Lodge: The Perfect Cast Iron Gift
There's no doubt that Lodge Manufacturing is a leader in cast iron cookware and for good reason. Each of the company's cast iron and seasoned steel products are still cast in traditional sand molds – a method that's been in use since the first Lodge foundry was opened in South Pittsburg, Tenn. more than 120 years ago. The pans are made by American workers using the highest quality iron alloy to bring you a sturdy, reliable, naturally nonstick product with no PFOAs or PTFEs. Additionally, Lodge cast iron products come pre-seasoned, meaning your loved one can open and use their gift the same day.
To learn more about Lodge pans and how to clean them, check out our overview of Lodge cookware materials and our cast iron seasoning guide.
Is Cast Iron a Good Gift?
Depending on the person you're shopping for, cast iron is a great gift for weddings, housewarming parties, holidays, anniversaries, or graduations. Not only are cast iron gifts useful and visually appealing, but they can deliver decades of enjoyment when cared for properly – talk about a gift that keeps on giving!
Lodge cast iron is affordably priced and lasts for many years, so it's a great choice if you want to leave a lasting impression on the recipient. Better yet, cast iron cookware is both attractive and functional, so it won't become just another piece of clutter in your loved one's home.
Although picking the right pan can seem daunting to those not well acquainted with cast iron, it doesn't have to be. In this Lodge cast iron gift guide, we'll cover all kinds of cast iron products, their common uses, and how to decide on the perfect piece for that special someone.
Choosing Gifts for Cast Iron Lovers
Anyone who's friends with a food lover has probably heard about the seemingly magical properties of cast iron cookware, as well as its enthusiastic following among cooking connoisseurs. If you have a cast iron lover in your life, it makes sense to choose a gift you know they'll be excited to receive.
To help narrow down your choices, consider the preferences and habits of the individual you're buying for. Consider their favorite style of cooking, how they currently use cast iron, and what they already own to identify opportunities to accent or expand their collection.
An avid outdoor adventurer, for example, would probably be pleased to receive cast iron pans and accessories designed for cooking over a campfire. Someone who loves throwing dinner parties will probably get good use from aesthetically pleasing pieces designed to perform in the kitchen and on the tabletop. Home chefs who often make cookies, biscuits, and other baked goods are prime candidates for baking sheets and accessories, while pans designed to mimic grill and griddle cooking surfaces would be a hit with cooks who love searing meats, grilling veggies, or cooking up a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and hash browns. A new chef will need basic starter pieces they can rely on for many cooking needs, while someone with an existing cast iron collection will probably want something a little more unique.
Taking the time to tailor your cast iron gift to the recipient is fairly simple and can pay dividends when they open their present. Consider their unique cooking style, habits, and preferences to help narrow down your options.
Lodge Cast Iron Cooking Gifts
Lodge sells a variety of pots, pans, and other cookware that make excellent cast iron cooking gifts for professional chefs and dedicated home cooks alike. Here, we'll provide a brief overview of some popular Lodge cookware pieces and how they're used to help you choose the best fit.
Skillets
Anyone shopping for a loved one just starting their own cast iron collection should consider the iconic Lodge cast iron skillet as a foundational piece. This sturdy workhorse of a pan is simple to use and can take a beating in the kitchen without warping or cracking. Its deep sides, high heat tolerance, and excellent temperature retention mean this pan can go from stovetop to oven to campfire with ease, cooking stews, quiches, baked goods, veggies, meat, and much more.
Imaginative cooks can make breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert all with just one pan. It's also a great space-saving cooking solution for compact living quarters because it does the work of several pans in one tool. All Lodge cast iron comes pre-seasoned, so even novice cast iron users can use it right away.
Bakeware
Whether you're shopping for someone who loves to bake cakes, cookies, pies, and other desserts, or someone who spends more time on the savory side with casseroles, bread, or pizza, there's a Lodge bakeware pan that's perfect for the job. Unlike glass bakeware, cast iron rarely breaks or chips if it's dropped, and its excellent heat retention abilities ensure food is baked evenly on the underside. All Lodge cast iron bakeware pieces are designed with sturdy, generous handles users can grab securely even while wearing oven mitts. Many baking pans feature silicone-enhanced handles for added grip, so users can lift and move filled pans from countertop to oven and back again with confidence.
