Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet vs Victoria Cast Iron Skillet
Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet (#3) vs Victoria Cast Iron Skillet (#5, best value): in our Cast Iron Skillets scoring the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet totals 9.5/10 and the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet 9.4/10. At $175 versus $35, the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet costs $140 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet | Victoria Cast Iron Skillet | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175 | $35 |
| Material | Cast iron | Cast iron |
| Size | 12 inches | 12 inches |
| Surface | Machine-polished smooth | — |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs | — |
| Made In | USA | Colombia |
| Seasoning | — | Non-GMO flaxseed oil |
| Handle | — | Extra long |
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 Victoria Cast Iron Skillet made our Top 5 Cast Iron Skillets, at #3 and #5 (best value). Machine-polished smooth surface for naturally nonstick performance. Lighter than most at 6.5 lbs with drip-free flared rim. Made in Allentown, PA. Smoother than Lodge with flaxseed oil seasoning. Colombian craftsmanship at Lodge pricing.
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 Victoria Cast Iron Skillet 9.4. The widest gap is Build Quality, where the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet scores 10 against 8 for the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet — iron quality and smoothness. Value also separates them: 10 for the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet versus 5 for the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Made In — USA on the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet versus Colombia on the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet. They match on Material and Size.
Pricing as of February 1, 2026: $175 for the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet and $35 for the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet, a $140 difference in the Victoria 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 Victoria Cast Iron Skillet for smoother than Lodge and flaxseed oil seasoned; the most common complaint is made in Colombia (not USA).
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
Victoria Cast Iron Skillet
- Smoother than Lodge
- Flaxseed oil seasoned
- Longer handle
- 100-year foundry history
- Made in Colombia (not USA)
- Less brand recognition
- Seasoning can be inconsistent
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 Build Quality and Handle Design. The Victoria Cast Iron Skillet is the better fit for value seekers wanting smoother surface and lodge alternative, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. If the $140 saving matters more than Build Quality, the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet is the better value. The Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet is a poor fit for budget buyers; the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet is a poor fit for made in USA priority.
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 Victoria Cast Iron Skillet if
- Value seekers wanting smoother surface
- Lodge alternative
- Longer handle preference
Skip it if
- Made in USA priority
- Brand prestige
Common questions
Is the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet better than the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet?
In our Cast Iron Skillets ranking the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet scores higher overall, 9.5 to 9.4, with the biggest advantage in Build Quality. The Victoria Cast Iron Skillet is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet cost than the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet?
$140 more as of February 1, 2026: $175 for the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet against $35 for the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Build Quality — 10 versus 8 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet and the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet?
The headline spec difference is Made In: USA on the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet versus Colombia on the Victoria Cast Iron Skillet. In use, the gap that matters most is Build Quality (10 vs 8 in our scoring): iron quality and smoothness.