Kitchen
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Review: Is It Worth It?
A practical look at the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, including heat retention, searing, seasoning, stovetop and oven use, cleaning, durability, customer feedback, pros, cons, and common complaints.
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Product Overview
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is a traditional cast iron skillet that can be used to cook on the stovetop, in the oven, on the grill or at a camp fire. This pan arrives pre-seasoned using vegetable oil; therefore you are able to begin to use it immediately and build up your seasoning as you continue to season your pan through use.
Cast iron pans retain heat well and distribute heat evenly when they are fully heated. These characteristics of cast iron make this type of pan ideal for applications such as searing steak, frying an egg, baking corn bread, roasting vegetables, cooking bacon and making one-pot dishes.
Customers Say
Customers who have purchased this pan are most often complimenting it's ability to retain heat, allowing them to achieve an excellent sear with all types of meat. Most buyers state that they feel as though this pan is built to last and will be able to withstand extreme heat better than nearly every other type of lightweight pan available today.
Buyers love that their new skillet can go directly from the stove top into the oven. They use it for frying, baking, roasting and even while camping. Many users stated that the cooking surface of their pan has improved as they continue to season it.
The two biggest negative comments about this product relate to the heaviness of the pan and the need to both wash and dry and then apply additional oil to maintain the seasoning. There are also several buyers that mention a learning curve in terms of how best to take care of their cast iron pans. Additionally some buyers reported issues with food sticking due to either a lack of full preheat prior to cooking or due to the fact that the seasoning had not yet reached its optimal level.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent heat retention
- Great for searing and high-heat cooking
- Works on stovetop, oven, grill, and campfire
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use
- Extremely durable construction
- Can improve with continued seasoning
- Versatile for frying, baking, and roasting
- Good long-term value
Cons
- Heavy compared with aluminum or stainless pans
- Requires drying and light oiling after cleaning
- Can rust if stored wet
- Food may stick before seasoning develops
- Handle gets very hot during cooking
Video Review
Bottom Line
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is an excellent option for people that need versatile cast iron that will last, while offering superior heat retention. This skillet's best features are its ability to sear well, as well as being able to be used safely in an oven, and can provide many years of service. However, it has some drawbacks such as being heavy, and requires maintenance to protect the seasoning on the skillet.
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