Dutch Ovens
Cast Iron Dutch ovens from Lodge feature dual handles for easy lifting and compact storage. Models designed for campfire cooking often have an additional bail handle so they can be hung securely over a fire. These pots have deep sides to hold soups, stews, rice, casseroles, steamed vegetables, and other liquid-rich dishes.
All Lodge Dutch ovens come paired with cast iron lids to absorb and radiate heat evenly from all directions, making them excellent for baking, braising, and broiling. The enclosed design helps produce moist, evenly cooked foods with nearly any heat source. Some models have short legs for placement over campfire coals without smothering the flame.
Seasoned Steel
You may think only a cast iron pan will do for your loved one, but Lodge's seasoned carbon steel pans should also be considered. Carbon steel pans share many cooking characteristics with cast iron with a lighter, thinner design. Just like cast iron, carbon steel pans need to be kept seasoned for a naturally nonstick finish that resists rust; with proper care, these pans can last for years.
Although the thinner metal is slightly more susceptible to temperature fluctuations, many cooks believe carbon steel is the best choice for searing steaks and pork chops because the pan's unique texture imparts a perfectly crispy, golden crust without sticking to the meat. Chefs who love cast iron but dislike its heavy, solid weight will love carbon steel, as well as anyone who frequently pan-sears cuts of meat.
Mini Pans & Tableware
Maybe you find yourself shopping for a cast iron aficionado who already has a good collection of pans, and you're wondering what to get for someone who has everything. Lodge mini pans and tableware might be just the ticket. Products in this category are designed to go straight from cooking to serving, adding a delightfully rustic, home-cooked appearance to any dish. Cast iron's gleaming black surface adds a high-quality feel to table settings and blends with a range of decor to make party planning easy. Many serveware pans are designed for holding and serving individual portions of food such as baked casseroles, macaroni and cheese, pot pie, or fruit cobblers and crumbles. These pans are a good choice for people who like hosting dinner parties, going all out at Thanksgiving, or attending potlucks.
Fajita Platters
There's nothing quite like the sight, sound, and smell of a sizzling Lodge cast iron fajita platter being placed on the table, ready for its contents to be spooned into soft, warm tortillas for a quick, delicious meal. Cooks who enjoy bringing hot, flash-seared foods like steaks, meat meant for fajitas, and vegetables straight from the stovetop to the table will get good mileage from a fajita skillet. Because of the cast iron's outstanding temperature retention, the pan's residual heat keeps cooking ingredients as they head to the table, imbuing them with the freshly seared flavor fajitas are known for. Hosts who like to cook adventurously and serve dishes designed to impress their guests will appreciate the enticing sizzle these pans bring to the dining experience.
Consider how many people your loved one typically cooks for to determine what size pan they need. Choose a cast iron piece that will meet their needs without taking up excess space in their cabinets.
Lodge Cast Iron Anniversary Gifts
When it comes to iron anniversary gifts, you may want to impress your spouse with something a little more striking than a humble skillet. Below, we'll cover unique and memorable gift options for wedding anniversaries and other extra-special occasions.
Enameled Cast Iron
Lodge enameled cast iron is a colorful, chic take on an old classic. This cookware features a core of traditional cast iron with a shiny, smooth coating of high-quality ceramic. This outer coating is typically finished with a vibrant glaze in one of several color options, making these beautiful conversation starters highly coveted in the world of cast iron aficionados.
Lodge offers several enameled cast iron Dutch ovens that are perfect for braising, roasting, baking, simmering, and stewing food. Because of their smooth, nonporous enamel coating, these Dutch ovens can be confidently used for acidic recipes and can hold liquid for hours without the worry of rust. Unlike traditional cast iron, enameled pieces are perfect for marinades made with wine or vinegar, tomato- and lemon-based sauces, and slow-cooked chili. These pots don't need seasoning, so care and maintenance is simple, and their wide temperature tolerance means they can go from fridge to oven to table with ease.
Grills & Grill Toppers
One of cast iron's most popular uses is searing meat, so it's no surprise this rugged material is perfect for grilling hamburgers, chicken, vegetables, and more. Lodge grills and grill accessories are safe to use with charcoal, firepit coals, or an open flame; both grill toppers and standalone grills are available.
