Reviewing the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: One Pan to Rule Them All?

After decades of cooking in pans of all sizes, shapes, and materials, here is my honest opinion.

After 15 years in the food industry, I recently purchased my first cast iron skillet—hard to believe, I know. Over the years, I’ve tested a variety of products, from immersion blenders to electric griddles to kitchen burners. Our team of kitchen and product experts has decades of experience with cast iron, from rating the best cast iron skillets to researching recipes for cooking in cast iron.

Before purchasing my first cast iron skillet, I was concerned about its usability. However, after cooking with cast iron several times throughout my professional career, I realized these concerns were unfounded. After testing the $20 Lodge 10.25-inch cast iron skillet, I found it to be the perfect space-saving solution for my small Brooklyn apartment with limited storage space—it’s versatile enough to handle a variety of cooking tasks in one compact skillet.

To see if the tried-and-true frying pan really delivers the performance it promises, I worked with experts of Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab to evaluate how evenly the pan heats, how well it maintains its temperature, and how easy it is to handle and clean.

Product Display - Cast Iron Skillet

Blacklock 10.25 Inch Lightweight Cast Iron Skillet

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Compatability	Gas, electric or induction cooktop, oven, grill and open flame
Oven-safe	Yes
Dishwasher-safe	No

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: Benefits and Drawbacks

Lodge cast iron skillets are a kitchen staple, known for their affordable prices and reliable quality. These skillets have tall, straight sides, providing plenty of cooking space and a generous surface for searing. They feature a short, teardrop-shaped handle for stability and balance, as well as an additional handle for easy transfer from the stovetop to the oven. The 26 cm skillet is the ideal size for most standard cooktops and works seamlessly on gas, electric, or induction stovetops, as well as in the oven or over a campfire. A cast iron skillet is designed to withstand high temperatures, no matter where you cook.

Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of the Lodge cast iron pan at a glance:

Pros and Cons

Pros

- It is pre-seasoned, so only a little oil or butter is needed to grease the pan

- Does not need to be seasoned after each use

- Keeps the heat evenly

- Offers plenty of space and height for cooking

- Easy to clean and maintain

- Affordable and economical

Cons

- The overall weight of the pan can be difficult to maneuver for some

-As with many other cookware materials, hot or cold spots can develop if it is not positioned evenly over the heat source.

-May rust if improperly cared for

Our Favorite Things About Lodge

We cook with cast iron every day in the Kitchen, and Lodge is one of our favorite brands. This fifth-generation family business has been around for over a century and is synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and versatility. Lodge is affordable and suitable for beginners, home cooks, and professional chefs alike. According to the brand, its cookware and accessories are PFAS-free. This is a plus if you’re looking for a nonstick pan without chemical additives, which the CDC (though research on this is limited and ongoing) says could have long-term health implications.

Lodge was the first company to develop a pre-seasoned cast iron skillet in 2002. Unseasoned cast iron skillets require heating with oil in the pan before first use. This creates a non-stick coating. Because this Lodge skillet is pre-seasoned, it’s ready to use right out of the box. However, it must be seasoned regularly. This seasoning creates a non-stick coating and makes the skillet easy to clean.

From personal and professional experience, I’ve prepared countless dishes in various Lodge cast iron skillets. I’ve relied on them for everything from a beautifully seared pork chop for a food styling shoot to a crispy pan pizza for Friday night dinner. I would recommend this brand to young cooks (hello, affordable!) and beginners alike.

How we test cast iron skillets?

I collaborated with the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab to test this cast iron skillet according to their nonstick cookware standards. First, we examined the overall appearance of the product and reviewed the included instructions. The Lodge 10.25-inch cast iron skillet doesn’t come with a brochure, but there is a small flyer attached to the skillet itself with instructions for obtaining the product manual online.

We then evaluate how evenly each pan heats, how well it retains heat, how effective the non-stick coating is, and how easy it is to handle and clean. We also consider pan-specific features such as weight and easy-grip handles.

My first test was frying eggs without butter or oil. We do this to evaluate the non-stick coating. Flipping a fried egg required some force, but the egg eventually came out without cracking or damage.

I seared a steak to see how well the pan held the heat. I cooked the steak medium-rare, and the pan produced a perfectly brown and golden crust with a pink interior.

My experience with the Lodge cast iron skillet

During testing, I used this skillet frequently in the test kitchen and in my home kitchen, preparing everything from breakfast to dinner. The skillet produced a beautifully caramelized frittata and a crispy pizza crust. Because it’s oven-safe, I was able to cook a whole chicken and delicious enchiladas. It was also large enough for a one-pan chicken and rice dish. Pork tenderloin, chicken, and salmon, which I first prepared in the skillet on the stovetop and then finished cooking in the oven, seared to perfection.

How do I clean a cast iron skillet?

Contrary to popular belief, cast iron is relatively easy to clean. There are various accessories available for caring for your cast iron pan, such as scouring pads, a chain-mesh scouring pad, or a complete care kit. After cooking, however, a little soap and water will suffice. And yes, soap is perfectly fine for cast iron, but use it sparingly to avoid damaging the pan’s non-stick coating.

Dry your pan thoroughly after washing to prevent rust or staining. To dry it completely, heat it on the stovetop over low heat until dry. Remove it from the heat and coat it with a light coating of neutral oil before storing it. With proper care, these pans will last a lifetime.

Final Verdict: Is Lodge Cast Iron Worth It?

Although it’s heavy and requires occasional washing and maintenance, it will last for years (probably even decades). The pan works on the stovetop, in the oven, or over a campfire. It’s non-stick while maintaining high temperatures for searing and charring. Everyone should consider this pan for their kitchen.