Lodge 12-Inch Skillet Is $16.18 — The $13.97 CAROTE Is an 8-Inch Egg Pan
Our catalog has the Lodge 12-inch pre-seasoned skillet at $16.18 and the CAROTE 8-inch granite nonstick at $13.97. That is $2.21 for four extra inches and a pan that will outlive the coating. I would spend the $2.
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Verdict: The Lodge 12-inch seasoned cast iron skillet is the pan. The CAROTE 8-inch granite nonstick is an egg pan. Our catalog today, August 25, 2026, has the Lodge at $16.18 (card list $17.98) and the CAROTE at $13.97 (card list $21.99). That is $2.21 for a 12-inch USA skillet versus an 8-inch coated pan. I would spend the two dollars.
I cook at home in Austin. I am not running a heat-map of the burner. I am asking whether the pan on the stove tomorrow morning is a skillet I can sear in, or a nonstick I will baby until the coating gives up.
What it is
The Lodge 12-inch is pre-seasoned cast iron, PFAS-free, made in the USA, with a silicone hot-handle holder on this ASIN. Catalog spec: 7.5 pounds. Stove, oven, grill, campfire, induction. #1 in skillets on the card we have, 4.7 from tens of thousands of ratings. It arrives with a factory seasoning. It gets better if you cook in it and dry it. It does not go in the dishwasher. That is not a personality test. That is the care.
The CAROTE 8-inch is a granite-coated aluminum fry pan. PFOA-free on the listing. About 1.3 pounds. Induction base. The listing leans "wipe it with a paper towel." That is the pitch of every cheap nonstick. It is honest about the job: eggs, omelets, less oil. It is 8 inches. It is not a 12-inch family skillet wearing a different color.
I am not pretending these are the same pan. The compare is: do you spend $13.97 on an 8-inch egg pan, or $16.18 on the 12-inch Lodge that will still be in the cabinet in ten years?
Who it's for
Buy the Lodge at $16.18 if you want one pan that can do a steak, a cornbread, a pile of vegetables, and a camp burner. Heavy is the feature. Heat that hangs around after you take it off the flame is the feature. If you already own a cheap nonstick for eggs, this is the other pan.
Buy the CAROTE at $13.97 if the only thing you make before work is two eggs and you want them to slide. Light. Fast to wash. You accept that coatings wear. You are not taking it camping.
Who should skip
Skip the Lodge if you will not dry it, if a 7.5-pound pan is a genuine mobility problem, or if you wanted a dishwasher story. Skip it if you thought "pre-seasoned" meant "never oil, never learn." Factory seasoning is a head start, not a lifetime coating.
Skip the CAROTE if you wanted a 12-inch skillet. This ASIN is 8 inches. Skip it if you cook acidic tomato sauces on high heat in nonstick as a lifestyle. Skip our Lodge 10.25-inch card at $19.21 with a $99.99 list — the 12-inch is cheaper today, and an 81% "discount" off $100 for a skillet that lists around twenty is a card to ignore.
Honest nits
- Size is the whole review. $14 versus $16 is not a mystery. Four inches of diameter is more pan than two dollars.
- Weight. I will not invent a wrist-fatigue study. I will say I leave the Lodge on the burner because putting it away is a decision. The CAROTE hangs on a hook.
- CAROTE's $21.99 list. Our card shows $13.97 from $21.99. Treat $13.97 as the price. I do not know that it ever sat at $22.
- Lodge's $17.98 list. $16.18 is a $1.80 trim. Fine. Not a sale banner I would wait for.
- I am not timing a steak crust. Cast iron holds heat. Nonstick is easier on a Tuesday egg. Both statements can be true without a lab.
Value verdict
Buy the Lodge 12-inch as the one skillet in a small kitchen. Buy the CAROTE 8-inch only as a dedicated egg pan next to something bigger. Buy neither if you already have a 10- or 12-inch stainless or carbon-steel you like — you do not need a third personality on the stove.
Worth $2.21 over the CAROTE? Yes, unless eggs are the only food you cook.
Compare
Live catalog cards, August 25, 2026: compare the Lodge 12-inch skillet and the CAROTE 8-inch.
Prices are our catalog cards for August 25, 2026. Confirm the live Amazon seller and size before you buy.
Products in This Review
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 12 Inches - Quality Frying Pan for the Stove, Oven, Grill & Campfire - Includes Silicone Hot Handle Holder - Non-Toxic, Nonstick & Long-Lasting
Experience the joy of cooking with the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, a true kitchen essential for both amateur cooks and culinary pros. This versatile cooking skillet is designed for everyday use, whether you’re preparing breakfast on the stovetop, finishing a frittata in the oven, or grilling over a campfire. As a pre-seasoned skillet, it arrives ready to use and develops a natural nonstick finish. The cast iron construction means it cooks evenly and holds heat longer than ordinary pans, delivering consistent results for everything from seared steaks to cornbread and roasted vegetables. The easy-grip skillet handle makes lifting and maneuvering safe and comfortable. The included silicone handle holder helps protect your hands. Built to last, this multipurpose pan is compatible with all cooktops, including gas, electric, induction, and grills, and it excels as a camping cooking pan for outdoor adventures. As a PFAS-free skillet, it’s a non-toxic cookware choice. If you’re searching for the perfect kitchen frying pan that can handle braising, baking, broiling, and frying, this cast iron skillet stands out for its durability and versatility. Made in the USA, Lodge cookware is crafted to be a modern heirloom that will last generations. With over 125 years of experience, Lodge knows cast iron and the joy cooking with it can bring. We're proud to be a family-owned company that still makes quality cast iron in the USA, in sustainable foundries that put innovation to work. Over the years, we've survived and thrived by listening to our customers, caring for our employees, and taking pride in what we do. We're constantly improving our operations and impact to better serve our community, our planet, and the customers who love us.
CAROTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet,Non Stick Granite Fry Pan Egg Pan Omelet Pans, Stone Cookware Chef's Pan, PFOA Free,Induction Compatible(Classic Granite, 8-Inch)
Ships from Amazon Amazon Ships from Amazon Sold by Carote Brands Carote Brands Sold by Carote Brands Returns FREE 30-day refund/replacement FREE 30-day refund/replacement Quick refund Usually issued within 24 hours. See exceptions FREE return At least one free return option available. Convenient dropoff At any of our 50,000 US locations. See return policy Packaging Ships in product packaging Ships in product packaging This item has been tested to certify it can ship safely in its original box or bag to avoid unnecessary packaging. Since 2015, we have reduced the weight of outbound packaging per shipment by 41% on average, that’s over 2 million tons of packaging material.If you still require Amazon packaging for this item, choose "Ship in Amazon packaging" at checkout. Learn more Payment Secure transaction Your transaction is secure We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more Gift options Available at checkout Available at checkout This item is a gift. Change At checkout, you can add a custom message, a gift receipt for easy returns and have the item gift-wrapped Add gift options at checkout