topic Re: Cast Iron cookware in Kitchen

Cast Iron cookware

LisaMofSLC — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 02:39:13 GMT

I really like the idea of cast iron cookware, especially in a braiser and dutch over. I love the CE set for $90, but this past weekend, after people telling me I should check at TJ Maxx, I did just that. Beautiful single pieces (no matched sets available), so I bent to pick up a dutch oven. Good grief, it was so heavy! The lid fell off and made an embarassing clanging noise. I still love the idea of having a piece or two, but if they're that heavy without food in it, how does anyone even move them, let alone wash them. LOL Maybe I'm just too old?

Re: Cast Iron cookware

CamilleP — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 02:51:55 GMT

Sestra, I think it's a matter of getting used to it. When I got my first LeCreuset I also thought it was so heavy I'd never use it. Now I use it (small oval Dutch oven) and much larger LC vessels all the time, and I'm quite used to the weight. I recently bought a Zakarian cast iron skillet with the ceramic non-stick interior, the 10" size, and I use that sucker all the time, I love it! I think we have all gotten so accustomed to the aluminum and steel pans with coatings on them that when we first get cast iron, we cringe. Just make sure you have hot pan holders that you can get a good grip on the handles of the pans, and start using your new Dutch oven, and pretty soon you will hardly notice the extra weight, because you will be so happy with the results. Oh, and I'm in my 60's, no spring chicken!

Re: Cast Iron cookware

Mz iMac — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 03:04:03 GMT

I have 2 "old school" cast iron frying pans, large & small that are older than dirt.

You do not really "wash" them once you "season" cast iron. Just wipe them down.

Because of the weight, I only use mine to fry eggs, fish & chicken and make pancakes & omletts.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

software — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 03:11:16 GMT

You don't say what size or what you will use it for.

I have a fairly big cast iron skillet but I don't use it every day.

I want to purchase a small - 4 or 5 quart - enameled cast iron dutch oven for baking bread. I'd also like to use it for slow cooking too. So I won't be using it every day.

If you tried to pick up an 8 quart, I understand, they are heavy.

You might want to start with a small one.

Sam's Club has a pack of 2 - 4 qt & 7qt for $60

Re: Cast Iron cookware

blackhole99 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 03:16:13 GMT

I just read some where online that you can indeed wash old school cast iron pots& pans with mild soap and hot water and do not need to re-season. I have washed my cast iron for years and as long as I dry it and wipe the inside of it down with oil it's good. Cast iron is heavy though.IMO and in old school black cast iron you shouldn't cook anything acidic, like tomato sauce, I didn't realize that and have been making chili in my dutch over for years.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

Toot1920 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 03:29:00 GMT

@LisaMofSLC, one thing that I have found is that Le Creuset is not heavy as a lot of the others. It’s still heavy but it’s lighter than others. I have a 2.75 qt. and a 4.5 qt. I bought one from QVC and the other at a Le Creuset outlet store. I got rid of a 3qt. Food Network one and a 5qt. Cook’s Companion. I was very surprised on the difference in weight. I, also, bought a Geoffrey Zakarian 12” pan non stick cast iron. I’m amazed, it really is non stick and easy to clean. All of mine are enameled cast iron and are pretty easy to clean.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

Sooner — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 04:10:18 GMT

@LisaMofSLC wrote:
I really like the idea of cast iron cookware, especially in a braiser and dutch over. I love the CE set for $90, but this past weekend, after people telling me I should check at TJ Maxx, I did just that. Beautiful single pieces (no matched sets available), so I bent to pick up a dutch oven. Good grief, it was so heavy! The lid fell off and made an embarassing clanging noise. I still love the idea of having a piece or two, but if they're that heavy without food in it, how does anyone even move them, let alone wash them. LOL Maybe I'm just too old?

@LisaMofSLC Maybe one would "pump you up!" You are probably too young to remember that! LOL!!!

Re: Cast Iron cookware

ECBG — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 04:37:15 GMT

@LisaMofSLCThey are VERY heavy. I have a giant frying pan I use to simmer on top of the stove and I pick it up very carefully. A full Dutch Oven would probably have to be picked up by DH.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

loriqvc — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 04:39:58 GMT

If anyone is searching for an enameled cast iron dutch oven and you happen to have a Kroger's/Smith's/King Sooper's in your area, check the housewares section—I just picked up a gorgeous red six-quart beauty (black was also available) for the ultra-low sale price of $24.99! A friend of mine has been wanting a dutch oven and I know she'll think I spent way too much for it.

I have a fabulous enameled cast iron dutch oven from QVC's discontinued Technique line that is going strong after many years of use. I wish that line would come back; I have so many great pieces from it...

Re: Cast Iron cookware

BirkiLady — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 06:32:00 GMT

Like some of the previous posters, I also love my inherited black cast irons pots and pans. Unfortunately, my stove/oven is almost 30 years old and probably going to bite the dust in the near future. I do not want a glass top stove! Not willing to give up cooking with those wonderful cast iron pieces from my grandmother and mom. Food tastes so much better when prepared in cast iron!

