Author Topic: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware  (Read 95164 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline spuds

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3579
  • Girl says Hi from the SoCal Mtns.
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2014, 04:44:52 PM »
I read somewhere any CI with USA on it,buy it.
Feel free to share my pictorials anywhere you like.Could mention from Spuds if you remember.

Offline Las Vegan Cajun

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6246
  • Ralph in LA$ VEGA$
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #15 on: September 24, 2014, 07:49:31 PM »
I read somewhere any CI with USA on it,buy it.

Time to start looking around at more garage/yard/estate sales for some made in the USA cast iron.  ;)
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler
----------------------
Magma Marine Kettle, Camp Chef Single Burner, Dutch Oven Table & Denali 3X, Lodge Habachi, BEESR, WSJ w/GrillGrates, WSM 18.5, Masterbuilt Pro Smoker, Anova Sous Vide (X2), Traeger Jr, 12" A-MAZE-N Tube, PBC, LEM Dehydrator, Dorkfood (DSV)

Offline TwoPockets

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4897
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #16 on: February 14, 2015, 10:21:01 AM »
The 12 inch pan with Made In USA is definitely Lodge, that is how they marked their cast iron up until the 90's. The D indicated which forge it was cast in. "Most" of the cast iron marked Made In USA is lodge but there were others like Birmingham Iron Works that were marked USA. I agree with buying anything that says USA on it. A lot of unmarked cast iron might have been made in the USA but you can not be sure. The older the cast iron you find will be more finely cast and smoother, that is what I like to cook with but the newer Lodge with the more grainy finish will get smoother as you cook in it. We have a few pieces we cook with regularly that belonged to my wife's grandmother, it is all over 100 years old. We have collected cast iron for year for some reason or another most of it Griswold or Wagner Ware, we sold a lot when we moved into the townhouse but have a lot left here and in our storage unit.
Ken

Weber Performer charcoal grill
Char-Broil The Big Easy
Char-Broil H20 electric smoker (back from the dead)
Camp Chef Expedition propane outdoor range
Camp Chef Italia Artisan pizza oven
Half a ton(literally) of cast iron cookware

Offline Savannahsmoker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3097
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #17 on: February 14, 2015, 10:53:04 AM »
Thanks passing this knowledge on again.

Does anyone know what cast iron comes with a smooth flat bottom for use on glass top stoves?
All my cast iron has a ring around it.
Art

Blaz'n Grill Works Grid Iron (Copper)
Royall RG 2000 (gone to live with nephew)
Weber Genesis E-330 (Copper)
The Big Easy
Weber Smokey Joe Gold for fun and vacation,

Offline teesquare

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11911
  • Brevard NC - Home Of Hillbilly Caviar
    • Savor Spices
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #18 on: February 14, 2015, 11:02:39 AM »
You may look at the Lodge line. They have some lighter weight, more "modern" designed cast cookware. Not sure about the ring on the bottom tho Art.....
BBQ is neither verb or noun. It is an experience.
Fine Swine and Bovine BBQ Team - Home of squeal and veal!
Beer, Butter and Bacon make everything better.
PBC
PBC Jr.
MAK 2 Star General #639
MAK 2 Star General #4401

Offline Smokin Don

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7581
    • Pellet Smoker Cooking
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #19 on: February 14, 2015, 11:29:30 AM »
Thanks passing this knowledge on again.

Does anyone know what cast iron comes with a smooth flat bottom for use on glass top stoves?
All my cast iron has a ring around it.
Art all my cast iron has the ring and I have used them on my glass top with no problems. When using them I am careful and don't move them around. My glass top is at least 15 yrs. old and still looks new. Don
Traeger 07E pellet smoker
Weber E210 gas grill
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal
Camp Chef Pro 30 gas burner
Camp Chef Iron Griddle
Lodge CI Hibachi
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
I am not aging, just marinating
I think I am starting to age!
http://pelletsmokercooking.blogspot.com/

Offline Savannahsmoker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3097
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #20 on: February 14, 2015, 12:09:19 PM »
Thanks Don. :)
Art

Blaz'n Grill Works Grid Iron (Copper)
Royall RG 2000 (gone to live with nephew)
Weber Genesis E-330 (Copper)
The Big Easy
Weber Smokey Joe Gold for fun and vacation,

Offline Las Vegan Cajun

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6246
  • Ralph in LA$ VEGA$
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #21 on: February 14, 2015, 01:58:34 PM »
Thanks passing this knowledge on again.

Does anyone know what cast iron comes with a smooth flat bottom for use on glass top stoves?
All my cast iron has a ring around it.

