Best buys · The grill and the backyard

The best cast iron skillet worth buying

Our pick is the Lodge 12" cast iron skillet. Below: why, what actually matters when buying one, what to get for less, the step up, and whether today's price is a good one.

The pan

Lodge 12" cast iron skillet

Costs less than a takeout order, lasts longer than you, and goes from the stovetop to the oven to the fire without caring. It gets better the more it is used.

Buy it for
Steak, cornbread, eggs over a campfire.
Skip it if
You will not dry it after washing. It will rust.

The price we have recorded

Lowest price per day across the stores and feeds we track, 2026-10-01 to 2026-10-15 (10 days). Not a store's "was" price: what it actually cost.

Low $14.39High $66.49

Full price history →

What actually matters when buying a cast iron skillet

  1. Pre-seasoned from the factory, so it is usable on day one.
  2. Weight. Cast iron holds heat because it is heavy; that is the point, but a 12-inch pan is a two-handed lift when full.
  3. A helper handle opposite the main one, for exactly that reason.
  4. Care: wash, dry on the heat, wipe with a little oil. It is not fragile, it just must not be left wet.

Either side of the pick

The step up

Field Company skillet

Lighter, with a smooth machined surface. Lovely to cook on, several times the price.

Check the price at Amazon ↗