With its deep roots in Japanese craftsmanship, Iwachu has earned a special place in the kitchens of collectors and serious home cooks. Their cast iron teapots and cookware are celebrated not just for exceptional heat retention and durability, but as functional pieces of art that embody centuries of tradition.
Iwachu’s appeal lies in its authentic, handcrafted quality - these are lifetime pieces that patina beautifully and connect us to the heritage of Japanese ironware. If you love that blend of form, function, and tradition, here are 17 other brands that deliver incredible cast iron cookware.
1. Lodge
Lodge is the quintessential American cast iron brand, famous for its durable, affordable, and no-frills workhorse cookware. They offer a huge range of products, including pre-seasoned skillets, Dutch ovens, and griddles perfect for everything from stovetop frying to campfire cooking. While Iwachu is known for its delicate artistry, Lodge’s aesthetic is pure utilitarian ruggedness.
With skillets starting around $20 and Dutch ovens under $100, Lodge offers incredible value. Like Iwachu, its cookware is designed to last generations and only gets better with age, making it the perfect starting point for anyone looking to build a high-quality cast iron collection without breaking the bank.
Shop now at lodgecastiron.com
2. Le Creuset
Known for its iconic, vibrant enameled cast iron, Le Creuset is a French powerhouse that combines high-performance cooking with stunning visual appeal. Their Dutch ovens, braisers, and skillets are kitchen status symbols, prized for exceptional heat distribution and an easy-to-clean, non-reactive finish that doesn't require seasoning like traditional cast iron.
While Iwachu offers a traditional, uncoated experience rooted in Japanese minimalism, Le Creuset is all about bold color and elegant presentation. Expect premium prices, with pieces ranging from $150 to over $500. It's the ideal choice for cooks who want heirloom quality that goes straight from the oven to the dinner table.
Shop now at lecreuset.com
3. Staub
Staub is another iconic French brand specializing in enameled cast iron, often seen as Le Creuset’s more serious, chef-favored counterpart. Their cookware is known for its deep, rich colors and a signature matte black enamel interior that excels at browning and braising. A key differentiator is their "self-basting" lids, which feature small spikes to evenly distribute moisture back onto the food.
Like Iwachu, Staub is heavily invested in craft and tradition, but its enameled surface offers lower maintenance. With prices ranging from $200 to $600, Staub pieces are an investment for dedicated home cooks who value performance and a sophisticated aesthetic.
Shop now at staub.us
4. Vermicular
If you're looking for Japanese craftsmanship with a modern, high-tech twist, meet Vermicular. This brand creates exquisite enameled cast iron pots with a machined seal so precise that they can cook with minimal moisture, locking in flavors beautifully. They are celebrated for their "Musui-Enamel" cooking which highlights the natural taste of ingredients.
Similar to Iwachu, Vermicular embodies the Japanese dedication to quality, but its style is modern and minimalist. Competing with Le Creuset and Staub on performance and price, Vermicular offers a unique option for those who geek out on culinary engineering as much as they do design.
Shop now at vermicular.us/
5. Smithey Ironware
Smithey is an American artisan brand reviving vintage cast iron aesthetics with modern precision. Their skillets and Dutch ovens are immediately recognizable by their highly polished, satin-smooth cooking surfaces, which are naturally non-stick and a joy to cook on. The handles are ergonomic and thoughtfully designed, borrowing cues from classic blacksmithing.
Much like Iwachu, Smithey puts craftsmanship at the forefront, creating heirloom-quality pieces by hand in Charleston, South Carolina. Priced from $160 to $300, these pieces aren't cheap, but they are built for collectors and cooks who appreciate a refined, vintage-inspired work of art.
Shop now at smithey.com
6. Finex
With its distinctive octagonal shape and polished stainless steel handle, Finex cookware makes a bold, modern statement. This Portland-based brand combines industrial design with traditional cast iron fundamentals. The unique shape isn’t just for looks - its "pour spouts" make it easy to pour sauces or drain liquid without drips.
Finex shares Iwachu's commitment to creating durable, long-lasting cookware but diverges entirely on aesthetics. Where Iwachu is organic and traditional, Finex is geometric and industrial. With prices around $150 to $250, it’s a favorite among cooks who want show-stopping design paired with excellent cooking performance.
Shop now at finexusa.com
7. Field Company
Do you love cast iron performance but not the weight? Field Company is for you. They’ve cracked the code on making lighter cast iron skillets that are easier to handle without sacrificing heat retention. Inspired by the smooth, lightweight vintage skillets of the past, their cookware is sleek, minimalist, and pre-seasoned for a naturally non-stick finish right out of the box.
While still committed to heritage like Iwachu, Field prioritizes user experience with a modern, minimalist lens. They offer a simpler, more approachable version of traditional cast iron cooking, perfect for everyday use. Skillets typically run from $80 to $215.
Shop now at fieldcompany.com
8. Butter Pat Industries
Butter Pat produces stunningly smooth, heirloom-quality cast iron cookware often considered among the best on the market. Their claim to fame is a patented casting method that results in an incredibly slick surface that rivals vintage pans. Each piece is hand-finished in Maryland and designed to be both functional and beautiful.
Like Iwachu, Butter Pat is about artistry and exceptional quality, attracting a dedicated following of collectors. These are premium pieces, with skillets priced between $195 and $395, aimed at connoisseurs looking for unparalleled craftsmanship and cooking performance in a classic American design.
