Welcome to my Victoria 10-inch cast iron skillet review.
Victoria is not as well known as some other brands, but don’t discount it.
It’s maybe most comparable with Lodge, with a few differences.
And when I was doing some research and came across this brand, I became quite intrigued.
Is a Victoria skillet the right one for you?
Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Victoria 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet Review
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using the links in this article, I receive a small commission.
Product: 10-inch cast iron skillet
Brand: Victoria
Price: see Amazon
Dimensions: 16.25 x 11 x 2.75 inches
Weight: 4.9 lbs.
Made in: Columbia
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Great for: stovetop (all surfaces), oven, grill, and campfire
Cleaning: hand wash, dry, thin coat of oil or fat
What is a Victoria Cast Iron Skillet?
Earlier, I compared Victoria to Lodge with a few differences. Lodge is probably the most well-known cast iron manufacturer for its quality and affordability.
Additionally, most of my cast iron is Lodge, so I can verify its quality. I can’t personally tell you Victoria is a quality pan.
However, I can tell you what it claims and what other people say. And this is what I will do in this review.
But before we get to that, let’s talk about some of the differences that make Victoria unique and different from Lodge. Victoria cast iron skillets have:
- Longer handles that are curved and more ergonomic
- Deeper side walls(Victoria 2.75 inches to Lodge’s 2 inches)
- Invisible curvature that inhibits warping
- Smoother surface, but not glassy
- Wider helper handle
- Pre-seasoned with kosher certified non-GMO flaxseed oil (vegetable oil)
- Bigger hanging hole
It’s also made in Columbia, and Lodge is made in the USA.
If you want to make your own comparison, see my Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet Review.
A Little About Victoria
At 16 years of age, Raul Meja of Medellin, Columbia, decided to start his own business in his tiny garage.
He crafted metallic toy soldiers and decorative crosses.
But Raul also had a passion for cooking and fresh food. So, after perfecting the art of casting, he created one of Victoria’s most famous products: the Victoria grain grinder.
And in 1939, Victoria Cast Iron was born.
Over time, his business grew and reached 32 countries.
Fortunately, Raul passed on his love and passion for making cast iron, and the business continued to grow.
Victoria is now in its third generation as a family-owned business.
And it has received international recognition for being the best in its class for “innovative design, sustainability, and product quality.”
Today, Victoria also has a USA office in Miami, FL.
Their website offers recipes, a section on using and taking care of cast iron, and a F.A.T. (frequently asked things) page. They also have a list (with pictures) of their products but do not sell their cast iron from the website.
Currently, they sell at Amazon, Target, Macy’s, Houzz, and Wayfair.
Victoria Cast Iron: From Recycled Iron to Skillet
Answering Your Questions
Can you get a lid to go with this skillet?
Yes, but only at the Amazon store.
Do they sell hot handle holders?
Yes, you will find both silicone and leather options at the Amazon store.
Is the surface as rough as Lodge’s skillets?
Some people don’t see any difference between the two, but others said Victoria’s is smoother. Victoria has this to say on their website: “We actually tested many different styles of ‘textures’ with our cast iron skin [surface] and ended up with our current texture as the one that proved the best for quicker seasoning adherence and fantastic out-of-the-box release.”
What are the exact measurements, including the cooking surface?
The rim to rim diameter is 10 inches, and the cooking surface is 8 inches (same as Lodge). From spout to spout is 11.2 inches and from handle to helper handle is 17.3 inches. And the handle itself is 6.3 inches.
Can I use this pan right out of the box, or do I have to season it first?
You don’t have to season it first; it is ready to use. However, some people prefer todo so, and that’s okay. On the other hand, you should wash and dry it when you first get it, and you may want to use a bit more oil the first few times.
Is this pan seasoned with vegetable oil or flaxseed oil?
It’s pre-seasoned with 100% flaxseed oil. Internationally, flaxseed oil is commonly referred to as vegetable oil. So, flaxseed is vegetable oil in the same way as an apple is considered a fruit.
What type of iron is used, and is it lead-free?
Victoria uses European resources and goes through a third party for testing. They have passed all FDA standards, as well as standards in the US, European Union, Germany, and Australia. There isn’t any test for Prop 65 in this cookware category, but they requested that a lab run a test equal to Prop 65, and it easily passed.
