Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Curated from 126 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 24, 2025

Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Brand: Lodge
Price: $19
Snoop Score:
7.7
Sentiment
7.1
Popularity
8.1
Technical
7.5

Snoop's Take

This Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet is a no-nonsense kitchen workhorse crafted for versatile cooking on the stovetop, in the oven, on the grill, or even over a campfire. Consumers love its rugged durability with comments like “don’t over think it - it’s a hunk of iron,” and many appreciate its excellent value and ready-to-use, pre-seasoned surface, even though some grumble about its rough finish and heavier weight. Overall, this skillet is recommended for those seeking time-tested performance in cast iron cookware, provided they’re prepared for a bit of a learning curve with its maintenance.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Skillets

Lodge cast iron skillets are great.

Positive Feedback

I fought with my Lodge for a year. It caused me so much time and grief.

Negative Feedback
Product
7.7
Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet
Everyday Cooking
2 / 10
Oven & Stove Versatility
4 / 10
Outdoor Cooking
10 / 10
Healthier Cooking
2 / 10
See how this compares to all Skillets

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Reliable and durable performance
Lodge cast iron skillets are great.
Lodge is still made in Tennessee, still a big hunk of cast iron that will outlive you if cared for properly.
It's a hunk of iron.
I'm betting this is a meme and there's no data.
Excellent value and affordability
I like Lodge for its outstanding value but, without consideration for cost, I prefer Field for its smooth surface, thinner walls, and overall refinement.
I cannot imagine the thoughts going through people's heads when they spend hundreds of dollars on a cast iron pan.
IMHO, if the skillet I use cooks the food I like how I like it for a reasonable price, end of story.
I wouldn’t pay much premium over a new Lodge. Especially if I was trying to save money cooking at home.
Pre‑seasoned and ready to use out of the box
The Lodge literally comes seasoned from the factory, the factory seasoning is right and it works well right out of the box.
Lodge is the Toyota of cast iron. Reliable, sturdy, not flashy.
Yes that’s normal I think Lodge refers to it as a seasoning bubble or something like that
Yep. Nothing to worry about. [https://www.lodgecastiron.com/discover/cleaning-and-care/cast-iron/all
Versatile for everyday cooking
That pan will do everything for you except cook soup and pasta.
Improved ergonomic design (curved handle and lighter weight)
The curved handle is nice and they seem lighter in weight.
Improved smooth cooking surface with use
Mine is finally getting smooth after a decade of heavy use with metal spatulas, and countless re-seasonings.
It seems to me like the cooking surface is getting better over the years, only like the last 10 years or so.
It is crazy smooth on the cooking surface.
Your iron came factory seasoned old iron was sold dipped in wax to prevent rust and the user had to melt it off and season it.
Durable leather handle design
Also, shout out to the leather handle that's been with it the entire time!
Pretty neat. Must hold up to heat fairly well huh?

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Rough, coarse cooking surface
I fought with my Lodge for a year. It caused me so much time and grief.
I do not like my lodge pan. Too rough and I feel like it does not heat as even as some of the smooth old ones.
A $250 pan is slightly better than a $25 Lodge pan, but not 10x better.
I think Lodge has its place. It’s more accessible than vintage and way more affordable than modern bespoke cast iron.
Short handle size
My ONLY complaint about my 12" Lodge Cast Iron skillet is that the handle is about 4" too short.
Heavy weight
They are coarse textured and heavy, just the thing to learn about CI.
Lodge will be heavier and less smooth than some of the more expensive stuff.
Gimmicky accessories (care kit/seasoning spray)
That said skip the care kit a seasoning spray, those are gimmicks.
Questionable seasoning layer valuation
Lodge needs to reevaluate their idea that one of their seasonings is worth 6 of ours.
They said they only did 14 coats because each of their layers is equivalent to 6 layers of hand seasoning.
But lodge did it 80 times and mommy 81 times at least.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Modern cast iron thickness due to automated production
The reason that modern cast iron is so thick is *probably* because the pouring and cleaning process is automated.
Variation in product finish across Lodge cookware lines
My CS pan is a Lodge, pretty smooth compared to the Lodge cast iron 'shallow round griddle' I have which is pretty rough.
Smithey is thicker/heavier than Lodge, not lighter.
Discussion on cast iron versus steel composition
A cast iron skillet doesn’t have to have seasoning to work.
It’s not steel, it’s cast iron.
Interestingly, cast iron is not iron either (by your definition).
Brand comparisons highlight differences in finish and handle quality
Nothing is wrong with it. Go and enjoy it.
Eh, they work fine.
Nothing is wrong with them at all, just rougher and of inferior carbon content.
I’d probably buy a new Lodge instead.

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Unique cooking ideas for the skillet
It would be really cool to have a big ol ham steak and heat that pan up really hot and set it on the ham to burn the pattern on lol

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Retailer pricing and deal hunting advice
They tend to have very good prices on their cookware.
Did you buy it at the 'we mark everything 3x' store?
Glad I wasn't overcharged now!
Proper maintenance and seasoning care practices
Don't clean, don't clean, don't clean, dooont clean.
It might be just my experience but keep cooking in it.
But you’re learning the ways of the iron.
My effective solution was going and buying another 20 dollar lodge. hahaha.
Different cookware types suit different cooking techniques
Right tool for the right job.
Large skillets may require special heating techniques
IMO, 15" skillets are for outdoors.
In my experience, 12” is the biggest thing that works well on a normal stove.
My 10 is less fussy.
Something that big probably needs to be pre-heated in a oven.
Seasoning oil and marketing debate
Cast iron has been around for a long time. Way before all these fancy oils were invented.
Aren’t animal fats discouraged to use for seasoning because they can rot or something?
If you slather fats and oils all over your pan and fail to season then I suppose you would discover how bad rancid really smells.
So why doesn’t lodge make that distinction then?

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Manufacturing origins variability (US‐made vs Chinese)
This is when we found out a large percentage of Lodge is/was Chinese.
General cast iron care warnings
And whatever you do, don’t put any cast iron pan, cold or hot, on to a glass table top.

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