It depends! We offer seasoned cast iron and enameled cast iron cookware, both in different shapes and sizes to meet your cooking and baking needs. Seasoned cast iron is a great place to start because it can be used on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, or even over a fire. We love to use it to sear steaks, roast veggies, and bake cornbread—but that’s really just the beginning. We recommend enameled cast iron for simmering soups and chilis, slow-cooking roasts, and baking sourdough bread. One major difference between enameled cast iron and seasoned cast iron is that enameled pieces can withstand acidic ingredients (hello, tomato sauce!) and be used to marinate dishes overnight in the fridge.

The basic foundation of our seasoned cast iron pieces is the same across all of our products. Each piece is made with just iron and oil, seasoned and ready to use, and designed to be passed down for generations. We have all kinds of seasoned cast iron cookware, from skillets and dutch ovens to muffin pans and casserole pans. Our classic cast iron, enameled cast iron, and cast iron bakeware pieces are a great part of any kitchen. If you enjoy cooking outside, we recommend our Savor the Outdoors pieces, such as our camp dutch ovens, charcoal grills, or grilling gear. They combine the durability and versatility of cast iron, but come specifically designed with features for outdoor cooking on the grill or over the campfire.

In our opinion: yes. Lodge Cast Iron is durable and versatile, which gives you endless possibilities for cooking, baking, grilling, or even cooking over a campfire. We’ve been making cast iron in our foundry in South Pittsburg, TN, since 1896.

Cast iron seasoning is simply a layer of carbonized oil baked onto cast iron through a process called polymerization. This forms a protective layer on top of your cookware and gives your cookware an easy-release finish. We season cookware at our foundry with 100% vegetable oil, so your skillet is naturally nonstick and ready to use from the beginning. Just give it a quick rinse, hand dry, and start cooking. That's right! You don’t need to do any at-home seasoning prior to using your cast iron for the first time.

Lodge Enameled Cast Iron is designed with a smooth porcelain surface bonded to iron. This surface is resistant to acidic and alkaline foods and can be used to marinate, cook, and refrigerate. For easy cleanup, we recommend using oil or cooking spray before adding food to your enameled casserole dish or dutch oven.

Yes, all of our cast iron comes seasoned and ready to use with a naturally nonstick finish that gets better with use. You can learn more about our seasoning process here.

All of our cookware is made with the highest quality ingredients and meets strict quality standards to ensure it lasts for generations. At our Factory Store locations, we sell Factory Seconds, which are pieces of cast iron that do not pass our quality inspection due to cosmetic blemishes—they’re perfectly functional and sold at a discounted price. You can learn more about visiting us here.

We offer some variations in style beyond our classic cast iron. Chef Collection pieces are made with an elevated, chef-inspired design, featuring spatula-friendly sidewalls and ergonomic handles to help home chefs cook like pros. The Blacklock Collection is inspired by our original foundry. These pieces combine lightweight design and triple-seasoned finish to make our most revolutionary cookware yet! 

This is our favorite question! Cast iron cookware can be used to cook almost anything, anywhere. Cast iron can withstand high temperatures, so you can use it in the kitchen, on the grill, and over live fires. And it’s a great option for all kinds of cooking projects, from searing steaks and baking pizzas to roasting vegetables and simmering soups.

Yes! Induction cooktops use magnetic fields to heat cookware, which means you need to use a pan that contains conductive, ferrous metals to transfer heat. This makes cast iron a great option for induction cooking. You can read our tips for cooking on induction here.

Yes, cast iron is safe to use on glass-top surfaces. Some folks are worried that using cast iron will scratch the surface of their glass-top stove. The bottom of our cookware is cast to be very smooth and shouldn’t scratch your stovetop. When moving your cast iron cookware, we recommend you gently pick it up and set it back down, rather than slide it from burner to burner.

Yes! Our seasoned cast iron pieces are made to be used in high-heat environments. Note, the seasoning on your cast iron will start to break down at sustained temperatures of around 650℉. Some of our pieces come with affixed knobs or handles—please refer to our specific recommendations for those items. Additionally, some outdoor items, such as camp dutch ovens, the smoker skillet, and grill basket, are not intended for indoor use.

No! It’s a recipe for rust. We recommend that you hand wash all of our cookware. But don't worry, it’s easy: we’ve got cleaning and care tips here. 

We're proud to manufacture all of our seasoned cast iron and seasoned carbon steel in the USA—in our South Pittsburg, TN foundries, to be exact. As of 2023, we also manufacture one of our two collections of enameled cast iron here in our hometown: USA Enamel, which features dutch ovens, grill pans, and skillets inspired by the best in American design. Essential Enamel, another much-loved line of enameled cast iron, is imported from either China or Vietnam from trusted, vetted partners who stand by our strict quality standards.