1. Dimensions and design
What size frying pan to choose for a large family?Among the most important criteria for choosing a cast iron pan, size and weight are in the first place. The comparison involves vessels with a diameter of 20–28 cm. To make an objective rating, we also took into account user reviews and design ratings. According to consumers, the PROFFI and BRIZOLL models became the best. They look good, the design is ergonomic, and the diameter is enough for comfortable cooking for a large family. The disadvantage of BRIZOLL is the increased weight - an elderly person is unlikely to be comfortable holding the product with one hand.
A special feature of PROFFI is the use of the latest alloy technology, which makes it possible to reduce the weight of cast iron products due to reduced wall thickness. The pan weighs almost half as much as most analogues, while the quality of frying does not suffer. BRIZOLL is perfect for extinguishing due to the increased height of the walls. This pan is made of cast iron, food cooks evenly without burning.
The Dobrynya frying pan received the lowest marks for design. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the model differs in the maximum height of the walls and diameter. Accordingly, the vessel weighs 3 times more than the ultralight PROFFI. Biol and Mallony are medium in size and weight. They got decent reviews from buyers, but there's nothing special about these cast iron pans. This option is suitable as a gift if there is no exact understanding of which model is needed.
Due to its minimal diameter Lodge is the best solution for sautéing and simmering various ingredients. Durable cast iron with a thick bottom and walls warms up evenly and slowly, retains heat for a long time. The reviews note the solid and attractive appearance of the pan. It looks reliable and looks good in the interior of the kitchen.
Name | Top diameter | bottom thickness | Wall height | The weight | User rating for design |
PROFFI Kitchen cast iron | 24 cm | 0.35 cm | 4.5 cm | 1.1 kg | 4.9 |
Biol ECO Optima | 24 cm | 0.4 cm | 4.5 cm | 1.85 kg | 4.4 |
Mallony CIF22-B | 22 cm | 0.51 cm | 4 cm | 1.94 kg | 4.6 |
BRIZOLL 260 | 26 cm | 0.45 cm | 6 cm | 2.5 kg | 4.9 |
Dobrynya DO-3322 | 28 cm | 0.4 cm | 8 cm | 3.36 kg | 4.2 |
Lodge L5SK3 | 20 cm | 0.5 cm | 4.75 cm | 1.5 kg | 4.8 |
PROFFI Kitchen cast iron
Best quality
2. A pen
Which is better - removable or fixed handle?Immediately after studying the size of the pan, you should pay attention to no less important details. For example, the handle should be comfortable and medium in weight - the material does not matter too much. The PROFFI holder is made of stainless steel, it almost does not heat up (only at the attachment point). You can even safely put the pan in the oven.
Models from Biol and BRIZOLL have removable handles, which greatly facilitates the process of cooking and washing. The holder is made of durable wood of the highest quality. Mallony has a special cool Bakelite handle.There are complaints in the reviews that it is not too securely attached to the pan itself.
The handle of the Lodge is made of cast iron, which slightly increases the weight of the vessel, but also increases its strength. The holder has a special eyelet for hanging after washing. The Dobrynya pan has only two small handles. They are quite strong and reliable, but inferior to competitors in terms of wear resistance and durability. Yes, and using such a model is not very convenient, judging by the low ratings of buyers. The BRIZOLL holder became the leader in the number of positive reviews.
Name | User rating for a comfortable handle |
PROFFI Kitchen cast iron | 4.4 |
Biol ECO Optima | 4.4 |
Mallony CIF22-B | 4.4 |
BRIZOLL 260 | 4.5 |
Dobrynya DO-3322 | 3.4 |
Lodge L5SK3 | 4.3 |
BRIZOLL 260
Comfortable handle
3. Coating
We evaluate the non-stick properties of each panAs for the non-stick coating, it is present to varying degrees in all models from the rating. The Mallony frying pan has a protective oil thermal coating. The surface of Biol is covered with Teflon, this is a classic version. The manufacturer Dobrynya uses a ceramic layer to prevent burning. There is a risk that the surface will be quickly scratched, otherwise the model performs well.
The inner surface of BRIZOLL and Lodge has a natural non-stick coating made from soy-based refined vegetable oil. It prevents burning and oxidation of the metal, does not contain harmful substances such as allergens and dyes.Over time, the non-stick properties only improve if a small amount of oil is used when frying.
PROFFI uses a premium quality Teflon non-stick coating from the international manufacturer WHITFORD. It does not emit harmful substances, strong and durable. The bottom has a HONEYCOMB honeycomb structure. Due to this, the oil is more evenly distributed over the surface, in addition, the coating is reliably protected from possible scratches.
