[owalt]

This isn't a complete analysis. From the same site, cast iron has a density of 6800-7800 kg/m³, whereas aluminium is around 2700 kg/m³: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/metal-alloys-densities-d_....

With specific heats of 0.91 kcal/(kg⋅K) for aluminium and 0.46 kcal/(kg⋅K) for cast iron, this works out to

Aluminium: ~2500 kcal/(kg⋅m³)

Cast iron: ~3100 - 3600 kcal/(kg⋅m³)

So for a pan of the same thickness/shape, cast iron should have a heat capacity that's 25-45% higher.

[balfirevic]

When using pans, I don't particularly care if they are too thick bit I do care if they are too heavy. Aluminium pan could be lighter while having equal or greater heat capacity, if it were thick enough.

I don't know if such thick aluminium pans are available, though.

[8note]

It's not just the weight that you'll care about, it's also the moment of inertia, which will help/hinder your ability to reorient the pan