I have a set of Lifetime Cookware that I bought back in the 1970’s that cooks…and looks…as good as it did when I bought it.
It depends on the quality. Cheap stainless won’t last, but good quality will last almost as long as cast iron.
That being said, I DO love my cast iron!
I second the vote for carbon steel. Stainless is just fine for high-hydration cooking, but if I’m searing something, that’s happening in either cast iron or carbon steel.
Easy to stain.
@yakkoTDI But not easy to wear.
Second best, personally. Carbon steel FTW
I have a set of Lifetime Cookware that I bought back in the 1970’s that cooks…and looks…as good as it did when I bought it.
It depends on the quality. Cheap stainless won’t last, but good quality will last almost as long as cast iron.
That being said, I DO love my cast iron!
I like cooking with stainless. I hate cleaning up stainless.
If there is a great conductor sandwiched, then it is one of the best.
My nuanced opinion is this:
I don’t like to cook.
I second the vote for carbon steel. Stainless is just fine for high-hydration cooking, but if I’m searing something, that’s happening in either cast iron or carbon steel.