Although some people consider Le Creuset to be the gold standard for cast iron cookware, its premium products carry high price tags. If you want a cast iron cookware that is affordable without sacrificing quality, Lodge's pan will help you cook a lot of delicacies in the years to come. If you want a second opinion, even Michelin recommends its pan.

Some of these Lodge pans are currently more affordable, and the 12-inch cast iron frying pan currently sells for $89, which is less than $139.95. This frying pan includes an additional auxiliary handle to help you lift and move the frying pan, and two pouring lips. It is also pre-seasoned, so you can start cooking immediately.

There is nothing to sneeze about to be able to buy a decent cast iron frying pan for less than $100. If you have postponed your Christmas shopping to the last minute and need to buy something for someone who wants to be a chef in your life, then this cast iron frying pan is a good choice — literally.

If you are not sure what to cook in your favorite new cast iron frying pan first, here are some suggestions we prepared earlier.

If this is your first time buying a cast iron pan, it is important to know that maintaining a cast iron pan is not like maintaining an ordinary pan. You should avoid soaking the pan in soapy water. If you do use soap, you will need to rinse and dry your pot thoroughly before re-seasoning immediately. You can view Lifehacker Australia's guide to proper care of cast iron pots here.

It is also worth investing in a care kit to help ensure that your pan will last longer. This Lodge care kit includes a slip-on silicone handle cover to help reduce the chance of scalding yourself on the frying pan after heating, as well as a polycarbonate pan scraper and hard nylon brush to help you keep the entire item clean . The kit also includes a flavor spray made from 100% canola oil.

You can buy the 12-inch Lodge cast iron skillet here for $89. Depending on the kitchen counter and/or stove space available to you, this 12 inches may be too large for you. If you want something smaller, Lodge’s 10.25-inch frying pan is currently priced at US$57.80, which is less than US$104.95.

Chris is an e-commerce editor responsible for many of the works of the Pedestrian Group. He firmly believes that pop culture has reached its zenith in Prince's "Bat Dance."

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