Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

The Complete Buying Guide to Lodge Cast-Iron Skillets and Cookware

From skillets that go for $10 to vintage pieces from 100 years ago, this is everything you need to know about Lodge’s enormous catalog of cast-iron cookware.

The-Complete-Guide-To-Lodge-Gear-Patrol-lead
Chandler Bondurant

Welcome to Brand Breakdown, a series of comprehensive yet easy-to-digest guides to your favorite companies, with insights and information you won’t find on the average About page.

It's hard to find a more classic piece of cookware than a Lodge cast-iron skillet. When cleaned well and seasoned properly, one of these pieces can last a lifetime. As one of the most iconic US-made cast-iron brands around, Lodge has a pretty hefty catalog, but we made you a cheat sheet of its skillets, pans, dutch ovens and more, so you know what you're looking for.

History of Lodge Cast Iron

It goes like this: Blacklock Foundry began as a 25-man iron casting company making kettles, pots, broilers and skillets in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. After a fire destroyed the facility in 1910, its founder, Joseph Lodge, reopened with a new name: Lodge Manufacturing.

Where Is Lodge Cast Iron Made?

Lodge is still made in South Pittsburg to this day, and you can even make a visit to the brand's first factory store and museum.

What Makes Lodge Cast Iron Good

In the 120 years since, Lodge has become the name in cast-iron cookware. Unlike many of today’s small-production manufacturers, Lodge proudly makes its cast-iron skillets, ovens, griddles and grill presses for the masses.

How to Date Lodge Cast Iron

If you're buying pre-owned, vintage Lodge cookware, it can be difficult to tell when your cast iron was made. But if you pay attention to the engravings on the pan, you may be able to figure it out. Lodge's iconic modern-day logo, where the "o" in Lodge is replaced with an egg in a frying pan, was only implemented in 1973. So anything without that logo you know is at least 49 years old. Depending on the model you have, there may be other markings, like a year or the name of the line, that you can look up to find a more precise date.

Cast-Iron Skillets

Cast-Iron Skillet

Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet

amazon.com
$34.25
$19.90 (42% off)

Lodge’s bread-and-butter product seems like it’s been around for ages. It hasn’t. The company shifted from a hand-poured casting system to total machine casting in 1950, and it wasn’t until the early 2000s that Lodge began pre-seasoning all of its standard cast-iron skillets. Both were good moves. In the last two decades, Lodge has quadrupled its manufacturing capabilities to meet a new demand for cast-iron cookware. The standard skillets are heavy and a little rough around the edge. But they come pre-seasoned and start at all of five bucks. You won’t find a more accessible combination in all of cookware.

  • Sizes Available: 3-inch, 5.5-inch (square), 6.5-inch, 8-inch, 9-inch, 10.25-inch (round and square available), 12-inch, 13.25-inch, 15-inch

    Chef Collection Skillet

    Chef Collection Skillet

    surlatable.com
    $39.95

    One of Lodge’s newer skillets, released in early 2019, the Chef Collection Skillet is 15 percent lighter than its standard skillet — a cut that drops half a pound from the 10-inch pan and more than a pound from the 12-inch. The Chef Skillet also sports longer handles with a more ergonomic taper and more gently sloping side walls. Altogether, the Chef Skillet is a slightly pricier, more maneuverable cast-iron skillet.

    • Sizes Available: 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch

      Blacklock Skillet

      Blacklock Cast-Iron Skillet

      surlatable.com
      $59.95

      Named in honor of Lodge's original foundry, this cast-iron skillet is lighter weight than the brand's classic model. The longer raised handle design is intended to keep the handle cooler as long as possible (although we still recommend having an oven mitt ready). And its unique markings on the bottom of the pan make it easily identifiable if you're shopping for pre-owned cast iron.

      • Sizes Available: 7-inch, 10.25-inch, 12-inch, 14.5-inch

        Deep Skillet

        Deep Skillet

        amazon.com
        $42.00

        The deep skillet is the most straightforward of the bunch — think of it as Lodge’s standard skillet with higher walls. That increases the weight but also your cooking options. Deep skillets can act as vessels for true deep frying, baking breads, deep dish pizza and just about everything else. And it's also available with a lid.

        • Sizes Available: 10.25-inch, 12-inch, 3.2-quart, 5-quart

          Blacklock Deep Skillet

          Blacklock Deep Skillet

          surlatable.com
          $149.95

          Another item from the Blacklock Collection, this skillet provides all the benefits of a cast-iron skillet with some of the versatility of a Dutch oven. It can go from the oven to the stovetop and has more depth than a regular skillet for baking or cooking a stew. And although it looks hefty, this skillet is only about 11 pounds, making it again a few pounds lighter than Lodge's classic deep skillet.

          • Sizes Available: 4-quart

            Heat-Treated Skillet

            Heat-Treated Skillet

            homedepot.com
            $24.95
            $9.90 (60% off)

            Although still made of cast iron, this skillet has been heat-treated, making it rust-resistant and, conveniently, dishwasher-safe. It only comes in a couple of smaller size options, so it's best used for side dishes, desserts or one- to two-person servings.