Furthermore, the scrap metal is melted at extremely high temperatures to separate any non-iron components. These impurities are then skimmed off the top. Purified ironis left, which is then mixed with other virgin iron if needed. Mainly the scrap comes from what’s leftover during production and pans that are rejected going through the QC line.
What Others Are Saying
The Victoria 10-inch cast iron skillet gets high marks. Many compared Victoria to Lodge, and for those who preferred Victoria, they liked:
- The longer handle
- Its better design
- The larger pour spouts
- Its smoother finish
- That it’s more consistently nonstick
- Its superior seasoning
In general, people also said positive things such as
- This is my favorite skillet (from people who owned Lodge, Griswold, and Wagner)
- Price is good
- Able to use right out of the box
- Heats quickly and cooks evenly
- Versatile
- Perfect size for a single person (others said for two)
- Going from stovetop to oven is a plus
- Minimal sticking
- Use it for almost every meal
However, as is usually the case, some people weren’t as impressed. Only a few people thought it was worse than Lodge and said things like:
- It took time to become nonstick
- It didn’t hold heat as well as other cast iron pans
Most of the comments came from those who received a damaged product or a skillet without a helper handle.
My Confusion
I was genuinely confused about whether the 10-inch pan had a helper handle or not. Throughout my research on questions people asked and from reading the reviews, about half said theirs did have the helper handle, and the other half said theirs didn’t.
So, I decided to reach out to Victoria, and they informed me they started making the 10-inch with a helper handle in 2021. Unfortunately, some of sellers were still sending out old inventory under the Amazon listing.
Initially, Victoria chose to make the 10-inch without the helper handle because they wanted the skillet to fit smaller ovens.
But then realized that most homes had a standard size oven, and it would be beneficial to more people to make the skillet with the helper handle.
I’m guessing this is no longer an issue. However, if you purchase one and it comes without the helper handle, you will know to return it and get the right one.
As far as receiving a damaged product, this can happen with anything ordered online.
Well, back to what people didn’t like besides what I’ve already said:
- Everything sticks at first
- Having no success with seasoning
- Surface is too rough
- Longer handle doesn’t help with stability
What Did I Think?
As is often the case when I do a review on a product I don’t already own, I end up getting one. I become convinced the product is worth it. And that is the case with this skillet as well.
I love my Lodge skillets, so I don’t see myself liking Victoria better, but you never know.
The three things that most draw me to this skillet are it weighs a little less, the surface is less pebbly, and it’s seasoned with flaxseed.
However, if it didn’t have a helper handle, I wouldn’t be getting one. I always use the side handle with my 10.25-inch Lodge skillet.
Honestly, I don’t know if I will like the longer handle or care about the larger pour spouts. But I’m interested in finding out.
One thing I did notice is Lodge labels their skillet 10.25-inch while Victoria considers theirs a 10-inch. But when you compare the outer rim and inside cooking dimensions, they are precisely the same: a 10-inch outer rim and an 8-inch cooking surface.
Interesting.
The Logo
Although no one mentioned the logo on the bottom, I really like it. It gives the skillet something special.
Overall, I have to say I like this pan and look forward to getting one.
Therefore, based on my research, desire to have my own, and what other people have said, I recommend the Victoria 10-inch cast iron skillet.
Pros
- High Amazon reviews
- Reputable manufacturer
- Good quality
- Handles heat well
- Price is right
- Comparable to Lodge (many like it better)
- Ergonomic handle
- Large pour spouts
- Textured finish for better seasoning
- Great heat retention
Cons
- You may not get the pan you ordered
- Not everyone will like the longer handle
- Some may want a smoother finish
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading my Victoria 10-inch cast iron skillet review.
I never realized there was a skillet comparable to Lodge.
And though the Victoria brand is not near as well-known as Lodge, that doesn’t mean its cast iron cookware is in any way inferior.
The Victoria skillet has a longer handle than traditional cast iron (also curved) and wider pour spouts.
Other features that make this pan unique are the invisible curvature that inhibits warping and a smoother surface than other modern cast iron pans. Plus, its pre-seasoning, which is done with 100% Flaxseed oil.
This Victoria skillet has a lot going for it, and I highly recommend it.