Why is the Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet the most recommended on review sites?
The Lodge 12 inch skillet is currently the most recommended cast iron skillet on the market. Just read a few food or review blogs and you’ll come to the same conclusion. But what’s the reason? After all, the 10.25-inch skillet seems to be just popular and you would expect a few bloggers to recommend the smaller skillet over the larger and heavier skillet. So let’s find out if the skillet lives up to the hype.
If you are looking for a new skillet you might want to consider the best kind of cast-iron skillet for your needs. Your choices are enameled or bare cast iron.
Table 1. Lodge cast iron skillet vs cast iron enameled skillet
| Lodge pre-seasoned cast iron skillet | vs | enameled cast-iron skillet | |
| Non-stick cooking surface | Semi nonstick | Prone to sticking | |
| Oven safe | Yes | Yes | |
| Dishwasher safe | No | Yes | |
| Easy to clean by hand | Moderate | Variable between brands | |
| Maintenance-free | No | Yes | |
| Longevity | Extremely high | High | |
| Can react to acidic foods | Yes | No | |
| Increases iron in cooked food | Yes | No | |
| Value for money | Excellent | Variable between brands |
Both types of cast iron have their advantages and disadvantages. However, if I had to choose one, it would be bare cast iron. It’s usually a lot cheaper and I think it’s easier to use if you’re new to cast iron cooking.
If you are interested in learning more about the pros and cons of cooking with cast iron? Then “here” is a great article. And if you are still unsure which type if cast-iron is right for you then check out this article on our site to learn more about bare cast-iron vs enameled cast-iron.
But if you are looking for a traditional pan the Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet is a great choice. There are very few negative reviews on the skillet. Which could be why so many bloggers recommend the skillet. However, you can read the reviews on Amazon for yourself. But first, you might want to see the technicals of the skillet below.
Table 2. Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet information
| Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet Available on Amazon click to see current prices. | |
| Place of manufacture | U.S.A. |
| Material | 100% cast iron |
| Weight | approximately 7.6lbs or 3.4kgs |
| Product dimensions | 18in x 12.6in x 2.2in or 45.7cm x 32cm x 5.6cm |
| Cooking surface | approximately 9.125in or 23cm |
| Oil used to season | soybean oil |
Table 3. Lid specifications for the Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet
| Cast iron lid for the 12-inch lodge skillet compatible with these models L10SK3, L10DSK3, L10DO3, L10CF3 and L10DOL3 Available on Amazon click to see current prices. | |
| Place of manufacture | U.S.A. |
| Material | 100% cast iron |
| Weight | 5.11 pounds or 2.1kgs |
| Product dimensions | 12.6in x 12.1in x 1.9in or 32cm x 30.7cm x 4.8cm |
| Oil used to season | soybean oil |
Okay, I love the Lodge 12 inch skillet and it’s not just because of the size. Why buy a Lodge skillet?
- last big foundry that makes cast-iron cookware in America
- the Lodge family is involved in running the company
- in tough economic times, Lodge has supported its loyal employees
- Lodge continues to manufacture many of its products in America
- Lodge supports local community events
Reasons to buy the Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet:
| Reasons to buy the Lodge 12 inch skillet | |
| It’s a great sized skillet | You can cook a small amount of food in a big pan but you can’t cook a lot of food in a small pan. The extra cooking surface allows you to cook for more people and gives you more meal options. Such as using your skillet as a roasting dish to roast a a tasty chicken. |
| High quality cast iron | Many brands outsource manufacturing to overseas-based companies. However, Lodge has over 100 years of expertise manufacturing cast-iron hollowware. Lodge Manufacturing also has strict quality control to prevent inferior products from leaving their foundry. |
| The skillet is pre-seasoned | When you buy a Lodge skillet it comes pre-seasoned ready to use straight out of the box. Just rinse out your skillet with warm water and you’re ready to start cooking. Although some experienced cast-iron users like to season their skillets. I think the factory seasoning is good enough for 95 percent of owners. |
Are Lodge cast iron skillets any good? Here are 5 five reasons why I think they are.
1. Lodge cast iron skillet will get more non-stick with use
Cooking in bare cast iron will slowly build seasoning on the skillet. Seasoning is polymerized oil which forms not only a protective layer which stops the pan from rust. But also the layer has semi non-stick properties. Seasoning also makes that lustrous black color that we all love.
