Cast Iron Skillets · owner-verdict comparison

Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet vs Lodge Chef Collection 12 Inch Skillet: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet: 90% of 30 owners recommend it, vs 79% of 24 for the Lodge Chef Collection 12 Inch Skillet.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

90%of 30 owners recommend
90% recommend · 3% neutral · 7% don't
Owners praise
  • Lasts for years of heavy use
  • The most-used daily-driver pan in the kitchen
  • Excellent value for the low price
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Lodge Chef Collection 12 Inch Skillet

79%of 24 owners recommend
79% recommend · 13% neutral · 8% don't
Owners praise
  • Noticeably lighter than the standard Lodge skillet, making it easier to lift and maneuver
  • Sloped, flared sides are excellent for eggs, omelettes, and flipping food as it cooks
  • Used daily as an everyday pan and a strong value in an upgraded cast iron
Owners complain about
  • Occasional quality issues out of the box, such as sharp or rough edges, gouge marks, or pits on some units
  • Shallower than the traditional skillets, with rounded corners some find less ideal for baked items
  • Thinner, lighter build means less heat retention than the heavier classic model
Full owner report →

What Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet owners say

They are the stars of my kitchen.
@jackrembold4976 on YouTube
performs just as flawlessly as it did when it was new
@lindacgrace2973 on YouTube
Both need longer handles.
@HeyISawThat on YouTube

What Lodge Chef Collection 12 Inch Skillet owners say

I checked out the classic 12" skillet at Walmart and noticed how heavy it was compared to my 12" Chef Collection skillet
@dbkfrogkaty1 on YouTube
I recently bought a Lodge Chef Collection pan which has shallower angled sides and was able to make a French tri-fold omelette.
es330td on Reddit
Both need longer handles.
@HeyISawThat on YouTube