Lodge Pans: Pre-Seasoned Or Not?

Lodge cast iron pans are pre-seasoned and ready to use straight out of the box. The company uses a mix of pig iron and recycled materials to craft its skillets, which are then seasoned with a thin layer of vegetable oil and baked at a high temperature. This process helps to create a natural, easy-release finish that improves with use. Lodge skillets are renowned for their heat retention and even heating, making them ideal for searing and frying. They come in a variety of sizes, from small pans for single servings to larger pans that can accommodate families and entertaining. While they are heavy and heat slowly, Lodge skillets are a durable and affordable option for home cooks.

Lodge cast iron pans are pre-seasoned with vegetable oil

Lodge skillets embody the quintessential cast-iron aesthetic with their dark pre-seasoning surface, short, looped handles, convenient pour spouts, and a flat bottom suitable for all cooking surfaces. They are made in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, where the company was founded in 1896, and have been a family-owned business ever since. Lodge has been making cast-iron cookware with over 120 years of experience, and their products are known for their high-quality design, lifetime durability, and cooking versatility.

The benefits of Lodge cast iron skillets include their heat retention and vast range of sizes and collections. They are also very affordable, given that they are made in the USA, where labour and production costs are higher. This is partly because it is cheaper to ship such heavy items locally than import them from overseas, and also because the main ingredient, iron, is much cheaper than stainless steel, copper, and many other cookware materials.

However, there are a few downsides to Lodge cast iron skillets. Firstly, they heat slowly and unevenly until they are fully pre-heated. Secondly, they are heavy, and the coarse bottom can scratch cooking surfaces if you are not careful. They also require extra care to clean and season properly, and the recessed logo on the bottom can cause issues with induction cooking.

Lodge skillets are made from a mix of pig iron and recycled materials

Lodge is committed to environmental responsibility and has been taking steps to reduce its environmental footprint for decades. In 2016, the company recycled more than 20,000 tons of various materials, including aluminum, cardboard, plastic, scrap metal, paper, steel, and cast iron. That's the equivalent of removing nearly 8,000 cars from the road!

Lodge also recycles or reuses materials from its own manufacturing process, such as sand used to make cookware molds and oil used to season the cast iron. In 2021, the company purchased 9,076 tons of recycled steel and remelted 33,370 tons of defective castings to keep materials in use for longer.

Lodge skillets are not only built to last for generations but are also made with recycled materials. The company's commitment to sustainability is evident in every step of the manufacturing process, from sourcing scrap materials to repurposing foundry sand and recycling seasoning oil.

Lodge skillets are heavy and heat slowly

Lodge skillets are heavy, and this weight is due to their thick walls. While this thickness causes them to heat slowly, it also gives them superior heat retention. The skillets' weight makes them difficult to lift and manoeuvre, especially when they're full of food. For example, the 12-inch Lodge Classic skillet weighs 8.1 pounds empty, and the 15-inch version weighs 12.36 pounds.

The weight of Lodge skillets can also cause issues with certain cooktops. While they can be used on any heat source, including induction, glass-top stoves require extra care. The skillets' rugged construction can damage delicate stoves or countertops if dragged across them, and their weight means that care must be taken not to drop them.

Lodge skillets are slow to heat up due to the thickness of their walls and the fact that iron is a poor conductor of heat. They heat unevenly, with the centre of the pan heating up first, but they do eventually heat evenly as the heat spreads to the edges. Once hot, Lodge skillets maintain their temperature well, even when cold ingredients are added.

Lodge skillets are heavy-duty and built to last. They are a solid, secure piece of cookware that feels well-built and are renowned for their durability. The company has been making cast-iron skillets in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, since 1896, so they have over a century of experience.

Lodge skillets are affordable

Lodge skillets are a great affordable option for those looking to buy their first cast-iron skillet. Lodge skillets are durable, versatile, and easy to use. They are also pre-seasoned, which means they are naturally non-stick and ready to use right out of the box.

The Lodge 10.25-inch cast-iron skillet is a great value option for those looking for a reliable, all-purpose skillet. It is heavy and durable, and its pre-seasoning means that eggs won't stick to it. It can also be used to bake cornbread and sear steaks. The skillet can be used on gas, electric, or induction stoves, as well as on grills and even over a campfire.

The Lodge skillet is a longstanding American icon. Lodge is the oldest continuously operating cast-iron cookware manufacturer in the country and has been making affordable, durable cast-iron skillets in Tennessee since 1896. Their classic skillet, with its characteristic teardrop handle, pour spouts, and helper handle, is especially popular. Lodge skillets are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 3.5 inches to 15 inches in diameter.

Lodge skillets are also easy to care for. Contrary to popular belief, you can wash your pan with mild dish soap and hot water. Just make sure to dry your pan completely since lingering moisture can cause rust spots or damage the seasoning. You can dry it over low heat on the stove or in the oven, and then rub a thin layer of a neutral oil all over the inside and outside of the pan to preserve its seasoning.

Lodge skillets are a great affordable option for those looking for a durable, versatile, and easy-to-use cast-iron skillet.

Lodge skillets are made in Tennessee

Lodge skillets are made through an age-old process called sand moulding. A proprietary mix of molten pig iron, steel, and other ingredients are poured into a sand mould. The sand melts at a higher temperature than iron, so the mould holds its shape. Once the cast iron pan or pot has cooled, the sand mould is broken, and a new piece of cookware is ready. Lodge skillets are sprayed with vegetable oil and baked at a high temperature, creating a natural, easy-release finish that improves with use.

Lodge skillets are also pre-seasoned. Traditionally, cast-iron skillets need to be washed, dried, coated in vegetable oil, and baked upside down for an hour before use. Lodge skillets, however, are coated in vegetable oil at the factory and go through high-temperature commercial ovens, allowing the oil to deeply seep into the iron. This makes Lodge skillets seasoned and ready to use straight away.

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