Lodge Classic Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, 12 Inch

The Lodge Classic is a 12-inch Lodge cast iron skillet that arrives pre-seasoned and ready for its first meal. It has no synthetic nonstick coating and is made in the USA.

Who it suits

It suits cooks who want one sturdy pan for searing, frying, baking cornbread and roasting, on the stove, in the oven or over a campfire. It is heavy, so if lifting a full pan is hard for you, the lighter Mauviel carbon steel frying pan or the All-Clad D3 stainless fry pan may be easier to handle. Browse more kitchen tools and cookware.

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Key facts

• Pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil (Lodge)
• Lodge calls it nontoxic cookware made without PFAS (Lodge)
• Works on every stovetop, induction included, and in the oven, on a grill or over a campfire (Lodge)
• Made in the USA and backed by the Lodge Made Right Warranty (Lodge)
• Care routine: wash by hand, dry, then wipe with oil (Lodge)

What reviewers say

America’s Test Kitchen named it the Best Buy in its cast iron testing. Consumer Reports scored the 12-inch excellent for searing steak and good for even cooking and baking cornbread. Reviewed chose it as its Best Value skillet for the wide, deep cooking area, with weight as the main drawback.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Strong searing and browning in independent tests
• Pro: No synthetic coating and made without PFAS
• Pro: Moves from stovetop to oven, grill or campfire
• Con: Heavy, about 7.8 lb as measured by Consumer Reports
• Con: Surface can feel a little sticky until seasoning builds

Cautions

• Heavy (Consumer Reports measured about 7.8 lb), which may be hard for people with limited grip or wrist strength.
• The handle gets very hot; use a mitt or handle cover.
• Hand wash, dry fully and oil after use to prevent rust.