Cast Iron Casserole Pan

Everyone loves cast iron these days and in the USA people love Lodge for the affordability and availability the brand has in stores like Wal-Mart, Cracker Barrel and Bass Pro. Every camping and sports store will have these products. Lately the company has been making fun things for specific purposes. Woks, casseroles, pizzas and fajitas all have products now. The questions though should be considered? 1) How often will you use it? Specific products might take up space and not get used. Cast iron needs to be cared for and oiled. If this is destined to sit somewhere collecting dust and rust before making an appearance once a year at Thanksgiving it might not be a good addition in the kitchen. Skillets and dutch ovens you already own can be used for casseroles. 2) Is it safe? No. This is dangerous. One thing you don't always consider is the weight of cast iron. This casserole dish is extremely heavy. If you have arthritis, carpal tunnel or weak grip this is not an easy product to lift. It can be dropped and cause injury to a toe or foot. The pan also has short handles and when removing it from the oven at higher temps it is very easy to burn yourself, especially on the forearm, hands or fingers. Don't trust things will be okay. Be over prepared with oven mits on both hands. If you have a heavy roast be confident you can carry it. 3) It is it a good value? Yes. This is an incredible value. Lodge is well known for being reasonable in price but strong in quality. It will last forever. It cooks superbly and has many uses. These are great in smokers, for brownies, lasagna and enchiladas. The food tastes better in cast iron. If you are a casserole person with great strength and patience for safety this is a wonderful value as no more broken glass casserole dishes on the floor to sweep up ever again! 4) Is there a better option? Yes and maybe. Dutch ovens are easier to hold and move. With a lot they also work better outdoors. They also work well for casseroles. I'm not sure there is a great argument for this product when the other is more versatile. If you own a Lodge Skillet and Dutch Oven you probably don't need this. If you camp this offers no benefit over other products. If you are a cast iron enthusiast or have a unique need like a Green Egg or smoker this would stand up better than other casserole products this is for you. I love mine for deep dish pizza, enchiladas and oven frying breaded chicken breasts. It makes a wonderful meatloaf and roasted chicken with vegetables. Baked hams and roasted are exceptional but I wouldn't want my wife to lift it out of the oven on her own. She's tough but this is hard to hold with smaller handles and extra weight it would be a horrible trip to the ER for burn care if she were to lose her grip. Lodge is wonderful and keep in mind everyone has different needs and physical strength. Consider your own situation and this might be the best addition to your collection. It sure makes me happy. Happy cooking! Be safe.

I finally understand what all the hype around Lodge cast iron is about! This casserole dish has become a staple in my kitchen. This pan does everything. The 9x13 size is absolutely perfect. It's large enough for family meals, but not so big that it's unwieldy and hard to wash. The even heating is a great benefit to using cast iron. No more hot spots or unevenly cooked food! Everything comes out perfectly browned and delicious. The quality is phenomenal. This thing is SOLID. You can feel the weight and craftsmanship. I love knowing that this isn't just another kitchen gadget that'll wear out in a few years. This is an heirloom piece that I'll be passing down to my kids. The pre-seasoned surface was ready to use right out of the box, and with each use, it just gets better. This Lodge casserole has earned its permanent spot in my kitchen. The exceptional cooking performance it offers makes it worth every penny.

Some reviews I've come across make me wonder. I own several varieties of Lodge pans, and throughout my experience, I have never had any issues with them. While it's true that defects can occasionally occur with any product, I believe it's unfair to judge a company solely based on those instances. If you use the pan correctly and it still happens to crack, remember that they offer a LIFETIME WARRANTY for such situations. It's important to carefully read the instructions and ensure you're using the pans as intended to avoid potential problems. This pan's dimensions are ideal for everyday cooking tasks and intimate gatherings, making it a versatile addition. Its straightforward design simplifies both usage and cleaning, ensuring a hassle-free experience. In terms of weight, it carries the substantial heft typical of durable cast iron cookware, which contributes to its excellent heat retention and even cooking. When used correctly, you won’t encounter any issues with food sticking to its surface. If you're uncertain about the proper care for your cast iron pan, I highly recommend visiting YouTube. Lodge has a dedicated channel that provides valuable guidance on maintenance, including techniques for restoring a rusted cast iron piece. Remember, these pans are built to last, so don’t ever consider tossing them out!

This pan is the perfect size for baking rolls or casseroles. Cooks evenly and cleans up easily too!

It’s a Lodge! What else can be said? Oh the value for the money. The ease of use. The maintenance. The overall quality of the product is great! The weight of the pan makes it versatile for cooking anywhere. Lodge has a support system if we run into any issues. So far everything works as expected. The potluck casserole was prepared and maintained perfectly.

It’s perfect. The cast iron hold heat perfectly and spreads it out for beautifully even baking. It is rather heavy (3-4 times heavier then a similar non-stick of the same size). The handles are a bit small but not to hard to get a grip on, But this is a baking pan that will outlive its owner if properly cared for. Highly recommend for anyone wanting an outstanding pan

I bought this for making pan pizzas and focaccia. It performed beautifully. And the handles are very well positioned. I dropped one star because the pan doesn't sit perfectly flat on the counter. It spins a bit while I'm preparing the dough in the pan.

This is a tank! Very heavy and well built. Better than I expected by a long shot. This will last for generations!