Lodge Carbon Steel Vs Solidteknics Cast Iron

teacherer on 29/04/2022 - 09:48
Last edited 10/05/2022 - 13:53 by 1 other user

Good morning all

Edit
I just put my order in for the Quenched 30cm skillet for $185 from Kitchen Style with 3.8% cashback.

Thanks for your input everyone.

Original Post

After my 3 month old circulon pan set with a lifetime warranty had it's non stick coating start to peel on the rim, I've decided to make the jump to cast iron/carbon steel.
I've thoroughly researched the differences to discover that mainly the heat retention is worse on the carbon steel, and hot spots and weight being the main cons of cast iron.

Lodge cast irons are out of the question as a 3kg pan is a bit unwieldy for my wife and my dodgy wrist.
I've narrowed my options down to:
1.Solidteknics wrought iron at 1.3-2kg as a lightweight cast iron-ish option with fantastic reviews but around $150 for 26cm and $180 for 30cm.
2. Lodge carbon steel at around 1.5kg for $80. But probably more realistically $100 including a silicone cover for the handle.

Does anyone have any advice or any experience with these pans or recommendations of something similar?

Thanks.

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • payless69 on 29/04/2022 - 10:14

    We switched to stainless steel and induction.
    Now we got to take iron tablets lol.
    Many ways to turn animal tissue sold under the name of meat into something that turns black and keeps doctors in business.
    But the BBQ is more fun!

    • JimB on 29/04/2022 - 10:33

      If you have to take iron tablets, why not try cast iron?

      • teacherer on 29/04/2022 - 10:47

        I have a feeling they're attempting sarcasm

  • JimB on 29/04/2022 - 10:32
    +1

    Hi,

    The Solidteknics isn't cast iron, it's wrought iron. It wouldn't be 800grams if it was cast iron.

    I don't have experience with the above, but, I have a few Lodge cast iron and I also have a few generic carbon steel pans.

    It's actually the same as https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/612584 but I got them from FB Marketplace for like $20 each.

    Unlike cast iron where they are very similar thickness, carbon steel comes in thick and thin.

    The carbon steel pans I have is quite thick. I would say similar to the Lodge carbon steel (if 1.5kg).

    Heat retention is quite good.

    After using the carbon steel, I'm sold on it. I use it much much more than my cast iron. The cast iron is still better for steaks where you really want the heat retention, but overall I use my carbon steel pan more day to day.

    • teacherer on 29/04/2022 - 10:37

      Thanks JimB, just what i was looking for.

      I'll be sure to check the carbon steel weights on purchase. Presumably, thicker carbon steel will help with heat retention etc.
      Why do you think you don't use your cast iron much?

      • JimB on 29/04/2022 - 10:43

        Heavier, more difficult to clean, hot spots. The carbon steel does a good job frying and sears quite well.

        Plus I think it (cast iron) scratched my induction cooktop so I have to be careful sliding it around.

        It's just physics, the heavier the pan, the more heat it retains.

        I still do use non-stick for scrambled eggs and also frying roti's. For some reason, carbon steel burns my roti's.

        • teacherer on 29/04/2022 - 10:45

          Right, that sounds like good enough reasoning for me, thanks for your insight.

          I'll try to suss out a cheaper option than lodge like the one you linked.
          I did find a 1yo solidteknic on facebook for $120 (rrp $180) but i would need to pay postage.

          I also have induction so I would be worried about scratching.

        • autonomate on 06/05/2022 - 08:37

          They make silicon mats for this. You slot it on top of your cooktop, then put your cast iron on that.

          • JimB on 06/05/2022 - 09:57

            @autonomate: I didn't know one existed.. thanks.

            Silly question, but does it reduce the power/heating?

            • autonomate on 08/05/2022 - 12:44
              +1

              @JimB: Nope! If the induction still works, it'll get just as hot.

  • cookietime on 29/04/2022 - 10:46
    +1

    If you are looking for a good non-stick pan, I would highly recommend Greenpan, particularlytheir Craft range. I bought mine from Myer.

    They are not as heavy as cast iron pans but not as light as Circulon or Tefal stuffs. I had them for about a year so far and they seem to last much better than my other Tefal pans. Cleaning them is a breeze too.

    Note that these Greenpan pans are not suitable for cooking food that you want a bit of a burnt edge, e.g. steak, because the non-stick layer works so well.

    I also bought the Greenpan casseroles. They are not as good as Le Creuset or Staub but they are much much lighter and the non-stick coating works extremely well.

  • KevinL on 29/04/2022 - 11:55

    There's a 9" Solidteknics deep skillet on Amazon for $91 which you might want to consider https://www.amazon.com.au/AUS-ION-Si118s-Australian-Professi…

    I've bought a range of Solidteknics pans (some via Kickstarter, some direct from Solidteknics and some at retail) and also used them in a commercial setting, we use them daily and have been very happy with them and have subsequently retired our cast iron pans and all but one non-stick pan.

