Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pans: Which Shape and Size Should You Choose?
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Lodge has been making cast iron cookware in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, since 1896, and it is the name most people think of first when they hear “cast iron.” Its grill pans and griddles come pre-seasoned, which means the iron is already coated with baked-on vegetable oil so it is naturally nonstick and ready to cook on the day it arrives. For a beginner, that makes Lodge an easy, low-risk way to get steakhouse grill marks on a regular stove or cook pancakes over a campfire.
The six pieces below differ mostly in shape and job: two are reversible grill/griddle plates that span two burners, three are single-burner square grill pans in 10.5, 11 and 12-inch sizes, and one, the Sportsman’s Pro, is a portable charcoal grill for outdoor cooking.
Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pans Compared
| Model | Type | Size listed | Heat sources | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Grill Griddle (LDP3) | Reversible grill/griddle plate | 16.75 x 9.5 in, two burners | Gas, electric, induction, grill, campfire | Contact Lodge Customer Care |
| Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill Griddle (LPGI3) | Reversible grill/griddle plate | 20 x 10.5 in, two burners | Stovetop, oven, grill, campfire | Lifetime limited |
| Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Cast Iron Grill | Portable charcoal grill | 9 x 16.75 in (title) | Charcoal | Not listed |
| Lodge Square Cast Iron Grill Pan | Square grill pan | 10.5 in | Stovetop, oven, grill, campfire | Lifetime limited |
| Lodge Chef Collection 11 Inch Square Grill Pan | Square grill pan with dual handles | 11 in, 81 sq. in. surface | Stove, oven, grill, fire | Not listed |
| Lodge BOLD Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Pan | Square grill pan, modern design | 12 in | Glass-top, induction, oven, grill, live fire | Lifetime limited |
Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Grill Griddle for Family Breakfasts
Lodge
Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Grill/Griddle Pan, 16.75 x 9.5 Inches
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Grill Griddle
Best for: Family breakfasts across two burners
Pros
- Grill and griddle in one
- Covers two burners
- Works on induction and campfire
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Warranty terms not spelled out
- Heavy to flip and store
The Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Grill Griddle, sold as the Double Play (part LDP3), is a 16.75 by 9.5-inch plate that covers two stove burners. One side is flat, like a diner griddle, for pancakes, eggs and bacon. Flip it over and the other side has raised ridges for searing steaks, burgers and vegetables with grill marks.
The listing says it works on gas, electric and induction cooktops, on a grill or over a campfire, and it is oven safe. It is pre-seasoned, PFAS-free and made in the USA. The listing includes a measurement guide in the box, but it does not spell out a warranty length; it only gives Lodge Customer Care contact details. Keep in mind that a plate this size is heavy, so flipping it while hot is a job for oven mitts and two hands.
This is the classic pick for families who want one tool for Saturday pancakes and Tuesday burgers. If you need even more space, the Pro-Grid is larger; if you only cook for one or two people, a square pan is easier to handle.
Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill Griddle for Big Batches
Lodge
Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle, PFAS-Free, 20 x 10.5 Inches
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill Griddle
Best for: Big batches and grill-top griddling
Pros
- Largest surface at 20 x 10.5 in
- Reversible grill and flat sides
- Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
- Needs wide burners or a grill
- Bulky to store
The Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill Griddle (LPGI3) is the largest cooking surface here at 20 by 10.5 inches. Like the Double Play, it has a smooth flat-top side and a raised grill side, and it is sized to span two burners. The listing highlights smashburgers, bacon and eggs on the flat side and grilled favorites on the ridged side.
A key idea in this listing is turning your outdoor grill into a flat-top griddle: set the plate on the grill grates and you can cook foods that would fall through, like eggs or chopped vegetables. It also works on stovetops, in the oven and over campfires. The finish is made with only iron and oil and is free from PFOA, PTFE and PFAS, and it carries a lifetime limited warranty. The listing does not state induction compatibility or where it is made.
Choose the Pro-Grid if you regularly feed a crowd or want a griddle on your backyard grill. People with smaller stoves may find the Double Play easier to fit. If you like the flat-top style and want a dedicated setup, our guide to an indoor flat-top grill is a useful comparison.
Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Cast Iron Grill for Camping and Tailgates
Lodge
Lodge Sportsman's Pro Cast Iron Grill, 9 x 16.75 Inches
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Cast Iron Grill
Best for: Campers and tailgaters using charcoal
Pros
- Portable charcoal grill
- Dual adjustable air vents
- Removable grate for cleanup
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Very heavy, listed 15.1 kg
- Charcoal only, not stovetop
The Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Cast Iron Grill is a different kind of product: it is not a pan for your stove but a small, portable charcoal grill made entirely of cast iron. You put lit charcoal in the base, set the grate on top and cook burgers, steaks or vegetables at a campsite, tailgate or backyard cookout.
It has dual air vents, which let you open or close airflow to make the coals hotter or cooler, and a removable grate that makes adding charcoal and cleaning up easier. The listing calls it a modular, 4-piece design and says it is made in the USA with a PFAS-free iron and vegetable oil finish. The sizes in the listing do not fully agree: the title says 9 by 16.75 inches, while the specs give 19.38 by 9.69 by 7.56 inches overall. The listed weight is 15.1 kg, roughly 33 pounds, so “portable” means car-to-picnic-table, not backpacking.