Has anyone else encountered this problem yet? Are drop-in stoves with burners still available? Afraid replacing my stove may involve an entire costly redo.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

Lilysmom — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:16:47 GMT

@software, I have the 5 quart one and I have a bigger one...sounds like the 8 qt one. I love to make stew in mine. I bought the 5 quart one because the larger one was so heavy. Love the way it cooks. Costco here (Canada) had a very good deal on a three piece set, almost the same price I paid the the 5 quart. LM

Re: Cast Iron cookware

novamc1 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 10:55:49 GMT

@BirkiLady

I have cooked with Le Creuset enameled cast iron on a glass cooktop without incident since the 1990s.

Yet I see posts every now and then about heavy cast iron not being good for glass stoves.

What I don't like in my recently purchased home are the rough iron grates on a gas cooktop that wind up scratching the bottoms of my beautiful LC cookware.

I now often switch to using stainless steel or other types just to protect my LC, cookware...... or pull out one of my two induction burners, plug them in and use LC on those.

Don't fear glass cooktops. Just try not to suddenly drop a heavy pot on them. I never seemed to be in danger of doing that destructive sort of thing over many years of use on glass.

I also agree with an opinion mentioned earlier about non-LC brands of cast iron being much heavier. The iron seems to be much thicker, for some reason, and the uncoated rims of the lids and pots can form rust--an experience I've never had with LC.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

skittles2 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 12:38:53 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@LisaMofSLC wrote:
I really like the idea of cast iron cookware, especially in a braiser and dutch over. I love the CE set for $90, but this past weekend, after people telling me I should check at TJ Maxx, I did just that. Beautiful single pieces (no matched sets available), so I bent to pick up a dutch oven. Good grief, it was so heavy! The lid fell off and made an embarassing clanging noise. I still love the idea of having a piece or two, but if they're that heavy without food in it, how does anyone even move them, let alone wash them. LOL Maybe I'm just too old?
@LisaMofSLC Maybe one would "pump you up!" You are probably too young to remember that! LOL!!!

@Sooner

HA! Hans & Franz

Re: Cast Iron cookware

RespectLife — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 14:38:20 GMT

I also cooked for years on a glasstop with both cast iron enameled AND the traditional black cast iron fry pans. Never had a problem! Just LIFT, don't slide!

I now have a gas grate cooktop. Yes, the cookware is heavier, but the cooking results are so worth it IMHO. I have no issues with the weight.

Aldi's has had great prices on enameled....from $14.99 to $26.99! Several different sizes available.

Maybe start with a lesser priced piece to see if you will like it.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

tobes — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 16:02:59 GMT

I also wash my original, old cast iron with Dawn dishsoap, rinse and then put it on m my gas stove top flame low to dry - takes les than a minute. I never have to re-season it. My two cast iron pieces are marked Cast Iron Skillet Griddle 109, Griswold, Erie PA 202; and Cast Iron Skillet 8, Griswold, Erie, U.S.A., 704P. Purchased at a tag sale in 1970's and both used all the time and in great shape Epecially the griddle which I keep on the top of the stove and use all the time. Even makes great toast in the morning. i have never cooked or griddled anythingthat has acid composition. I would be lost without these two pans. A great buy.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

Imaoldhippie — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 17:39:41 GMT

I had to quit using my cast iron dutch oven because it was so heavy with food in it. Also, very heavy to wash.

Dont let anyone fool you, you have to wash any cast iron with soap and water.

My cast iron skillet I still use, its not so heavy. But I still have difficulty washing it.

I must add I am 73 and have fibromyalgia so heavy lifting for me is work.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

mimomof4 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 18:18:19 GMT

@novamc1 wrote:

What I don't like in my recently purchased home are the rough iron grates on a gas cooktop that wind up scratching the bottoms of my beautiful LC cookware.

I have been using my LeCrueset almost daily on my Gas stove for at least the past 2 years and haven't noticed any scratching from the grates. Yours must be really rough. I use the pan so much I leave it on the stove.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

Lilysmom — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 21:48:36 GMT

@RespectLife, totally in love with my dual fuel stove. Love it and will never go back to electric cooktop. LM

Re: Cast Iron cookware

Pooky1 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 23:40:09 GMT

we bought a 12 inch black cast iron skillet and so far we love it. i have fried chicken in it ,have fried french frys alot of times and when i made the chicken i put hot water and dawn in it let it soak a little while and it cleaned very quick and i dried it right away . havnt had to reseason it.

Re: Cast Iron cookware

BirkiLady — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 00:54:10 GMT

@novamc1 I use the old black cast iron because they were my grandmother's and mom's pieces. Sure, purchasing LC cast iron would work on a flat top stove . . . but I wouldn't be using my inherited pieces which hold so much sentimental value. Perhaps you didn't understand my potential delemma?

BTW: It's only "if and when" my current range dies! So far, I'm fine . . . just the clock isn't working.