Side by side
Stargazer vs Wagner
Stargazer
18 positive (95%) · 0 mixed (0%) · 1 negative (5%)
Trust + time weighted: +88%
Top excerpts
Yeah I was thinking of the stargazer too.
Smithey or Stargazer are both solid
The amount of companies that have come out in the past few years (Smithey, Stargazer, Field, etc.) that sell pans only marginally better than Lodge while charging 5x the price is baffling.
Stargazer would be a special gift
New cast iron from designer brands, like Stargazer, are milled in the manufacturing process to create the smooth texture.
Wagner
38 positive (79%) · 9 mixed (19%) · 1 negative (2%)
Trust + time weighted: +77%
AI summary — not a quote
Wagner is a highly respected vintage cast iron brand, frequently cited alongside Griswold as a gold standard for historical cookware. Users value these pans for being significantly lighter than modern alternatives and for their smooth, durable cooking surfaces that can last for generations.
Pros
- Notably lightweight, especially models with an outside heat ring
- Extremely durable, with many pieces remaining functional after 100+ years
- Smooth cooking surface that holds seasoning well
- High collectible value for early logos (e.g., arc logo) and nickel-plated versions
Cons
- Prone to warping or 'spinning,' which makes them unstable on glass or induction cooktops
- Vintage pieces can be expensive, with some eBay listings reaching $100-$200
- Old pans may have hidden cracks beneath layers of carbon buildup
Top excerpts
It's a Wagner, don't worry about the seasoning on one side, seasoning is easy to reestablish. Strip and clean it.
Parent context: I love that skillet. I wanted one, but I insist on only using skillets with a heat ring. I have an induction cooktop and don't want to risk screwing it up if it warps a little. At least with a heat ring it still sits flat with a little warpage. I had an old Wagner that would spin like a top on the glass induction top. Reply: My Wagner has a spin to it as well. I’m on gas so generally it’s not an issue, but it does bother me that it has that warp.
I had this exact issue with my mom’s unmarked Wagner from the ‘70s. I rehabbed it by spraying it with yellow cap oven cleaner and putting in a trash bag outside. I let it work for a few days, scraped/cleaned it off, then applied oven cleaner again. I did this repeatedly until it was all gone. My mom took it as an insult lol but the pan looks great and is no longer bumpy and gross.
Unmarked Wagner if you can find one.
Older Griswald and Wagner pieces are much lighter than modern Lodge and cook just as well.