This is a great gift for someone who loves camping or tailgating. It will not work on a kitchen stove, so indoor cooks should stick with the pans and griddles here. For lighter outdoor grilling, our look at a portable propane grill covers a gas option.
Lodge Square Cast Iron Grill Pan for Everyday Searing
Lodge
Lodge Square Cast Iron Grill Pan, PFAS-Free, 10.5 Inches
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Lodge Square Cast Iron Grill Pan
Best for: Solo cooks searing burgers indoors
Pros
- Compact 10.5-inch square
- Ridges channel grease away
- Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
- Fits one or two portions
- Single burner only
The Lodge Square Cast Iron Grill Pan is a compact 10.5-inch pan with raised grill lines that create grill marks and channel grease away from your food. The square shape gives a little more room than a round pan of the same width, which helps when you are cooking two burgers or a couple of chicken breasts.
It works on stovetops, in ovens, on grills and over campfires. The finish uses only iron and oil and is free from PFOA, PTFE and PFAS, and it carries a lifetime limited warranty. The item highlight says it is made in the USA. The listing describes it as sized so it does not take up extra space on the stove or in the cabinet.
This suits a single cook or couple who wants a first grill pan without committing to a big griddle. If you want a helper handle for lifting, the Chef Collection pan is the better fit.
Lodge Chef Collection 11 Inch Grill Pan for Easy Handling
Best for: Home cooks wanting easy lifting
Pros
- Dual handles
- Sloped sidewalls
- 81 sq. in. cooking area
Cons
- Warranty not listed
- Made in USA not stated
The Lodge Chef Collection 11 Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Grill Pan (LC11SGP) is part of Lodge’s Chef Collection. It has dual handles, sloped sidewalls and an elevated ribbed surface, with 81 square inches of cooking area.
Dual handles matter more than beginners expect: cast iron is heavy, and a second grip on the opposite side makes lifting a full pan much easier. Sloped sidewalls help you slide a spatula under food. The listing says it is oven safe and can be used on a stove, over a grill or on a fire, and it is PFOA and PTFE free. The listing does not specify a warranty or the country of manufacture.
This fits someone who wants a slightly larger square pan that is friendlier to carry. If style matters as much as function, the BOLD pan is worth comparing.
Lodge BOLD Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Pan for Modern Kitchens
Best for: Style-minded cooks and gift-givers
Pros
- 12-inch size
- Modern handles, sloped sides
- Made in South Pittsburg, Tennessee
- Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
- Amazon exclusive line
- Single burner size
The Lodge BOLD Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Pan (P12SGR3) is the largest of the square pans at 12 inches. The BOLD line is Lodge’s design-forward range, with modern handles and sloped sidewalls, and the description says it is exclusive to Amazon.
It is seasoned with just iron and vegetable oil for a quick-release surface that improves with use. The listing says it works on glass-top stoves, induction, grills and live fire and is oven safe. It is made in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, and carries a lifetime limited warranty. Care is simple: hand wash, dry, and rub with oil.
Choose this as a good-looking gift or for a cook who wants the most room in a single-burner pan. For feeding a whole family at once, a two-burner reversible plate is still larger.
How to Choose the Right Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan
Begin with where you will cook. For the stove, choose a square pan or a reversible plate. For campsites and tailgates with charcoal, the Sportsman’s Pro is the only true grill here. For turning an outdoor grill into a flat-top, the Pro-Grid is designed for that job.
Next, match size to your household. A 10.5-inch pan suits one or two people, the 11-inch Chef Collection and 12-inch BOLD give more room, and the two-burner plates handle family breakfasts. If you want a plug-in option instead, our electric griddle guide explains that route.
Then think about handling. Cast iron is heavy, so the Chef Collection’s dual handles and the BOLD’s modern handles make lifting easier. Reversible plates need two hands when hot.
Finally, learn basic seasoning care. After cooking, clean with hot water and a brush, dry the pan completely, and rub in a thin layer of oil. Avoid soaking, because standing water can cause rust.
FAQ
Do Lodge grill pans come ready to use?
Yes. Each pan and griddle here is described as pre-seasoned or seasoned, so you can cook right away. The seasoning improves as you keep using it.
Can I use Lodge cast iron on an induction stove?
The Double Play and BOLD listings mention induction directly. Cast iron is magnetic, which is what induction needs, but the other listings do not specifically say so.
What is the difference between a grill pan and a griddle?
A grill pan has raised ridges that create grill marks and let fat drip away. A griddle is flat, which is better for pancakes, eggs and smashburgers. The reversible plates give you both.
Is the Sportsman’s Pro used on the stove?
No. It is a charcoal grill for outdoor use, with its own air vents and removable grate.
Are Lodge pans nonstick?
They are naturally nonstick thanks to seasoning, not a chemical coating. The listings describe them as free from PFAS, and several also mention PFOA and PTFE.
Which Lodge grill pan is best for beginners?
The 10.5-inch Square Grill Pan is compact and easy to store, while the Chef Collection 11-inch adds a helper handle for easier lifting.
