Lodge 9"x13" Cast Iron Casserole, Black

Everyone loves cast iron these days and in the USA people love Lodge for the affordability and availability the brand has in stores like Wal-Mart, Cracker Barrel and Bass Pro. Every camping and sports store will have these products.Lately the company has been making fun things for specific purposes. Woks, casseroles, pizzas and fajitas all have products now. The questions though should be considered?1) How often will you use it?Specific products might take up space and not get used. Cast iron needs to be cared for and oiled. If this is destined to sit somewhere collecting dust and rust before making an appearance once a year at Thanksgiving it might not be a good addition in the kitchen. Skillets and dutch ovens you already own can be used for casseroles.2) Is it safe?No. This is dangerous. One thing you don't always consider is the weight of cast iron. This casserole dish is extremely heavy. If you have arthritis, carpal tunnel or weak grip this is not an easy product to lift. It can be dropped and cause injury to a toe or foot. The pan also has short handles and when removing it from the oven at higher temps it is very easy to burn yourself, especially on the forearm, hands or fingers. Don't trust things will be okay. Be over prepared with oven mits on both hands. If you have a heavy roast be confident you can carry it.3) It is it a good value?Yes. This is an incredible value. Lodge is well known for being reasonable in price but strong in quality. It will last forever. It cooks superbly and has many uses. These are great in smokers, for brownies, lasagna and enchiladas. The food tastes better in cast iron. If you are a casserole person with great strength and patience for safety this is a wonderful value as no more broken glass casserole dishes on the floor to sweep up ever again!4) Is there a better option?Yes and maybe. Dutch ovens are easier to hold and move. With a lot they also work better outdoors. They also work well for casseroles. I'm not sure there is a great argument for this product when the other is more versatile. If you own a Lodge Skillet and Dutch Oven you probably don't need this. If you camp this offers no benefit over other products.If you are a cast iron enthusiast or have a unique need like a Green Egg or smoker this would stand up better than other casserole products this is for you. I love mine for deep dish pizza, enchiladas and oven frying breaded chicken breasts. It makes a wonderful meatloaf and roasted chicken with vegetables. Baked hams and roasted are exceptional but I wouldn't want my wife to lift it out of the oven on her own. She's tough but this is hard to hold with smaller handles and extra weight it would be a horrible trip to the ER for burn care if she were to lose her grip.Lodge is wonderful and keep in mind everyone has different needs and physical strength. Consider your own situation and this might be the best addition to your collection. It sure makes me happy. Happy cooking! Be safe.

Some reviews I've come across make me wonder. I own several varieties of Lodge pans, and throughout my experience, I have never had any issues with them. While it's true that defects can occasionally occur with any product, I believe it's unfair to judge a company solely based on those instances. If you use the pan correctly and it still happens to crack, remember that they offer a LIFETIME WARRANTY for such situations. It's important to carefully read the instructions and ensure you're using the pans as intended to avoid potential problems.This pan's dimensions are ideal for everyday cooking tasks and intimate gatherings, making it a versatile addition. Its straightforward design simplifies both usage and cleaning, ensuring a hassle-free experience.In terms of weight, it carries the substantial heft typical of durable cast iron cookware, which contributes to its excellent heat retention and even cooking. When used correctly, you won’t encounter any issues with food sticking to its surface.If you're uncertain about the proper care for your cast iron pan, I highly recommend visiting YouTube. Lodge has a dedicated channel that provides valuable guidance on maintenance, including techniques for restoring a rusted cast iron piece. Remember, these pans are built to last, so don’t ever consider tossing them out!

I was so excited when I received my Lodge baking dish in the mail. I’ve been a loyal Lodge brand user as they offer quality cast iron cookware at an affordable price! This pan is the perfect size and depth for baking any kind of casserole, cinnamon rolls, or lasagna. The first recipe I cooked in it, I had doubled the batch and there was still some room left! If you run into any sticking while cooking, ensure that your cast iron is seasoned and that you’ve oiled the dish before placing ingredients in it! Stickiness is usually a result of not using enough oil! Overall the pans baking ability is great as food is cooked evenly, and this heavy duty pan is also very chip resistant. These products are worth every penny and then some!

I love this pan! It is of such great quality and I dont know if I could chip it if I tried. It’s a classic Lodge black color and has quite good baking capacity. The heat distribution is very even and it is the perfect fit for our family’s kitchen. It cleaned up easily. Really happy with this pan!

First one came inside thin cardboard box without any interior padding/packaging. The handle was thru the box & the casserole itself had a 6” long crack. It takes considerable force to crack cast iron. However, customer service was great & immediately replaced it. This one arrived in perfect condition. Very heavy (cast iron is), well-made & versatile pan. Lodge says not to use it on the stovetop. I’ve found you can bake/roast anything in it.. Casseroles, roasts, cakes, brownies, roasted veggies, etc. Love it!

Love this pan and use it often!

I am wondering if I get some money back because they sent me a RETURN !!Luckily it is pretty hard to mess up cast iron cook ware unless it has been used so I am not to worried that they sent me a returned, unused item.But it's just the thought of paying FULL PRICE and getting a retuned item that burns.Ok, enough of that.This is a very good size cast iron pan. Should make some good cinnamon rolls with it.It has minimal chips in the "season" coating. This doesn't really matter to me because most times I strip that off anyway and redo the season so I have a smoother finish. -- There are a lot of You Tube videos on how to do this but I think Kent Rollins has the best take on doing this.------- OVERALL ----I will probably order some more of these for gifts but I may use another vendor as I am NOT happy about getting seconds.