Lodge has been making cast iron cookware since 1896, which means they know a thing or two about producing quality products. Their 10.5-inch Cast Iron Grill Pan is a great option for getting those attractive grill marks while avoiding simmering foods in too much fat. Lodge also has you covered for your other culinary needs as they have a full line of American-made cast iron cookware.
Lodge Cast Iron Cookware
Highlights: Affordable, truly non-toxic, and durable. Lodge Cast Iron cookware is Made in the USA and can be passed down to future generations.
Product Highlights
- Reputable US business operating since 1896
- Suitable for use on the stovetop, campfires, barbecues, and oven
- Note: Will rust if not properly seasoned and cared for
| Country of Origin: | USA |
| Materials: | Cast iron |
| Certifications: | California Prop 65 US FDA certified for 7.5.1.4a Leachability of Lead and Cadmium for Glazed Ceramic Surfaces Lodge also claim that their silicone products are certified by suppliers to be both BPA(Bisphenol A) and Phthalate free, although they don’t provide a certificate for this. As some Lodge enamel-coated products are made in China, the company says that they “work with U.S. owned third-party inspection teams to ensure that quality is up to Lodge standards, and that all partner companies comply with all applicable employment laws and regulations”. |
Our Lodge Cast Iron Review
From small and large skillets to double Dutch ovens and griddles, Lodge cast iron is versatile, robust and a great investment. Their 8-inch Cast Iron Skillet (View Price on Walmart), for instance, features two lips for easy pouring and a handle loop so the pan can be hung for storage (and decoration!). These products also have a lifetime warranty!
Lodge is American made
The cast iron (and carbon steel) cookware range from Lodge uses cast iron from two foundries on the banks of the Tennessee River in the small town of South Pittsburg, Tennessee. This makes it an attractive choice for U.S. customers wanting to support local business and avoid the environmental toll of importing heavier cookware from farther afield.
Lodge cast-iron is versatile
Lodge cast iron cookware is suitable for use on the stovetop, campfires, barbecues, and in the oven. It retains heat well and is virtually indestructible. With proper seasoning, Lodge cast iron has a non-stick surface, making it easier to cook low-fat dishes. Pans are typically delivered pre-seasoned from Lodge, to avoid rust in transit. This seasoning can be patchy, though, and you might want to strip down the seasoning and start from scratch.
Some other potential downsides of Lodge cast iron are similar for all cast iron cookware: cast iron is heavy, can leach iron into food (which may be a benefit for some), and will rust if not properly seasoned and cared for.
All in all, if you’re looking for quality cookware that will last you and your family for generations, Lodge cast iron cookware is a great option.
We tested the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
An old Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, as well as one of their mini-models, is a staple in our home kitchen. We’ve used these pans for years, and love their ability to season over time.
- Seasons over time
- Durable
- Oven-safe
- Versatile (can be used for stir fry or fish/meat)
- May need some oil to be truly nonstick depending on seasoning
- May be too heavy for older kids and the elderly
- Can rust
Lodge vs. Le Creuset
Lodge are one of the biggest names in cast iron, and for good reason. They have been around for over a century and craft robust, attractive, and versatile cookware for amateur and ‘seasoned’ chefs alike. As with all cast iron, these products tend to be on the heavier side, compared to carbon steel and other cookware, and it can take a little getting used to cast iron if you’re moving away from Teflon-coated pans. Cast iron cookware can add flavor to food and is a joy to cook with, once you’ve got the hang of it and if you maintain seasoning, and cast iron can last for generations, making it an excellent, eco-friendly choice.
In our leaf score ratings, Lodge gets 5 leaves. How does this stack up against competitors like Le Creuset? Like Lodge, Le Creuset is made of cast iron, but Le Creuset coats its pans in enamel rather than leaving the cast iron exposed as Lodge does. The enamel coating means Le Creuset is not a great solution for searing at high heat. In addition, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, cooking with Lodge products will actually add some iron to your food, which can be a benefit if you’re choosing not to eat meat. All in all, these products are not as much competitors as they are complimentary. If you have the budget, it may make sense to have both in your kitchen.
Lodge Cast Iron Cookware
Highlights: Affordable, truly non-toxic, and durable. Lodge Cast Iron cookware is Made in the USA and can be passed down to future generations.
Why does lodge enameled cast iron skillet have a proposition 65 warning? Does the enamel have something dangerous ini it ?
Hi Rozalyn,
Good question!
Cast iron itself doesn’t contain lead or cadmium, which are heavily restricted in cookware. So, as you rightly point out, the likely culprit for this warning is the enamel glaze. Some companies do use glazes that contain lead and cadmium, particularly in red colored glazes. Trustworthy companies, among whom I’d include Lodge, make sure to use anti-acid enamel that doesn’t break down and pose a risk of leaching metals into food.
And, while Lodge may use some glazes that contain trace amounts of these metals, they have publicly stated that they use the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Test Procedure 7.5.1.4a Leachability of Lead and Cadmium for Glazed Ceramic Surfaces to make sure their products don’t present a safety risk. That said, because Lodge, like many companies, are wary of falling foul of Prop 65 penalties, they tend to include the warning to remain in compliance.
If you’re still concerned, your best bet is to avoid any of the redder shades of enameled cookware.
Hope this helps!
Leigh
I have this pan but, from what I can discern, there is no enamel glaze. Am I not seeing something? If it’s the case there isn’t an enamel glaze present on this pan, why is it included with the description of the product?
Hi Ashly,
You’re right, this review is for the cast iron pans, but Rozalyn is right in that some of Lodge’s cast iron cookware range has an enamel glaze, which is easy to spot and is what prompts that Prop 65 warning. If you (like me!) have the straight-up cast iron pan from Lodge, without the enamel glaze, there’s no need to worry about any cadmium or lead leaching as it’s just iron through and through.
Hope this helps clarify things!
Leigh