Dobrynya DO-3322
Maximum Reliability
4. Ease of use
Reviews and ratings of buyers according to various criteriaIt is impossible to evaluate the convenience of a particular vessel in operation without taking into account user reviews. Only from them will it be possible to find out whether the pan really copes with the tasks set, is easy to clean and does not break after the first frying. We studied product ratings and ratings on various sites to get the most realistic picture of how kitchen utensils work.
PROFFI is convenient because it heats up very quickly and does not need to be ignited. Cast iron pan has a working temperature of 250°C, it is important not to overheat, otherwise the non-stick coating will be destroyed. The cookware is suitable for all types of dishwashers, it can be placed on any stove, including induction. The manufacturer advises to carefully wash the surface without using abrasive products and metal sponges. For stirring food during the frying process, you should choose wooden, nylon and silicone spatulas.
Biol can also be considered a universal solution. It is suitable for gas, induction, electric, halogen or ceramic hob. The main advantages of the model are called high quality, compatibility with different burners, durability and wear resistance.
The advantages of BRIZOLL include the fact that it allows the use of metal spoons and spatulas. Before starting operation, it is recommended to prepare the vessel. It is carefully cleaned of technical oil, which prevents the ingress of moisture and the formation of rust on the surface of the non-stick coating. The manufacturer also claims that the pan enriches food with iron and is suitable for all types of stoves.
Dobrynya is the best solution for an induction hob, it can also be put in the oven. But you can’t put a dish in the dishwasher, the same goes for Mallony and Lodge. The latter has two drains on the rim, so that it is convenient to drain excess liquid or oil without spilling food into the sink. The reviews strongly recommend wiping the surface dry after washing. Otherwise, it begins to rust due to residual water.
Mallony's workmanship is closer to average than perfect. Immediately out of the box, you need to further process it, otherwise rust will quickly form. Even prolonged calcinations do not always help to cope. In the reviews, it is advised to use sandpaper, and then lubricate the surface with oil.
Name | User rating for ease of care | User rating for quality |
PROFFI Kitchen cast iron | 4.8 | 5.0 |
Biol ECO Optima | 3.9 | 4.3 |
Mallony CIF22-B | 3.8 | 4.2 |
BRIZOLL 260 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
Dobrynya DO-3322 | 4.2 | 4.9 |
Lodge L5SK3 | 4.3 | 4.7 |
Lodge L5SK3
The most compact
5. Reliability and guarantees
Comparison of service life and warranty from the companyJudging by customer ratings, the BRIZOLL frying pan is the most resistant to damage. PROFFI and Dobrynya were not too far behind her. Lodge shows average stability, and the quality of Biol and Mallony is questionable by most consumers. To evaluate the reliability of kitchen utensils, it is not enough to study the reviews. It is also important to pay attention to the declared service life and warranties from the manufacturer. On the last point, PROFFI definitely becomes the best. The firm promises support for 10 years after purchase.
The pan itself is of a very decent quality. A durable surface will ensure a presentable appearance of the vessel even after prolonged use. There are no complaints about scratches or other defects in the non-stick coating in the reviews. Teflon coating is not erased, there are no unpleasant odors. Cast iron surface distributes heat evenly. Even in the dishwasher, the pan is easily cleaned of food debris and dirt.
Mallony also has a good warranty period - 3 years. Other models from the rating cannot boast of such. The manufacturer Dobrynya promises almost the longest service life - 5 years. Of course, you can use kitchen utensils after the end of this period. Interestingly, BRIZOLL promises unlimited use of the pan, subject to all operating conditions. Some consumers complain about Biol due to the rapid appearance of rust. But this may well be due to improper care.
In order for the Lodge to last as long as possible, it is necessary to ignite it for half an hour with salt and then with oil before the first use. Then nothing will burn, and rust will not appear for a long time, according to reviews. As buyers assure, a few months after the purchase, the cast-iron pan performs perfectly. It is convenient to hold the vessel even with one hand, this is a great option for 2-3 people living together. But there were complaints about the quality of casting and the rough surface of some specimens.
Name | Life time | Manufacturer's Warranty | User rating for resistance to damage |
PROFFI Kitchen cast iron | 1 year | 10 years | 4.9 |
Biol ECO Optima | 1 year | 1 year | 4.5 |
Mallony CIF22-B | 2 years | 3 years | 4.6 |
BRIZOLL 260 | not limited | 1 year | 5.0 |
Dobrynya DO-3322 | 5 years | 1 year | 4.9 |
Lodge L5SK3 | 1 year | 1 year | 4.8 |
6. Popularity and reviews
What pan is most often ordered and discussed?When making an opinion about any product, it is important to study the reviews. It is advisable to view several resources at once, then not a single nuance will escape attention. By the number of ratings from buyers on Yandex.Market, Biol is the leader - this is the most popular model. Visitors to other resources most often discuss PROFFI and Dobrynya. Mallony becomes an outsider, but this does not mean at all that the product does not deserve attention.