You might want to look into enameled cast iron for cookware with a smooth flat bottom.  ;)
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler
----------------------
Magma Marine Kettle, Camp Chef Single Burner, Dutch Oven Table & Denali 3X, Lodge Habachi, BEESR, WSJ w/GrillGrates, WSM 18.5, Masterbuilt Pro Smoker, Anova Sous Vide (X2), Traeger Jr, 12" A-MAZE-N Tube, PBC, LEM Dehydrator, Dorkfood (DSV)

Offline Savannahsmoker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3097
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #22 on: February 14, 2015, 04:20:27 PM »
I will do that as I need to for an enameled cast iron dutch oven also.
Art

Blaz'n Grill Works Grid Iron (Copper)
Royall RG 2000 (gone to live with nephew)
Weber Genesis E-330 (Copper)
The Big Easy
Weber Smokey Joe Gold for fun and vacation,

Offline drholly

  • Member No Longer With Us
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10158
  • Brooklyn Park, MN
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #23 on: February 14, 2015, 06:02:51 PM »
You might also consider DeBuyer mineral iron. I do not have a glass top stove - gas, but it does have a smooth bottom and many of the positive characteristics of CI. In my mind it has some advantages - starting out smoother, a bit lighter (but still fairly heavy.) Actually, I find myself turning to the DeBuyer more frequently than CI (except when I want to use my large pan for frying tacos...) May not be the best price, but gives you a description - http://www.amazon.com/DeBuyer-Mineral-Element-Country-9-4-Inch/dp/B00462QP2K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1423954901&sr=8-4&keywords=debuyer

You can't catch a fish if you don't get a line wet...
Pit Barrel Cooker, Char Broil Electric Smoker, Charbroil Prototype Kettleman, Char Broil 500X, Blackstone Flat Top, Char-Broil SRG, Weber Performer, ANOVA sous vide device, Lodge Hibachi, Discada, Chimenea, fire pit, hunk of pink salt...
Member #

Offline Savannahsmoker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3097
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #24 on: February 14, 2015, 09:29:39 PM »
Thanks and I will check it out tomorrow.
Art

Blaz'n Grill Works Grid Iron (Copper)
Royall RG 2000 (gone to live with nephew)
Weber Genesis E-330 (Copper)
The Big Easy
Weber Smokey Joe Gold for fun and vacation,

Offline pmillen

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 852
  • She's saying, "There's one over there."
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #25 on: February 14, 2015, 09:48:47 PM »
You might want to look into enameled cast iron for cookware with a smooth flat bottom.  ;)

I'm growing too lazy to properly care for my cast iron frying pans.  I've been looking at the LeCreuset Cookware (or whatever the spelling) 'cause it might be easier to care for non-stick cast iron.  Do any of you use them? 

The interior is black enamel.  Are they non-stick? 

Are users restricted to wood or plastic utensils? 

Do they brown as well as cast iron? 

Store clerks don't know from Shinola.
Paul

MAK 2-Star - M Grills M-36 - Hunsaker Drum - Basic 36" Blackstone Griddle - PK Grill - Masterbuilt 1050 - Kamado Joe Big Joe w/FireBoard Blower - Broilmaster H3 Gas

Offline Smokin Don

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7581
    • Pellet Smoker Cooking
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #26 on: February 14, 2015, 10:31:50 PM »
You might want to look into enameled cast iron for cookware with a smooth flat bottom.  ;)

I'm growing too lazy to properly care for my cast iron frying pans.  I've been looking at the LeCreuset Cookware (or whatever the spelling) 'cause it might be easier to care for non-stick cast iron.  Do any of you use them? 

The interior is black enamel.  Are they non-stick? 

Are users restricted to wood or plastic utensils? 

Do they brown as well as cast iron? 

Store clerks don't know from Shinola.

I had a good enamled  skillet and to me was harder to care for than cast iron. I gave it away. Now wish I had saved it, they are good for cooking tomato based dishes. Don
Traeger 07E pellet smoker
Weber E210 gas grill
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal
Camp Chef Pro 30 gas burner
Camp Chef Iron Griddle
Lodge CI Hibachi
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
I am not aging, just marinating
I think I am starting to age!
http://pelletsmokercooking.blogspot.com/

Offline drholly

  • Member No Longer With Us
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10158
  • Brooklyn Park, MN
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #27 on: February 15, 2015, 12:35:41 AM »
I have a large and small enameled CI Dutch oven and a braising pan. No skillets. These are my every day pots for stews, chili's, etc. Easy to use (still VERY heavy and hold heat well.) I would not say they are non-stick in the sense of Teflon or even a well seasoned CI pan. But they are pretty slick not requiring a lot of fat. On the other hand when building a stew or chili or braise, non-stick is not a big issue.

They are dishwasher safe, although I tend to hand clean them - but I find them in the dishwasher sometimes when I get home.... I find them low maintenance other than the effort it takes to get them into and out of the bottom cabinet. I can't imagine trading them for anything else for use at home. Utensils - I typically use bamboo for almost everything so, no worries.
You can't catch a fish if you don't get a line wet...
Pit Barrel Cooker, Char Broil Electric Smoker, Charbroil Prototype Kettleman, Char Broil 500X, Blackstone Flat Top, Char-Broil SRG, Weber Performer, ANOVA sous vide device, Lodge Hibachi, Discada, Chimenea, fire pit, hunk of pink salt...
Member #

Offline pmillen

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 852
  • She's saying, "There's one over there."
Re: Latest thoughts on my Cast Iron Cookware
« Reply #28 on: February 15, 2015, 12:37:14 AM »
I had a good enamled  skillet and to me was harder to care for than cast iron. I gave it away. Now wish I had saved it, they are good for cooking tomato based dishes. Don

Harder to care for?  In what way?  I thought that I could use the dishwasher most often and scour the heck out of them if necessary without worrying about damaging the non-stick interior.
Paul

MAK 2-Star - M Grills M-36 - Hunsaker Drum - Basic 36" Blackstone Griddle - PK Grill - Masterbuilt 1050 - Kamado Joe Big Joe w/FireBoard Blower - Broilmaster H3 Gas