Welcome to my Lodge 12-inch cast iron lid review.
Have you considered getting a cast iron lid but aren’t sure if it’s necessary?
You have some uses in mind but have also heard that a glass lid will do as well.
What are the questions people ask, and what are they saying about this product?
We will look at these things and give you the pros and cons of a cast iron lid.
Additionally, you can learn a little about Lodge and why they can be trusted.
So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Lid Review
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Product: Cast Iron lid
Brand: Lodge
Price: See Amazon
Dimensions: 12.62-in W (pour spout to pour spout) x 12.12 L x 2.59-in H
Fits: Lodge 12-inch skillets
Made in: USA
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Great For: Locking in moisture
Cleaning: Handwash, dry thoroughly, coat with a thin layer of oil or fat
What Are Cast Iron Lids?
Cast iron lids are lids that are made out of cast iron. Typically they come with self-basting tips on the inside. These tips (or spikes) catch the steam and rain it back into the food, giving it continuous moisture. Additionally, the lid is made to cover the pour spouts and fits snuggly all the way around.
A Little About Lodge
Lodge Cast Iron is a family-owned business located in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.
It began in 1896 with Joseph Lodge and was called Blacklock Foundry.
However, after the building burned down in 1910, Joseph rebuilt and renamed the company Lodge Cast Iron.
Over the years, Lodge has survived several economic downturns and even thrived when other foundries were closing down.
And as business continued to grow, another foundry was built. The new foundry enabled Lodge to increase its manufacturing production by seventy-five percent.
Lodge makes cast iron and carbon steel cookware, though cast iron remains their primary production.
And as far as cast iron goes, Lodge offers a large variety, including classic, enamel, chef, and Blacklock.
Additionally, Lodge carries bakeware, and several series, all of which are cast iron.
Plus their carbon steel cookware and many accessories.
Lodge continues to be a leading manufacturer worldwide and makes close to 2 million cast iron pans every month.
Answering Your Questions
What are the benefits of having a cast iron lid over a glass lid?
A cast iron lid is self-basting which allows the moisture to get back into the food quicker and more evenly than a glass lid. Plus, the cast iron lid is designed to fit securely, allowing the moisture to stay inside. One other nice thing is the lid itself retains heat, so your food will stay hot longer.
Why does the lid cost so much?
A cast iron lid is a specialty item, first of all. This means fewer are sold and cost more to make. But also, you must take into account the intricacy of the design. Another reason is the thickness of the material, weighing about the same as a 10.25-inch skillet. As you can see, a lot of iron goes into the making of the lid.
Will this lid fit non-Lodge 12-inch pans?
The only way to know for sure is the measure your pan and compare it with the measurements of the lid. Here are the measurements you will need to know:
- Inside lip diameter is 11 1/2-in,
- Lip thickness is approximately 1/8-in
- Distance between the lip and the edge is about 3/8-inch.
Can the lid be used on Lodge woks?
Not really, as the cover is designed to cover the pour spouts, and woks don’t have them. Therefore, it won’t fit securely, and steam will easily escape.
What’s the best way to clean this lid?
In most cases, rinsing in hot water and drying will be enough. However, if food splattered on it and is stuck, don’t be afraid to use a little soap to help loosen the stuck-on particles. And coat with a thin layer of oil or fat, if desired.
How do you season the lid?
The lid comes pre-seasoned and doesn’t need to be seasoned in the oven initially. Seasoning has two purposes: to protect the iron from rusting and make the surface nonstick. You really only need to think about keeping the cover from getting rust. At the first sign of rust, wash it off and season your lid in the oven. Coat the entire lid with a thin coat of oil or fat, wipe it off (this doesn’t remove all of it), and bake it in a 450°F oven for an hour. Then let it cool in the oven before taking it out.
Can you store the lid on top of the skillet?
It is best to leave an air gap between the lid and pan, so no condensation builds up and creates rust. You can do this with a small cloth or paper towel. And you can invert the lid if that works better for your storage space. This tip is especially true if you don’t use your pan often.
