Lodge 5 Quart Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Deep Skillet with Lid - Signature Teardrop Handle Assist Handle - Use

This deep cast iron skillet is perfect for frying. It's deep enough to allow you to fry larger quantities of chicken, etc. It is a quality skillet and a good value. Be aware, though, it is VERY heavy. The lid is a nice additon. Read more

I got the Lodge Logic Cast-Iron Chicken Fryer when I learned that properly seasoned cast-iron cookware are an alternative to Teflon cookware. With the Lodge Logic Cast-Iron Chicken Fryer, I no longer have to contend with Teflon cooking surfaces that start to flake and lose their their non-stick properties over time. (Teflon 101: Teflon contains PTFE [Polytetrafluoroethylene], which the FDA finds to contain "insignificant" amounts of PFOA [Perfluorooctanoic acid], a toxicant and carcinogen in animals -Wikipedia. Insignificant amounts or not, I'm not taking chances.) Besides having a non-stick surface (which is PTFE- and PFOA-free), the Lodge Logic Cast-Iron Chicken Fryer has a lot more to offer: Heat Retention and Distribution ------------------------------- With cast-iron, heat is evenly distributed throughout the pan so you won't get hot spots that will burn your food. The excellent heat retention property of cast-iron also help to cook food quickly so more of the vitamins in the food are retained. Deep Sides ---------- I use the Lodge Logic Cast-Iron Chicken Fryer mostly as a regular pan. The deep sides (3-1/4") help to keep the stove top clean by acting as a shield to keep splatter from grease and bits of food from reaching the stove top. Durability ----------- The Lodge Logic Cast-Iron Chicken Fryer is a one-piece cookware with no joints or rivets. It is extremely durable under normal use. In fact, cast-iron cookware do oftentimes outlast their owners! Do note, however, that cast-iron pans DO crack when subjected to extreme temperature changes. So, be sure to let an extremely hot cast iron pan cool some before attempting to wash it. Non-Stick Surface ----------------- When properly seasoned, cast-iron cookware should provide a non-stick cooking surface. When I got the Lodge Logic Cast-Iron Chicken Fryer, I found that even though it came "pre-seasoned," it wasn't quite non-stick! The solution was simple enough - all I had to do was to "season" it some more. I did some research and found that your cast-iron is best seasoned with animal-based fats or other vegetable-based saturated fats because saturated fats are less likely than non-saturated fats to turn rancid. Non-saturated fats are also more likely to leave a sticky residue than saturated fats when baked. - Animal-Based Fats The most notable animal-based fat is of course lard. However, I was unable to find commercially available lard that wasn't hydrogenated (hydrogenation is a process used for making liquid fats solid or semi-solid and for increasing shelf life). If you want lard that's not hydrogenated, your best bet would be to render your own pork/bacon fat. - Vegetable-Based Fats Non-hydrogenated Palm oil and Coconut oil are both saturated vegetable oils that are readily available in the natural foods section of most supermarkets. The use of Coconut oil, however, is discouraged because coconut oil has a strong flavor and will impart a tinge of its flavor on foods cooked in cast-iron cookware that have been seasoned with coconut oil. I used Spectrum Organic Vegetable Oil (which is actually just 100% palm oil) to season my Lodge Logic cookware. - The Seasoning Process Rub only a *thin* and even coating of fat on the cast-iron pan and bake the pan in the oven for an hour. Remember, more isn't better - I had to learn this the hard way. I applied too much of the Spectrum Oil on my first couple of coatings and found that the baked on oil became very sticky. I had to scrape out the sticky coating with a wooden spatula and start over. So, go easy on that coating of oil/fat! I had to repeat the seasoning process 6 times before my Lodge Logic became seasoned. - The Seasonedness Test A good test of whether your cast-iron cookware is truly seasoned is to cook an egg with it using no oil whatsoever. If the egg doesn't stick to the pan, your cast-iron pan is seasoned. Conclusion ---------- The Lodge Logic Cast-Iron Chicken Fryer is a very good alternative to Teflon cookware and should last a lifetime. Once seasoned, it is perfect for healthy fat-free or low fat cooking. Highly recommended! Read more

My daughter got hooked on cast iron using my pans, and is starting to build her own collection. All she wanted for her 20th birthday was more cast iron. I picked this for her because of the versatility of the size and shape. This is a pan she can use to pan broil, do stir fries, cook chili or spaghetti sauce and of course, fry chicken. It arrived in perfect shape, standard Lodge seasoning. So if you want to just go with it as is, you can. If you want to strip the seasoning and re-season, there are great instructions on the net to do that. She opted for the original seasoning, gave it a quick scalding water rinse, toweled dry, then added a couple coats of seasoning using Crisco she keeps exclusively for pan seasoning. She also fries bacon in her pans once a week to help the seasoning. The lid has little bumps all over it, this is so condensation drips back into the pan for a self-basting effect on things like roasts. When you lift the lid after it's cooled, give it a firm shake over the pan to get the last drops off the lid. It has both a handle and a grip to make it easy for a two handed lift. Cast iron is fantastic for the way it heats up and retains heat, and for how non-stick it is with proper care and seasoning. I have no doubt that my daughter will be passing this pan down. She's just thrilled with it. EDIT: This pan has become the most used pan in our kitchen. Even my son, who gets a little nervous using his sister's cast iron, will choose this pan regularly for one pot meals. Read more

Lodge makes quality pans. They come pre seasoned and ready to use. A good skillet for cast iron cook ware beginners and veteran cooks alike. Be aware they are heavy. But, if treated right are a lifetime purchase. Read more

Because it's cast iron, the heat distribution and cleaning easiness won't be as good as a copper pan. However, it's simple, sturdy, and does basically anything you'd want it to. Here's my care process. CARE: I initially seasoned it with avocado oil 5 times. (Light coating across entire pan, baked in the oven for 40 minutes at 500 degrees. Cool. Repeat 5 times). This was a lengthy process but worth it for an initial layer. Otherwise, I clean it with a soft brush or a pan scrapper if necessary. I use a small amount of dish detergent (just enough for a light lather), rinse it clean, and throw it back on a hot burner for a minute before applying a light coat of Crisco or avocado oil. Wipe off excess oil. Turn burner off and let cool. It's a little bit of work, but this pan is versatile, indestructible, safe from plastics, and affordable. I hardly use my other pans except when making sauces or small single portions. Also, this pan is HEAVY. Use two hands with potholders. Read more

I’m very happy with this Lodge 5-Quart pre-seasoned cast iron deep skillet. It arrived well packaged and was ready to use right out of the box. The skillet is solid, heavy, and clearly built to last. It heats evenly and holds heat extremely well, making it perfect for frying, searing, sautéing, and one-pot meals. The deep sides are great for cooking larger portions without splatter. I also like that it can be used on the stovetop and in the oven. Yes, it’s heavy, but that’s expected with cast iron and actually shows its quality. With proper care, this pan will last for many years. Overall, this is a great value and a reliable kitchen essential. I would definitely recommend it. Read more