Find a Cast Iron Skillet Difficult to Lift? Try This Two-Handled One from Lodge

the lodge dual handled skillet on a black tile surface with a carton of eggs to the left and a bag of yellow onions on the right — Serious Eats / Grace Kelly

I love my dual-handled Lodge cast iron skillet—it’s durable, sears a mean piece of meat (and a darn good cauliflower steak, too!), and has built up a slick patina and nonstick-ish surface from years of use. But wanna know what I really love about it? The two wide handles on either side.

It’s like a round casserole dish, but, I’d argue, even easier to move. That’s why whenever a newbie cook wants to talk cast iron, I gently guide them toward this easy-to-lift skillet.

Let’s Face It—Cast Iron Is Heavy

See, while cast iron is great for all kinds of stovetop and oven-baked recipes (like cornbread, skillet bakes, seared pork chops, potato hash, yadda, yadda ), it’s also heavy. Our winning skillet from Lodge—which sports a single long handle and one helper handle—is around five-and-a-half pounds. While pumping weights at the gym is something I do on the reg, when I’m whirring around my kitchen making dinner, a wrist and arm workout isn’t exactly what I’m looking for.

Two Handles Make It Easy to Lift and Pour

holding the lodge with two kitchen towels — Serious Eats / Grace Kelly

But this is where the two handles come in handy (sorry, I couldn’t resist!). To put it plainly, it’s just much easier to grasp two handles and move the heavy pan than it is to foist a skillet with one long handle.

My in-laws have our winning cast iron skillet, and any time I lift it by the main handle, the pan inevitably tips forward, threatening to spill whatever’s inside. Call it a family penchant for weak wrists or cast iron being heavy (it’s likely a bit of both).

a closeup of one of the handles on the Lodge cast iron skillet — Serious Eats / Grace Kelly

This is not the case with the dual-handled pan; just take your pot holders or folded kitchen towels, wrap them around each wide handle, and lift with both hands—et voila!—you’ve got a solid, balanced grasp. Plus, combined with the pour spout, it makes it exceedingly easy to pour out any residual grease or, if you’re frying, spent oil, without worrying about making a mess.

FAQs

How do you clean cast iron?

We have a whole article that busts the myths (no soap? No scrubbing? Pah!) of cleaning a cast iron skillet. TLDR: You can wash it with soap and a sponge, just make sure to thoroughly dry it and rub it with a thin layer of food-safe oil (like Canola) before putting it away.

What size cast iron skillet is best?

While our winning cast iron skillet is 10.25 inches, we also like having a larger 12-inch skillet for bigger meals or larger amounts of cooking.

Why We’re the Experts

Grace Kelly is a commerce editor at Serious Eats.
She has been an environmental journalist and magazine reporter and worked as a prep cook and bartender.
She’s had her Lodge Cast Iron Dual Handle Pan for around six years and uses it weekly.