If my skillet says 10SK on the bottom, will this lid fit?
Yes, the 10SK is a 12-inch skillet. Although it is a bit confusing, the SK stands for skillet, and the number has to do with the way manufacturers identified pans. It used to be common to cook on a cast iron wood stove with stove eyes. Stove eyes are like the burners on our stoves today, except they had sizes. So pans were marked with the number that coincided with the size of the stove eye. It’s common today for manufacturers to still mark modern cast iron this way.
Do they make cast iron lids without basting tips?
No, Lodge doesn’t. However, they do sell glass lids that don’t have basting tips.
RELATED > > > > > When Should I Use a Lid for My Cast Iron Skillet? – 3 Times to Consider
What Others Are Saying
This product had very high reviews. Many people talked about the benefits of having basting spikes and how great it was that the lid covered the pour spouts. The perfect fit was very impressive, as well as the looks of the lid. Here are the types of things people who liked this product said:
- I love that they make a cast iron lid
- My food tastes better– juicier and more tender, now that I use this cast iron lid than when I used a glass one
- It’s heavy, but I like that
- You don’t have to have a cast iron lid, but it’s worth it
- I like that my pan and lid match
- The lid fits perfectly
- This lid is very stylish
- How wonderful that this lid covers the pour spouts and traps the moisture inside
- I don’t have to worry about splatter anymore, thanks to this lid which covers the pour spouts
- You can’t beat Lodge’s Made in the USA products
- It’s worth the expense
Very few had a problem with the lid, and most comments revolved around a few things such as this lid is:
- Too heavy
- Rusted quickly
- Too expensive
- Difficult to use
What Did I Think?
I’ve only used my lid a couple of times and find that I don’t do much cast iron cooking that requires a cover.
However, the two times I used it, it worked well.
The first time I used the lid was to boil water more quickly. And the second time, I added the cover at the end to melt the cheese on the Skillet Hashbrowns with Pork meal.
Fortunately, I have taken advantage of its heat-retaining abilities. However, I have yet to make anything that would benefit from the basting spikes.
I learned a lot doing this review and found a few other reasons to use my lid, such as basting meat in the oven and cooking stew over our firepit. Then I could say I’ve used the basting spikes.
Although I’m glad I have one and a few reasons to use it, I don’t know if I would say it’s necessary.
On the other hand, if you cook foods that require a lid to lock in the moisture, this one is fantastic. And works much better than a tempered glass lid.
But you can’t forget it’s cast iron and must be dried when finished using it.
The self-basting tips do what they’re supposed to, and having a lid that covers the pour spouts is invaluable.
For a lid, it’s pretty expensive, but as one person said, you will probably never have to replace it.
Therefore, if you use lids in your cast iron cooking and are looking for something to keep in the moisture and heat, I highly recommend the Lodge 12-inch cast iron lid.
RELATED > > > > > Easy Skillet Hash Browns and Pork Recipe
Pros
- Lodge is a reputable company
- This product received high reviews
- It does a great job of locking in moisture
- Your food will stay warmer because of the cast iron and secure fit
- It’s made in the USA
- The heaviness is to your advantage in retaining heat
- It’s well-constructed
- There are several Lodge 12-inch pans it will fit (and it may fit some non-Lodge as well)
Cons
- There is a risk of rust, as with all cast iron
- It is on the expensive side for a lid
- It’s heavy
RELATED > > > > > A Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet Review – Rated Best Overall for 2022
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the Lodge 12-inch cast iron lid is a great product.
And if you are looking for a heavy lid for your cast iron skillet or dutch oven, you won’t be disappointed.
It locks in the moisture, keeps food from splattering, makes your food tender and juicy, and retains the heat.
However, not everyone needs a cast iron lid.
If you mostly sear your meat, fry food, and generally want liquid to evaporate, you probably won’t benefit from one.
Only you know.
A tempered-glass lid will do many things, but usually not as well as cast iron.
So, if you think you will benefit from having a cast iron lid, I recommend the Lodge 12-inch cast iron lid.