Quick Take
Score: 8.7/10 | Field Company delivers the best balance in premium cast iron - 35% lighter than Lodge with a machined smooth surface like vintage Griswold. American-made at $145, it offers genuine advantages without the collector-grade pricing of Smithey or Finex. My top recommendation for premium cast iron.
What We Evaluated
This review uses the R3 Cookware Methodology v1.0.0, which evaluates cookware across six pillars: Safety (35%), Efficacy (30%), Value (15%), Usability (10%), Sustainability (5%), and Suitability (5%).
Safety Analysis (35% weight)
Field Company cast iron provides identical safety to all quality cast iron:
- 100% cast iron - no coatings or additives
- PFAS-free by nature - pure iron
- Machined surface is still just iron
- Naturally nonstick through seasoning
- Adds dietary iron to food
- Generational durability - lasts forever
The thinner walls that reduce weight do not affect safety - it is still just iron.
Performance & Efficacy (30% weight)
Field Company combines weight reduction with performance maintenance:
- 35% lighter than Lodge without sacrificing cooking ability
- Machined smooth surface like vintage cast iron
- Excellent heat retention despite thinner walls
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use
- Helper handle for two-hand lifting
- American-made in Wisconsin and Indiana
The lighter weight makes one-handed cooking manageable, while the smooth surface releases food better than textured Lodge.
Value Assessment (15% weight)
At $145 for the No. 10 skillet:
- Made in USA (Wisconsin and Indiana)
- 35% lighter - genuine usability improvement
- Machined smooth surface - better food release
- Fair pricing between Lodge and collector brands
- Excellent quality-to-price ratio
Field Company hits a sweet spot: meaningful improvements over Lodge at a price that does not enter collector territory.
The Weight Advantage
The 35% weight reduction matters for daily cooking:
- Lodge 10-inch: approximately 5 lbs
- Field No. 10: approximately 3.3 lbs
- One-handed lifting becomes practical
- Daily use is less fatiguing
- Same cooking surface area in lighter package
For families who love cast iron cooking but struggle with weight, Field Company solves the problem.
Smooth Surface Benefits
Like Smithey and vintage Griswold, Field Company machines their cooking surface smooth:
- Better food release than textured Lodge
- Eggs slide more easily
- Seasons faster and more evenly
- Easier to clean
Combined with lighter weight, this creates a genuinely improved daily cooking experience.
The Bottom Line
Field Company is my top recommendation for premium cast iron. The 35% weight reduction addresses the main complaint about cast iron cooking, while the machined smooth surface provides better food release than Lodge. At $145, it costs more than Lodge but far less than collector brands - and delivers meaningful daily-use improvements.




