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Home Lodge Filed Oct 12, 2026 by Erika & Joe
Lodge Classic cast iron skillet: the cheap pan that lasts
Checked on . Erika & Joe.
Our verdict
The Lodge Classic skillet is the cast iron pan to buy first. It's made in the USA, comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, and works on any stove including induction, in the oven, on a grill or over a campfire [1]. The 10.25-inch size is $24.90 at Lodge [1]. Owners who also cook on pricey vintage pans still reach for their Lodge [4]. The complaints are the rough cooking surface and the weight: the 10.25-inch pan is 5.66 lb [1], and new owners say the surface snags towels until seasoning builds up [6]. If you want enameled cast iron that needs no seasoning, look at the Staub cocotte or Le Creuset Dutch oven.
The short answer
The Lodge Classic cast iron skillet is a pre-seasoned, made-in-USA pan sold in nine sizes from 3.5 to 15 inches, $12.95 to $49.90 [1]. The popular 10.25-inch size is $24.90 and weighs 5.66 lb [1]. Lodge seasons it with 100% vegetable oil, makes it without PFAS, and says it works on induction, in the oven, on the grill and over a campfire [1]. Care is hand wash, dry, oil [1][2]. Checked 2026-10-16.
Price and specs (Lodge, checked 2026-10-16)
| Size | Price at Lodge [1] |
|---|---|
| 3.5 in [1] | $12.95 [1] |
| 5 in [1] | $12.95 [1] |
| 6.5 in [1] | $15.95 [1] |
| 8 in [1] | $21.95 [1] |
| 9 in [1] | $24.95 [1] |
| 10.25 in [1] | $24.90 [1] |
| 12 in [1] | $29.90 [1] |
| 13.25 in [1] | $39.90 [1] |
| 15 in [1] | $49.90 [1] |
| Spec (10.25 in, L8SK3) | Lodge Classic |
|---|---|
| Length with handle | 16.12 in [1] |
| Width | 10.68 in [1] |
| Height | 2.0 in [1] |
| Weight | 5.66 lb [1] |
| Seasoning | 100% natural vegetable oil, pre-seasoned [1] |
| Heat sources | Any stovetop including induction, oven, grill, campfire [1] |
| Coatings | Made without PFAS [1] |
| Made in | USA [1] |
| Care | Hand wash, dry, oil [1][2] |
| Warranty | Lodge Made Right warranty, linked from the product page [1][3] |
What it does well
Price. $24.90 for a 10.25-inch pan that can last decades [1][5].
Nine sizes. Lodge's product page lists 3.5, 5, 6.5, 8, 9, 10.25, 12, 13.25 and 15 inch skillets, priced from $12.95 to $49.90 [1]. The 8-inch is $21.95, the 12-inch is $29.90, and the 15-inch is $49.90 [1]. Those prices were on the Lodge page on 2026-10-16 [1]. The 10.25-inch helper handle is part of the 16.12-inch overall length Lodge lists for L8SK3 [1].
Goes anywhere. Induction, oven, grill or fire [1].
Seasoning that holds. An owner says Lodge seasoning hasn't needed redoing in 10 years and the rough surface vanishes as seasoning thickens [5].
Owners keep using it. One who also cooks on vintage iron says two unsanded Lodges are the pans used most [4].
Ready out of the box. Commenters say the factory seasoning is thick enough to cook on [6].
Where it falls short
Who it's for
Who should skip it
- People who can't lift a heavy pan. Try the 8-inch size, which Lodge sells for $21.95 [1].
- Cooks who want no seasoning upkeep. Enameled iron like Staub needs less care; see Le Creuset vs Staub.
- Ultralight backpackers. The Snow Peak Titanium 450 is the backpacking cookware.
Using it in the desert and at camp
Campfire cooking. Lodge rates it for campfires [1]. Set it on a grate or coals, and use a glove: the whole pan, handle included, is iron.
Dry air. Desert air helps prevent rust, but Lodge still says dry the pan and oil it after washing [2].
Water at camp. Lodge's cleaning page covers washing with a little soap and scrubbing [2]; at a dry camp, scrape and wipe, then oil.
Car camping weight. The 10.25-inch pan is 5.66 lb [1], fine for a car or truck, too heavy for a pack.
Sizes for camp. Lodge's own size guide helps match a pan to the number of people [7].
What owners say
Questions people ask
Is Lodge cast iron good?
Owners who also own vintage iron still use Lodge most [4]. It's made in the USA and pre-seasoned [1].
What size Lodge skillet should I buy?
The 10.25-inch is a common all-rounder; Lodge publishes a size guide [7].
Can Lodge cast iron go on induction?
Yes, Lodge lists induction compatibility [1]. Asked as "Can Lodge cast iron go on induction," this follows the cited source and nothing else.
How do I clean a Lodge skillet?
Hand wash, dry, and oil [1][2]. Asked as "How do I clean a Lodge skillet," this follows the cited source and nothing else.
How heavy is the 10.25-inch Lodge?
5.66 lb [1]. Asked as "How heavy is the 10.25-inch Lodge," this follows the cited source and nothing else.
How much is a Lodge skillet?
$12.95 to $49.90 depending on size; $24.90 for 10.25 inches, checked 2026-10-16 [1].
Where to buy
— Erika & Joe
Sources
Checked 2026-10-16.
