10 Best Cast Iron Skillets 2025 in the United States

The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set is an excellent choice for anyone from beginners to experienced cooks looking to enhance their kitchen experience. This set comes with three skillets of varying sizes (8-inch, 10.25-inch, and 12-inch), making it versatile for a variety of dishes, whether sautéing, frying, or baking. One of its standout features is the pre-seasoning with 100% natural vegetable oil, which promotes a natural non-stick surface and helps protect against rust. Many users appreciate that the seasoning improves with use, making the skillets better over time.

The cast iron construction provides exceptional heat retention, allowing for even cooking across the cooking surface. However, it does take a while to heat up initially, requiring users to be patient. The skillets are also heavy, with a total weight of 17.35 pounds. While this contributes to their durability, it might be cumbersome for some people to handle, especially when shifting or cleaning them.

One thing to note is that the skillets are not dishwasher safe; they require hand washing, which may be a drawback for those who prefer low-maintenance cookware. Additionally, the handle design may not be ideal for everyone as it can get hot during cooking, so using mitts is essential. Despite some minor drawbacks, the Lodge skillet set is a fantastic investment for anyone looking to explore cooking with cast iron. The family-owned company's long-standing reputation also adds a reassuring touch for buyers looking for quality cookware.

The Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet is an excellent choice for anyone looking to invest in a versatile and durable cooking tool. Its size is perfect for everyday use, whether you're frying eggs or roasting vegetables. Weighing in at a little over 5 pounds, it strikes a good balance between heft and manageability, giving you stability while cooking. One of its main strengths is the pre-seasoning, which means it’s ready to use right out of the box, offering a natural non-stick surface that improves with each use.

This skillet can be used on various heat sources, including the oven, stovetop, grill, or even over a campfire, making it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and home cooks alike. The unique teardrop handle design allows for a comfortable grip, while the pour spouts on either side make draining liquids easy.

However, a few considerations come with owning a cast iron skillet. For one, it requires hand washing and proper seasoning maintenance to keep it in good condition. Some users may also find that it takes longer to heat up compared to non-stick pans, though it excels in heat retention once warmed. Additionally, a few initial users have noted that some spots that appear rust-like are merely oil that hasn’t fully carbonized, which can be concerning for first-time users but is easily resolved with regular care.

The Lodge 8 Inch Cast Iron Skillet is a great choice for anyone looking for a versatile and durable pan. It weighs about 3.2 pounds, which is typical for cast iron, providing solid heat retention but requiring some effort to handle. The 8-inch size is handy for cooking small to medium portions, making it suitable for everyday meals or camping trips. This skillet comes pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil, so it’s ready to use right away and the seasoning improves the more you cook with it, giving a natural non-stick surface without synthetic coatings.

The signature teardrop handle is made of iron, matching the skillet, and designed for good grip, although it can get hot during cooking, so using a mitt is recommended. The skillet doesn’t have dedicated pour spouts, which might make pouring liquids a bit tricky but not a dealbreaker. Its cooking surface is smooth and evenly heats up, perfect for frying, roasting, or searing on a stove, oven, grill, or even an open campfire.

This pan requires hand washing and regular care to maintain the seasoning and prevent rust, but any rust spots are easy to fix with simple cleaning and oiling. Not dishwasher safe and a bit heavy compared to other materials, it’s not the lightest option but delivers excellent cooking performance that lasts a lifetime. This skillet is especially good for beginners and home cooks wanting a reliable, all-purpose cast iron pan made in the USA by a trusted family-owned company.