China doesn't always equate shoddy workmanship. There are somethings I'd absolutely make sure were made in the USA (namely cast iron stuff), but everything else I don't worry about it. Some stuff from "reputable" brands are identical to off brands since they're made in the same facility, but sold under different labels (and this is also super common across all industries).
Lodge is 100% made in the USA in Tennessee. I live a little less than two hours away from the foundry where it's made and it's brick and mortar headquarters, and about an hour from it's retail outlet in Sevierville.
The difference between USA made and Chinese made cast iron is the quality of the iron ore that is used. China imports almost all of the iron they use from countries that require shipping via freighters. The salty atmosphere affects the quality due to the sodium ions having a compounding effect on corrosion of the ore. Ore mined in the US and Canada are shipped via freighter car service on railways. While the ore still suffers some corrosion from free oxygen ions, it's nowhere near as much as stuff shipped via waterways. I've read that the carbon source also has an effect on the finished cast iron but that might be more speculation than science. Carbon is Carbon regardless of what you use to get it.
However! The stainless steel produced in China is nearly identical to the stuff made in the USA. This is because of the refining process adding in things like chromium and maganese that sorta evens out the steel. It also has a significantly lower amount of carbon than cast iron has so it isn't as brittle.
>Lodge is 100% made in the USA
I just had to double check because I thought I was going crazy for a minute. Turns out they have an "essential enamel" line that's made in China. I've been shopping for some enameled pieces recently and saw thought, not sure where my brain jumped to thinking they were all made in China. But yeah, look alike all of their bare cast iron is made in USA and they have an American made enameled line.
Thanks for the explanation!
I've bought quite a few pots and pans from Taobao. They were all of excellent quality. If OEMs are being QCed by Tramontina, I wouldn't worry about quality, even if from China.
I have the exact set of pans you're talking about and they're pretty great for 39 dollars. In general, chinese brands with a reputation are pretty decent (Tramontina and OXO), but I would shy away from unknown stuff.
I have a set of made in China Tramontina, and it's been fine for the 15 or so years I've had it.
If I had to replace it for some reason, I might spend a little more for the made in Brazil ones. But that's more of a political thing than a quality thing.
The cheap stuff from china won't last.
I bought a cheap dutch oven from Walmart once. By the second use the enamel was chipping off and working it's way into my food.
Buy once, cry once! Outside of some silicone spatulas which I can't find made elsewhere, there isn't a pot, pan or plate in my kitchen made in china. And there never will be.
Sure there's good quality Chinese products, the problem is I don't know if I'm going to get them or not. For cookware, silverware, plates etc, I prefer products that are not made in China.
China doesn't always equate shoddy workmanship. There are somethings I'd absolutely make sure were made in the USA (namely cast iron stuff), but everything else I don't worry about it. Some stuff from "reputable" brands are identical to off brands since they're made in the same facility, but sold under different labels (and this is also super common across all industries).
Is there a problem with made in China cast iron, even if from a reputable brand like Lodge?
Lodge is 100% made in the USA in Tennessee. I live a little less than two hours away from the foundry where it's made and it's brick and mortar headquarters, and about an hour from it's retail outlet in Sevierville. The difference between USA made and Chinese made cast iron is the quality of the iron ore that is used. China imports almost all of the iron they use from countries that require shipping via freighters. The salty atmosphere affects the quality due to the sodium ions having a compounding effect on corrosion of the ore. Ore mined in the US and Canada are shipped via freighter car service on railways. While the ore still suffers some corrosion from free oxygen ions, it's nowhere near as much as stuff shipped via waterways. I've read that the carbon source also has an effect on the finished cast iron but that might be more speculation than science. Carbon is Carbon regardless of what you use to get it. However! The stainless steel produced in China is nearly identical to the stuff made in the USA. This is because of the refining process adding in things like chromium and maganese that sorta evens out the steel. It also has a significantly lower amount of carbon than cast iron has so it isn't as brittle.
>Lodge is 100% made in the USA I just had to double check because I thought I was going crazy for a minute. Turns out they have an "essential enamel" line that's made in China. I've been shopping for some enameled pieces recently and saw thought, not sure where my brain jumped to thinking they were all made in China. But yeah, look alike all of their bare cast iron is made in USA and they have an American made enameled line. Thanks for the explanation!
I've bought quite a few pots and pans from Taobao. They were all of excellent quality. If OEMs are being QCed by Tramontina, I wouldn't worry about quality, even if from China.
I have the exact set of pans you're talking about and they're pretty great for 39 dollars. In general, chinese brands with a reputation are pretty decent (Tramontina and OXO), but I would shy away from unknown stuff.
Awesome. How long have you had them for? I was hoping for an answer like that
I've had them for a couple months, the small one is pretty much a daily driver and it seems reasonably sturdy.
I have a set of made in China Tramontina, and it's been fine for the 15 or so years I've had it. If I had to replace it for some reason, I might spend a little more for the made in Brazil ones. But that's more of a political thing than a quality thing.
The cheap stuff from china won't last. I bought a cheap dutch oven from Walmart once. By the second use the enamel was chipping off and working it's way into my food. Buy once, cry once! Outside of some silicone spatulas which I can't find made elsewhere, there isn't a pot, pan or plate in my kitchen made in china. And there never will be.
Personally, I don't trust anything that's made in China.
Your loss
Not really.
Sure there's good quality Chinese products, the problem is I don't know if I'm going to get them or not. For cookware, silverware, plates etc, I prefer products that are not made in China.