Our Cute 8” Lodge Skillet

The friends bought the man a practical birthday gift — a Lodge cast iron 8” skillet that was the perfect size for us. It fits the stovetop, and slides nicely into an allocated space inside the cabinets where the skillets go. But at the rate we're using it, it might just stay on the kitchen counter. It's nifty. Sure, cast iron is heavy, but it's a weight I welcome. It’s a gift for the man, and I also get to play with it!

I love the friends for being so thoughtful as to ask if we might need a grill pan at home; something for steaks and such, and which size would work. For us, space constraint is a huge issue, so there has to be a balance between kitchen 'wants' and 'needs'. I'm not going to have a stupid giant salad bowl only to have it sit in the flat somewhere as an eyesore because the kitchen cabinets can't contain it. I don't allow any pot or pan in the kitchen dare to sit idle. It shouldn't take up precious space if it's not going to be used. Nothing in my kitchen sits idle, not even a plate, spoon or a butter knife. 

Before getting anyone hefty items that take up a crazy load of space, one should always ask if it would be appreciated. Then these become gifts that are in use often, and importantly, treasured. We love the friends because they understand that concept and totally get what gift-giving is about. Then they made the effort to hunt it down and procure it. The man was so thrilled to receive this very wanted gift. 

The Lodge cast iron skillet came pre-seasoned (from the manufacturer), so not much work needed to be done. I still tossed spring onions and oil in it for luck. Oof! Oil will splatter of course. This is a shallow pan. This is what my splatter screen is for. It works.

Well a splatter screen wouldn't work in the oven. But if the skillet needs to go in on low heat to keep warm or to finish something, we'd simply cover it with foil or baking paper. Given that this is a skillet, I wouldn't be putting it in the oven to cook-cook though. The Dutch ovens are a much better idea if food needs to be cooked for hours in the oven. I do not want to scrub down the oven.  

I wanted to document the first use of the pan, but to my consternation, the man used it first and didn’t bother to take photos! While I was out, he sneakily found the skillet and used it to... make a grilled cheese sandwich. He isn't the type who takes many photos, so nothing was 'documented'. Also, he was very busy checking on his toast. He burnt a slice of bread before he remembered how hot cast iron pans heat up. Hahahahaha. What the.