This pan takes a tiny bit more work than french cookware, but at half the cost it is worth the effort.
Out of the box, this pan does not look like it's in the same class as my 3 rivet handle french skillets. And frankly, if you try to use the rough factory seasoning it would take months to eventually become equivalent, if ever. But since my high cost french pans needed the wax coating burned off with subsequent seasoning by me, I don't think it's fair to ding Lodge for needing to burn off the factory coating with subsequent re-seasoning by me. It's six of one and half dozen of the other.
However, the Lodge factory metal finish is not smooth like my french pans (this is a feature to make the factory seasoning fogging process work) which means I *DID* do a little work with sandpaper and steel wool to smooth down the rough surface after I had burned off the factory seasoning in a self cleaning oven. Once I was down to smooth metal, the process was virtually identical to my french pans.
(I understand why there is a factory seasoning; because Lodge is appealing to only the U.S. market. Few European households are going to buy a Lodge pan. And in the U.S. artificial convenience is an important selling point. After all, most Americans call the bag of stuff that comes out a drive through window food.)
Once you're down to metal and ready to season, do it exactly like you would do a french steel pan or a cast iron pan. There are plenty of videos on YouTube. Pick your favorite and go to town. If you like the results, good enough.
Once it is properly seasoned this pan is absolutely equivalent to my European steel cookware. Eggs slide right out. Pancakes are awesome. Onions caramelize great. And don't forget its half the cost.
The handle on this 10 in pan is canted up about 15 degrees, about the same angle as a Matfer Bourgeat pan, which is a vast improvement over the horizontal handle of the Lodge CRS12 that I bought several years ago. I find this handle is excellent. It doesn't get hot while making breakfast, but realize it does get hot in the oven.
The pan's metal is 12 gauge steel, so it is about the same thickness as a de Buyer Mineral B 9.5" omelet pan. And the handle is riveted to the pan like de Buyer's Mineral B line rather than spot welded like Matfer. So I expect this pan will end up easily outlasting my grandchildren, much like a cast iron one. But without the weight of cast iron.
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Five month update:
This has become my go to breakfast pan. Eggs slide around easy. It’s now every bit as smooth as my expensive French pans. A little shallower sides and slightly bigger flat bottom than my similar De Buyer Mineral B, so morning omelets are easier than with the De Buyer. It goes in the oven safely for frittatas. Cleans and seasons exactly like cast iron or French steel, no difference (come on, iron molecules are iron molecules the world over), and it’s noticeably lighter than cast iron - so it heats and cools faster than cast iron. Note that it doesn't heat and cool like a copper pan because it’s not copper - that’s a completely different animal. But the heat retention and distribution is exactly equivalent to my French steel pans.
Makes an awesome grilled cheese sandwich, too.
Overall this pan is worth ever cent I paid and the effort I put into seasoning it right. Try to take it away from me and I’ll use it to beat you.
If you want an iron cook surface and not the weight of cast iron, then this is the ticket.
| Brand | Lodge |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel |
| Special Feature | This handy 10-inch seasoned steel skillet is the only pre-seasoned and ready to use out of the box steel pan in the market place right now. Each skillet is pre-seasoned with natural soy bean oil. Maintains very low and very high temperatures, making the pan a highly effective and versatile cooking piece. It performs well in residential and professional kitchens as well as outdoors. Made of 12 gauge carbon steel. Steel is a high density metal that does not retain odors. |
| Color | Black |
| Capacity | 2 Quarts |
| Compatible Devices | Gas |
| Product Care Instructions | Hand Wash Only |
| Handle Material | Carbon Steel |
| Is Oven Safe | Yes |
| Model Name | CRS10PLT |
| Has Nonstick Coating | No |
| Is Dishwasher Safe | No |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Use in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, or over a campfire |
| Specific Uses For Product | Gas stovetops, electric stovetops, induction stovetops, outdoor grills, open fire, oven, campfire |
| UPC | 075536551104 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00075536551104, 30075536551105 |
| Product Dimensions | 10.31 x 18.81 x 3.31 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.634 ounces |
| Department | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Lodge Manufacturing Company |
| ASIN | B005U93RYC |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | Skillet |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | September 28, 2011 |
| Material Feature | Biodegradable Warning |
