Lodge Manufacturing Company is an American manufacturer of
cast iron cookware based in
South Pittsburg, Tennessee
South Pittsburg is a city in Marion County, Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Chattanooga, TN– GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,106 at the 2020 census. South Pittsburg is home to the National Cornbread Festi ...
. Founded in 1896 by Joseph Lodge, Lodge Manufacturing is one of America's oldest
cookware
Cookware and bakeware is food preparation equipment, such as cooking pots, pans, baking sheets etc. used in kitchens. Cookware is used on a stove or range cooktop, while bakeware is used in an oven. Some utensils are considered both cookware ...
companies in continuous operation. It is still owned and managed by the descendants of the Lodge family. Most
cast iron
Cast iron is a class of iron–carbon alloys with a carbon content more than 2%. Its usefulness derives from its relatively low melting temperature. The alloy constituents affect its color when fractured: white cast iron has carbide impuriti ...
sold by Lodge is produced in its
foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal into a mold, and removing the mold material after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals pr ...
in South Pittsburg, which has been in operation since the company was founded.
History
Founded in 1896 by Joseph Lodge, Lodge Manufacturing is one of America's oldest
cookware
Cookware and bakeware is food preparation equipment, such as cooking pots, pans, baking sheets etc. used in kitchens. Cookware is used on a stove or range cooktop, while bakeware is used in an oven. Some utensils are considered both cookware ...
companies in continuous operation. Joseph Lodge and his wife settled in
South Pittsburg, Tennessee
South Pittsburg is a city in Marion County, Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Chattanooga, TN– GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,106 at the 2020 census. South Pittsburg is home to the National Cornbread Festi ...
, a town of 3,000 people along the
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names, ...
beside the
Cumberland Plateau
The Cumberland Plateau is the southern part of the Appalachian Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. It includes much of eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, and portions of northern Alabama and northwest Georgia. The terms "Alle ...
. The Lodge Manufacturing Company has operated continuously in the same location ever since, and holds the title of being the oldest cast iron cookware manufacturer in the US.
In the late 1950s-1965 Lodge transferred its molding and casting process to a revolutionary automated system.
In 1973, their iconic recognizable logo was created and is still used today. In 2002, Lodge became the first cast iron cookware manufacturer to season their equipment in the foundry.
in 2013, Lodge started their carbon steel cookware line making high quality carbon cookware. Lodge introduced a line of enameled cast iron equipment in 2005; this was to match the ability of European manufacturers' abilities. In 2017, Lodge opened their second foundry, increasing their manufacturing capacity by 75%. In July 2019, Lodge unveiled seven new cast iron cookware products under the label Blacklock, a new lighter gourmet line of skillets and ovens. In August 2019, Lodge announced acquisition of startup FINEX Cast Iron Cookware, previously based in Portland, Oregon.
See also
*
Dutch oven
A Dutch oven (not to be confused with masonry oven) is a thick-walled cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid. Dutch ovens are usually made of seasoned cast iron; however, some Dutch ovens are instead made of cast aluminium, or ceramic. Some metal ...
*
List of cast iron cookware manufacturers
Most of the major manufacturers of cast iron cookware in the United States began production in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Cast-iron cookware and stoves were especially popular among homemakers and housekeepers during the first half of the 20 ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
Lodge Cookware - official siteOfficial Twitter account for Lodge Cast IronOfficial Facebook fan page for Lodge Cast Iron
Kitchenware brands
Manufacturing companies established in 1896
Companies based in Tennessee
1896 establishments in Tennessee