Lodge 10-1/4" Grill Pan

We wondered if we'd use it, but its turned out to be great. For a first cast iron I'd recommend the 12" or 10" Lodge regular cast iron skillet, but this pan provides a useful option. There are lots of times when its nice to cook meats in particular above the oil. This pan does great. We originally bought the square version as its more readily available, however we had some fish dry out because we couldn't cover it. With this round pan we're able to use several glass lids that we have as well as a Lodge cast iron lid. This has worked out great. We're able to sear and get grill marks without meat swimming in fat and cover it for part of the cooking to make sure everything gets cooked through. This has worked particularly well for burgers, but also chicken breasts, turkey tenderloin and awesome sliced eggplant. It can be a challenge to clean between all the ridges. We tend to put some water in the pan while its still pretty warm, then dislodge major food with the Lodge grill pan scraper. But the real essential tool has been the "Bürstenhaus Redecker 2-1/4 Inch Diameter Pot Brush". Seriously don't know how we'd clean it without it. Overall has been a good purchase and we're using it more than I ever expected.