retention. Staub is a long-lasting option for those who want to invest in quality cookware for a variety of cooking methods like braising, roasting, and searing.

Staub Oval Cocotte

Due to their ability to retain heat and moisture, these pots are perfect for slow-cooking dishes like stews, soups, and braises either on the stovetop or in the oven. Their cast iron construction also makes them perfect for searing meats and browning vegetables, and the black-enamel interior coating makes them dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

Wagner

Before going out of business in 1953, Wagner produced high-quality cast iron cookware for over 60 years. These pieces are now highly sought-after by collectors and those looking for vintage kitchenware. Their skillets are very heavy compared to an already heavy niche of cookware, and pioneered the polished smooth surface that makes it easy to clean. Designed to last for years—even with regular use—Wagner cast iron cookware was suitable for a wide range of chefs, and was particularly popular among outdoor chefs and those who enjoyed camping and tailgating.

Wagner Skillets

One of Wagner's most famous products was the Wagner Cast Iron Skillet. This skillet is suitable for use on all stove tops—including induction—and features a helper handle that makes it easy to lift and maneuver. It can cook a wide range of foods—from steaks and burgers to pancakes and eggs. It is also oven safe, which makes it perfect for baking and broiling. If you’re looking for one of your own, try eBay or your local antique collector!

Connect with An Expert

The history of cast iron cookware is rich and varied; but whether you're a professional chef or a home cook, what doesn’t vary is the fact that cast iron cookware will withstand the test of time. If you're looking for some help in selecting the perfect pieces for your kitchen, reach out to a Curated Cooking Expert for free, customized advice on cast irons!