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Finex cast iron skillet vs Lodge cast iron skillet

The Finex cast iron skillet and the Lodge cast iron skillet, shown the same way from the same evidence rules. There is no verdict at the bottom. The axes below are separate measurements and the objections are listed in full for both.

Finex cast iron skillet

38 quoted claims about the Finex cast iron skillet from 6 voices.

Domain authority

6 recommenders, weighted by demonstrated expertise in cast iron skillets. Weighted by expertise in this category, never by audience size.

Independent consensus

6 independent voices across 6 sources. How many independent voices converge, unweighted.

Long-term ownership

1 dated ownership report, median 2 years. Volume and length of dated first-hand ownership reports.

Performance

24 performance claims. Claims about how well it does the job.

Value

no value claims yet. Claims about what it costs relative to what it does.

Repairability

1 repairability claim. Claims about whether it can be maintained or rebuilt.

Community breadth

all evidence from a single community so far. How many distinct communities converge, rather than one echo chamber.

Recency of evidence

most recent evidence from 2026. How recent the evidence is. Old evidence is not wrong, just older.

Objections raised

12 negative claims, mostly performance and ergonomics. How much complaint is on the record. A high figure means the drawbacks have been stated and quoted, not that the thing is worse.

These are separate measurements, not components of a score. They are never added together, and there is no overall rating, because which of them matters depends on what you are buying the thing for. An axis that says no evidence means nobody has spoken about it, not that the answer is low.

4:01 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
first i want to talk about the finex it has this beautiful coiled steel handle and the reason for that is this coil design not only does it look great

appearance Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites appearance, handle, shape and form

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped: a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

and you can actually see right here on the back of the pan they've got a really nice design that pays homage to that origin
now the next thing i want to compare is just the overall style or aesthetic of these skillets and the standout for me is going to be the finex there this octagonal shape i think looks really great i love the steel coiled handle it's just something really unique that sets that skillet apart from the others
6:02 supports Kent Rollins speaking on Cowboy Kent Rollins Chef
it is a great piece of cast iron to me really if you're sitting on the table full of something to eat and you want to make a statement and you set this out there that is a statement piece it is

appearance Tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites appearance, handle

you want to make a statement this is the piece I mean a great different unique design that I've never seen on a piece of cast iron and the handle I mean it is the talking point of the kitchen but also the dining table because this thing is fancy enough to serve right out of it is
4:31 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
but it actually prevents this handle from warming up no matter how long we've cooked for using this skillet this handle won't get hot at all

handling Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites heat resistance, lid, shape and form

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped: a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

now going to the finex you might not see an obvious spout but because of this octagonal shape that they have to the pan you can actually use any of these edges as a pour spout and you won't get anything that drips out so that's a pretty cool feature there
so the finex comes with a lid you don't have to worry about fumbling around and finding a lid that will fit that shape
2:31 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
you rub your finger just along the base of the skillet there that is absolutely smooth just like glass

performance Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites heating speed, surface finish

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped: a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

not surprisingly because the field and the finex were actually the lightest pans they heated up the fastest and in that initial three or so minutes on the burner we actually got both of those up to around 320 to 325 degrees while the smithy and the lodge only heated up to 200 in the case of the smithy and 225 in the…
8:36 supports Luis J. speaking on Luis J. Cast Iron Cooking Cookware Reviewer
so overall this number 10 has done wonderful it's held up seasoning really well it's cooked really well besides that small little defect with my time that it tends to warp I've had no issues and uh as you know as I said it cooked my breakfast beautifully and I'm happy with it so two years it's done great I'm happy and…

best in class Owns it Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet

Cites seasoning durability

0:30 supports Noah Klein Cooking YouTube
this is the finex 12-inch obviously and it's got a really good looking handle

appearance Tested it $300 Cast Iron Skillet vs $20 (Finex vs Lodge)

Cites appearance, handle

so overall appearance i got to give it to the 5x for the win it's just a better looking skillet i mean it just looks beautiful not that this is a bad looking skillet but when it's next to this bad boy it's like miss america next to miss county or you know
12:04 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
but these are all heirloom pieces that will last for generations to come

durability Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites durability

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped: a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

