Lodge 10.25-Inch Skillet Review: Is It the Right First Pan?

Plenty of home cooks want one pan that can sear a steak, bake cornbread and go from stovetop to oven without a second thought. The Lodge 10.25-inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet (ASIN B00006JSUA, model L8SK3) is the classic budget answer: one piece of black cast iron, seasoned at the factory and made in the USA.

Easy to spot: a round matte black pan with a long solid handle, a hanging hole at the end, a small helper handle on the opposite side and two pour spouts on the rim.

Who a 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet Fits Best

This size suits one to three people: a couple of steaks, a skillet of eggs, a small cornbread or a frittata. On r/castiron, one commenter sums it up: "For size, 10.25 is kind of a standard good all around size."

Good fit: first-time cast iron buyers, people who sear or roast often, and anyone cooking on induction or over a campfire. Less ideal: cooks who need a light pan they can toss with one hand, or households that want a true nonstick surface for delicate eggs from day one.

Is $23.38 a Fair Price for a Lodge Skillet?

Shoppers comparing cast iron usually ask about weight, how nonstick it really is, rust, and whether pricier brands are worth it. In our Nov. 5, 2026 check of Amazon.com, the 10.25-inch skillet was $23.38 (list price $24.90), shipped and sold by Amazon, with a 4.6-star average from 87,572 ratings. Prices change often.

Amazon's product details describe a pre-seasoned, PFAS-free cast iron pan with a teardrop handle that works on gas, electric coil and smooth-surface induction, in the oven, on the grill and over a campfire. Care is hand wash only, and Amazon's description shows a lifetime manufacturer warranty.

Amazon lists the pan at about 5.4 pounds, while TechGearLab weighed its sample at 5.97 pounds. Either way, plan on two hands when the pan is full.

Peers include Victoria and Field Company skillets, carbon steel pans and enameled cast iron. Lodge is the plain, low-cost option; the pricier brands mostly sell a lighter build or a smoother machined surface.

Amazon's AI-generated review summary says buyers like the size, the searing results and the easy cleanup. Nonstick performance and weight get mixed feedback, and several buyers mention rust after the first use.

TechGearLab's review notes that the slightly sandy factory finish feels rough at first and smooths out as seasoning builds, and it wishes the pour spouts were deeper and the handle longer.

The handle is solid iron and gets as hot as the pan. Keep a thick oven mitt or handle cover nearby every time you cook.

Wash by hand with warm water and a brush, dry it right away, then wipe in a very thin layer of oil while the pan is still warm.

If rust spots show up, scrub them off, dry the pan fully and re-oil it; the iron underneath is usually fine.

Skip long soaks and the dishwasher, both of which strip seasoning and invite rust.

Start with oil-friendly foods like bacon, burgers or roasted vegetables; eggs tend to release better once the seasoning has built up.

What Users Say

On r/castiron, a thread asking whether the Lodge 10.25 is any good is overwhelmingly positive; one reply says Lodge pans are "inexpensive and work just fine." In a Lodge vs. Backcountry thread, another commenter notes that pricier pans mainly win on weight and surface smoothness. These are individual opinions, not lab results.

Similar Alternatives

• Lodge 12-inch skillet: more room for families, heavier still
• Victoria 10-inch skillet: longer, curved handle at a similar price
• Carbon steel skillets: lighter and quicker to heat, need similar care

Bottom line: the Lodge 10.25-inch skillet (B00006JSUA) is a cheap, durable starting point for cast iron cooking. Expect real weight, a hot handle and a short learning curve on seasoning; in return you get a pan that handles high heat almost anywhere. Confirm the 10.25-inch size on Amazon before ordering, since a 6.5-inch version sits on the same page.

Specs

Pros

• Low price for a pan that can last for decades
• Works on induction, in the oven and over a campfire
• Pre-seasoned surface improves the more you cook in it

Cons

• Heavy, especially when full
• Handle gets hot; you need a mitt or cover
• Some buyers report rust or sticking early on

FAQ

What size is this skillet? It is the 10.25-inch Lodge skillet. A 6.5-inch version appears on the same Amazon page, so check the size before ordering.

Does it work on an induction cooktop? Yes. The Amazon description names smooth-surface induction, gas and electric coil as compatible heat sources.

Can it go in the dishwasher? No. Amazon's description says hand wash only. Dry the pan right away and add a thin coat of oil.

Is it nonstick out of the box? It comes pre-seasoned, but buyers are split on how nonstick it is at first. Cooking with some oil helps the seasoning build up.

How heavy is it? Amazon lists about 5.4 pounds, and TechGearLab weighed its pan at 5.97 pounds.

Sources

• Amazon product detail — Lodge 10.25 in Cast Iron Skillet (B00006JSUA)
• TechGearLab — best cast iron skillets
• Reddit: r/castiron — is the Lodge 10.25 any good?
• Reddit: r/castiron — first cast iron recommendations
• Reddit: r/castiron — Lodge vs. Backcountry

Where to buy

$23.38 | See price on Amazon →

Check the details on the seller's page before you buy.

All images are AI-generated illustrations.