8 in
10.25 in
10.5 in
5 qt
1 lid
- 4 pots and pans, 1 lid
- For frying and soup or pasta, plus pancakes
- Works on induction · hand wash only
Lodge
The best cast iron cookware sets
Seasoned and enameled cast iron sets, picked one need at a time from what each maker states about the pans, their care and their weight.
4 picks from 5 sets
The picks at a glance
Picked on the makers’ published specifications, not on cooking tests. How we pick
- Covers the most cooking jobsLodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-piece setCheck price on Amazon
- No seasoning to keep upLe Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron 5-piece setView at Le Creuset
- Bare cast iron to seasonLodge Chef Collection Skillet 3-piece setCheck price on Amazon
- Sized for your burnerSmithey Founder’s 3-piece skillet setView at Smithey
Covers the most cooking jobs
4 pots and pans for frying and soup or pasta, plus pancakes.
How it was picked: Most of the everyday jobs and specialist pans covered, then the most pots and pans, then the most lids.
No seasoning to keep up
Enameled inside and out, so there’s no seasoning to keep up, and Le Creuset rates it to 500°F.
5.5 qt
1.75 qt
9 in
2 lids
- 3 pots and pans, 2 lids
- For soup or pasta, sauces and frying
- Works on induction · dishwasher safe, hand washing advised
Le Creuset
Signature Enameled Cast Iron 5-piece set
How it was picked: Enameled cast iron, which needs no seasoning; then the highest oven limit and the most jobs covered.
Bare cast iron to season
Seasoned cast iron with no enamel to chip: 3 pans, 14.33 lb in all. Wash it by hand, dry it and oil it.
8 in
10 in
12 in
- 3 pots and pans, no lids
- For frying
- Works on induction · hand wash only
Lodge
Chef Collection Skillet 3-piece set
How it was picked: Seasoned cast iron with no enamel to chip; then the most pans. The Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-piece set would come first under this rule too, but it is already this page’s “Covers the most cooking jobs” pick. The Smithey Founder’s 3-piece skillet set ties with it on every count here, so the two are listed by product name, not by brand.
Sized for your burner
Smithey gives the base under the No. 10 Skillet as 9 in and the No. 12 Skillet as 10.5 in, so you can check each against your burner before you buy.
8 in
10 in
12 in
- 3 pots and pans, no lids
- For frying
- Works on induction · dishwasher use not stated
Smithey
Founder’s 3-piece skillet set
How it was picked: The maker gives the flat base under its pans, the size to match to a burner or induction zone; then the most pans.
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All 5 sets side by side
Column headings sort the table. All cast iron sets compared.
| Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-piece set | Cast iron | 4 / 1 | Skillet, Flat griddle, Stockpot or Dutch oven | Works on induction | Not stated / Not stated | Hand wash only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge Chef Collection Skillet 3-piece set | Cast iron | 3 / 0 | Skillet | Works on induction | Not stated / No lid | Hand wash only |
| Staub Stackable Cast Iron 4-piece set, Matte Black | Enameled cast iron | 3 / 1 | Sauté pan or braiser, Stockpot or Dutch oven | Works on induction | 500 °F / Not stated | Dishwasher safe; the maker recommends handwashing |
| Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron 5-piece set | Enameled cast iron | 3 / 2 | Stockpot or Dutch oven, Saucepan or saucier, Skillet | Works on induction | 500 °F / 500 °F | Dishwasher safe; the maker recommends handwashing |
| Smithey Founder’s 3-piece skillet set | Cast iron | 3 / 0 | Skillet | Works on induction | Oven safe; no top temperature given / No lid | Maker doesn't say if it's dishwasher safe; handwashing recommended |