The better the seasoning the more your pan will become non-stick. So to build seasoning you want to make sure you’re not removing a layer of seasoning when you clean so try to avoid hard scrubbing with steel wool or the abrasive side of a sponge.
Lodge makes some nifty cleaning products
These products are unnecessary to clean your pans. However, those scrapers do come in handy. If you want to pick one up they’re available on Amazon by clicking the link below.
| Lodge bush (Amazon) | Lodge scrapers (Amazon) |
| Many scrubbing brushes will do. But at least you know this one is designed for cast-iron cookware in mind. | These little scrappers are a great tool to clean your Lodge skillet without scratching the cooking surface and it’s also great to lift stubborn food without damaging the seasoning. |
Lodge Manufacturing skillets are attractively priced.
Lodge skillets are very affordable compared to high quality French enameled finishes. If you are considering your first piece of cast iron Lodge cast iron offers great value. If you buy a Lodge skillet it’s going to last a long time.
I would also recommend French enamelware because of their expertise in enameling and longevity such as Staub and Le Creuset. However, their pieces do command a higher price. If you love Lodge skillets and griddles, you may also enjoy “this” article
Add iron to your diet by cooking with a Lodge skillet.
Bare or pre-season cast iron such as the Lodge 12-inch skillet can increase iron into your daily intake. When cooking, a little iron from the pan goes into your food. This may be a good way for vegetarians and vegans to increase iron in their diet. How much iron can you get from cast iron cookware? Click if you’re interested to learn more.
Please see your medical practitioner or nutritionist if you have blood problems or concerns before using cast iron. We are not medical professionals.
Lodge pre-seasoned skillets can take the heat.
Bare cast iron can withstand very high temperatures. Perfect to get that lovely sear on a nice piece of steak. It goes from stove-top to oven and the Lodge 12 inch skillet gas a helper handle so you can pick up the pan from both ends.
Cast iron skillets like those made by Lodge is perfect for a variety of cooking methods.
For outdoor enthusiasts or people who live off-grid, Lodge produces high-quality pieces cast iron can take direct heat: campfires, outdoor grills, wood-burning ranges and the usual cooking methods including ceramic and induction cooking are compatible with cast iron.
Lodge Manufacturing cast iron is not too heavy but thick enough not to warp under most cooking circumstances. If you want to read more about the benefits of cast iron click the link and it will take you to another one of our articles.
I own and use the Lodge 10.25 Lodge skillet but I think the Lodge 12 inch cast iron skillet is the better size for most people.
The Lodge 12in skillet is the most versatile size in the range. It’s a little weighty but not too overwhelming and the cooking surface is large enough to handle most jobs the kitchen.
My Lodge is a 10.25-inch skillet perfect to handle cooking for myself however, an extra two inches adds a little more flexibility when cooking for more than two.
For couples, I would still recommend the 12-inch skillet. Frying fish, for example, an extra two inches may maybe big enough for an extra fillet of fish avoiding the need to cook a second batch.
If you have never used a cast-iron skillet before, We have just the article for you.
Is the Lodge 12in cast iron skillet right for you?
| Perfect for families | The Lodge 12in cast iron skillet is the best size pan for families. The Lodge 10.25in skillet is not big enough if you are cooking for more than 2 people at a time. Bigger sized pans are also too heavy. |
| Ideal for couples | This pan is ideal for those living together with a partner or those who occasionally cook for more than two people. |
| Must have for entertainers | If you like cooking for a crowd or have family get-togethers than this is your pan. Because for your keeping an extra burner free is just as important as the size of the pan. |
| Not suitable for those of distinguished age | I’ll be honest the pan has a real weight to it. However, there is another option available with many benefits of cast iron and that’s carbon steel. |
The Lodge 12 inch skillet is a good looking pan that with care will last many years.
Cast iron has been often passed down from one generation to the next. Some Lodge pieces still in use are well over a hundred years of age. With the newer Lodge skillets being a little heavier than the earlier pieces I would not be surprised if new pieces will last even longer since it would be less prone the warping and bowing than the older thinner pieces.
Finally, the 12 inch Lodge cast iron skillet is a great buy and the most versatile size if you were only to choose one piece. I find the 10.25-inch Lodge skillet I own a perfect size for myself however for families and couples I would recommend the 12-inch over the 10.25-inch skillet. You can cook a small portion of food in a big pan but it’s difficult to cook a lot of food in a small pan.
