Lodge cast iron skillet
so let's talk about Lodge and folks accessibility is number one because you see it everywhere and it's in stock all the time you ain't gonna have to wait and they have so many different pieces of Lodge cast iron that you can buy whether it's a skillet a griddle a dutch oven they have you covered on all of it
Cites availability, versatility
now of all the Skillets here the one that probably disappoints me the most in seasoning the way it comes to you or the way you buy it out of the store is Lodge with that rough finish on it
Cites seasoning durability (against), surface finish (against)
so we're going to start off right here with Lodge and we're going from cheapest to highest start gazer field finex and Marquette
Cites price
I think folks we should have a pretty close runner-up if not a tie on just classic design what you think of when you think of cast iron skillet and that would be launch
Cites appearance
one thing I've always thought about Lodge and some of their old stuff wasn't as bad this way this corner is pretty Sharp now if I was going to use this every every day I know what had happened to it I'd take a grinder to it
Cites safety (against), surface finish (against)
it's good to hang a skillet if you've got something on the wall like that but look here two poor spouts
that is Lodge now Lodge has been in business in South Pittsburg Tennessee forever and ever they have this handle that I really like
Cites handle
Lodge makes great cast iron pants they're made in America you can get them really cheap new
Cites country of manufacture
Lodge makes great cast iron pants they're made in America you can get them really cheap new
Cites price
This means that of these three, the traditional mass produced lodge model is the most durable. It's basically indestructible
Cites durability
this cooks perfectly fine. Like needs nothing. It is rough. Yeah, it is.
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
bad is in the pan. It's probably the cook is you.
The Lodge Classic is also a great option if you want something more substantial, and the value is incredible.
Cites price
Despite the lighter construction, it actually had the best heat retention of all 12 skillets.
Cites heat retention, price
On the lower end, Victoria and Lodge Chef Collection are my two top picks.
Few products in the world last forever, perform really well, and cost under $30.
Cites durability, price
We'll first look at our traditional winner from lodge. This is by far the least expensive of the bunch and it is a really great bargain.
Cites price
The best part is that you can get a Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet that will last a lifetime for under $30.
Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.
Cites durability, price
Besides cast iron skillets, they make enameled cast iron Dutch ovens that perform like Le Creuset but cost much less.
Instead of paying over $400 for a Le Creuset Dutch oven, you can get a Lodge that's made of the same materials and is actually thicker for under $100.
could cook French omelets with minimal fat straight out of the box?
Cites surface finish (against), non-stick surface
The results were impressive. I made perfect dumplings
dumplings are perfect. No sticking at all.
frozen dumplings in this cheese grater, that means that everyone can.
The main complaint about lodge cast iron pans is always the same.
Cites surface finish (against), heat control (against), non-stick surface (against)
So rough that some people say it makes them impossible to cook on.
Out of the box is so rough that I can literally grate cheese on it.
I cooked two eggs and the pan was clearly too hot.
I had to abort the mission and start again.
The Lodge Chef Collection is lighter, easier to maneuver, and had the best heat retention in my test.
Cites heat retention, weight
If you don't want to spend that much, Lodge Classic is the best value. It costs a fraction of the price and still performs really well.
Cites build quality, price
But this thing cooks if you know how to do it.
compare that to my 90 years old grease wool. Yeah, massive difference.
Cites surface finish (against)
The Lodge Classic is also a great option if you want something more substantial, and the value is incredible.
Cites weight
The biggest issue for me is the handle. It gets very wide where it connects to the skillet, then it narrows toward the end, and the edges feel sharp and dig into your hands.
Cites handle (against)
It heated more evenly than most of the skillets with only a 32° difference between the center and the edge after 2 minutes.
Cites even heating, heat retention
It also retained heat very well and stayed stable during the warp test with no noticeable change.
It also stayed completely flat after I heated it on a powerful induction cooktop at 425° F for 2 minutes, which was not the case with some of the others.
Cites warp resistance
Because of the thick construction, it heated slower than the thinner skillets, but it retained heat well.
Cites heat retention, non-stick surface
Despite the rough cooking surface, the egg didn't stick at all. It didn't slide quite as freely as it did on some of the smoother skillets, but the difference was pretty minor.
This skillet performs great, but I'm not a huge fan of the handle.
The skillets with the rougher surface, the Calphalon, and the two Lodges hold their seasoning well.
Cites seasoning durability
The egg in the Lodge Classic didn’t stick at all.
Cites heat retention, non-stick surface
but it's also the heaviest of the three options at eight pounds
Cites weight (against)
But if you're looking for a classic cast iron skillet with thick walls that retains heat incredibly well and gives you that perfect sear on meat, you're better off with a brand like Smithy or Lodge.
Cites heat retention, searing and crust
There are many other cheap cast iron skillets on the market, but Lodge is made in America, has been in business for over a century, and has high quality standards. So you know you're getting a good product.
Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.
Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.
Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.
Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.
Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.
Cites heat retention
They may not have a perfectly smooth polished surface like some of the expensive artisan cast iron brands, but they perform just as well, and, in my experience, the rougher surface holds seasoning better.
Besides cast iron skillets, they make enameled cast iron Dutch ovens that perform like Le Creuset but cost much less.
Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.
Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.
Cites build quality, durability, seasoning durability
They may not have a perfectly smooth polished surface like some of the expensive artisan cast iron brands, but they perform just as well, and, in my experience, the rougher surface holds seasoning better.
Instead of paying over $400 for a Le Creuset Dutch oven, you can get a Lodge that's made of the same materials and is actually thicker for under $100.
I can't talk about great quality, low-cost cookware without talking about Lodge.
Prudent Reviews earns commission on this. Stated in the source: “Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy, but at no extra cost to you.” Kept and labelled rather than dropped — a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.
maybe rough pan are more technical you really need to dial in fine-tune your
Cites surface finish (against)