Best Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: Top 10 picks
A Lodge cast iron skillet is an excellent investment if you are starting with cast iron skillets.
The Lodge is a USA brand. It has been making cookware since 1896. Its cookware is excellent in durability, versatility, and performance. So the question arises: What are the Best Lodge Cast Iron Skillets? Here are our top ten picks:
Check also: How to Clean Cast-Iron Skillet?
Top 10 Best Lodge cast iron skillet:
The Lodge cast iron skillets are available in different sizes; one size will not fit all. So the best Lodge cast iron skillet depends on your cooking needs, preferences, and budget.
We have made a detailed buying guideline so you can easily select the right size for your needs.
1. Lodge Miniature Skillet
This Lodge Miniature skillet is the lightest skillet on our list since its weight is just 0.63 lbs. and its size is a mere 3.5-inch. Because of its lightweight design, it is easy to maneuver and great for elders. Plus, it is a blessing for people with arthritic issues.
Features:
- Lightweight
- Round shape skillet is the best for small-scale cooking e.g. cook mini desserts, fry eggs, and make pancakes and crepes.
- Small loop and a large handle for a firm grip.
- Its handle has a hole, so you hang it for easy storage.
- Affordable and the best for newbies.
So if you are thinking of starting a cooking journey with a cast-iron skillet, nothing is better than to start with this mini skillet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cheap | It needs care and maintenance; otherwise, it can get rust. |
| Excellent heat retention | It has a limited capacity of 5 cubic feet. |
| Easy to carry even when filled with food | Not dishwasher-safe |
2. Lodge Pre-Seasoned 6.5-inch Skillet
This 6.5-inch Lodge cast iron skillet is perfect for individuals. It is just the size of a napkin. This cast iron skillet is a good investment because you get a lot of mileage. You can use it for everything from frying eggs to baking and roasting.
Features:
- Nonstick
- Best for cooking eggs, grilled cheese, and pizza cookies
- Made to last.
- Seasoning not required as it is pre-seasoned with 100% vegetable oil.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is perfect for one person with a 5-quart capacity. | A bit heavy |
| Compatible with electric or gas cooktop. | Not dishwasher-safe |
3. Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 10.25-inch with Ergonomic Assist Handle
If you are looking for the best Lodge cast iron skillet for a small family, this seasoned 10.25-inch cast iron is the finest. You can use it for cooking 3-4 people. You can use it to sear and grill meat and fry eggs.
The biggest downside of this skillet is that it is heavier than 3.5-inch and 6.5-inch skillet. It is not a suitable option for elders to cooking. When filled with food, it is challenging to maneuver.
Features:
- Oven-safe and works for all cooktops, including induction.
- Heat retention is unparalleled.
- Unbeatable price-to-performance ratio.
Overall, it is an excellent addition to any kitchen because of its durability and performance. It is easy to use and clean, making it a good choice for home use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is an excellent option for a small family with a 10.25 cubic inches capacity. | Heavier (5.35lbs) than other cast iron skillets |
| Reasonably priced | Hand washed suggested. |
| You can use steel wool to wash it. | |
| You can buy a red handle holder to keep yourself from burning. |
4. Lodge 15-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet
This Lodge Cast Iron Skillet is a versatile cooking utensil for indoor and outdoor use. This cast iron skillet is perfect for cooking a family-sized meal of this large size.
Lodge has developed a unique finish that gives the skillet easy-to-clean and rust-resistant exterior.
Features:
- Thick and sturdy.
- 15-inch diameter and 1-liter capacity
This skillet has a stylish black color that needs special care to keep it from rusting. You can easily wipe off the skillet with a damp cloth after washing it in mild soapy water and storing it in a dry place.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best value for money | It is bulky. |
| Ultra-durable | Not dishwasher-safe |
| Outstanding heat retention and distribution | Needs proper maintenance and care |
5. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Deep Skillet with Iron Cover and Assist Handle, 5 Quart
This Lodge heavy-duty cast iron skillet with a cast iron lid is made to last for decades of cooking. Several features make this skillet a game changer.
It is an excellent choice for cooks of any level. Its cast iron lid also makes this skillet perfect for serving. It’s ideal for baking bread, roasting vegetables, and searing steaks. It also makes terrific cookware for grilling, roasting, or smoking
Features:
- Sturdy construction
- Nonstick surface: suitable for frying and baking.
- Thick bottom
- large capacity
- Since it is deep, you can use it as a skillet, a Dutch oven, or a grill.
Moreover, It is a best option if you’re looking for a heavy-duty cast iron skillet with a lid.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Its cast-iron lid is a game changer. | heavy weight ; 14.4lbs. |
| An excellent option for professional chefs | Not suitable for people with weak bones |
| Great for baking bread | |
| Versatile | |
| Can last for generations | |
| Reasonably priced |
6. Lodge Cast Iron 3-inch Deep Skillet, Pre-Seasoned,10.25-inch
Are you looking for a deeper cast iron skillet? Lodge cast iron 3-inch is a suitable cast iron skillet for you. It is fantastic with a 3-inch depth. It feels like a Dutch Oven rather than a skillet since its deepness is out of the box.
This skillet with a perfect size and shape is suitable for every type of cooking. You can cook anything like lasagna, Chicken Fricassee, paella, and any dessert like a blueberry pie with a capacity of 3 liters.
