Made in USA
Stargazer is the most complete modern cast iron pan we have looked at: machined smooth, sensibly light, and made from raw iron to finished skillet under one roof in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Its long stay-cool handle and drip-free flared rim make it the easiest of these pans to actually cook with every day.
✓ Research & Evidence-Based✓ Manufacturing Verified✓ No Manufacturer Influence✓ Updated July 2026
At a Glance
Made in America Review Score
A Research & Evidence-Based review: scored on the same weighted six-criteria model as every product on this site, using manufacturer specifications, verified manufacturing details, warranty terms, materials, published expert reviews, and long-term owner consensus.
This product has not been hands-on tested. Our rating is based on verified manufacturing information, published specifications, independent reporting, retailer data, and long-term reputation.
We independently verify where each product is actually made and score it on the same weighted six-criteria model. Manufacturers do not pay for placement, and we accept no free products in exchange for coverage. See our review methodology.
American Manufacturing
Verified: July 2026
Stargazer is one of the most fully American-made products in this cluster. Founded in 2015 by housewares designer Peter Huntley, the company runs its own foundry in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where domestically sourced — largely recycled — iron is melted and green-sand cast, then CNC-machined smooth, hand-finished, seasoned, and shipped, all in the United States. There is no overseas step anywhere in the process. We verified this against the manufacturer and independent press, not through hands-on testing.
| Cast in | Allentown, Pennsylvania (own foundry) |
| Machined & finished in | Allentown, Pennsylvania |
| Manufacturing status | Made in USA |
| Company ownership | Independent; founded 2015 by Peter Huntley |
| Materials | Domestically sourced, largely recycled iron; no coatings |
Manufacturing Confidence: High Factory location verified (Pennsylvania) · current US production · independent confirmation (retailer listing) · company confirmation (stargazercastiron.com).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- CNC-machined, micro-textured surface holds seasoning well and releases food easily
- Long, thoughtfully shaped handle stays cooler and gives real leverage
- Drip-free flared rim pours cleanly without dedicated spouts
- Fully made in the USA from its own foundry — no overseas step
- Lifetime warranty; sold seasoned or bare
Cons
- Premium price for a 10.5-inch pan
- At 5.2 lb it is lighter than FINEX but heavier than the Field
- Understated looks — less of a showpiece than the octagonal FINEX
- Sold mostly direct, so you rarely see it in stores
Performance
Surface and seasoning
Stargazer machines the cooking surface to a fine, micro-textured finish rather than leaving it rough. Owners and reviewers widely report that it takes and holds seasoning well and turns reliably nonstick with normal use, while being easy to clean.
Handle and handling
The handle is the headline. It is longer and shaped to stay cooler than a stubby traditional cast iron handle, giving better leverage and often letting you skip a pot holder for shorter tasks. Combined with the flared, drip-free rim, it makes this the most comfortable pan here to lift, tilt, and pour.
Heat and everyday cooking
At 5.2 pounds it sits in the middle on weight, with enough mass for a strong, even sear but not so much that it is a chore to handle. It works across every heat source including induction, plus the oven, grill, and campfire — a true do-everything skillet.
Specifications
Products, manufacturing locations, and specifications change over time. If you have spotted an error or have verified information that would improve this review, we would appreciate your help.
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Where to buy
The Stargazer 10.5″ skillet is sold direct by Stargazer, seasoned or bare, with a lifetime warranty.
How It Compares
- Choose Stargazer for a lighter, machined-smooth skillet at a mid-range price.
- Choose Lodge for the best value and rugged durability.
- Choose FINEX for a more decorative heirloom finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stargazer cast iron made in the USA?
Yes — Stargazer skillets are cast and machined in Pennsylvania.
What makes Stargazer different?
A lighter body, machined-smooth surface, and an ergonomic handle that stays cooler.
Is Stargazer pre-seasoned?
Yes, it comes pre-seasoned and ready to cook.
Is Stargazer oven and induction safe?
Yes — it works on all cooktops and in the oven.
Stargazer versus Lodge?
Stargazer is lighter and smoother; Lodge is cheaper and more rugged.
Where to buy
Stargazer cast iron is stocked in the Buy American Campaign Store.
Related Guides
Buying Guide
The Best Made-in-USA Cast Iron Skillets
Lodge, Field, FINEX, and Stargazer — how to choose your American-made skillet.
Related Reviews
What owners actually say
Stargazer shows 372 reviews for the 10.5-inch on its own site; we could not verify an independent owner-rating figure and will not print one we cannot stand behind. The complaint owners repeat most is the seasoning: the factory applies two thin hand coats, and testers have photographed bare gray iron showing through after only a few cooks. The practical advice from owners is to add two or three coats before you cook on it at all. The second is the handle — the cupped shape stops your hand rotating when you tilt the pan, but the raised edges dig into your palm under a full load, and that gripe is near-universal. Sticking during the break-in period is common enough that Stargazer concedes it in its own FAQ, and at least one owner reports the pan never became nonstick for him.
Owners praise the smooth machined floor, the long forked handle that stays cooler than any of its rivals, the drip-free rim, and how quickly it heats. One thing to not mistake for a flaw: the bottom is very slightly concave on purpose, so the pan does not rock once heat flattens it. An owner reporting a concave Stargazer is describing the design, not a warp.
Should You Buy It?
Yes.
Stargazer fixed cast iron’s worst habit — the sandpaper cooking surface — by machining it smooth, and they did it in Pennsylvania. If you have ever been frustrated by a rough skillet, this is the one to buy. The caveat is price: it costs several times a Lodge.
The exact Stargazer 10.5-inch we reviewed — cast and finished in the USA.
Who Makes Stargazer Cast Iron?
Where it is really made, who makes it, and how the company has held on to American manufacturing.