    • KevinL on 29/04/2022 - 12:01

      We've got (vaguely in order of frequency of use - the top four get the most action and probably account for 90%)

      30cm skillet
      22cm sauteuse
      26cm chef's pan
      18cm frypan
      405x310 baking sheet
      24cm crepe pan
      26cm flaming skillet

      • teacherer on 29/04/2022 - 12:14

        Thanks Kevin. That's very helpful info :)

  • mr-incredulous on 29/04/2022 - 13:59

    Hey just FYI I love my cast iron pan, but it is not a 100 % replacement for non-stick. There are just some things that a cast iron pan (and I would guess any seasoned pan like carbon steel) cannot do. In particular long contact with tomato or other acidic ingredients, and low and slow cooking of egg like if you're trying to make a creamy omelette. Seasoned pans need to be 1. hot and 2. oily to prevent sticking. Never put ingredients in the pan while its cold.

    All this to say you should definitely keep a non-stick pan in the house.

    Regarding weight, I know you ruled out the heavier pans but you should consider that they have the little handle opposite the main handle so you can pick it up from both sides so long as you're mindful of heat e.g. wearing oven mitts. The pans you linked don't have a second place to grip the pan.

  • AndyC1 on 29/04/2022 - 16:34

    Both look like cheap steel pans and do not compare to cast iron and will not last IMHO. Go to house or Peters of Kenso or Victorias Basement if you are in Sydney and have a look at the different frypans. You will have to find other places if you are not in Sydney to check out they different frypans available.

    If you use full heat then for light weight you will need to go to stainless steel, but things will stick to it. You will need to clean it after things stick, but there is noting to peel of come off when used on full heat.

    Did you use the non stick on full heat? That's a no no for non stick.

  • tik tok on 29/04/2022 - 16:50

    Why are you not considering stainless steel?
    Got this 5-ply clad stainless steel set from costco and it has been put through a LOT of cooking and has been very good in our experience. https://www.costco.com.au/Kitchen-Laundry-Appliances/Kitchen… (it isn't 10 pieces, they just count the lids as a piece too) the pans are relatively heavy though - but nothing close to our Lodge cast iron pans.

    • teacherer on 30/04/2022 - 18:32

      We have a 30cm stainless one at the moment and I'd like to try other things :)

  • Cozi01 on 30/04/2022 - 09:27

    I can +1 solidteknics pans but all mine were either raw or satin finish before they started with the quenched (pre seasoned) stuff.

    Expensive yes but I started with just the 26cm 'Workhorse' before I got a few more.

    • teacherer on 30/04/2022 - 18:30

      Do you find 26cm is enough all the time?
      I know i wouldn't fit a decent steak or a family dinner in a 26cm pan but was thinking 30cm is a bit big.

      Would you go with the new pre seasoned ones now if you could?

      • Cozi01 on 01/05/2022 - 11:16
        +1

        Yeah for us its enough as we are limited by space, only have a 60cm oven/stove top and find that having 2 26cms (one iron one noni) is about all we could comfortably fit as it gets a bit crammed. Cooking anything bigger gets done on their 35cm (https://www.solidteknics.com/RAWBIGGAskillet) outside, I have a Kamado.

        Yeah would go pre seasoned as it just saves you a few hours of seasoning yourself, I'm sure their factory job its good. If you are comfortable with seasoning process you can get 30% off some of the RAW stuff, below 31cm for $139

        https://www.solidteknics.com/RAW31cmXHDskillet
        https://www.solidteknics.com/ironcareraw

        Just need to sign up to their facebook group.

        https://www.solidteknics.com/membersonlyhiddenstore

        Some people seem to find the seasoning process daunting so if you think that may apply to you just go with theirs, you will need to do on going maintenance but simply using it with the right foods and temps will keep it 'non stick'.

        • teacherer on 09/05/2022 - 09:56

          Thanks mate, very helpful.

          https://www.solidteknics.com/RAW31cmXHDskillet

          Shame it is an extra 650g :/ Otherwise i'd happily season myself.

          I've just tried to join their group.

        • teacherer on 09/05/2022 - 14:16

          Looks like there's no pan/skillet on offer on the hidden store at the moment unfortunately.

  • Kraise on 09/05/2022 - 09:47

    Friend highly rates the solidteknics aus-ion pan, very light and seasons well for the non-stick. Well worth the money.

    • teacherer on 09/05/2022 - 09:49

      thanks mate

      • Kraise on 09/05/2022 - 10:44

        I have a cast iron like the lodge but its pretty heavy even for a 6 inch pan which fits like one and half steaks. i want to switch over to the solidteknics but a bit of a waste when I already have a cast iron.

        • teacherer on 09/05/2022 - 10:45

          Yeah very good point

  • teacherer on 10/05/2022 - 13:53

    I just put my order in for the Quenched 30cm skillet for $185 from Kitchen Style with 3.8% cashback.

    Thanks for your input everyone.

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