2:03 supports Luis J. speaking on Luis J. Cast Iron Cooking Cookware Reviewer
okay guys so now let's just talk about the cooking performance of this Skillet of the finex number 10 and I'm not disappointed because I've done a lot of things I've done gravies I've done um like uh searing a steak and then making a sauce with deglazing using wine beef stock or chicken stock you know and things like…

performance Owns it Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet

Cites acid resistance, heat retention, seasoning durability, versatility

0:00 supports Woodwork Tattoo & Gallery
i gotta say opening the box i was so impressed with just how appealing it was and how heavy it was lifting and out like this is a legit murder weapon you could take down sand squash with it anyways uh you got to set this thing down nice and slow you can't be slamming it down it's got some grit to it but look at that…

appearance Owns it FINEX 10" SKILLET: Best Birthday Present Ever

Cites appearance, handle, weight

6:35 objects Luis J. speaking on Luis J. Cast Iron Cooking Cookware Reviewer
one of the cons about the finex Skillets and probably one of the biggest downsides to them is the fact that there is nothing you can specifically do with the spring handle and the end cap uh to where you can remove it so that way you can have um you know the ability to season that cast iron shaft that is you know for…

repairability Owns it Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet

Cites repairability (against)

0:00 supports Luis J. speaking on Luis J. Cast Iron Cooking Cookware Reviewer
so with that said guys this video is going to be about finex cookware and specifically my number 10 which is now two years that I've had it two years that I've owned it and used it as you can see the seasoning has developed really well not completely jet black but we'll get into the specifics right now

durability Owns it Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet

Cites maintenance, seasoning durability

Owned 2 years

to be honest it holds up really well um it's not difficult to maintain it's not difficult to keep seasoned and and honestly the more you use it the more you cook with it the better it does become and that's just something that I love about Finance they're not they're easy to maintain they're not hard and the seasoning…
8:02 supports Noah Klein Cooking YouTube
so personally obviously i own both now but um i'm gonna stick with the finex because for what i use it for it tailors to my needs for for my youtube channel uh just makes the videos it brings a little better production quality

use-case fit Uses it professionally $300 Cast Iron Skillet vs $20 (Finex vs Lodge)

Cites appearance

2:00 supports Noah Klein Cooking YouTube
so this is the 5x these are fairly heavy finex weighs in at seven pounds nine ounces

handling Tested it $300 Cast Iron Skillet vs $20 (Finex vs Lodge)

Cites handle, weight

so that's actually you can hold it with your hand um it is fairly hot down here but again it's manageable with your hand
11:03 objectsmixed Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Heat retention was toward the lower end of the group and it warped slightly, but not enough to cause noticeable wobbling.

Two judgements rest on this sentence:

I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

But when I heated it in a 400°ree oven to see how quickly the handle cooled, it was still too hot to touch after 15 minutes. And it wasn't any cooler than a regular cast iron handle.
And because the coil isn't removable, grease and moisture can collect underneath it around the cast iron shaft, and it's difficult to clean and dry.
10:32 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
The shape is mostly just for looks, but it actually works well for pouring. Instead of dedicated pour spouts, the corners give you multiple places to pour from, and in my test, they performed great with no spilling.

performance Tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

Cites base and rim, handle, heat resistance, non-stick surface

The smooth cooking surface also performed well in the egg test, although I wish the inner walls were smooth.
In my stove top handle test, it performed well and stayed cooler than most of the skillets.
8:02 objects BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
now what you'd also expect is that the heavier panes would retain their heat better and that's exactly what happened if we look at the field in the finance they both lost between 180 to 185 degrees fahrenheit over a 15 minute period while the lodge in the smithy only lost 80 to 75 degrees fahrenheit

performance Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites heat retention (against)

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped: a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

8:06 supports Luis J. speaking on Luis J. Cast Iron Cooking Cookware Reviewer
but that's just pretty much the only downside to these Skillets they they cook beautifully they work beautifully they're heavy enough to retain a good amount of heat but they're not too heavy to the point that they're just over you know like overwhelmingly heavy

handling Owns it Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet

Cites handle, weight

not only that but the the way the handle is positioned as well it does help you lift up the pan it gives you a leverage in order for you to lift it up and not have such a hard time
3:04 objects Luis J. speaking on Luis J. Cast Iron Cooking Cookware Reviewer
the only issue that I have is that for some reason now I don't know if this is all the number tens if the number tens experience this or if it's just mine but mine tends to warp from time the time and it'll you know develop a concave obviously going downward so then it starts to spin and then it's not every single…

durability Owns it Cast Iron Wednesday: 2 Year Review of the Finex No. 10 Skillet