Lodge cast iron grill toppers are designed to hold small or delicate ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms, fish, and bacon to prevent them from falling through the grill grate into the flames below. Grill toppers are perforated, letting food absorb all the delicious smoky flavors of the grill as it cooks.
Lodge cast iron grills are designed for tailgate parties, backyard barbecues, and camping trips. They typically include a cavity for hot coals below the grill grate and can be assembled and disassembled in a snap. Their relatively compact sizes make these grills easy to transport for outdoor cooking adventures with your favorite nature enthusiast or pit master.
Griddles & Grill Pans
Lodge cast iron griddles and grill pans enable you to grill right on your stovetop. While some Lodge griddles and grill pans are smooth, others are grooved to impart those classic grill lines on food as it cooks while holding it above fats. A few options are reversible – one smooth side and one grooved side. Some griddles are large enough to cover two burners, providing plenty of cooking space for bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, and sausages. These pans typically have low sides so chefs can easily add and remove food from the cooking surface, and some options have a built-in grease channel to manage excess fat. Cast iron griddles are perfect for people who love making grilled food but don't have access to a grill because of space or budget constraints.
Dishwasher-safe Cast Iron
It may surprise you to learn that Lodge makes dishwasher-safe cast iron. These heat-treated pieces feature a unique coat of seasoning that's exceptionally hard and resistant to moisture, so pieces from this collection can go straight into the dishwasher after dinner for instant cleanup. Heat-treated cast iron comes in a limited selection that includes small pans, serveware, and decorative mini servers meant for tabletop use, so it's perfect for people who already have plenty of cast iron cookware, like to throw parties, host holiday celebrations, cook for a large family, or just want to skip the cleanup. Many of these pieces come in decorative shapes to add extra pizzaz to the table, making them the interesting conversation starter any cast iron lover will enjoy.
Just like your marriage, cast iron anniversary gifts are built to last, so you and your spouse can enjoy them together for years to come.
What Gift Goes With Cast Iron?
Perhaps you find yourself shopping for someone who already has enough cast iron cookware, and you're looking for something they can use to enhance the pieces they already own. Luckily, there are dozens of lodge cast iron accessories and cookbooks to choose from, so you're sure to find something they'll love.
Cast Iron Accessories
Lodge cast iron accessories make perfect gifts for the cast iron cook who truly has everything. Whether you're looking to make a big statement or simply pick up a few stocking stuffers, there's a cast iron accessory to fit the bill. Available accessories range from portable cooking tables and campfire tripods to cleaning kits, potholders, and enameled cast iron trivets. No matter which cookware pieces your loved one owns, you'll find something here to enhance their experience.
Oven mitts, handle holders, and trivets are designed to protect cooks and kitchen surfaces alike from the heat of cooking with cast iron, while pan scrapers and scrub brushes designed specifically for cleaning cast iron make it easier to loosen stubborn, stuck-on food residue without damaging the pan's seasoning. Other items, such as splatter screens, egg rings, fryer baskets, and hamburger presses help streamline cooking and incorporate new recipes to the cast iron roster.
Lodge Cast Iron Cookbooks
Whether you're shopping for someone at the very beginning of their cast iron journey or wanting to surprise someone who has an established collection, cast iron cookbooks are a great place to start. Lodge cookbooks come in several varieties to delight all kinds of cast iron owners. Those who are new to cast iron cooking, or who just love trying new recipes, will enjoy reading "The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook" and "The Lodge Book of Dutch Oven Cooking," while cooks who enjoy campfire cooking will get good use out of the "Lodge Camp Dutch Oven 101" cookbook and the "Lodge Field Guide to Dutch Oven Cooking: From Novice to Champion." Traditionally minded cooks can delve deep into cast iron recipes from the past with "A Skillet Full of Traditional Southern Memories & Recipes," while those wishing to explore regional cuisine across the U.S. will appreciate the "Lodge Cast Iron Nation" cookbook and "Lodge Texas Treasury of Dutch oven Cooking." Lodge even publishes a "National Cornbread Festival Winning Recipes 1997-2014" compilation for chefs looking to experiment with a new twist on an old classic.
Lodge accessories and cookbooks can be fun, unexpected gifts for anyone who cooks with cast iron. Think about which cast iron pieces your loved one owns and make sure you choose cookbooks and accessories to match.
