I honestly don't remember why I even wound up buying this 12 inch Lodge cast iron skillet. It might have been for the first time I tried following a recipe to make Southern-style fried chicken at home. I ordered it from Amazon and I don't remember the exact price but I think it was in the $30 range. I had never used cast iron before and quickly learned that it wasn't automatically non-stick despite the fact that the company described it as "pre-seasoned". I've tried several different methods of seasoning it but to this day all of these years later I would never describe it as remotely close to "non-stick". I've tried all sorts of ways to clean it including just wiping it out with paper towels, hand-washing with some dish soap, and I believe I even ran it through the ... MoreI honestly don't remember why I even wound up buying this 12 inch Lodge cast iron skillet. It might have been for the first time I tried following a recipe to make Southern-style fried chicken at home. I ordered it from Amazon and I don't remember the exact price but I think it was in the $30 range. I had never used cast iron before and quickly learned that it wasn't automatically non-stick despite the fact that the company described it as "pre-seasoned". I've tried several different methods of seasoning it but to this day all of these years later I would never describe it as remotely close to "non-stick". I've tried all sorts of ways to clean it including just wiping it out with paper towels, hand-washing with some dish soap, and I believe I even ran it through the dishwasher once. Nothing has helped/hurt with the "seasoning" of the pan. There really doesn't seem to be anything that sticks for very long. (no pun intended) Unless I am cooking a well-marbled steak I *always* add oil to this pan before putting anything else into it. I didn't have much use for this Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet when I lived at the house and had regular access to a gas grill in the backyard. These days I am in an apartment so I use this skillet for pan-searing burgers, chicken breasts, steaks, pork chops, etc. at high temperatures to get good color on them. I've done Southern-style corn bread in it along with a few other things. I like that this skillet is so durable. It will last forever and then some. The price is nice. I've just had to learn to accept that I will never get a good seasoning layer in it and cooking eggs in it will have to remain a fantasy. I'm still very happy to have it in my kitchen repertoire, though.

DISAPPOINTED

Buy this product from Fingerhut at your own risk. I grew up with my family owing cast iron cookware. One skillet that had been passed down to various family for over 40 year. I know my cast iron cookware! The skillet I received seemed fine at first, but the surface started to deteriorate. The industry that came with the pan stated there would be a residue inside the pan that would dissipate. Unfortunately, that residue is getting worse, so I tried hand washing the inner surface, completely drying it, oiling and placing it in a 200 degree oven to bake. All in the attempt to reseal on the pan. After an hour I remove the pan, which looked fine. After a couple of times cooking washing, oiling I noticed the the inner surface is rough, not smooth and the dark residue is ... MoreBuy this product from Fingerhut at your own risk. I grew up with my family owing cast iron cookware. One skillet that had been passed down to various family for over 40 year. I know my cast iron cookware! The skillet I received seemed fine at first, but the surface started to deteriorate. The industry that came with the pan stated there would be a residue inside the pan that would dissipate. Unfortunately, that residue is getting worse, so I tried hand washing the inner surface, completely drying it, oiling and placing it in a 200 degree oven to bake. All in the attempt to reseal on the pan. After an hour I remove the pan, which looked fine. After a couple of times cooking washing, oiling I noticed the the inner surface is rough, not smooth and the dark residue is still sloughing off! I have used cast iron all my life and this pan may be defective. Due to length of time and usage, I won't return the pan. I will continue to re-season in the hopes that the residue will subside. I am still concerned about the rough not smooth inner cooking surface and food is sticking, which is highly unusual for cast iron. Very surprised as Lodge is supposed to be a good company.

Excellent cast iron skillet

The Logic 26cm cast iron skillet is versatile, durable and of the highest quality. It heats quickly and stays warm to make searing, frying, baking, and other cooking tasks a breeze. The manufacturers pre-seasoned the skillet with natural oils that give it a coating that prevents food from sticking and adds flavour. It has a secure handle with a hole for hanging, and a helping handle for simpler lifting. It can withstand temperatures up to 260C in the oven and works with all stovetops, including induction.

Good size, thickness, helper handle.