Shop now at butterpatindustries.com/
9. Stargazer Cast Iron
Another leader in the American artisan cookware scene, Stargazer offers skillets with a choice between a smooth satin finish or a pre-seasoned bare finish. Their pans are known for a forked handle that stays cooler longer and provides great balance. It’s a modern, functional design rooted in practicality.
Similar to Iwachu’s reputation for quality, Stargazer focuses on producing exceptional bare cast iron cookware. Their aesthetic is clean and practical rather than ornate, appealing to cooks who prioritize smart design and everyday comfort. A 10.5-inch skillet costs about $115, making it a competitive option in the artisan space.
Shop now at stargazercastiron.com/
10. Victoria
Hailing from Colombia and family-owned since 1939, Victoria crafts high-quality, pre-seasoned cast iron that offers amazing performance at a budget-friendly price. They're particularly well-known for their skillets with long, curved handles and their traditional tortilla presses. The vibe is rustic, effective, and deeply practical.
Victoria's dedication to tradition is similar to Iwachu's, just rooted in a different culture. Both create uncoated cookware that builds a beautiful seasoning over time. With skillets typically under $40, Victoria is a fantastic alternative for anyone looking for authentic, long-lasting cast iron performance without the high price tag.
Shop now at victoriacookware.com/
11. Skeppshult
Hand-forged in Sweden since 1906, Skeppshult is a cast iron brand with a strong focus on heritage and sustainability. Their cookware is made from virgin iron ore and seasoned with organic rapeseed oil. The aesthetic is distinctively Scandinavian - dark, rustic, and minimalist, with beautiful design details like walnut handles on some pieces.
Skeppshult shares Iwachu's passion for traditional, chemical-free manufacturing methods. If you appreciate the Japanese commitment to natural materials but prefer a sleeker, Northern European design, this is your brand. Prices range from about $60 for small pans to $250 for larger specialty items.
Shop now at skeppshult.com
12. Camp Chef
True to its name, Camp Chef builds rugged cast iron specifically for the great outdoors. Their skillets, griddles, and iconic Dutch ovens with flanged lids (for holding coals) are staples for campers, overlanders, and backyard grill masters. The focus is on pure durability and function in high-heat, open-flame environments.
While Camp Chef’s beefy, utilitarian style is a far cry from Iwachu’s delicate designs, the underlying principle is the same: creating cookware tough enough to last a lifetime. With incredibly reasonable prices often between $20 and $150, it is the go-to brand for anyone who takes their cooking adventures outside.
Shop now at campchef.com
13. Cuisinart
A household name for kitchen appliances, Cuisinart also offers a line of reliable and affordable enameled cast iron. You'll find their Dutch ovens, grill pans, and frying pans in classic shapes and a variety of attractive colors. It is the perfect entry point for cooks who want to try enameled cookware without committing to the prices of Le Creuset or Staub.
While lacking the handcrafted heritage of Iwachu, Cuisinart provides accessible quality that performs well for everyday braises, soups, and stews. Think of it as the practical weekday counterpart to Iwachu’s artisanal weekend slow-cooking.
Shop now at cuisinart.com
14. Solidteknics
Solidteknics is an innovative Australian brand that produces both cast iron ("US-ION") and a unique single-piece wrought iron ("AUS-ION") cookware. Their pans are lighter than traditional cast iron but offer similar searing performance and seasoning capabilities. The one-piece construction means no rivets to clean, and the designs are fiercely focused on sustainability and durability, backed by a multi-century warranty.
Much like Iwachu's timelessness, Solidteknics is built with forever in mind, just with an ultra-modern and engineer-focused approach. For the technically-minded chef, or just anyone looking for a lighter cast iron alternative rooted in innovation.
Shop now at solidteknics.com
15. BergHOFF
BergHOFF is a Belgian brand that creates cookware with a modern, European sensibility. Their cast iron offerings often feature sleek lines and user-friendly features like wider handles or non-stick enamel coatings. The focus is on producing functional, reliable pieces for contemporary kitchens without demanding too much specialized care.
Compared to Iwachu’s dedication to traditional forms, BergHOFF takes a more mass-market but design-conscious approach. They provide solid quality and heat retention in a more streamlined, modern package, often at a mid-range price point of $50 to $250.
Shop now at berghoff.com
16. Milo
Milo offers beautifully designed enameled cast iron Dutch ovens and skillets with a direct-to-consumer model that keeps prices accessible. Their aesthetic is clean, minimalist, and very photogenic, available in a curated palette of elegant colors. It’s like a more affordable Le Creuset for the modern millennial kitchen.
While Milo doesn’t share Iwachu's long, handcrafted history, it delivers the non-reactive benefits and stylish appeal of enameled cast iron. For cooks wanting a stove-to-table stunner without the steep price tag, Milo’s Dutch ovens, which retail for around $135, are a brilliant choice.
Shop now at cookwithmilo.com
17. Maine Coast Iron
This boutique foundry creates cast iron cookware that feels like a piece of history. Maine Coast Iron’s skillet features a beautifully intricate design of a ship's wheel on the bottom and a handle shaped like a ship's cleat. Each piece is hand-poured and finished, making them unique works of rustic art.
They share Iwachu’s deep appreciation for artisanal craft and decorative elements. This brand appeals to cooks who love the story behind their tools and want cookware that looks just as good hung on the wall as it performs on the stove. These specialty pans come at a premium, priced at around $250.
Shop now at mainecoastiron.com
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