Features:
- Non-stick skillet.
- Resistant to rust with proper cleaning.
- Needs two to three drops of oil for seasoning.
- Heavy: 3.2lbs.
In the beginning, you may find it hard to clean. As you season it a few times, cleaning will be easier. So Clean it with lukewarm water.
With the proper care, you can use this daily for the rest of your life.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very versatile | Heavy |
| Unbeatable 3-inch depth | |
| Heavy-duty construction | |
| Large capacity of 3 liter |
7. Lodge L3SMSK 6.5″ Cast Iron Smoker Skillet
If you are searching for a cast iron skillet to use as a smoker, the Lodge L3SMSK 6.5-inch smoker skillet is the perfect for outdoor grills and barbecues.
Its lid and skillet vents help you give your favorite meats a distinctive smoky taste that people love. Just fill the skillet with wet wood chunks and keep the lid and keep it on the grill to extract a smoky flavor.
Features:
- Medium-sized grills and barbecues.
- 6.5 inch smoker skillet.
- Small in size but delivers stunning performance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple to use and clean | Limited to grilling and outdoor use |
| It gives a robustly smoky flavor | |
| Very affordable |
8. Lodge BW10BSK 10.25 Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Baker’s Skillet
Though other cast-iron skillets are oven friendly, this takes less space in the oven than other skillets. It has two small handles on opposite sides, making it convenient to use in the oven.
So it is perfect for baking various food like pancakes, chocolate chip cookies, pies and many others.
Features:
- Two small handles.
- Convenient.
- Outstanding quality and price ratio.
- It can last many years to come to save your replacement cost.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Versatile | A bit heavy with 4.14 lbs. weight. |
| Easy to clean | Not dishwasher-safe |
| it is pre-seasoned, so there is no need for seasoning | |
| Well-made and long-lasting | |
| Excellent heat distribution and retention |
9. Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan, 10.25-inch
This Lodge Cast Iron Skillet is excellent for those who want a heavy-duty grilling skillet with a lot of value for their money.
The ridges on the bottom of this heavy cast-iron grill pan make it perfect for cooking breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and toast. The ridges sear the food perfectly while keeping it above the pan grease for lower fat cooking.
Its superior heat retention browns your food while leaving it moist and delicious.
Features:
- Handle with hole so you can hang it for easy storage.
- Two-side lips make pouring off grease or liquids easy.
- Perfect for home and camping.
- Reasonable
It’s easy to clean and can be used for all types of cooking, including baking, frying, sautéing, and stir-frying. It’s effortless to use as well.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very useful for grilling veggies and meat and cooking steaks | Handles get hot |
| Very sturdy | |
| Raised ribs are great for letting grease drain away and creating blackened lines |
10.Lodge Combo Cooker Cast Iron, 10.25″
This set of pre-seasoned cast iron Dutch ovens and skillet is a life-saver for professional chefs. This foundry seasoned cast iron combo is well-made, so it can serve you well in the kitchen for years to come.
With this cast iron skillet set, you can cook like a pro. It is an all-rounder. You can use it for baking, cooking, roasting, grilling, frying and whatnot.
Features:
- 3-quart cast iron is large and deep.
- 10.25-inch fry pan.
- Oven safe.
Overall, it is a good buy for experienced chefs looking for versatile cast iron skillets. They provide enough versatility for all your cooking needs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| perfect for indoor and outdoor cooking | Very heavy |
| Multi-generational | |
| versatile | |
| Affordable |
Buying guide:
What kind of cast iron skillet should you buy?
When choosing a cast iron skillet, many factors can affect your decision. These include the price of the cast iron skillet, the weight, the number of people you cook for, and your personal preferences.
If you are a beginner, the best-cast iron skillet for you will be an inexpensive cast iron skillet that you can afford.
Lodge cast iron Skillet size
The most important aspect of a cast iron skillet is its size.
A lodge cast iron skillet is available in a variety of sizes. Its size usually varies between 3 to 15 inches. So choose the right size depending on your family size or cooking needs.
A 3.5-inch skillet is excellent for individuals, whereas a 12 to 15-inch Skillet is best for cooking large enough to accommodate many people at one time. If you are cooking for one person, you may want to go for a smaller skillet.
However, it would be best if you always went for a larger skillet than you think you’ll need. The difference between an 8-inch and 10-inch Skillet is enormous. A 10-inch is perfect if you’re planning on cooking a full meal for a family of four.
Handles
Cast iron skillet handles are another aspect to consider. Handle design will determine how easy it is to use the cast iron skillet. Choose a cast iron skillet with large handles to get a firmer grip and keep your hands from burning.
Lid or without lid
Some of the best-cast iron skillets have an iron lid. However, some come without a lid. So covered skillets are a bit more expensive and heavier than skillets without covers.
It depends on your personal choice with which one you want to go.
Depth
How deep do you want your cast iron skillet to be? The depth of the skillet is another thing to consider. A skillet with good deepness gives you enough capacity to cook various food.
Bottom line
A cast iron skillet is indispensable for any cook. Its stylish black color looks great in most kitchens and doubles up as an incredible source of nutritious iron.
It has a large surface area, allowing it to heat food evenly, distribute flavors, and keep the food moist. It also conducts heat well, making it the ideal tool for cooking.
So the best Lodge cast iron skillet will be the one that suits your cooking style, budget, and cooking needs.