Smoother texture than the Ozark cast iron counterpart. Still rough surface to season easier over time. One of the thicker cast irons in it's size group! I have 2 if these. 1 was fine. The other had metal sticking out on the surface. (I could not sand it down without damaging the surface balance.) I also bought the Ozark version for comparison. Seasoning on the Lodges do not hold well. To be safe I seasoned them 3x w/ grapeseed oil and been cooking with it almost daily. Both are nonstick for me. Perfect size for 1-3 people. For budge pans based on quality I rank them; Victoria 1st, Lodge 2nd. Ozark|Mainstay would be the best priced options. If you cook with this until it has a glass like surface then you have yourself a great family heirloom for future generations!

High quality iron and a convenient size

I almost exclusively cook on cast iron or carbon steel and I've found that Lodge makes the best and most consistently high quality iron, this skillet included. I also love the size of this little one, it's perfect for two eggs, which is something I cook almost daily. A side dish would also fit perfectly in this on a second burner or beside the fire as well, without taking up too much space. This skillet does come pre-seasoned but I would still use a bit more oil than usual the first few times you use it; eggs stuck to this pan the first couple of times during cooking, but the stuck-on bits came off right away during washing (reminder: don't use soap for cast iron!) My only complaint is that the handle gets VERY hot during cooking, but is also small enough to make ... MoreI almost exclusively cook on cast iron or carbon steel and I've found that Lodge makes the best and most consistently high quality iron, this skillet included. I also love the size of this little one, it's perfect for two eggs, which is something I cook almost daily. A side dish would also fit perfectly in this on a second burner or beside the fire as well, without taking up too much space. This skillet does come pre-seasoned but I would still use a bit more oil than usual the first few times you use it; eggs stuck to this pan the first couple of times during cooking, but the stuck-on bits came off right away during washing (reminder: don't use soap for cast iron!) My only complaint is that the handle gets VERY hot during cooking, but is also small enough to make using a pot holder awkward. It's not a deal breaker but I find myself getting to my food at weird angles with my spatula because I don't want to be bothered moving the pan around during cooking. But that's a minor issue, overall this is a great value for the price!

My slightly inebriated review of the 15 inch Lodge pan

Faith! Thats what Im talking about here. So everyone and their brother were saying how Lodge was the best. and I decided to believe them. so I ordered up a 15 inch cast iron ( cue the words cast iron rhodinium where mr. spock is saying it) to see if it was all the jazz that everyone was barking on about. well, the first thing you see without seeing it is the sheen. Without sheen nothing is nothing. then you see the solidness of it. solidness counts a lot. then you pick it up and see it weighs 11.5 pounds and youre pretty sure youre onto something. then you let it stand next to your half-drunk roommate who splatters cooking oil on it. And then you wipe some extra virgin olive oil on it, just to be sure that it was not water your roommate sprinkled on it and then YOU ... MoreFaith! Thats what Im talking about here. So everyone and their brother were saying how Lodge was the best. and I decided to believe them. so I ordered up a 15 inch cast iron ( cue the words cast iron rhodinium where mr. spock is saying it) to see if it was all the jazz that everyone was barking on about. well, the first thing you see without seeing it is the sheen. Without sheen nothing is nothing. then you see the solidness of it. solidness counts a lot. then you pick it up and see it weighs 11.5 pounds and youre pretty sure youre onto something. then you let it stand next to your half-drunk roommate who splatters cooking oil on it. And then you wipe some extra virgin olive oil on it, just to be sure that it was not water your roommate sprinkled on it and then YOU LET IT RIP AND YOU TOSS IT INTO THE OVEN AT 425 DEGREES AND HURL A VEGETARIAN HEAVY BURGER INTO IT! and then you realize that that is not how you normally cook vegetarian burgers because youve had a few yourself, I mean what else is a Sunday with all the people and kids over for? so then you quickly look up can you broil using a Lodge cast iron and then answer comes back, the hierarchy approves! so you quickly turn the dial to broil and there is much rejoicing! and you watch as the hunk of vegetarian matter starts to broil without the cast iron melting in the ovens of Moltar. yep, faith, thats what Im talking about. its my first day with my Lodge 15 inch cast iron, but like a good horse, I think we are going to become lifelong friends. my vegetarian hunk of meat is almost done, so I will bid you a fond farewell in the faith that I will be eating my Lodge 15 inch cast iron cooked meal to perfection soon. God bless! p.s. I just got up to check on my now done meat and I could see the reflection of the broiler heated elements in the pan next to the meat! Well! I have not seen anything like that since the 40s Randolph Scott and John Wayne movies! Run out, do not walk and buy one! I got mine for 60 American dollars!

