Lodge Classic vs. Chef Collection: Which Skillet Is Better?

Are you shopping for cast iron cookware but need help deciding between Lodge Classic and Lodge Chef Collection skillets?

What’s the difference between them? And is the Chef Collection worth the higher price?

In this comparison of Lodge Classic vs. Chef Collection, I answer these questions. You’ll learn how these skillets differ in design, performance, and price. I also reveal the results from the head-to-head tests I conducted to determine which skillet conducts and retains heat better. 

Keep reading to find out which Lodge skillet belongs in your kitchen. 

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Use the links below to navigate the comparison:

• Key Takeaways
• Difference 1: Weight
• Difference 2: Shape
• Difference 3: Handle
• Difference 4: Helper Handle
• Difference 5: Pour Spouts
• Difference 6: Heat Conduction Test
• Difference 7: Heat Retention Test
• Difference 8: Induction Test
• Difference 9: Cooking Performance
• Difference 10: Sizes
• Difference 11: Price
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Lodge Classic or Chef Collection Skillet?

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Difference 1: Weight

One of the most noticeable differences between the Lodge Classic and Chef Collection skillets is their weight. 

Lodge Classic skillets are thicker, so they weigh more. For example, the 12-inch Lodge Classic skillet weighs 8.1 pounds, and the 10-inch version weighs 5.35 pounds. 

Lodge Chef Collection skillets have thinner walls, making them lighter and easier to handle. The 12-inch Chef Collection skillet weighs just 6.3 pounds, and the 10-inch version weighs only 4.61 pounds.

One or two ponds may not seem like a big difference, but when the skillet is full of food and piping hot, and you need to transfer it from the stove to the oven, a couple of pounds can make a significant impact. 

Difference 2: Shape

Another key difference between the Lodge Classic and Chef Collection skillets is their shape. 

Lodge Classic skillets have tall (2.25 inches high) straight sides that angle outward slightly. Lodge Chef Collection skillets have shorter (2 inches high) sloped sides that make it easier to slide a spatula under the food, especially when it’s close to the edge.

Although the Classic skillet’s design provides extra room for more food, the sloped walls of the Chef Collection skillets come in handy when you need to flip delicate items like eggs or fish. The angled sides allow you to slide the spatula smoothly under the food without accidentally breaking it apart. 

This design also makes removing food from the skillet easier when serving — you can guide the spatula along the sloped walls to ensure a clean transfer.

Difference 3: Handle

Lodge Classic skillets have a 5-inch handle cast in one piece with the skillet’s body. It’s positioned parallel to the cooking surface without any upward angle. 

This one-piece design makes the skillet sturdy, but it also means the handle gets extremely hot, even when cooking on the stovetop. To keep from burning your hand, use the red silicone handle holder that comes with the skillet or an oven mitt.

Lodge Chef Collection skillets also have handles cast as one piece along with the skillet body but with a few key differences. 

The Chef Collection handle is half an inch longer at 5.5 inches and is angled slightly upward. This design makes the handle more comfortable to grip and keeps it further from the heat source. 

Although the Chef Collection handle still gets hot on the stove, its longer, angled design prevents it from heating up as quickly as the Classic handle.

Difference 4: Helper Handle

The Lodge Classic and Chef Collection skillets both feature a helper handle on the opposite side of the pan from the main handle. The helper handle is designed to provide extra support and stability when lifting or maneuvering the skillet.

The helper handles have the same design—a trapezoid with a small opening and “LODGE” engraved into the handle. However, they are slightly different in size.

The Lodge Classic helper handle protrudes about 1.1 inches from the pan’s outside rim to the handle’s outer edge. 

The Lodge Chef Collection helper handle extends about 1.25 inches. While this difference may seem negligible, it’s noticeable.

It’s worth noting that some other brands offer larger helper handles. For example, Stargazer’s helper handle measures 1.75 inches, and Calphalon’s is 1.5 inches.

Despite the relatively small size of both Lodge helper handles compared to other brands, they still offer sufficient space for a secure grip, even when wearing an oven mitt.

Difference 5: Pour Spouts

Both skillets feature two pour spouts to help you pour out excess liquid or oil without making a mess. 

