cast iron cookware

Just donated a waffle iron like the photo (but with spiral handles) to the local museum.
Love my cast iron. We have a square pan that is always with our camping gear. Have flat oblong griddles for rv and house.
My most used pan in the house is a yard sale find from 30 years ago. It is a 13 inch diameter, 2.5" deep fry pan. I did find a lid for it at a Lodge store in Tenn.
Love my Griswold dutch oven and chix fryer, too.
Mike Leslie

I agree you don't need a "set". We carry two of our antique cast iron pans--a griddle and a fry pan. Both have been with us for years and handed down one way or another. We have used them on a wood cook stove and on a restaurant gas stove and on a modern day smooth top electric range besides the RV. Where ever and forever they are wonderful. But there is a knack to them. My sister is a great cook but her scrambled eggs stuck in the pan while they never do for me. She stirred them too much--even well-seasoned cast iron is not the same as non-stick.
We only have one griddle so that will go back and forth to the RV but we have more than one fry pan. We typically would not use a whole "set" because we don't have a large variety of meal types. The pans are in the RV cupboard over the sink--no special storage area.
BTW, one of our most prized possessions is a cast iron waffle iron. It is beautiful as well as useful. It was handed down to my father from my great grandfather. We don't take that camping though. They are still available in the style that we have too. Although our handles are cast iron, not wood.

I have an 8" iron skillet that I inherited from my Grandma thru my Mom. Grandma died when I was 3 and I'm 68 now. Soap has never touched the skillet - only water. It does the best job of browning that I've ever seen. Sometimes you can find an old one at a yard sale. Don't pass it up.

Do these 'old' pans have a date stamp?

Woodgeezer..I am sure you are correct. However, as in many things, it can`t hurt to do some research on the product being considered.

Remember how cigarettes were touted as a great thing. And asbestos. And on and on. Things change. We become more aware of what we put into our bodies.



Gary Haupt

garyhaupt wrote:
A person should do some research before using old Cast Iron. The lead content is a concern.

I have a 10" Lodge Dutch Oven that I keep under the oven in a cupboard. I just stuff it in along with the fry pans and a cookie sheet. It's not a precious camera lens..it is cooking ware.

Now then...it IS a wonderful cooking pot..roasts, soups, slow cooked everything and desserts. Oh..and I have roasted coffee beans in it, too.



Gary Haupt

Gary,

You need to re-read your source information. Old cast iron is "virgin" iron. This means simply that it has never been used for any purpose before. Pure iron, no lead. After the late 1950's with the introduction of import-ware, there were little restrictions on iron ware, and frankly could have been made from old jeeps, or Buicks, or discarded bathtubs. That is more likely a source for contamination.

Today the iron used in cookware is not as fine or uniform in particulate size as earlier iron. Thus, an older piece made in the USA is a grade above all current iron, and more often than not better finished.

For me I would go with the old, and crusty made in USA iron from a yard sale, flea market, or antique dealers. If you would like more information, just ask, I have sold quality iron for over thirty years, and may have forgotten more about it than most people know:D.

I second the vintage method, our old Wagner skillet is great for steaks and cornbread. Lodge is the only answer if you want new stuff, stay away from imported. Lots of information on the cast iron collectors sites-buy vintage, clean it, and it will last several lifetimes and increase in value.

A person should do some research before using old Cast Iron. The lead content is a concern.

I have a 10" Lodge Dutch Oven that I keep under the oven in a cupboard. I just stuff it in along with the fry pans and a cookie sheet. It's not a precious camera lens..it is cooking ware.

Now then...it IS a wonderful cooking pot..roasts, soups, slow cooked everything and desserts. Oh..and I have roasted coffee beans in it, too.



Gary Haupt

rvten wrote:
Go with Lodge. Only cast iron cookware made in USA.
Made here in TN.

X2 We only buy Lodge cookware

I have Lodge. We keep them in flannel bags made from dish cloths. The skillet bags have a separation in them so the lid goes in one side and the skillet on the other. No clanking when going down the road and the bags keep the oiled iron from collecting dust bunnies.