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 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.

The Field Cast Iron Starter Set features a 10.25-inch skillet designed to balance ease of use with classic cast iron performance. Weighing about 4.3 pounds, it is lighter than many traditional skillets, making it easier to handle on the stove, in the oven, or on the grill without losing the heft needed for good heat retention and searing. The cooking surface is about 8.75 inches wide, which suits preparing meals for 2 to 4 people, like multiple chicken breasts or a family portion of vegetables. It comes preseasoned with organic grapeseed oil, so it’s ready to use and will develop a naturally nonstick surface over time without any harmful chemicals.

The skillet has a simple, sturdy cast iron handle and the design includes sloped sides that help when stirring or flipping food, though there’s no specific mention of pour spouts for easy draining or pouring. A nice addition is the included care kit with a natural fiber brush, chain mail scrubber, and seasoning oil, which helps maintain the skillet’s seasoning and longevity. It’s compatible with all cooktops, including induction, and is oven safe up to 1000°F, offering versatile cooking options. Made in the USA with sustainable practices, it blends vintage craftsmanship with modern manufacturing.

The main trade-off might be the absence of detailed handle comfort features or pour spouts, which some users might find handy. This skillet is well-made and ideal for home cooks seeking a lightweight, durable pan that performs well across various cooking tasks.