However, Lodge Chef Collection skillets have larger pour spouts, measuring 1.75 inches wide. Lodge Classic skillets have slightly smaller pour spouts at 1.5 inches wide. 

You’d think the Chef Collection skillets’ wider pour spouts would allow for a smoother, more controlled pour.

 But when I tested them, the difference in performance between the two pour spout sizes was not significant. 

Both the Classic and Chef Collection skillets poured the oil into a bowl without any major spills. And a small amount of oil still dripped down the sides of both skillets during the pour.

Difference 6: Heat Conduction Test

Heat conduction is all about how quickly and evenly a skillet heats up, which is important for getting consistent results. To figure out the difference in heat conduction between the Lodge Classic and Chef Collection skillets, I conducted a simple test.

I poured two cups of 55°F water into both collections’ 12-inch skillets and heated them on the highest setting using the same electric burner.

At first, both skillets showed signs of uneven heating, with bubbles forming more in some spots than others. 

Hot spots are common with cast iron because it doesn’t conduct heat as well as other materials like aluminum and copper. But as the test went on, the heat spread out more evenly to the edges of both skillets, and the bubbles were more uniform across the cooking surface.

The Lodge Classic skillet took 3 minutes and 1 second to boil the water, while the Lodge Chef Collection skillet took 2 minutes and 43 seconds. 

The Chef Collection skillet heated up faster because it’s thinner, so the heat can move more quickly from the bottom of the skillet to the water.

Difference 7: Heat Retention Test

The next test measured heat retention, a key factor to consider when buying cast iron. You want a skillet that holds its heat when you add cold ingredients, and maintains a steady temperature when baking and roasting.

I conducted another simple test to measure the heat retention of the Lodge Classic and Chef Collection skillets. After bringing water to a boil in each skillet, I removed them from the heat and set them aside to cool. I then measured the water temperature in each skillet at 5-minute intervals to see how well they retained heat.

After 5 minutes, the water temperature in the Lodge Classic skillet was 124°F, while the water in the Lodge Chef Collection skillet was slightly lower at 120°F.

After 10 minutes, the water temperature in the Lodge Classic skillet dropped to 102°F, while the Lodge Chef Collection skillet’s water temperature was 100°F. 

Although the temperature difference is not substantial, Classic skillets have slightly better heat retention due to their thicker walls and base.

Difference 8: Induction Test

Induction cooktops have gained popularity recently due to their efficiency and precise temperature control. Unlike electric and gas cooktops, which rely on hot coils or flames to heat the pan and then the food, induction cooktops use magnetic fields to generate electric currents directly in the pan. This process makes the pan itself the heat source, resulting in faster and more efficient cooking.

I conducted a third test to determine which skillet performs better on an induction cooktop. I poured two cups of 55°F water into both collections’ 12-inch skillets and placed them on the same induction burner.

After turning the heat to 464°F, I set a timer to measure the water temperature after 2 minutes. The Lodge Classic skillet emerged as the winner in this test. 

In just two minutes, the water in the Classic skillet heated from 55°F to an impressive 167°F.

The Lodge Chef Collection skillet raised the water temperature to 151°F.

Difference 9: Cooking Performance

Although my tests showed differences in how fast the Lodge Classic and Chef Collection skillets heat up on electric and induction burners and how well they hold heat, my actual cooking experiences prove that both skillets work equally well.

I’ve been using both Lodge cast iron skillets for years, and they cook exactly how you’d expect high-quality cast iron to cook.

They heat up slowly, but once they’re fully heated, they maintain a steady temperature. 

Their excellent heat retention makes them ideal for searing meats such as steak, burgers, salmon, and shrimp, as well as baking pizza and bread.

One of my favorite things to cook in these skillets is cornbread. Both skillets cook the cornbread evenly, giving it a crispy, golden-brown crust on the bottom. 

The well-seasoned surface of these skillets also keeps food from sticking. As long as you grease the surface well, you can cook eggs, pancakes, fish, and other delicate foods without any problems.

