10 Best cast iron pan sets 2025 in the United States

The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set is an excellent choice for beginners, home cooks, and professional chefs alike. The set includes three skillets in varying sizes: 8 inches, 10.25 inches, and 12 inches, offering versatility for different cooking needs. All pans come pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil, which means they are ready to use right out of the box and will only improve with use. This natural seasoning provides a non-stick surface and helps to prevent rust.

Be aware that occasional spots may appear as what looks like rust, but these can be easily remedied with proper care. The skillets are a bit heavy, with a total weight of 17.35 pounds, which might be cumbersome for some users to handle frequently. The cast iron material ensures excellent heat retention and even cooking, although it does take a bit longer to heat up initially. These pans are compatible with gas stoves and can be used for frying, sautéing, baking, and even oven cooking.

Maintenance requires hand washing and occasional re-seasoning to keep the non-stick surface intact. The Lodge family has been producing high-quality cast iron cookware in the USA since 1896, ensuring a reliable and durable product. Though not dishwasher safe, the robust construction and multi-use capabilities make it a valuable addition to any kitchen. Just remember, with great cookware comes the need for good care.

The Cuisinel Cast Iron 16-Piece Pre-Seasoned Cookware Set is a robust option for anyone looking to equip their kitchen with versatile and durable cookware. This set includes a variety of pans: 8” and 12” braiser pans with lids, a 10” skillet, a 2-in-1 multi-cooker, and a 12” organizer, along with useful accessories like silicone handle covers and a pan scraper.

The pre-seasoned cast iron construction ensures excellent heat distribution, making it suitable for frying, searing, baking, and braising on various heat sources, including grills, stoves, and induction cooktops. Silicone handle holders provide additional heat protection, though it’s important to remember they can still get hot and should be handled with care using an oven mitt or towel.

Maintenance is straightforward but requires hand washing, thorough drying, and seasoning with oil after each use, which might be a bit labor-intensive for some. The set is not dishwasher safe, and air drying is not recommended. Weighing nearly 48 pounds, the cookware can be quite heavy, which might be a concern for users who prefer lighter kitchen equipment. Despite these minor drawbacks, the high-quality craftsmanship and long-term reliability make this set a valuable investment for serious home cooks. The Cuisinel set is particularly well-suited for those who appreciate the benefits of cast iron and are willing to commit to its upkeep.