The Potentially Misleading Cookware Set Costco Shoppers Are Returning

Name a cooking surface more durable, versatile, or long-lasting than cast iron, we'll wait. Whether you're the lucky heir of a generations-old heirloom or choosing to rid your kitchen of forever chemicals and non-stick teflon, the unique benefits of cooking with cast iron are numerous.

Unfortunately, as resilient, non-toxic, and easy to use as good cast iron cookware should be, not all of it is created equal. And some Costco shoppers have learned this the hard way after purchasing a set of cast iron cookware that's catching heat, for all the wrong reasons. The Tramontina three-piece Cast Iron 7-quart Deep Kadai and Flat Tawa Cookware Set, made by the more than 100-year old cookware brand, is being called out for false advertising by some unhappy customers. 

As expected from one of America's most economical retailers, the set is an attractively priced steal at first glance — consisting of a 7-quart wok-like kadai and flat tawa, two pan shapes often used in Indian and South Asian cooking, for $59.99. Disgruntled customers though have noted that despite being described as pre-seasoned, the cookware is rough and quick to rust. Similar reviews appear on the Costco listing and on Reddit, with more than a handful of users sharing that they chose to apply their own seasoning before use. Others, who likely took the product listing at its word and assumed the pans were ready to use out of the box, shared pictures of barely used and already rusted over cookware.

As anyone who's used cast iron knows, treat it well and it'll last a lifetime or several. Wash improperly, or let an unknowing roommate run it through the wash (the horror!), and that shiny, naturally non-stick surface can quickly turn into a crusty mess. You'll need to take steps to re-season your cast iron, whether from Costco or anywhere else, which ensures your cookware just gets better with time.

When it comes to this set though, it's impossible to suss out from the reviews alone whether these utensils are truly entirely unseasoned or simply not seasoned to user's liking. Though truly bare unseasoned cast iron can indeed be purchased, it's not the norm, and it's more likely that the latter is the case here. That said, it's hard to write off the numerous negative complaints, or chalk this up to a matter of personal preference or user error here. It's likely that even if the cookware set isn't truly altogether unseasoned, it's clearly falling short of the standard required for the average home cook.

Further complicating the situation is the fact that you won't be able to get eyes on the set before purchasing  — it's only sold online. If you're undeterred by the negative reviews though, you can snag the three-piece cast iron cookware set online for $59.99. Just don't be surprised if a good DIY seasoning once-over is required to turn this bargain buy into a truly durable investment.