Cites rust resistance (against), warp resistance (against)

so if you actually soak your pan and that's what was going on in the beginning with me I would soak my pans scrub them and use soap sometimes not always but sometimes and I would you know rinse them with hot water and and then that I couldn't dry the shaft for the handle and that would stay moist or or something of…
3:01 objects Noah Klein Cooking YouTube
inside dimensions we have looks like 10 inches on the lodge and nine and a half on the finex so cooking surface wise the lodge wins the cooking surface game because it's a bigger cooking surface than the 12 inch

performance Tested it $300 Cast Iron Skillet vs $20 (Finex vs Lodge)

Cites size and capacity (against)

11:34 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
if you really prioritize design maybe you go with the finex

use-case fit Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites appearance

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped: a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

4:31 objects BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
now the actual coil piece it starts a little bit back from the pan you'll see you've got this little cast iron nub here and so when you're gripping the part that is cool it does make the pan feel a little bit heavier just because the leverage is back

handling Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites weight (against)

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped: a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

3:31 notes BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube was given the product
the weight of the finax was 7.7 pounds the smithy came in heaviest at 8.6 the field and company was the lightest at 5.6 pounds and the lodge was the second heaviest at 8.1 pounds

handling Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites weight

BBQ and Bottles was given the product. Stated in the source: “the brands who sent these skillets out to us free of charge and we're not being paid for this review video” Kept and labelled rather than dropped: a paid endorsement is still evidence, and you should be the one to decide what it is worth.

you compare it to the finex you compare it to the smithy you really notice that you're holding a heavy cast iron pan

Lodge cast iron skillet

100 quoted claims about the Lodge cast iron skillet from 15 voices.

Domain authority

16 recommenders, weighted by demonstrated expertise in cast iron skillets. Weighted by expertise in this category, never by audience size.

Independent consensus

16 independent voices across 23 sources. How many independent voices converge, unweighted.

Long-term ownership

2 dated ownership reports, median 3 years. Volume and length of dated first-hand ownership reports.

Performance

70 performance claims. Claims about how well it does the job.

Value

16 claims about price relative to what it does. Claims about what it costs relative to what it does.

Repairability

2 repairability claims. Claims about whether it can be maintained or rebuilt.

Community breadth

2 distinct communities. How many distinct communities converge, rather than one echo chamber.

Recency of evidence

most recent evidence from 2026. How recent the evidence is. Old evidence is not wrong, just older.

Objections raised

31 negative claims, mostly ergonomics and performance. How much complaint is on the record. A high figure means the drawbacks have been stated and quoted, not that the thing is worse.

These are separate measurements, not components of a score. They are never added together, and there is no overall rating, because which of them matters depends on what you are buying the thing for. An axis that says no evidence means nobody has spoken about it, not that the answer is low.

9:32 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
But if you’re just looking for a quality, high-performing American-made skillet for the best price, Lodge is an excellent choice.

recommendation Tested it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites country of manufacture, price

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.

9:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
So, should you buy a Lodge cast iron skillet? Based on my testing, it’s one of the best options on the market. And considering the price, it’s hard to find a better value.

best in class Tested it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

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.

2:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
The oil poured into the bowl without spilling, but it still dripped down the sides a bit.

performance Tested it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites base and rim, heat retention, non-stick surface

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.

To test these claims, I preheated the Lodge skillet for a few minutes, greased the surface with oil and butter, and dropped in an egg. As you can see, it moves freely and does not stick to the surface. I've cooked dozens of eggs in this skillet, and have never had any issues with sticking.
I’ve used Lodge cast iron skillets for several years and they cook exactly how you expect cast iron to cook. They heat up slowly, but once preheated, they stay hot and maintain a consistent temperature.
0:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
The New York Times, Food and Wine, and Serious Eats all say that Lodge is the best cast iron skillet you can buy.

mention Passing on someone else's experience Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites reputation

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.

2:02 objects The Flat Top King
the thing that got me about the black lock probably the number one most sought after item had to be the triple season so you're thinking well all the cast iron comes seasoned all the cast iron does this how much important is a triple season and i'm here to tell you it ain't i'm not saying this pan's a dud and i'm not…

value Owns it My thoughts on the Lodge Blacklock Skillet Review - One Year Later

Cites price (against), seasoning durability (against), weight (against)

so that was a selling point as well and i still didn't feel like it hit the uh it didn't hit the mark the way i the way i liked it when you fill this thing up with potatoes and um chicken or pizza or whatever you're never going to know the one pound difference and that's about what it is
so basically is the 40 difference is it worth it is this paying worth it in the price range of 60 to 80 is this plan worth it no you heard me i'm not an affiliate with lodge although i do love large products that's my personal opinion if i had to do it all over again i would have saved the money and either maybe maybe…
you'd probably be better off just to buy two pans a 10 inch and a 12 inch save the extra money buy the extra pan and only use one of the pans for uh anything that has to do with frying you know like a deep frying um uh skillet frying or something like that and the other one you know you just vary the difference but…
12:33 supports Kent Rollins speaking on Cowboy Kent Rollins Chef
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

use-case fit Tested it Don't Buy a Cast Iron Skillet Without Watching This! Which Cast Iron Brand is Right for You?

