Lodge
A cast iron pan is an essential piece of equipment for any cook. With a seasoned nonstick cooking surface that only gets better with time, cast iron pans offer a wide range of versatility, durability, functionality, and sustainability to any kitchen. From baking bread in the oven to stovetop frying or even cooking over a campfire, the possibilities of cast iron cookware are endless. A high-quality cast iron pan can even endure lifetimes in multiple kitchens making it a perfect heirloom piece to be passed down from generation to generation. Finding the perfect cast iron addition can seem daunting, but with Lodge, the decision is easy and affordable.
In 1896 Joseph Lodge converted an abandoned foundry in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee into Lodge Cast Iron. Originally called Blacklock, after the foundry in which it was constructed, Lodge Cast Iron got a name change but has remained to be one of the oldest and longest-running cast iron manufacturers in the United States. Family-owned and operating out of Tennessee since its founding, Lodge Cast Iron has been making high-quality and affordable cast iron cookware for over a century. Using a proprietary mix of pig iron, recycled steel, and castings from the foundry, their pre-seasoned pans are ready to use right out of the box.
Lodge is dedicated to making heirloom quality products at an affordable price point so their cookware pieces can be part of families for generations.
In 1896 Joseph Lodge converted an abandoned foundry in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee into Lodge Cast Iron. Originally called Blacklock, after the foundry in which it was constructed, Lodge Cast Iron got a name change but has remained to be one of the oldest and longest-running cast iron manufacturers in the United States. Family-owned and operating out of Tennessee since its founding, Lodge Cast Iron has been making high-quality and affordable cast iron cookware for over a century. Using a proprietary mix of pig iron, recycled steel, and castings from the foundry, their pre-seasoned pans are ready to use right out of the box.
Lodge is dedicated to making heirloom quality products at an affordable price point so their cookware pieces can be part of families for generations.
Heirloom quality since 1896
Lodge takes sustainability seriously. From their commitment to their employees and community to their green initiatives to reduce waste both at their South Pittsburgh location and for their customers, Lodge is a leader and innovator in the cast iron industry.
Proudly made in the United States, Lodge has operated in the same town of South Pittsburgh, Tennessee since its founding in 1896. Since the beginning, Lodge has been family-owned and operated, passed down from generation to generation just like their pans. They believe in the importance of investing in their roots and this also means being committed to their employees and community as much as their immediate family. Having been located in the same town since their founding, Lodge has made it a priority to act in the best interest of their environment and local area. From participating in Tennessee's Adopt-a-Highway program to raising money to help families impacted by the 2016 Tennessee wildfires, they have made it an essential piece to their entire operation. Over the years they have engaged in fundraising initiatives, charity auctions, and sponsored events both locally and nationwide resulting in raising over $1 million to donate to their local community. One of the most notable is the Lodge National Cornbread Cook-off which brings in thousands of visitors to South Pittsburg every April to compete and celebrate a staple of cast iron cooking, cornbread.
As a member of the Tennessee Green Star Partnership program, Lodge is committed to continuous sustainable improvements across their entire operation. One such change came in 1991 when Lodge converted their coal-fired cupola melting system into a more environmentally friendly electric induction heating system. To make cast iron there is a serious amount of heat needed, about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact. Converting to an electric heating process reduced the amount of energy needed as well as reduced the number of hazardous emissions of dust and particulate matter in their factory and into the atmosphere. This change to their heating system even earned them the Tennessee Governor's Award for Excellence in Hazardous Waste Reduction.
Along with changes to their cast iron process, Lodge has worked hard to focus on green initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. In 2009, they switched all of their packaging from styrofoam and plastic bubble wrap to brown paper and corrugated packing material. They wanted to help make it easy for them and their customers to reduce the amount of waste when purchasing such a sustainable cookware option. They operate an intensive recycling program at their factory and offices that helps recycle everything from cardboard and aluminum cans to small batteries and motor oil. They even recycle their nonhazardous foundry sand, a key component to making cast iron, to help as protective landfill coverings, baseball field construction, and even the foundation to their new foundry and distribution center.
Lodge makes it a priority to evolve and innovate when it comes to making their operation more sustainable. They have been working for over a century to bring high-quality, affordable, and sustainable cast iron cookware to kitchens and families everywhere.
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