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

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Our take

If you want the simplest possible non-toxic pan, this is it. Cast iron is just iron. Lodge has been making it the same way for a century. Develops a non-stick patina over months of use. Heavy, slow to heat, but holds heat like nothing else. The only honest objection is the weight — 8 pounds — and the maintenance ritual (oil after washing, dry on the burner).

Pros

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

Cons

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

Citations

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