Not quite as good as the last one posted here, but I missed that so popped on this one.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/786348
CamelCamelCamel.
"Lodge" seems to be the brand of choice, but it's way dearer. This one gets pretty good reviews.
You'll literally buy the pan once. Spending $60 instead of $33 seems like an inconsequential difference to get something better and made in the US.
I'm with you. I love my bargains but the benefit of saving money on her for a while is you can spend some money on important purchases and (for me), a cast iron pan is one of those items.
Billord is a generic brand that only exists to sell on AmazonAU, you can find many listing with different brand names around the web for this exact skillet by reverse image searching any of the product images. Interestingly, most are at least twice this price. So it is probably mass produced in China.
There is probably nothing wrong with it at all, but if you are patient you can get Lodge skillets for this price as well.
Got a similar size made in USA Lodge for around ~ $27 in one of the earlier deals. This is generic brand.
Thanks for the info and replies all, I have seen lots of good comments on lodge previously and for something that can last years I think its worth paying a bit more so will keep my eye out for a deal on those. Cheers anyway OP.
I'd be weary of not buying a lodge or a known cast iron brand, Bought a camping one from Aldi once and it was a terrible cast, very textured
Agreed - we have a glass cooktop. The Lodge stays flat at any temperature whereas a couple of cheap ones just warp when they got hot. They'd be fine on gas cooktops though.
I did get my Lodge pans as special deals from Amazon, you just need to keep a lookout for them. They were about $50 for a 10 and 12" combo.
Hard to say if this one gets the OzBargain seal of approval, sight unseen.
I'm a big fan of cast and - moreso these days - wrought iron. My collection of Lodges don't get much use anymore - having been gradually replaced by a range of SolidTeknics Aus-ion pans which are the best cookwear I've ever owned. Or even cared about. www.solidteknics.com/cookware/aus-ion They're not cheap, but quite easy to maintain, much cooler to handle, totally non-stick after a few good seasonings and half the weight of cast iron.
The one Lodge cast iron pan I still get some usage out of, is the grill / griddle whenever I want to put seared lines on a good steak. Depending on the size you're after, you can get them in a range of square or round grills, plus 12" models with single or double handles, such as this one for $61 - www.amazon.com.au/Lodge-L10GPL-Handle-Grill-Black/dp/B087QS1…
And if you do go ahead with this or a Lodge cast iron purchase, grab yourself one of these kits, or something similar - www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08342W5QB
Just beware that cast iron is heavy and requires a different kind of upkeep. 12" (30cm) models tend to be very heavy. The square models heat up very evenly and provide extra real estate for cookings compared to the same sized round pans. If you're cooking for less than four people, 10" (25cm) models are often ample, heat up quicker and are kinder on the wrist. Which if you're like me and have the wrists of a ninety year old (for some reason), is much appreciated…
Anyone looking for Lodge alternatives, I can vouch for this one:
Victoria Cast Iron 12" Skillet Fry Pan with Long Handle, Seasoned, Large, 12 inch,Black https://amzn.asia/d/fL7ArQJ
Granted I bought it for $23.80 in 2019 but it is great quality and I actually prefer it over the lodge I have because it's handle is much nicer to use.
![[Prime] Billord Cast Iron Pan/Skillet 30cm (12.5 Inch) $32.29 Delivered @ Billord-AU via Amazon AU](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/12/805012.jpg?h=1cc5344b)
I need a cast iron pan, is this OzB approved or should look for a different brand?