Cheap cast iron pans are not made as well now as they used to be. I blame the huge market, faster manufacturing methods and decreasing quality of iron available. If you can find a good old pan you might be happy with it. I had vowed to not buy the expensive Le Creuset, but after several disappointments with cheap cast iron of the brands listed above and others, too, I bought a Le Creuset. I do recommend Le Creuset, though they are very heavy, they work extremely well. Some of their best pans are apparently being discontinued, so buy now for these excellent pans and dutch ovens: http://www.cutleryandmore.com/search I also recommend trying a small copper pot to see how you might like to use it, before making your mind up about copper on a larger scale. Enjoy your cooking, and do not let cookware grandness be your guide, let your own needs, interests, and findings about food be your guide.

Cheap cast iron pans are not made as well now as they used to be. I blame the huge market, faster manufacturing methods and decreasing quality of iron available. If you can find a good old pan you might be happy with it. I had vowed to not buy the expensive Le Creuset, but after several disappointments with cheap cast iron of the brands listed above and others, too, I bought a Le Creuset. I do recommend Le Creuset, though they are very heavy, they work extremely well.

I also recommend trying a small copper pot to see how you might like to use it, before making your mind up about copper on a larger scale.

Enjoy your cooking, and do not let cookware grandness be your guide, let your own needs, interests, and findings about food be your guide.