The Best 12″ Cast Iron Skillets for Every Budget (2025)

Who makes the best 12-inch cast iron skillet?

In this post, we’ve researched, reviewed, and compared the 6 best cast iron skillets to help you make the best choice for your kitchen and your family.

Skillets with a diameter of 10-12 inches give enough cooking surface for most of your home cooking needs and are best for families of three or more.

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How to Choose a 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet

The first time I tried to cook an egg in a cast iron skillet, let me tell you, it was a disaster.

I ended up with a scrambled egg that looked more like a meteor impact.

But once you get the hang of it, cooking with a cast iron skillet is like magic.

Your food comes out evenly cooked and with a crispy crust that’s to die for – that is, if you know how to choose a good one.

Here’s how:

1. Iron Quality 

High-quality cast iron skillets are typically made of pure or high-grade iron, with minimal impurities.

They should also have a smooth, polished surface and consistent thickness throughout the pan, allowing for even heat distribution and a long lifespan.

Cast iron pans made with ductile iron, a type of cast iron that has a higher amount of graphite, are considered to be of higher quality as they are more durable and less prone to cracking.

The presence of other metals, such as nickel or chromium, can also indicate a high-quality cast iron pan.

2. Design & Weight 

We’ve also judged the Skillets based on their shape, design, and overall structure of the handles and sprouts.

Deeper cooking pans are preferred for casseroles and most baking uses, but what if they don’t have a firm handle as well as a helper handle on the opposite side for a firm grip?

The weight of the skillets matters as well; you’ll find it very difficult to toss your food around the skillet if it’s too heavy.

3. Handles

A handle that fits comfortably in your hand, is not too heavy, and has a non-slip grip is ideal.

This will allow you to cook with ease and avoid any discomfort or hand fatigue while using the pan.

The handles should also be able to stand up against high temperatures without becoming too hot to touch.

Look for handles made of heat-resistant materials like silicone or wood, or those that are double-riveted for added stability.

And if you’re looking to save space, a skillet with a detachable handle, like the Ooni Cast Iron Skillet.

Should You Buy a 10-inch or 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet?

A 10-inch skillet is the best size for cooking eggs and other small and quick meals, while a 12-inch pan is best for larger meals, is more versatile, and is the best size for frying, roasting, and searing for 3 or more people.

Once you go bigger than 12 inches, you get a cooking surface with hot and cold spots, and the weight may become too heavy to toss food in and may strain your hands.

👉 Need a nonstick skillet as well? We compared Le Creuset and Caraway fry pans to find which is better!

What is the Best 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet?

See our short comparison table below, followed by our cast iron skillets reviews and top picks!

Below you’ll find the 6 best-selling 12″ cast iron skillets – reviewed and compared, and our top picks for 2025:

RELATED: Cast Iron vs. Carbon Steel Pans – what’s better?

1.  Stargazer 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet – Best Overall

Smooth as butter and cool to the touch – but your wallet might get a little hot

$165 AT STARGAZER

Through our research, the Stargazer is probably the best 12-inch cast iron skillet on this list and offers the best balance between weight and performance.

Here’s why:

The smooth cooking surface of the Stargazer (unlike the usual raw-looking iron), optimized weight (only 6.5 pounds, compared to Lodge’s 8 pounds), and the stay-cool handle make the Stargazer cast iron skillet super-fun and easy to cook with.

The surface is as non-stick as cast iron can get, out of the box. And, you can use it for almost anything you’ll cook (grill, induction, open fire) – with minimal oil.

The handle is designed so you can place your utensil on it without it falling off.

The forked design of the handle exposes more iron to the air, allowing the heat to dissipate before it reaches your hand – the stay-cool handles truly stay cool.

This family-size skillet is 2.3 inches deep and can contain 13.8 cups of liquid.

Best of all:

This USA-based company focuses on sustainability and uses recycled iron, recycled sand for its casting molds, and recycled paper for its shipping boxes.

And did we mention the lifetime warranty and excellent customer service?

Available at Stargazer ($165 with free shipping)

 2. Lodge 12″ Cast Iron Skillet – Most Popular

A cast iron classic that won’t break the bank – but your arm might feel it

VIEW ON AMAZON $29

Lodge has been a family-owned, USA-based company for over 120 years, and is well known for its high-quality cookware.

The Lodge pre-seasoned cast iron skillet comes with an assist silicone handle holder that protects your hands from heat up to 500 degrees F and can be used on any heat source, from the stovetop to a campfire, as long as you know how to season it and clean it.

Though it comes pre-seasoned (with natural vegetable oil), some users recommend seasoning it again before your first use and cleaning it only with mild soap.

The Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet is heavier than some modern skillets but lighter than traditional deep models, is better at searing, comes with a good factory seasoning, and has easy-to-grip handles.

This 12-inch deep skillet (that weighs 8 pounds) gets better the more you use it, and cooks like a champ, but is heavier and less smooth than the next skillet you’ll find on this list.

Available on Amazon ($29)

If you want a cast iron skillet with a lid, here’s the Lodge 12-inch with a lid, which costs $89 on Amazon:

3. Victoria Cast Iron Skillet – Budget Pick

“Ergonomic, eco-friendly, and easy on the wallet – if you can handle the heat.

VIEW ON AMAZON $20

The Victoria 12-inch cast iron skillet, made by the Colombia-based family business (since 1939), weighs 7.5 pounds and is made with recycled cast iron that’s completely purified to its rawest form.

The safer handles are larger, curvier, and more ergonomic than average, and allow for a better grip while handling hot iron.