            • Sizes Available: 5-inch, 6.5-inch

              Baker's Skillet

              Cast-Iron Baker's Skillet

              amazon.com
              $43.50
              $24.97 (43% off)

              For bakers, Lodge designed this two-handle skillet that is oven-safe, but it can go pretty much everywhere else too. It's about two inches deep, perfect for cooking rolls, cornbread and more.

              • Sizes Available: 10.25-inch, 12-inch

                Chef Collection Dual Handle Skillet

                Chef Collction Dual Handle Skillet

                crateandbarrel.com
                $59.95

                Similar to the Baker's Skillet above but offering a larger size at 14 inches, this dual-handled skillet from the Chef Collection is a versatile piece of cookware and bakeware. It's only 9.8 pounds but roomy enough to feed a family with whatever you're making.

                • Sizes Available: 14-inch

                  Special Series

                  Wildlife Series Cast-Iron Wolf Skillet

                  homedepot.com
                  $13.96

                  Every once in a while, Lodge releases a themed series with unique designs. These include the nature-themed Wildlife Series, the collab with Mexican artist Lourdes Villagómez on a Day of the Dead series and the travel-themed Wanderlust series. These functional skillets are the ultimate gift-worthy keepsake for a cast-iron lover.

                  • Skillet sizes available: 6.5-inch, 8-inch, 10.25-inch, 10.5-inch, 12-inch, 13.25-inch
                  • Other products: Seasoned Cast-Iron Mini Cake Pan, 3.2 Quart Cast-Iron Cabin Combo Cooker, Square Grill Pan, Griddle, 5-Piece Set with 10-inch Dutch Oven

                    Lodge x Yellowstone

                    Lodge

                    Yellowstone 10.25-Inch Authentic Y Skillet

                    amazon.com
                    $40.50
                    $24.90 (39% off)

                    In a match made in Americana heaven, Lodge has teamed up with the hit TV western Yellowstone on a range of licensed merchandise. The line includes a series of cast-iron skillets and other cooking tools emblazoned with Yellowstone imagery — most notably the "Y" logo. The entire collection is in cast iron, made in the USA and designed for both indoor and outdoor use.

                    • Skillet sizes available: 5-inch, 10.25-inch, 12-inch, 17-inch Dual Handle
                    • Other products: 10.5-inch Grill Pan, 3.2 Quart/10.25-inch Combo Cooker, 8 Quart/12-inch Deep Camp Dutch Oven, 8-inch Trivet, 8-inch Grill Press

                      Pans

                      Dual Handle Pan

                      Dual Handle Pan

                      williams-sonoma.com
                      $24.95

                      Pans are not skillets. Lodge’s cast-iron pans are handleless and instead sport grips on either side. Why? The lack of a long skillet handle means it takes up less space — making it an especially adept baking tool (where space is limited) or stovetop sitter. The inclined grips on either side are especially useful with the larger sizes, too, as you’re not going to be able to lift a 17-inch skillet with one hand anyway.

                      • Sizes Available: 8-inch, 10.25-inch, 12-inch, 17-inch

                        Chef Collection Everyday Pan

                        Chef Collection Everyday Pan

                        surlatable.com
                        $74.95

                        The lighter, lid-toting cousin of the standard cast-iron pan adds pour spouts and is a lot more expensive. Like all Lodge pans, it comes pre-seasoned and ready to cook out of the box.

                        • Sizes Available: 12-inch

                          Baking Pan

                          Baking Pan

                          amazon.com
                          $60.00
                          $39.90 (33% off)

                          This Lodge pan takes the shape of a classic aluminum baking pan with the heft of cast iron. From roasting to baking, this sheet pan will give your food rich flavor and a nice crust.

                          • Sizes Available: 15.5 by 10.5 inches

                            Loaf Pan

                            Loaf Pan

                            basspro.com
                            $24.95
                            $19.99 (20% off)

                            Although you might not think of cast iron immediately when you're getting ready to bake, it provides a nice, even heat, which makes it a great tool in the oven. And as a nice detail, this loaf pan has a handle on either side that makes it easier to carry around.

                            • Sizes Available: 8.5 by 4.5 inches

                              Dutch Ovens

                              Dutch Oven

                              Dutch Oven

                              amazon.com
                              $67.35
                              $44.90 (33% off)

                              Unenameled Dutch ovens feel a bit antiquated nowadays. Enameling means you don’t have to season anything and you can clean with all the soap your heart desires. But, unenameled iron still outshines its enameled counterparts when it comes to searing (enameling lowers the cookware’s heat ceiling) and cooking outdoors. Why? Potential chipping issues aside, has anyone ever brought a $300 Le Creuset to a campsite?

                              • Sizes Available: 2-quart, 5-quart, 7-quart

                                Enameled Dutch Oven

                                Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven

                                amazon.com
                                $87.00
                                $54.90 (37% off)

                                Lodge did to the classic Dutch oven what it did to the cast-iron skillet: it took an expensive market and turned it on its head. Where Staub, Le Creuset and others of their ilk charge hundreds for a single pot, Lodge’s full-sized enameled Dutch ovens run in the mid-$50 range. There are plenty of color and size options, too.

