Founder Story How It All Started Stargazer Cast Iron was founded in 2015 by housewares designer Peter Huntley. After years of designing products for other companies, Huntley became disenchanted by the lack of quality and accountability present in modern goods manufactured overseas. In a time of unprecedented globalization, he saw more and more classic American brands compromising the principles that made them great, in order to cut costs and bolster the bottom line.. Fed up with the status quo, he set out to build a product and a company that could be held to a higher standard. Convinced people should have access to high quality, well designed cast iron at a reasonable price, Huntley set out to build something totally new to cast iron. In the summer of 2015, Six months, 21 designs and several prototypes after he began, he had designed the first Stargazer skillet. Peter spent the rest of that summer in his garage producing Stargazer's first run of 250 skillets. Working sunrise to sunset, and often well into the night, he hand-sanded the castings to a smooth finish. He seasoned them in his home oven, boxed them on the dining room floor, and drove them, one compact carload at a time, to the local post office to ship. Today, tens of thousands of skillets later, Stargazer continues to grow, guided by the principles that we were founded on in 2015. Why Cast Iron? Let's explore the benefits of cooking with cast iron. While some cookware is coated with non-stick chemicals (such as Teflon), cast iron is made naturally non-stick through seasoning. Seasoning is fats/oils that polymerize to the skillet either by baking them in or through cooking. The more you cook with your cast iron, the more non-stick it'll become. While preheating is important to get the entire braising pan to temperature, once it gets hot, it'll stay that way for a good amount of time. That's what makes cast iron great for things like searing steaks! Another great thing about cast iron is the fact that you can cook on any cooking surface. This includes gas, electric or induction cooktops, on a grill or over an option fire. Cast iron cookware will last you a lifetime. Whether it encounters seasoning loss or rust, it's virtually indestructible, making it something that's often handed down from generation to generation. Benefits: Naturally Non-Stick Heat Retention Versatility Lasts a Lifetime Proudly Made in the USA Cast In Our US Foundry Our skillets begin their journey at our foundry, where domestically sourced, primarily recycled iron is melted at 2,800°F. The molten iron is refined and checked for purity, then poured into molds made of sand and clay in a process known as “green sand” casting. Once cooled, the molds are released on a shakeout line, leaving behind a solid, raw casting. Machined Smooth The raw castings are sent to our machine shop, where they are individually loaded into a custom-built fixture and CNC machined across the entire interior surface. This allows us to dial in the optimal weight and thickness of each cast iron skillet with precision. This process is also the first step towards creating a cooking surface that is naturally non-stick and easy to clean. Hand Finished The skillets arrive in Allentown, PA, pass a thorough inspection, and move on to the finishing process. Our craftsman use a series of hand tools to grind and smooth any burrs or other artifacts remaining from casting and machining. After being meticulously shaped by hand, each skillet undergoes our proprietary two-step surface finish treatment that yields the smooth, micro-textured cooking surface that has made Stargazer famous, designed to easily release food but hold onto seasoning. From Allentown, PA After a final inspection, a Stargazer employee packs each skillet in a box that is made just a couple miles down the road from our factory in Allentown, PA. Stargazer cookware is built to last many lifetimes. Cleaning Cast Iron is...Easy! Allow your skillet to cool. Place it in the sink under hot running water. Add a small amount of gentle soap (if you like). Scrub away food debris with a soft sponge or dish brush and rinse thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scouring pads. Dry your skillet immediately and completely. You can feel good about feeding your friends and family from a Stargazer. Our skillets are 100% non-toxic and are made of grey iron. Every shipment is tested multiple times at different stages of the production process to ensure it is free from toxins and heavy metals.We use a blend of canola, grapeseed, and sunflower oil for our seasoning. Our oil blend contains no animal products, so it’s vegetarian/vegan friendly. It is also soy, peanut and gluten-free for anyone with allergy concerns. All of the oils used in our seasoning are certified kosher as well, but please note that our factory where the oils are mixed and applied is not certified kosher. Not Sure What to Cook in Cast Iron? Check down below! Cheeseburger Egg Rolls Shallow frying in your cast iron skillet is a great way to break in new cast iron. By frying in oil, you're contributing to your seasoning layer. Thai Stir Fry Make it all in one skillet! Prepare your protein, sauté your veggies and serve it straight from the same braising pan. Added perk: the cast iron will keep the dish warm until you're ready to dive in. Skillet Caramel Apple Pie Cast iron is GREAT for baking all sorts of desserts. Everything from brownies, skillet cookies, pies and cobblers!