Everything about the Victoria skillet is designed for optimal ease of use, including the large hanging holes, the contoured pour-spouts, the pre-seasoning (with non-GMO flaxseed oil), and the excellent heat retention.

No wonder it gets such high user ratings on Amazon.

Victoria’s large spouts allow you to pour off hot oil without a single drip. Its slightly sloped sides make the capacity a little more generous.

👉 Note that the handle can get too hot to touch, and its long design makes it seem heavier than it is.  We recommend ordering the silicone handle cover from the same brand.

Available on Amazon ($20)

4. AmazonBasics Cast Iron Skillet – Best Deep Skillet

Goes deep for stews and sears – but it’s a beast to lift.

VIEW ON AMAZON $35

One of Amazon’s best-selling cast iron skillets is the AmazonBasics 12″ preseasoned skillet, and it’s the deepest cast iron skillet on this list.

However, it “pays” for it with weight – this skillet weighs about 8 pounds, heavier than others on this list.

The Amazon Basics is oven-safe to 500 degrees F, and you can use it on any cooking surface, including the broiler, barbecue, stovetop, oven, and more.

Though designed for even heat, some users report hot and cold spots. Amazon recommends using it on medium heat with a small amount of oil on the cooking surface.

(Don’t forget to use oven mittens with this one, it gets hot very fast)

While Amazon buyers like this skillet, they do complain about its weight (more than 8 pounds) and believe that it needs another seasoning before its first use.

✅ Available on Amazon ($35)

5. Utopia Kitchen Cast Iron Skillet – Best PreSeasoning

Ready to cook out of the box

VIEW ON AMAZON $29

The Utopia Kitchen 12.5-inch cast iron skillet pre-seasoning (with soy-based oil) is equivalent to about 10 rounds of normal home seasoning and is ready to use out of the box.

It is compatible with every heat source, including ovens, stoves (gas/electric), ceramic glass-top stoves, grills, or over a campfire.

The larger-than-average size makes it a bit heavier than 12-inch skillets (8 pounds), but it has high sides, a helper handle, and high consumer ratings.

The price is also almost unbeatable, and we think it is very similar to the Lodge skillet.

However, it is not made in the USA.

✅ Available on Amazon ($29)

6. Field Cast Iron Skillet – Smoothest Surface

Light, silky, and vintage-level craftsmanship – but it’ll cost you.

$215 AT FIELD COMPANY

The Field Company 12-inch skillet is the closest modern cast iron skillet that reminds us of vintage cast iron skillets (such as Griswold and Wagner’s) – on this list.

And the best news?

The Field Cast is the lightest skillet on this list (only 6 pounds), and it has the smoothest surface. The lighter weight is important for people with arthritic hands.

Because it heats so quickly, you’ll want to watch closely to avoid overcooking.

The great craftsmanship is apparent with the smooth, natural nonstick surface and the ease of cleaning.

Nothing sticks to this skillet from your first use, the preseasoning is perfect, and the assistance handles are very well made. The very slight grooves in the finish keep the seasoning well.

This skillet can contain 11.3 cups of liquid, 3 steaks, or 6 fried eggs – perfectly.

(RELATED: The Top 4 American-Made Steak Knives)

The only improvement we can think of is to add pour sprouts. It’s not the lowest-cost cast iron skillet, but we think it’s worth every penny and can last for generations to come.

✅ Available at Field Company ($215 with free shipping)

Cast Iron Skillet Benefits

Most of us know that cast iron cookware is non-toxic, stays hot longer, and is very hard to destroy. But, there are a few more benefits that some of us are not aware of:

• Cast iron skillets are long-lasting and can withstand high heat, making them ideal for stovetop, oven, and campfire cooking
• A cast-iron skillet cooks your food evenly and will keep your food warm longer (up to 30 minutes!)
• Cast Iron skillets are completely toxin-free
• The more you use it, the better the seasoning it gets
• If adequately seasoned, food won’t stick to the skillet, and it’ll be easy to clean.
• During the cooking process, a small amount of iron is absorbed into the foods (free iron supplementation)
• Cast iron skillets can help retain the nutrients in food due to their high heat retention and even heating
• When you bake with a cast-iron skillet, you don’t need to preheat it.
• Cast iron skillets are relatively inexpensive compared to other cookware options, and they can last for generations with proper care.

How Do You Season a Cast Iron Skillet?

To season a cast iron skillet, start by cleaning and drying it completely. Rub a thin layer of oil (like grapeseed, flaxseed, sunflower, or non-GMO olive oil) onto the inside surface. Place the skillet upside down on the middle oven rack and bake at 375°F for 1 hour. Let it cool in the oven.

Many high-quality skillets come pre-seasoned and ready to use. But if not, seasoning it this way helps build a natural nonstick surface and prevents rust (we use non-GMO oils).

Here’s a good demonstration by professional chef Frank Proto:

How Do You Clean a Cast-Iron Skillet?

To clean a cast-iron skillet, wash it by hand right after cooking, while it’s still warm.

1. Rinse with hot water and scrub gently with a sponge (avoid soap).
2. For stuck-on food, use a paste of coarse kosher salt and water to scrub.
3. Rinse again or wipe clean with a damp cloth.
4. Dry it completely with a paper towel or by heating it on the stove.

How Are Cast Iron Skillets Made?

The manufacturing of cast iron skillets starts with melting a mixture of pig iron, recycled steel, and recycled cast iron in a 2,800°F furnace.

1. The molten metal is purified with vermiculite to remove impurities.
2. It’s then poured into sand molds shaped like skillets.
3. Once cooled, the skillet is ground, polished, and rinsed.
4. Some brands finish with a seasoning layer of vegetable oil for a ready-to-use surface.

The KM Team