Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet vs Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet (#3) vs Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet (#4): in our Cast Iron Skillets scoring the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet totals 9.5/10 and the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet 9.5/10.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet | Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175 | $254 |
| Material | Cast iron | Enameled cast iron |
| Size | 12 inches | 11.75 inches |
| Surface | Machine-polished smooth | — |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs | — |
| Made In | USA | France |
| Interior | — | Black enamel |
| Oven Safe | — | 500°F |
How they differ in real use
Built from our cast iron skillets scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet and the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet made our Top 5 Cast Iron Skillets, at #3 and #4. Machine-polished smooth surface for naturally nonstick performance. Lighter than most at 6.5 lbs with drip-free flared rim. Made in Allentown, PA. Enameled cast iron needs no seasoning—just clean like any pan. Beautiful colors, lifetime warranty.
We score cast iron skillets on Heat Retention (30%), Seasoning/Finish (25%), Build Quality (25%), Handle Design (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet totals 9.5 out of 10 and the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet 9.5. The widest gap is Seasoning/Finish, where the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet scores 10 against 9 for the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet — surface quality. Value also separates them: 7 for the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet versus 5 for the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Material — Cast iron on the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet versus Enameled cast iron on the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet; Size — 12 inches on the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet versus 11.75 inches on the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet; Made In — USA on the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet versus France on the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet.
Pricing as of February 1, 2026: $175 for the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet and $254 for the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet, a $79 difference in the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet's favor. Owners praise the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet for machine-polished smooth surface and lightweight at 6.5 lbs; the most common complaint is premium price for cast iron. Owners praise the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet for no seasoning required and easy to clean; the most common complaint is very expensive.
Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
- Machine-polished smooth surface
- Lightweight at 6.5 lbs
- Drip-free flared rim
- Stay-cool handle design
- Premium price for cast iron
- Smaller than vintage #10 equivalent
- Still requires seasoning care
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
- No seasoning required
- Easy to clean
- Beautiful colors
- Stainless steel knob
- Very expensive
- Enamel can chip
- Not as nonstick as seasoned
Which should you buy?
The Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet is the better fit for smooth surface priority and those wanting lighter cast iron — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Seasoning/Finish. The Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet is the better fit for low-maintenance cast iron and aesthetic kitchens, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. Since the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet is both the higher scorer and $79 cheaper, the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet only makes sense for low-maintenance cast iron. The Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet is a poor fit for budget buyers; the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet is a poor fit for budget buyers.
Choose the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet if
- Smooth surface priority
- Those wanting lighter cast iron
- Nonstick performance without chemicals
Skip it if
- Budget buyers
- Those okay with Lodge texture
Choose the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet if
- Low-maintenance cast iron
- Aesthetic kitchens
- Acidic food cooking
Skip it if
- Budget buyers
- Traditional seasoning fans
Common questions
Is the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet better than the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet?
In our Cast Iron Skillets ranking the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet scores higher overall, 9.5 to 9.5, with the biggest advantage in Seasoning/Finish. The Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet cost than the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet?
$79 more as of February 1, 2026: $254 for the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet against $175 for the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet and the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet?
The headline spec difference is Material: Cast iron on the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet versus Enameled cast iron on the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet. In use, the gap that matters most is Seasoning/Finish (10 vs 9 in our scoring): surface quality.