Quality

When I bought my 8" Lodge cast iron skillet from Walt-Mart, I noticed that their surface was a little bit rough than my 12", when new. I thought that it might have been a quality problem, depending on the stores or brands. As I looked around for identical products in different stores when I go out, I noticed that most of the cast iron skillets do not have the smooth surface. I just think that Target or high end stores recieve slightly better cast iron skillets. Regardless of the surface's smoothness, it is not a problem. For someone who is picky, he or she needs to look around a little harder. Overall, Target has the best prices on 12" and 10" skillets. Wal-Mart has the best price on 8" skillets. Dick's Sporting Goods has wider and practical selections for camping. Crate & Barrels has more little cast iron cooking accessories. Williams-Sonoma has the high end enameled cast iron cookwares. For me, bare cast iron cookwares are more practical, even though they require regular seasonings.

Prices on Cast Iron Skillet

Prices are different at different places for a lot of things. A lot of variables need to be considered, such as sales and coupons. Base in my area, in Northwest of Indianapolis, IN, Target has the best prices on Lodge 12" and 10" cast iron skillets. 12" is $18.99. 10" is $15.99 or 17.99, depending on the sales and the timing. The basic Lodge dutch oven for normal cook top is $34.99. Wal-Mart has a really good price on Lodge 8" skillet for $10.97. These prices are before tax. A couple of high-end cookware stores, such as Williams-Sonoma and Crate & Barrels, sell Lodge cast iron skillets, but for higher prices.
Crate & Barrels has more options for cast iron skillets. The store has the bacon press, 5" skillets, and some other (what I would call) novelty items. Williams-Sonoma mainly sells high end enamled cast iron cookwares, such as Staub and Le Creuset.
There are some Lodge cast iron skillets and dutch ovens sold in Dick's Sporting Good. Prices on the skillets are higher than Target and Wal-Mart. This is the only chain store that I could find the camp dutch ovens, ribbed square cast iron skillets, and a couple other accessories.
Yes, I admit that I am a big fan of Lodge products. Ever since I switched to the bare-bone preseasoned Lodge 12" skillets, I have been happy with their products. Nothing is wrong with enamled cast iron cookwares. My problems with them are chipping and enamle melting under high heat cooking. Do we mostly cook with them due to the with-stand the high heat, good heat distribution, and they get better with age? Mostly, I would miss out on the fun of doing my own seasoning.

A Little Too Much

I primary cook with this 8-inch skillet now. The more you cook with cast iron cookwares, they get more seasoned (as long as you take care of them). Apparently, I bought something to cook for dinner, which was absolutely not good eats. Some food stuck on the bottom of the skillet. I used some salt to rub it clean and did so well that some seasoning went with it. As precaution, I heated it up and rubbed some vegetable oil.
Since some of seasoning is lost, this might be a good reason and start to rebuild the seasoning. My goal for this one is also the same as my 12-inch, which is to start abusing it for cooking purposes.

Ramen Noodle Reinvent

This might be a lot of work, but it's worth all the trouble and work. The most important step is about taking a couple minutes to prepare the seasoning, meat, and the vegetable with a little bit cooking oil in the cast iron skillet. While waiting, preparing the Ramen noodle and the egg are next. Right before the noodles are done, pour the noodles into the skillet and let it for a couple of minutes. The very last thing is to put the egg in there (make sure the egg is fully cooked).

Sweet Potato Fry.

This is one of my intention for seasoning my 8 inch cast iron skillet. They fries in there are the yellow sweet potatos, or known as yams.