10 Best Cast Iron Fry Pans 2025 in the United States

The Field Company 16-Inch Double-Handled Cast Iron Skillet is a solid choice if you're looking for a large, traditional cast-iron pan. Its 16-inch size and double handles make it great for cooking big meals like holiday roasts or outdoor grilling, providing easier lifting and handling despite its hefty 16.66-pound weight. This skillet comes pre-seasoned with organic grapeseed oil, which means it’s naturally nonstick from the start and improves with use, all without harmful chemicals. The smooth cooking surface helps with even heating and easy food release—a nice feature compared to rougher cast iron pans.

Made entirely in the USA using sustainable practices, it offers quality and environmental care. It works on all cooktops, including induction, ceramic, and glass, and can handle oven temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, making it very versatile. The cast iron handle design stays sturdy but can get hot, so using a mitt is necessary. However, the pan is heavy and requires hand washing, which might be a drawback if you want something lighter or dishwasher-safe.

This skillet is best suited for those comfortable with traditional cast iron maintenance and who need a reliable large skillet for a variety of cooking methods.

The Lodge 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet is a versatile choice for anyone wanting a durable pan that performs well on various cooking surfaces. Its 12-inch size is ideal for everyday cooking, offering enough space for multiple ingredients without being too bulky. Although the product dimensions suggest the pan is large, it is surprisingly lightweight for a cast iron skillet, making it easier to handle compared to heavier alternatives. The skillet features a silicone handle holder which provides a safe grip by protecting hands from heat up to 500°F, adding comfort during use. This is especially helpful since cast iron handles get very hot.

The pan comes pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil, so it offers some basic nonstick qualities right out of the box, reducing the need for immediate seasoning or special care. Its cooking surface provides excellent heat retention and even heating, which is great for searing, frying, baking, or even grilling. It works well on stovetops, ovens, induction cooktops, grills, and even campfires, making it a truly versatile tool in the kitchen.

One small drawback is that the pan is not dishwasher safe, so it requires hand washing and proper drying to maintain its seasoning and prevent rust. Also, while the handle holder is dishwasher safe, the skillet itself is not. This Lodge skillet is a solid choice for people looking for a reliable, multi-use cast iron pan that’s easy to handle and well-prepared for diverse cooking methods, provided they are willing to maintain it by hand washing.

The Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet is a versatile and durable kitchen tool suitable for a variety of cooking needs. With its 10.25-inch size, it's large enough for most home cooking tasks but still manageable in size. One of its notable strengths is its pre-seasoned cooking surface, which means it's ready to use right out of the box and will improve with each use. This feature helps in preventing rust and provides a natural non-stick surface without synthetic coatings.

The skillet's weight, at just over 5 pounds, offers stability and excellent heat retention, although it may be a bit heavy for some users to handle comfortably, especially when full of food. The handle design includes a signature teardrop shape for better grip, but it should be noted that, like the pan, the handle also gets very hot and requires a protective cover or mitt.

Cooking versatility is a strong point for this skillet, as it can be used on various heat sources including the oven, stove, grill, and even over a campfire. This makes it highly adaptable for different cooking styles and environments. However, it's not dishwasher safe and requires hand washing and proper care to maintain its seasoning and prevent rust. For those who need a reliable and adaptable skillet with great heat retention and even cooking, the Lodge skillet is a top contender. But, if ease of handling and cleaning are higher priorities, you might need to consider alternatives.