In reviews of the model from the manufacturer PROFFI, they note minimal sticking and convenient use even on induction cookers. It is better not to wash the pan in the dishwasher, there is a risk of marks on the cast iron. In addition, despite the low weight, the product takes up a lot of space.Another disadvantage consumers consider uneven heating in the center of the product. The handle does not get hot, but with prolonged frying it can become a little hot.
Buyers write about the BRIZOLL cast-iron frying pan that it is easy to use and has a good workmanship. The metal bolt on the handle does not heat up, it can be easily removed for cooking in the oven. With proper care, nothing burns, but you will have to spend a really long time on additional surface treatment.
Judging by the reviews, the manufacturer Biol focuses more on budget than on the best workmanship. There are casting flaws, but they do not affect the cooking process. The handle can be easily and conveniently removed, if the cast-iron surface is treated, it will not rust for a long time. Apart from the difficulties of care, significant disadvantages of this model were not found.
Mallony is recommended for use on classic stoves with burners. The main reason is that because of the imperfectly flat bottom, the pot is not firmly attached to the glass hobs. Also, the disadvantages include the lack of a lid in the kit.
Lodge is praised in the reviews for the fact that the food on it really turns out to be tastier. The heat transfer of a cast iron pan is one of the best, even on electric stoves, perfectly fried dishes are obtained. Special praise deserves the best workmanship. The bottom is even and smooth, the handle is strong, no backlash.
Frying pan Dobrynya also received good reviews from customers. All dishes are delicious, nothing burns, even beginners in the field of cooking can easily cope with cooking pancakes. The cast iron surface heats up evenly. It is convenient that you can put kitchen utensils in the oven, but there is an important caveat - the surface absorbs too much heat.Because of this, not everyone likes to cook on a burner. There are also complaints about the appearance of rust, you have to ignite the vessel too often.
Name | Reviews on Yandex.Market | Reviews on other resources |
PROFFI Kitchen cast iron | 23 | 258 |
Biol ECO Optima | 606 | 17 |
Mallony CIF22-B | 12 | 10 |
BRIZOLL 260 | 14 | 33 |
Dobrynya DO-3322 | 8 | 167 |
Lodge L5SK3 | 12 | 25 |
Biol ECO Optima
The most popular
7. Price
Finding the cheapest cast iron skilletIf we compare pans only by price, Mallony becomes the clear leader - only it costs less than 1000 rubles. The outsider in this category are Dobrynya and Lodge, as they have the highest cost. The remaining models represent the golden mean between expensive and cheap cast iron cookware. It is important to understand that inexpensive products have a number of typical drawbacks, such as poor material quality or mediocre workmanship. But for many buyers, this is not critical. If the price of a frying pan is the deciding factor, Mallony is worth a look.
Name | average price |
PROFFI Kitchen cast iron | 1480 rub. |
Biol ECO Optima | 1069 rub. |
Mallony CIF22-B | 939 rub. |
BRIZOLL 260 | 1252 rub. |
Dobrynya DO-3322 | 2130 rub. |
Lodge L5SK3 | 3150 rub. |
Mallony CIF22-B
Best price
8. Comparison results
Who became the winner by all criteria?Cast iron pans BRIZOLL and PROFFI become the absolute leaders of comparison. They managed to win in most nominations. Kitchen utensils from these manufacturers are relatively inexpensive, while they boast the best workmanship, durability and reliability. PROFFI received higher scores, while showing amazing stability - it has a good result in all nominations. BRIZOLL is somewhat inferior due to its impressive weight and insufficient number of reviews for an objective assessment.
In the middle of the rating-comparison is Biol. This popular model has earned the respect of customers due to its low cost and convenient removable handle. It can be considered the best value for money. The good news is that kitchen utensils are compatible with absolutely any stoves and hobs.
Lodge and Dobrynya did not give the best result in any of the criteria. These are solid cast-iron pans, but their cost is somewhat overpriced, given a number of significant disadvantages: difficulty in maintenance and a ban on washing in a dishwasher. Mallony occupies the penultimate position in the ranking, she managed to win only one nomination due to her low price. Those who want to find the most budgetary cast-iron frying pan should definitely pay attention to this model.
Name
| Rating | Number of wins by criteria | Category winner |
PROFFI Kitchen cast iron | 4.91 | 3/7 | Dimensions and design, Coating, Ease of use |
BRIZOLL 260 | 4.84 | 2/7 | Pen, Reliability and guarantees |
Biol ECO Optima | 4.73 | 1/7 | Popularity and reviews |
Lodge L5SK3 | 4.70 | 0/7 | - |
Mallony CIF22-B | 4.69 | 1/7 | Price |
Dobrynya DO-3322 | 4.63 | 0/7 | - |