Le Creuset vs Lodge
Based on tests by TechGearLab (Jun 2025). How we score
Save $215Depends. The Lodge for most people.
Buy the Le Creuset if you want a pan that never needs seasoning and can take acidic sauces.
From 1 tester: TechGearLab
From 1 tester: TechGearLab
Amazon prices as of Oct 10, 1:57 AM EDT (details)
What the testers found
TechGearLab's Best Overall cast iron skillet: "This classic skillet is everything we want out of a cast iron in terms of versatility and durability." It had one of the best sears in the test and the best cornbread, and it holds more than the Le Creuset (2.3 quarts vs 1.9). The trade-off is upkeep: bare cast iron needs seasoning, and TechGearLab notes that acidic sauces can damage that seasoning. Its cons: "Would benefit from a longer handle, relatively shallow sidewalls." It weighs slightly more than the Le Creuset (5.97 lb vs 5.38).
Specs side by side
| Spec | Le Creuset | Lodge |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.95 | $24.90 |
| Cost per year | — | — |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Material | Enameled cast iron; black satin interior needs no seasoning | Bare cast iron, pre-seasoned |
| Size | 10.5 in across, 1.8 in deep (measured by TechGearLab) | 10.25 in across, 2 in deep (TechGearLab) |
| Volume | 1.9 qt (TechGearLab) | 2.3 qt (TechGearLab) |
| Weight | 5.38 lb (TechGearLab) | 5.97 lb (TechGearLab) |
| Oven-safe | 500°F | — |
| Care | Listed as dishwasher-safe; Le Creuset suggests wood or silicone tools (TechGearLab) | — |
| Made in | — | USA |
Sources: TechGearLab: The Best Cast Iron Skillet (updated June 11, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
