So, I have an inherent bias… I inherited my grandmothers Le Creuset dutch oven that she bought in the 50s. It’s still usable, so I built out a full set around that.

Problem: Le Creuset is STUPID expensive.

But here’s the secret… Find an outlet store near you and sign up for their email list.

They will regularly offer sales from 30% to 70% off.

https://www.lecreuset.com/outlets.html

They also regularly run “Factory to Table” events in certain cities.

Build your own set currently up to 30% off:

https://www.lecreuset.com/buildaset

Spend $200, Save 20%

Spend $500, Save 25%

Spend $1000, Save 30%

Use Code BUILDASET at checkout

I just knocked out this set:
Dutch Oven
Skillet
Saucepan
Braiser
Cassadou

$1,460 -30% = $1,022…

My set, grammas is the 70 year old pot with the loop handle in the middle.

Foodporn:

Lodge is an American manufacturer of quality cast iron cookware. Buy what you need and read the “care and feeding” insert, then follow it.

Lodge cookware is fine and cheap, I have a few sized pans from them acquired over the years and are still going strong, my only complaint is that the handles on them are very short. I also have a no name random cast iron skillet I got at big lots like 15 years ago that is also just as good as the day it was purchased. You don’t need to break the bank on getting cast iron pans—they are literally just a hunk of iron.

You should however figure out why you want cast iron. It is true that it is basically indestructible, but it has certain properties that can (slightly) affect cooking (specifically it retains a lot of heat for a long time and also heats incredibly unevenly).

Unclad stainless steel is basically the same as cast iron in that it doesn’t have artificial coatings and is nearly indestructible, but also heats faster and more evenly, is lighter, but doesn’t retain heat as well.

But seriously a 12 inch lodge pan is like $20 bucks and is basically all you’d ever need to cook most things

Also biggest advice: you dont need to baby your pans, just cook in them regularly and clean them afterward—they are at the end of the day giant hunks of metal that are heated.

Lodge is perfectly good. It’s not about how much you spend on it but how you take care of it.

You can also try antique stores to see if you can find any. A lot of older cookware shows up at the ones in the Eastern US

I have a few Crofton dutch ovens. I got it from Aldi on various discount days. I think you can find the pots and pans on Amazon. The price and the quality are pretty good. I use my dutch ovens to bake bread and to make a cheese. So far, no issues.

Be careful getting second hand, make sure to do lead tests of anything you buy before you use it for food.

https://madeincookware.com/products/carbon-steel-frying-pan/12-inch

carbon steel which is the same thing but lighter and better suited for flattops

their steel cookware is awesome too

I buy them second hand and clean them up.

Go on Amazon, buy a skillet, don’t spend more than $25. Use this skillet to learn how to use and care for cast iron. Maybe it’s not for you, or maybe you’ll love it. Either way, you’ll know what to look for in cast iron.

I got the Amazon set a few years ago for my wife and she loves them. They work great as long as you treat them well. If you don’t already know, cast iron needs some extra love, so make sure you read up on that, or you’ll ruin even the best cast iron.

A bit of topic, but with the DIY getting more and more in style, I was wondering if casting your own pan is a thing.

Cast iron pans last forever, so if you’re looking at Christmas as in acquiring a set, vs Christmas as a gift, you might find one in a garage sale or something. With some care and re-sasoning, you’ll have a perfectly functional set. Good luck!

They’re HEAVY though.

Goodwill