//
Key Specs
Price
Not available (~$160–$180)
Weight
6.3 lbs
Cooking Surface
Factory-smooth (machined)
Cooking Diameter
8.75"
FINEX
#3 of 3 cast iron pans tested
What the product listing won't tell you
Know before you buy
An independent lead-safety researcher tested Finex using professional equipment and found lead in the brass hardware accents on the spring-wrapped handle. Lead has no safe exposure level for children. Until FINEX reformulates or independently verifies the hardware lead status, R3 cannot recommend this pan for families.
You have verified with FINEX directly that the brass hardware has been reformulated or replaced since the 2015 independent lead test and received confirmation the current model is lead-free.
FINEX
FINEX 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
FINEX
FINEX 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
We may earn a commission. It doesn't affect our scores.
You are an adult-only household with no children or pregnant individuals, and you are willing to avoid direct contact with the handle hardware when cooking.
You want the most premium machined-smooth cast iron cooking experience and will independently verify the hardware lead status before purchase.
You have children in your home — independent lead testing found lead in the decorative brass hardware on the handle.
You are lead-conscious for any reason — the finding is confirmed by direct physical measurement, not an assumption.
You want a premium machined-smooth iron pan without the hardware lead concern — consider Stargazer or Solidteknics instead.
Specs the product listing doesn't explain
What your food and family come into contact with every use
Ease of use, maintenance, and longevity
3 criteria - open any layer to see exactly what we found
2.6
Safety
Not Recommended
8
Efficacy
Very Good
10
Usability
Exceptional
Finex's safety profile is the most important thing to know before purchasing. An independent lead-safety researcher physically tested this pan and found lead in the brass hardware accents that wrap the spring handle.
The iron cooking surface itself is completely safe — this is about the decorative metal on the handle. FINEX does publish a California chemical transparency disclosure page, which earns full marks for documentation.
But the unresolved lead finding in the hardware means R3 cannot recommend this pan for households with children.
Criteria
An independent lead-safety researcher used professional testing equipment and found lead in the decorative brass accents on this pan's spring-wrapped handle. This is not an assumption — it is a direct physical measurement. Lead exposure has no safe level for children, which is why this is R3's most heavily weighted criterion.
Set aside the safety concern for a moment and Finex is a genuinely excellent cooking pan. The machined smooth surface releases food more easily right out of the box, the octagonal shape fits naturally in your hand, and the 8.75-inch flat bottom gives you real cooking real estate.
At 6.3 lbs for a 10.5-inch pan, it is noticeably lighter than same-size alternatives with thick walls. If the hardware lead concern did not exist, this would be R3's top efficacy pick.
Criteria
Finex earns a perfect usability score — the only pan in the category to do so. The organic flaxseed oil pre-seasoning is the most soy-allergy-safe and transparent option in bare iron cookware, the helper handle is large and easy to grip, and the Guaranteed Good Forever warranty is exactly what it says. If the safety concern were resolved, Finex would be R3's top recommendation.
Criteria
Verified retailer - current pricing
Starting price
Check price
We earn a small commission on purchases. It never influences our scores - R3 is funded by readers, not brands.
Alternatives that address specific trade-offs
Why this matters: Finex's price was not captured in this analysis and value is not scored into the overall rating. Reference prices from retailer data suggest approxima
Didn't find the cast iron pan you need?
See all cast iron pans we reviewed#3 of 3 cast iron pans reviewed
FINEX publishes a full chemical disclosure page under California's cookware transparency law — one of the few premium cast iron brands to do so. The disclosure covers the cooking surface and materials, though it predates updated scrutiny of the brass hardware finding.
At 6.3 lbs, Finex is notably lighter than Lodge's 12-inch standard (8.75 lbs) while offering a similar cooking surface. The extra weight comes from thicker walls that hold heat well — a genuine trade-off rather than wasted material.
Finex machines the cooking surface smooth after casting. Eggs and fish release more easily right out of the box compared to the as-cast pebbled surface Lodge uses, and the surface stays cleaner longer at high heat.
The flat cooking area measures 8.75 inches — larger than the comparable Lodge 10.25-inch standard's 8.25-inch bottom. The octagonal shape of the pan does not reduce real cooking area.
Finex uses certified organic flaxseed oil for the factory seasoning — the most transparent and soy-allergen-safe option available in cast iron. If your family manages food allergies, this is the one pan where you know exactly what went on it before it arrived.
Finex includes a solid cast iron helper handle opposite the spring grip. Moving a full 6-lb pan from oven to table is safe and comfortable with both handles.
FINEX's 'Guaranteed Good Forever' warranty means exactly that. This pan is designed to be passed down, and the warranty backs that positioning.