Finex Cast Iron is a cookware based in Portland. The company started after the recent cast iron craze. Companies started coming out of the wood work promising the same performance as the vintage cast iron cookware. However, how Finex managed to set themselves apart is by the look and design of their cookware. It is certainty one of the most beautiful piece of cookware out there. But the question is, is it any good? This review will take a closer look at the design feature and performance of their cookware.

Finex Cast Iron Skillet Quick Summary

Categories	Finex 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet
Performance	Acceptable
Compatibility	Gas, Electric, Halogen, Glass Top
Colors	Bronze, turns black with use.
Warranty	Unclear Cant find on Website
Brand Awareness	America
Country of Manufacturer	America
Thoughts	A beautiful skillet that is overpriced. For a fraction of the price, you can get one from lodge. It performs just as well. For a skillet with a smooth base, try a carbon steel skillet by Matfer Bourgeat.
Reviewed Cookware	Finex Frying Pan

Lodge Acquires Finex!

On August 13 2019, Finex announced that Lodge has acquired Finex. The company state that their quality, performance and attention to detail will remain the same. They will also still be located in NW Portland. Although they did not state that they will move production and manufacturing, online reports shows that they will move it to South Pittsburgh. The sales and marketing will still be at Portland, Oregon. Maybe this will be a start of a more affordable Finex Cookware. You can read about the post here.

Smooth Finish of Finex Cast Iron Skillet

A smooth finished cast iron skillet is what all cast iron collector go for. The allure is that it offers superior non stick performance. The modern day cast iron skillet has a pebbly finish and it simply does not perform as well. At least that is what the collector tells you.

The fact is that the finish is not what makes cast iron cookware nonstick. It is the seasoning that makes it nonstick. The seasoning is a layer of polymerized oil that was baked on. If you loose that seasoning, the pan will become non stick. Modern manufacturer makes a pebbly finish on their cast iron cookware because it holds the seasoning better. While cost is probably a factor, manufacturer like lodge should have the capability to do so, but they dont. All they have to do is to offer a higher end line and provide the same type of finish.

Paying extra 1-200 for a smooth cast iron surface is basically a waste of money. If you truly do want a smooth finished skillet, get a carbon steel pan. Matfer Bourgeat Carbon Steel Pan are half the weight of cast iron but performs almost the same. They have that smooth finish that so many people covet.

Finex Cast Iron Skillet Design

This section will talk about the design and features of cast iron cookware. We will focus primarily on the design of the skillet.

Handle

I think this is the most striking distinction from other cast iron skillet. They use a coil handle on their skillet. While it certainly does look cool, it’s not really functional. It flexes and moves around it simply does not feel secure. The pan is simply too heavy for this type of handle. What it does do right is that it stays cool. It uses stainless steel to reduce the transfer of heat. What you really should avoid is the copper and brass coil. Those metal transfer heat better than cast iron and you are just asking for pain. On all version of the handle, the brass end cap will get hot. Be careful or you will burn your hand. They look cool though.

Shape

The shape is really unique. I think finex is the only company that offers a octagonal skillet. The many corner of the octagonal skillet lets you pour at many different angle. While manufacturer like Le Creuset and Lodge only has pouring lips on either side. While in theory, the multi angle pouring lip is nice. Functionally, you are really only using the side of the pan. The skillet is simply too heavy to pour at odd angles.

Thicker is Better

Finex Cast Iron skillet is thick and heavy. There was a trend of thin cast iron cookware that caught on, but those should be avoided. What makes cast iron skillet so great is the weight. They can hold a substantial amount of heat and making it light takes away from that. A pan that is too light will lose heat quickly. If you sear a piece of steak on a light skillet, you will not get that same crust or charr on that steak. Not only that, since cast iron is a poor conductor of heat, it is prone to heat spot. Making it thin, just makes it worse. A thicker bottomed skillet will smooth out the heating issue.

Seasoning Finex Cast Iron Skillet

Finex cast iron skillet comes pre seasoned from the factory. They use flax seed oil which is the preferred seasoning oil. This gives it that beautiful brown bronze look. But really, a high smoke point oil like canola or shortening will work just fine.

To season the pan, clean out any rust with a metal scrubber. Make sure its dry and apply a thin layer of flaxseed oil to the pan. Wipe off the excess oil then bake the pan at 400 degree Fahrenheit for an hour. Your pan should be seasoned at that point. You can repeat the process if you want a thicker layer of seasoning. Here is a video of someone seasoning the skillet.

Finex Cast Iron Skillet Thoughts

Finex Cast Iron Skillet is striking and beautiful. But really, most of it was mostly done for vanity. The handle does not give you a secure grip. It looks cool but a solid stainless steel handle would be better. The smooth finished is great but only performs marginally better. Price is the biggest issue of all, expect to pay around 2-300 dollar for a single skillet. You can get a skillet by lodge for 15-20. It will perform just as well for a fraction of the cost. Having said that, it looks really nice. Since I collect cookware, that would be the only reason why I buy it.

I hope you like this Finex Cast Iron Skillet Review, If you would like to see more, please visit our Pots and Pans Review page.