Cites availability, versatility

2:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
The best part is that you can get a Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet that will last a lifetime for under $30.

value Tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

Cites durability, price

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.

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.
0:30 objects Papa Mau speaking on PapaMau Cooking YouTube
The main complaint about lodge cast iron pans is always the same.

performance Passing on someone else's experience The Uncomfortable Truth Behind Lodge Cast Iron Pans

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.
3:31 supports Julia of America's Test Kitchen Chef
If you want a really nice cast iron skillet, check out the Smithey Ironware number 12 for $200, or for the best buy, check out the Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet for just $43.

recommendation Tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price

3:01 supports Adam of America's Test Kitchen Cookware Reviewer
If you want to spend a little bit less, we have a best buy, which is old faithful Lodge cast iron. That's the Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet.

best in class Tested it The Best Cast-Iron Skillets

Cites price

8:02 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
Despite the company’s long history and the fact that every skillet is made in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, Lodge is one of the most affordable cast iron brands you can buy. The 12-inch Classic skillet is currently listed for around $30 on Lodge’s website. The 12-inch Chef collection skillet is listed for around $50.…

value Tested it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites price

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.

4:35 objects The Flat Top King
the handle is supposed to be uh ergonomic is that a good word ergonomic i thought you get your hand a little bit better and it's supposed to stay cooler but with them doing that i think creates a bad spot in the handle

handling Owns it My thoughts on the Lodge Blacklock Skillet Review - One Year Later

Cites handle (against)

the bad thing about the so-called extended handle and the cooler handle is you're only getting about that that much handle i'm a man with big hands so you can imagine that when i grab it my hand is creeping up along this v and the v does get hot so not until like this part of it does it get cooler
i i just can't get over the fact that as a the hands of a normal man don't even fit it correctly and i don't know why in the engineer process we ever went this route to where when you grab a hold of it your hand is way up here and it forces your hand down you guys can see that right there that anytime it's wide and it…
1:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer
Because of the thick construction, it heated slower than the thinner skillets, but it retained heat well.

performance Tested it I Tested Every Cast Iron Skillet, These Are the Best & Worst

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.
6:01 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
After 5 minutes, the water in the Lodge Classic skillet was 124°F, water in the Lodge Chef Collection skillet was 120°F, Stargazer was 119°F, and Calphalon was 118°F. After 10 minutes, Lodge Classic was 102°F, Lodge Chef Collection was 100°F, Stargazer was 101°F, and Calphalon was 100°F.

performance Tested it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites heating speed, heat retention

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.

In first place was the Lodge Classic skillet. In just two minutes, the water heated from 55°F to 167°F. In second place was Stargazer with a water temperature of 158°F. The Lodge Chef Collection came in third place at 151°F. And the Calphalon skillet came in last place at 143°F.
4:01 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
The superior heat retention you get with Lodge, and other cast iron skillets in general, makes them ideal for searing meats like steak, burgers, salmon, and shrimp.

use-case fit Owns it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites even heating, heat retention, non-stick surface

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.

It’s also ideal for baking pizza and bread.
One of my favorite things to cook in these skillets is cornbread. It cooks evenly and the bottom develops a crispy golden brown crust.
Another benefit, which I mentioned earlier, is that food doesn’t stick. Because of the well-seasoned surface, you can cook eggs, pancakes, fish, and other delicate foods without worry. As long as you grease the surface, these foods won’t stick.
3:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
As far as seasoning goes, there's some truth to Lodge's claims. Lodge skillets come pre-seasoned with a durable, even coating that adheres well to the surface. In my experience, the seasoning on a Lodge skillet lasts longer, and you'll only need to re-season it once or twice a year to maintain it.

durability Owns it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites seasoning durability

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.

1:00 objects Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
If you like Lodge but the Classic collection is too heavy, the Chef Collection has thinner construction and weighs only 6.3 pounds.

handling Owns it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites handle (against), weight (against)

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.

