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Lodge

Lodge 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet

The classic. Pre-seasoned, single piece of iron. No coatings, no chemistry.

Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet

$35

FDA Food-Contact ComplianceFDA Food-Contact Compliance

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Our take

Cast iron is the simplest material in the category — a single piece of iron with no coatings, no laminated layers, no chemistry. Lodge pre-seasons with vegetable oil per the manufacturer's care guide, which polymerizes into the well-documented non-stick patina cast iron is known for. Iron has the highest specific heat in the cookware lineup, which the materials literature associates with slow heat-up and high heat retention. The published trade-offs are weight (8 lb for the 12-inch), reactivity to acidic foods (which can strip seasoning), and the maintenance ritual (oil and dry after washing).

Documented strengths

  • One material, no coating
  • Lasts forever
  • Cheap
  • Adds dietary iron in trace amounts

Documented trade-offs

  • Heavy
  • Reactive to acidic foods (tomato sauce strips seasoning)
  • Maintenance routine

Citations

  1. [1]Pre-seasoned with 100% vegetable oil, no synthetic coatings — Lodge Cast Iron Care guide