Perfect so far and works with induction

Got this cast iron skillet mainly to finish cooking steaks on. Got a sous vide for Christmas, but my electric griddle wouldn’t get hot enough to get a good sear on it (we’re renting a house and it doesn’t have a working stove/oven, so I cook with appliances) Got the skillet today, for use with a Nuwave induction plate. Washed the skillet and dried as advised on the label. Then cooked the steaks to Med Rare with the sous vide, then tossed one at a time in the pre-heated skillet with olive oil for ~1min/side. PERFECT crust on the steaks. Looking forward to seeing what else I can cook with this pan! Will update review if I encounter any problems.

Steaks Cooked to Perfection

It’s been a few months since purchase and it’s been used multiple times. The food comes out great, skillet heats evenly (handle gets hot too), and no worries of this thing warping due to how thicc it is. If you plan to purchase one for the first time, be aware that maintenance is important and very specific for a cast iron skillet. This thing should last you forever if maintained correctly. Definitely recommended!!

Versatile piece of cookware

I find this pan is of the best size and has most uses on my gas stove in home. I can cook all kinds of meals from breakfast to dinner, from frying eggs to making vegetable stews. Its size extend the use to deep frying and grilling. I use it to grill burger meat, vegetables, asparagus... etc. Its size is good for deep frying mushrooms dipped in batter or frying a good batch of potatoe fries. I even make sandwiches using it, panini, grilled cheese, french toast. Sometimes I pop it into oven and use it as bakeware. Its size is perfect for upside down cakes, deep dish pizza, corn bread or Dutch baby... This pan has good weight to preheat well and bake evenly on stovetop or in oven. I can achieve good results of making pancakes, tortillas or naan just on stovetop with ... MoreI find this pan is of the best size and has most uses on my gas stove in home. I can cook all kinds of meals from breakfast to dinner, from frying eggs to making vegetable stews. Its size extend the use to deep frying and grilling. I use it to grill burger meat, vegetables, asparagus... etc. Its size is good for deep frying mushrooms dipped in batter or frying a good batch of potatoe fries. I even make sandwiches using it, panini, grilled cheese, french toast. Sometimes I pop it into oven and use it as bakeware. Its size is perfect for upside down cakes, deep dish pizza, corn bread or Dutch baby... This pan has good weight to preheat well and bake evenly on stovetop or in oven. I can achieve good results of making pancakes, tortillas or naan just on stovetop with this pan preheated to the temperature to my liking. Oh its use is just endless... Best value one can get out of all kinds of cookware.This site has an extensive set of gadgets one will ever need for his/her home kitchen use ( of course commercial too ). IMO, highly recommended as the first piece of cookware for anyone who wants to become a home chef. Just a reminder : This pan comes well pre-seasoned but requires a bit of tendering after. The easiest way to keep it in best cooking condition is to clean out the debris under a running tap while it's still warm then wiped dry or dried on a hot stovetop after cooking; wip the entire interior clean using a piece of lightly oiled paper towel when the pan is heated up before cooking. That's it and it's quality is guaranteed to last one's lifetime or generations. Best investment I made ever. Last but not least: If one gets tired of indoor cooking, the investment is preserved by taking it to other cooking occasions such as tailgate party, camping or just backyard. Its ruggedness makes it a good piece of cookware regardless of gas, bed of hot coals or just barbecue grills.

You cannot go wrong with Lodge Cast Iron!

I have never owned a cast iron skillet, but as a child I remember my dad using one all the time. Now that we have a cabin, I had to try one too. It's amazing! I was careful to read up on how to keep it seasoned it and keep it clean, but after just a short time, I was using it for everything and making amazing-tasting food. We enjoy bacon and eggs and hashbrowns, burgers, chicken breasts, pancakes....I have even baked cornbread in it. I use it on the campfire, on top of the woodstove, in the oven and on the stovetop....and it works on my INDUCTION stovetop too! Why did I ever think it was only for cabins/camping?! I am getting one for our house.....and other cast iron cookware too!