The main performance differences between the Lodge Classic and Chef Collection skillets are related to their design. The Classic skillet is noticeably heavier, which makes it harder to move from the stove to the oven and to wash in the sink. Also, the Classic skillet’s handles are shorter and not angled, so they get hotter faster when cooking on the stove.

Lastly, the Chef Collection skillet’s angled sides make it a little easier to slide a spatula under food and sauté vegetables because they swirl around the edges of the pan more easily. However, this difference is minor.

Difference 10: Sizes

The Lodge Classic collection offers a wider range of skillet sizes, from 3.5 to 15 inches. 

The smaller sizes, like the 3.5-inch and 5-inch skillets, are perfect for individual servings or cooking small side dishes. 

The medium sizes, such as the 8-inch, 9-inch, and 10.25-inch skillets, are ideal for everyday cooking and preparing meals for a small family. 

The larger sizes, including the 12-inch, 13.25-inch, and 15-inch skillets, are excellent for cooking larger meals, entertaining guests, or even using as a griddle for outdoor cooking.

The Lodge Chef Collection offers a more streamlined range of sizes, focusing on the most popular and versatile options: 8, 10, and 12 inches. 

Here’s a table comparing the available sizes for both collections:

Size (inches)	Lodge Classic	Lodge Chef Collection
3.5	✓
5	✓
6.5	✓
8	✓	✓
9	✓
10.25	✓
10		✓
12	✓	✓
13.25	✓
15	✓

Difference 11: Price

Lodge Classic is the brand’s most affordable collection. The Chef Collection is slightly more expensive due to its enhanced features, such as lighter construction, longer handles, sloped walls, and wider pour spouts.

Compare the current prices of both skillets at the links below:

• Lodge Classic on Amazon and LodgeCastIron.com
• Lodge Chef Collection on Amazon and LodgeCastIron.com

It’s important to note that regardless of the collection, Lodge is one of the most affordable cast iron brands on the market. Their prices are particularly impressive considering the company’s long history and commitment to manufacturing every skillet in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.

The reason behind Lodge’s affordable prices is simple: scale. The company was founded in 1896, and has grown to become one of the best-selling cast iron brands. Their large-scale production allows them to manufacture each skillet at a lower cost than small-batch producers.

Another factor contributing to Lodge’s affordability is their decision not to smooth the cooking surface of their skillets. Some premium up-and-coming brands, such as Stargazer, Field Company, and Smithy, smooth the cooking surface of each skillet after it comes out of the mold, which increases their production costs. 

By maintaining a slightly textured surface, Lodge keeps its prices more accessible to a wider range of customers. And based on my testing, the texture of the cooking surface is mostly aesthetic and doesn’t make much of a difference in performance.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Lodge Classic or Chef Collection Skillet?

Now that you understand the key differences between Lodge Classic and Chef Collection skillets, it’s time to decide which belongs in your kitchen. Here’s my advice:

If you prioritize superior heat retention and are okay with a heavier skillet, the Lodge Classic is the way to go. Its thicker construction allows it to retain heat better than the Chef Collection, making it ideal for searing meats, baking bread, and other dishes that benefit from consistent temperatures. Plus, the Classic collection is more affordable, making it an excellent value.

However, the Lodge Chef Collection is an excellent option if you prefer a lighter skillet that’s easier to maneuver. Its thinner construction and longer, angled handle make it easier to lift, transport, wash, and store. The sloped sides also make it easier to slide a spatula under food and sauté vegetables. While it may not retain heat quite as well as the Classic, the Chef Collection still performs exceptionally well in the kitchen.

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with a Lodge Classic or Chef Collection skillet. Both are made with high-quality materials and will last a lifetime with proper care. If you’re looking for an alternative to the Chef Collection that offers similar benefits in terms of weight and maneuverability, consider a carbon steel skillet from brands like Made In or Matfer Bourgeat. These skillets are lighter than cast iron but still provide excellent heat retention and durability.

Both Lodge skillets are available on Amazon and LodgeCastIron.com, where you can compare prices and read more reviews. 

• Lodge Classic on Amazon and LodgeCastIron.com
• Lodge Chef Collection on Amazon and LodgeCastIron.com