Building on the success of the brand’s existing Outdoor Living collection, YETI has unveiled it’s own 12″ Cast Iron Skillet Kit. Billed as “the last skillet you’ll ever need, Yeti’s new offering carries a $400 price tag. More expensive than a 36” Blackstone grill, this is the most expensive cast iron skillet we’ve ever seen. Which begs the question: Is the new YETI Cast Iron Skillet worth the price tag?
The Beauty of Cast Iron…
A solid cast iron skillet is a kitchen tool that stands the test of time. Undisputed workhorses of the kitchen, the beauty of cast iron skillets simmers down to this: versatility and longevity. The more you use it, the better it gets. These pans can do everything from sear steaks to bake cornbread, and when treated properly, they will last long enough to become heirlooms. Simply put, a quality cast iron skillet is one of the best long-term kitchen investments you can make.
Currently, the American marketplace is witnessing a cast iron renaissance. With significant industry growth in the last ten years, the cast iron market is projected to reach $2.8 Billion by 2026. A dash of nostalgia coupled with rising awareness of the harmful effects of non-stick cookware has prompted a return to the iconic cookware of Grandma’s kitchen. Good well-seasoned cast iron offers a naturally nonstick surface without harmful chemicals or engineered coatings. The resurgence in popularity has resulted in a welcome paradigm shift as premium American-made cast iron pans are back in vogue.
Enter the latest offering from YETI and their foray into the cast iron landscape. As a brand, YETI has carved out an impressive niche earning a reputation for over-engineered products with superior build quality. Highly effective marketing paired with a virtually indestructible product line has allowed YETI to charge a premium price for their products since first appearing on the market in 2006.
YETI x Butter Pat Industries
The new YETI skillet is the result of a partnership with Butter Pat Industries. Based out of Maryland, Butter Pat Industries is a boutique cookware brand well known for crafting exceptionally high-quality cast iron. Twelve inches in diameter with a ten-inch cooking surface yields plenty of room for searing a steak, several eggs, and about half a packet of bacon.
Using Butter Pat’s signature artisan manufacturing process, each unit is cast entirely by hand. YETI claims this allows for a smoother and thinner skillet. Each pan is polished, pre-seasoned, and free of any chemical-heavy coatings. It features a classic design with two generous pour spouts and is ready for a lifetime of use in the oven, stove, grill, or campfire. The package arrives ready to go including a metal ring rag, scraper card, and cotton storage bag.
YETI calls it the ultimate in campsite skillets. But is it worth the $400 price tag?
Outside of the YETI branding on the skillet, we can’t find any notable differences between this pan and the 12” Butter Pat Industries Joan Skillet which retails for $345. While Butter Pat may make an exceptional product that pairs well with the iconic YETI logo, $400 is not an inconsequential amount to ask someone to pay for a skillet. In fact, at the risk of upsetting our YETI die-hards, it seems a little obscene.
After all, how fancy does a cast iron pan really need to be for the average home cook? Even the cheapest pan on the market can bake rounds of cornbread, sauté veggies, and sear meats on the stovetop with ease, or roast whole chickens. Perhaps more importantly, with the proliferation of new, bespoke cast iron brands, consumers can readily pick from an array of premium American-made brands that are a fraction of the cost.
Our Favorite Cast Iron Options…
What’s true is you don’t need to spend $400 to upgrade your kitchen with quality cast iron cookware. Whether you plan on purchasing your first cast iron skillet or supplementing your existing stock of cookware, we have two exceptional recommendations for you to consider.
First is Stargazer Cast Iron. Based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Stargazer has managed to take the beauty of the cast iron cooking experience and reflect it in the design and performance of their 10.5″ and 12″ skillets. As easy on the eyes, as it is on the stovetop, this skillet has been the best addition to our arsenal of kitchen gear in years.
Each Stargazer skillet undergoes a proprietary two-step surface finish treatment that yields a smooth, micro-textured cooking surface that easily releases food but holds onto seasoning and will develop a more mature, durable coating over time as you use it.
The weight is optimized for the perfect balance of heat retention and ease of use. Drip-free flared rim eliminates the need for traditional pour spouts, and allows the user to drain the pan with confidence. The brand’s longer “Stay-Cool” handle offers a forked design that stays cooler much longer than Grandma’s old skillet. Plus, it has the best helper handle of any skillet we’ve used. With a price tag of $145 for the 12” pan, you’re getting a premium generational skillet at less than half the price of the YETI.
Another brand worthy of your consideration is Field Company. Founded by brothers Stephen and Chris Muscarella, Field Company was born from the lore of cast iron cookware. Styled after vintage 1930’s era cast-iron cookware, this simple yet elegant 10.25-inch pan is notably smooth and lightweight, with expert heat retention. And once you strengthen its factory seasoning with use, its polished surface is beautifully nonstick.
The brand’s No.12 Cast Iron Skillet rings in at $245 and might be the closest living relative to vintage cast iron.
Still uncertain about this whole cast iron skillet thing? Give the classic Lodge skillet a go. With a price tag of about $30, the investment is low and it demonstrates the base functions of cast iron cooking. But trust us when we tell you, the Lodge is little more than a gateway to the smoother, lighter more premium pans like Stargazer and Field Co.
In Conclusion…
It’s virtually impossible to beat the longevity and versatility of a traditional cast iron skillet. The fact that the new YETI skillet sold out in 24 hours speaks volumes about the unyielding loyalty of the brand’s supporters. While we cannot give a full assessment of the product without having put it through the paces, we find it exceedingly difficult to recommend a $400 cast iron skillet option. This is particularly true when other premium options that perform just as well, exist at half the price.
With that said, if you’re in the market for a premium cast iron option that doesn’t hit your wallet like a car payment, you can’t go wrong with Stargazer or Field Co.