Since the handle is cast as one piece with the skillet's body, it gets extremely hot. You need to use an oven mitt or the red silicone handle holder that comes with the skillet to protect your hand.
2:31 objects BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube
when you touch the lodge you can hear the graininess as your finger goes across that cast iron pan that just isn't present in the other skillets here

performance Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites heating speed (against), non-stick surface (against), surface finish (against)

now it's not to say your lodge won't be non-stick over time as you get more cooks in under your belt but it'll take a while before the seasoning over multiple cooks gets this to the point where it's as nonstick as one of these other cast iron skillets
0:30 objects Noah Klein Cooking YouTube
the lodge the handle is just your basic cast iron handle it's kind of small it doesn't have a really good feel to it

handling Tested it $300 Cast Iron Skillet vs $20 (Finex vs Lodge)

Cites handle (against)

and then the the lodge was not manageable obviously
4:32 supports speaking on America's Test Kitchen
You can use it on the stove or in the oven, or even outside on the grill.

use-case fit Tested it 11 Essential Kitchen Tools Every Home Cook Needs | America's Test Kitchen

We also bake in it. We make cornbread. We make pies.
You can roast a chicken in it.
You can use it to make cast iron pan pizza. We have this amazing recipe for that.
So this replaces any non-stick pans you had.
2:00 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
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.

recommendation Tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

Cites build quality, country of manufacture

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.

1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
Their skillets are thick and durable and because they hold heat so well, they're ideal for searing, frying, and baking.

Three judgements rest on this sentence:

Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

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.

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.
1:30 supports Prudent Reviews Cookware Reviewer earns commission on this
I can't talk about great quality, low-cost cookware without talking about Lodge.

best in class Tested it Cheap Cookware That's Actually Worth Buying (And 4 Brands to Avoid)

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Dozens of brands are making skillets with longer handles, flared rims, and smoother cooking surfaces, but the reality is that those differences are minor. The actual results in the kitchen are nearly identical, and in some cases, Lodge performs better.

comparison Tested it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

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The Stargazer skillet boiled the water fastest at 2 minutes and 2 seconds. The Lodge Chef Collection skillet came in second place at 2 minutes and 43 seconds. In third place was Calphalon at 2 minutes and 48 seconds. And in last place, the Lodge Classic skillet took 3 minutes and 1 second to boil the water.

performance Tested it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites heat conduction (against)

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Chef Collection skillets have shallower, sloped walls that make it easier to slide a spatula under food, especially when it's close to the edge of the skillet.

handling Tested it Is Lodge the Best Cast Iron Skillet? My Honest Review After 5+ Years

Cites shape and form, weight

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8:36 supports The Flat Top King
the reason why i upgraded from the 10 to the 12 inch was because the family was getting bigger you know you can fit two comfortable chicken breasts in there this you can fit three comfortable chicken breasts in there you guys seen my daughters on the youtube so for me it was more about more surface area

use-case fit Owns it My thoughts on the Lodge Blacklock Skillet Review - One Year Later

Cites size and capacity

3:03 supports The Flat Top King
i do think that the cast iron is uh is lighter weight

handling Owns it My thoughts on the Lodge Blacklock Skillet Review - One Year Later

Cites handle, shape and form, weight

the handle itself does stay cool i will give them credit because you got the air gap here which allows the heat to miss before it gets to here
now some people say that the walls are rounder which is more chef friendly to me once you get the bigger surface the bigger flat surface that creates more of a friendly way to dig in to flip to do your omelets and stuff like that
0:30 objects The Flat Top King
we did a review you guys would check that link on the blacklock griddle i unboxed it we set it down and it just wasn't necessarily what i was looking for now that has nothing to do with black lock lodge itself it was just the griddle for what i wanted to use it for did not work out

use-case fit Tested it My thoughts on the Lodge Blacklock Skillet Review - One Year Later

5:01 supports BBQ and Bottles Cooking YouTube
i don't notice a ton of difference between these three all of them have nice rounded edges so that when you're holding the pan your handle isn't actually digging into your hand that much so i don't notice much of a difference across these skillets but the finex is really a standout in this category

handling Tested it Best Cast Iron Skillet - Review of Finex, Smithey, FieldCo and Lodge

Cites handle, shape and form

you'll see both the smithy and the lodge have pour spouts built right into the sides so you can pour anything out either side whether that's something that you're cooking in the pan that you need to pour out or whether that's the residual grease from a cook so that's really handy