Yeti Just Bought America’s Most Sought-After Cast Iron Skillet Maker

In a shocking move, the outdoor gear giant now owns the brand responsible for its $400 cast-iron skillet collab.

Published January 18, 2024

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Updated January 19, 2024

Editor’s Note [1/18/24]: Yeti has removed the Butter Pat cast-iron collab from its site and Butter Pat is not currently selling its cast-iron skillets. We’ll keep an eye out for when they relaunch and update with any new offerings.

Yeti is a brand that, at this point, probably needs no introduction. In fact, the brand has solidified itself as the primary contender to beat in the adventure coolers industry and the rest of its offerings — drinkware, bags, dog gear, etc. — are among the best on the market. Yet, there’s still plenty of ground to cover, as the brand recently proved with a unique endeavor: cast iron. But the first release, a 12-inch skillet (which, according to our sources, took a whopping six years of development), is much more than just a basic campground pan; it was masterfully manufactured at Butter Pat Industries in Maryland.

While it was released late on June 12, 2023, it was already sold out by the morning of June 13 — this despite it coming in at a price tag of $400 (which is in line for the skillets Butter Pat makes). It was restocked after that but sold out just as quickly. Now, in a shocking turn of events over six months since the cast-iron collab dropped, Yeti has acquired Butter Pat and plans to fold the brand’s expertise into its own.

What the Butter Pat Acquisition Means for Yeti

While purchasing a cast-iron brand might seem like a fairly wild swing for Yeti, it actually makes a lot of sense. The brand already has a foothold in the outdoor space, especially in regard to food and drink — evidenced by the company’s dominance in the outdoor cooler space. And the creation of the brand’s first open-flame cooking-specific release, the Butter Pat collab cast-iron pan that kicked off this surprising journey, was a wild success, selling out each and every time it was restocked.

It appears, according to both brands (read Yeti’s statement here and Butter Pat’s here), that their goals are the same: to craft incredibly high-quality, exceptionally designed, durable-enough-for-generations-of-use cast-iron gear. Yeti has gone so far as to call Butter Pat’s offerings “the greatest cast iron on earth,” and the brand expresses interest in extending its grasp to both home and office use, as well as outdoor.

It seems this will be a mutually beneficial change, allowing Butter Pat to scale and innovate in ways that were previously unachievable, while Yeti now has the opportunity to move into a new part of the industry it had only dabbled in previously. Both seem confident that the quality of their products will remain paramount, and they’re even both overtly excited to share what comes next. Overall, this is a great thing for both brands and, if the previous collaboration is any indication, fans of these companies are in for a treat in the coming weeks, months and years. Check out what made the brands’ original collaboration, the one that kicked off this merger, so special below.

The Proof Is in the Pedigree

Cast iron is cast iron, right? Well, yes. But also no. Cast iron can be a relatively inexpensive material that (with the proper care) stands up to a lot of punishment and, honestly, even a cheap one can usually get the job done decently. But Butter Pat doesn’t do decent; it does exceptional. And this pan does not stray from that path.

In fact, each and every one is hand-made via a “painstaking” process resulting in cast iron that’s much thinner and smoother than the average pan. That also makes it lighter, lending itself well to travel — like going along on camping trips. It also boasts both an ergonomic handle and dual pouring spouts, meaning you can use it ambidextrously. And every pan is polished, pre-seasoned and free of any chemical-heavy coatings. It was even engineered to be naturally non-stick, and it will only get better the more you use it. All of this is to say that it’s the details, big and small, that really help set this exceptional pan apart — which fits exactly the care and testing that Yeti puts into all of its products, so this partnership makes a ton of sense.

Accessorize, Don’t Compromise

Speaking further to the details making all the difference, you get more than just the pan from Yeti and Butter Pat’s resulting skillet. Purchase also includes a cloth storage bag — which you might want to use to keep dust, dirt and debris away from your pan while you’ve got it in a bag or cabinet — as well as a scraper tool and a metal ring rag. The latter are made to help you get rid of any leftover food scraps between uses and, more importantly, they’re not just for show — the brand specifically wants you to use them, going so far as to say “Yes, you can scrub the hell out of your pan.”

Not only did the brand not have to include these welcome accessories, but its endorsement of actually using them regularly and vigorously comes with some subtext: this pan is tough and was made to be put through its paces. Yes, we know that should go without saying just based on the connection between Yeti and Butter Pat, but it’s still nice to see further evidence to that end.

The Price Might Scare You Away

Yes, $400 is indeed a lot to ask someone to pay for a cast-iron skillet, especially when the industry standard — like those made by Lodge — can go for as little as $20 for about the same size. However, it’s definitely worth noting that you’re not paying $400 simply for the Yeti name. Butter Pat Industries is a powerhouse of cast iron and is highly regarded as one of the most impressive manufacturers of cast-iron cookware anywhere, let alone the USA. The fact that Yeti was smart enough to go to such a brand rather than just putting their name on any old pan should go a long way toward instilling confidence in anyone considering spending the admittedly high price to get one.

In fact, Yeti is so confident in the quality of this pan that they literally called it the “last cast-iron skillet you’ll ever need.” And while it seems obvious that the brand is probably proud of its own product, it’s still a bold claim to be making in an industry loaded with major contenders. Yeti isn’t one to mince words, and we’re keen on seeing if this release really does stand up to scrutiny (not that we’re doubting it, based on what we’ve seen).

Alternatives

If, despite all of that, you’re still not convinced that $400 is worth the price, you’re not entirely out of luck (so long as it isn’t the Yeti name you’re attached to). For instance, our top pick for the best cast-iron skillet you can buy, the Field Company No. 8, is a fraction of the price at $145. Even our upgrade, the No. 12 from Smithey, is half the price at $200. And, of course, there’s always our most budget-friendly pick: this classic Lodge, which is less than $20 (as promised).