                                • Sizes Available: 1.5-quart, 3-quart, 4.5-quart, 6-quart, 7-quart (oval), 7.5-quart

                                  Dutch Oven with Bail Handle

                                  Dutch Oven With Bail Handle

                                  walmart.com
                                  $59.95
                                  $48.00 (20% off)

                                  This version of Lodge's classic Dutch oven comes with a lid and a bail handle, making it easier and safer to lift up and over campfires. This piece is perfect for someone who wants to enjoy perfectly seared food or a delicious stew during their outdoor adventure.

                                  • Sizes Available: 5-quart, 7-quart, 9-quart

                                    Double Dutch Oven

                                    Double Dutch Oven

                                    amazon.com
                                    $76.00
                                    $49.99 (34% off)

                                    What’s different about this unenameled pot? Its domed lid is also a cast-iron pan. Other than the obvious value of having both, it also makes for a much more rounded lid top, a helpful attribute for those baking high-rising breads.

                                    • Sizes Available: 5-quart

                                      Chef Collection Double Dutch Oven

                                      Chef Collection Double Dutch Oven

                                      williams-sonoma.com
                                      $79.95

                                      This double Dutch oven from Lodge's Chef Collection puts a twist on the classic style by making the lid a grill pan, perfect for getting clean grill marks on what you're cooking from the comfort of your own kitchen or without having to store a full grill.

                                      • Sizes Available: 6-quart

                                        Enameled Double Dutch Oven

                                        Enameled Double Dutch Oven

                                        walmart.com
                                        $89.95
                                        $76.99 (14% off)

                                        When you take off the lid of this enameled Dutch oven, it's actually a grill pan in disguise. Use the bottom and top together or separately, either way, this Dutch oven will definitely earn its keep. And the MSRP of $90 is actually less than the $120 price tag on the regular 7.5-quart Dutch oven.

                                        • Sizes Available: 7-quart

                                          Combo Cooker

                                          Combo Cooker

                                          amazon.com
                                          $49.90

                                          This combo cooker is definitely the way to go if you want the most bang for your buck. It essentially combines a deep skillet and a regular skillet that when put together creates a Dutch oven. In total, this triple-duty cast-iron piece weighs about 12.9 pounds.

                                          • Sizes Available: 3.2-quart

                                            Camp Dutch Oven

                                            Camp Dutch Oven

                                            amazon.com
                                            $108.00
                                            $87.33 (19% off)

                                            A campfire staple. Lodge’s big, heavy, affordable camp oven comes with a ridged lid to place hot coals onto, legs to keep it stable and a handle to hang it over a roaring fire beneath. The lid flips over into a griddle, too. A word to the wise: be careful not to put the pot too far into a larger fire — temperatures that high can very easily melt what seasoning you’ve developed on your rig.

                                            • Sizes Available: 2-quart, 4-quart, 5-quart, 6-quart, 8-quart, 10-quart

                                              Grilling

                                              Grill Pans

                                              Grill Pan

                                              amazon.com
                                              $39.50
                                              $21.90 (45% off)

                                              Other than applying aesthetically pleasing grill marks to steak, pork chops and all manner of vegetables, Lodge's grill pans are different from the everyday skillet in that they render fat away from food instead of cooking food in it. Hot tip: buy the grill pan-specific scrapers.

                                                Grill Presses

                                                Grill Press

                                                amazon.com
                                                $29.50
                                                $19.90 (33% off)

                                                This weight flattens curly bacon, pork chops and weirdly-shaped chicken thighs. Beyond ensuring a more even sear, it also levels out the thickness in larger cuts of meat, so especially meaty chicken breasts will cook a bit more evenly.

                                                • Sizes Available: 6.75-inch, 7.5-inch (round), 8-inch (round), 8.25-inch

                                                  Griddles

                                                  Griddle

                                                  crateandbarrel.com
                                                  $26.95

                                                  If you want a surface that's wider and flatter than your cast-iron skillet, then a griddle is your best friend. They can give you a flat surface on your grill or be used as a faux grill on your stovetop or over a fire. And Lodge's models have a lip of about an inch or so to keep everything contained.

                                                    Reversible Grill and Griddle Combo

                                                    Double Play Reversible Grill/Griddle

                                                    amazon.com
                                                    $59.50
                                                    $34.99 (41% off)

                                                    The simplest way to turn your kitchen into a diner? Place the heavy-duty combo griddle over adjacent burners and crank out pancakes, paninis and bacon with room to spare. Use the flip side when the weather is too bad to go outside. And as a bonus, it pairs perfectly with the grill press.

                                                      Assistant Editor, Home and Design Will Price is Gear Patrol’s home and drinks editor.
                                                      Grace Cooper is a Commerce Writer at Gear Patrol, covering deals on everything from home to hiking.
                                                      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
                                                      More From Brand Breakdown