“Durable versatility so you can cook anything, anywhere”
A Comparison between the Classic and Blacklock range of Cast Iron by Lodge
Reading from the booklet that comes with Lodge’s newest Blacklock Grill Pan, I am reminded just why I love Lodge so much. Classic, heavy-duty cast iron that can literally cook anything on every heat source, inside and out. I know this because my family have been using cast iron for generations.
Due to its durability and hard-wearing nature, it remains our cookware of choice when camping. There is something so grounding about cooking over fire with cast iron – it was exactly how our ancestors cooked.
Isn’t cast iron cookware difficult to take care of?
Sometimes, cast iron gets overlooked due to the myth that it is a pain to take care of. This is simply untrue. They just require some specific (but very easy) steps. I’ve let my generations-old cast iron cookware rust a few times over the years and it is always easy to restore it back to beautiful working condition. They will never scratch or leak materials into your food – and have a natural non-stick quality!
Refer to these simple steps on how to season your cast iron for the first time.
Camp Cooking with Lodge Grill Pans
First Impressions
Lodge Square Grill Pan: Familiar, heavy-duty look and feel with a thicker handle than the Blacklock. Chunky and sturdy – it is evident that this pan will cook up a dream in very hot conditions and give excellent char marks!
Lodge Blacklock: Wow, I’m surprised by the size of this pan. It is thinner and has lesser depth than the classic Lodge pan, yet it has more surface area. The pan comes with a booklet that tells the story of the brand’s rich heritage (Blacklock was actually Lodge’s original brand in 1896). I learnt from the booklet that the pans are apparently 25% lighter, but due to the size increase, they feel the same.
Note: All cast iron cookware is heavy.
Performance
Lodge Square Grill Pan: I just about remembered that I needed to season my classic Lodge before the initial use. I wonder how many people tend to forget about this important step before use? While it is an easy process, the appeal of not having to do it for the Blacklock pan is speaking to me, because packing and setting up for camping does require a lot of effort as it is…
Our Gochujang Pork Burgers turned out great in this pan. They had an excellent char, and the fat drained off perfectly due to the pan’s grill bars. Our 4 burger patties were all that the pan could hold, so it would be tricky if you're cooking for a larger number of people.
When cooking our stuffed banana dessert, the high sides of the pan acted like an oven inside the BBQ, melting the chocolate and marshmallows perfectly, yet not burning the banana underneath.
Lodge Blacklock: It is worth noting that due to the thin size of the Blacklock, it is easy to slide into packed camping equipment, or to lie it flat on the bottom with other things lying on top of it.
Our prawn skewers cooked perfectly in the Blacklock. The heat distributed evenly to all edges of the pan. This pan is ideal for cooking styles that requires spreading out, such as stir-frying vegetables, a large quesadilla, or larger cuts like spatchcock chicken or pork tenderloin.
Clean Up
Lodge Square Grill Pan / Lodge Blacklock: Both pans had a few sticky areas which occurred around the raised grill bars. I didn’t notice a difference with the Blacklock being pre-seasoned three times. A good scrub brush and a little elbow grease was all it took to release the stubborn spots, even with nothing more than a cold outdoor tap.
Conclusion
The Blacklock range has several different features, including a wider surface area, thinner handle with a large hole (this acts as a vent, keeping the handle cooler to the touch), new logo, and being seasoned 3 times.
While I didn’t notice the extra seasoning, it did give me relief knowing I wouldn’t have to worry about it. I think the bigger cooking surface area and flat lay of the pan for easier storage does give the Blacklock an upper hand compared to the original Lodge Grill Pan.
A classic Lodge grill pan would be perfect for those camping solo, or with a small group.
Either way, Lodge pans will last you a lifetime and you can't go wrong with choosing anything from this iconic brand.
