Are you shopping for a cast iron skillet but unsure whether to buy Lodge or Stargazer?
Lodge has been around for over a century and is the top-selling brand in the industry, while Stargazer is a startup producing heirloom-quality skillets (but at a much higher price).
In this comparison of Stargazer vs. Lodge cast iron skillets, you’ll learn how they differ in construction, design, price, weight, durability, performance, and more.
Stargazer vs. Lodge Cast Iron: Comparison Chart
The chart below provides a quick comparison of Stargazer vs. Lodge.
| Stargazer | Lodge | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Bare cast iron | Bare cast iron, enameled cast iron |
| Interior Finish | Machine smoothed | Coarse |
| Products | 2 skillets; 1 braiser | Varying sizes of skillets, griddles, grill pans, and Dutch ovens |
| Seasoning | Pre-seasoned or unseasoned (both available on all products) | Pre-seasoned |
| Handles | Long and cup-shaped | Short and rounded |
| Date Stamp | Yes | No |
| Skillet Sizes | 10.5-inches to 13.5-inches | 3.5-inches to 15-inches |
| Skillet Weight (12-inch) | 6.5 lbs | 8 lbs |
| Launched | 2015 | 1896 |
| Where It’s Made | United States | United States |
| Price | $$$$ (Stargazer) | $$ (Amazon) |
| Top Reasons to Buy | Long handles; smooth surface, flared rims | Inexpensive; trusted brand; excellent heat retention |
| Top Reasons to NOT Buy | Expensive | Short handles; heavy |
Difference 11: Where to Buy
A significant difference between the brands is where you can buy their products. If you want to purchase Stargazer cast iron cookware, you have to purchase it directly from the company on StargazerCastIron.com.
Lodge cookware is much easier to find, whether you’re searching online or in stores. You can purchase a Lodge cast iron pan at almost all major retail department stores, outdoor stores, and Amazon.
Stargazer’s pans are expensive. In fact, it’s up to 5x more expensive than similar pieces from Lodge.
The main reason Stargazer costs more is because of the manual steps involved. This is not a mass-produced skillet. Each one is hand finished, seasoned, and carefully inspected.
It’s an heirloom quality piece, but you pay a premium for it. It’s worth mentioning that Stargazer offers a military discount to active service members and veterans.
Alternatively, Lodge is a much larger company, and the scale of its production drives prices down. If you’re on a budget and want a quality cast iron pan at a reasonable price, consider buying from Lodge.
Compare these brands’ current prices on StargazerCastIron.com and Amazon (Lodge).
These are the most notable downsides of each brand.
Price: As I mentioned, Stargazer is expensive. You can expect to pay well over a hundred dollars for a single skillet.
Limited product line: Stargazer only offers three cookware pieces compared to the dozens of products and multiple collections from Lodge.
Handle design: While I love the long handle, it’s not the most comfortable to hold. Its cup-shaped design ensures your hand won’t slip or rotate when you tilt the skillet, but the edges can dig into your hand. They remind me of a wider version of All-Clad handles, which people often complain about. Also, the long handle makes the skillet more difficult to store.
Short-lived seasoning: Some customer reviews report that Stargazer pans don’t retain seasoning well and must be re-seasoned often. Each skillet is hand-seasoned with two coats of a blend of canola, grapeseed, and sunflower oil. Because they apply such thin layers, you need to add one or two more coats either before you start cooking or soon after.
Heavy: Lodge cast iron is heavy, especially the larger cookware pieces within the Classic collection. The added weight makes them challenging to maneuver. The weight of Lodge’s cookware also makes it difficult to store — you need to be careful storing your Lodge pans on thin shelves or hanging on hooks.
Inconsistent seasoning: Some reviewers claim they need to re-season their “pre-seasoned” cast iron cookware when they get it because the seasoning out of the box is uneven. While you want to season your pan over time anyway, this can be inconvenient, especially if you’re paying for a pre-seasoned piece.
Rough pan bottom: The Lodge logo on the bottom of the cookware is rough, making it unsuitable for some cooking surfaces, like glass stove tops, since the pan could scratch them.
Stargazer Cast Iron Review: Is This $145 Skillet Better Than a $30 Lodge?
FAQ
Is Stargazer cast iron worth it?
Is Lodge cast iron better than other brands?
Is Lodge cast iron as good as Le Creuset?
Should I buy Lodge or Stargazer?
If you’re just getting started with cast iron, go with Lodge. And if you discover that you love cooking with cast iron, you can always upgrade to Stargazer. If you love the heat retention of cast iron but are looking for a skillet with longer handles and a smoother surface, Stargazer is worth the splurge.
Are Stargazer skillets better than Lodge?
Stargazer skillets heat up faster than Lodge, but the heat retention is slightly inferior due to its thinner walls. Stargazer skillets are lighter and easier to maneuver than many other brands. The main downsides are the higher price, uncomfortable cup-shaped handles, and thin factory seasoning.
What is the difference between Stargazer Cast iron and Lodge?
One major design difference between Stargazer cast iron and Lodge is the shape and size of the handles. Stargazer’s handles are longer than Lodge’s. Handles on Lodge Classic skillets are about 6 inches long, and Stargazer’s handles are 7.6 inches long for a skillet of the same size.
What is the difference between Stargazer & Lodge?
The last noticeable difference is the handling. Stargazer handles are much longer than Lodge’s, so they’re easier to grip with an oven mitt and stay cooler on the stove. Overall, Stargazer and Lodge perform how you expect cast iron to perform. They’re thick, heavy, and maintain a stable temperature.