topic Re: Cast Iron question in Kitchen

Cast Iron question

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 00:07:14 GMT

I want to purchase a cast iron pan...the nice old black ones are the ones I really like.

I always undersoodt the Giriswold brand was the best to buy, the vintage ones.....if I cannot find one locally to purchase what is the next best option, which I guess would be new.

thanks

Re: Cast Iron question

BeeChee — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 00:37:46 GMT

As per ATK, their recommendations are:

Traditional...The Lodge Classic Cast Iron Skillet, 12"

Enameled...The Le Creuset Signature 11 3/4" Iron Handle Skillet.

Re: Cast Iron question

Thats Me — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 00:53:28 GMT

There are lots of Griswold pans on eBay. Many have been restored and I don't know anything about the quality of that process, but some others look to be in their original used condition.

I have a Lodge and love it. It has an orange peel type texture which I understand is characteristic of Lodge pans and how they're made; some other makes are smoother surfaced. One brand that is highly rated (and from China!) is Victoria. Apparently those are more smoothe and have great balance and weight. A couple years ago I was researching cast iron skillets and was fascinated by the variations in make and quality and the variety of factors to consider. It was fun!

Re: Cast Iron question

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 00:51:38 GMT

I've used the 12" Lodge skillet for decades, it's a workhorse that just gets better with age.

Re: Cast Iron question

SharkE — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 01:03:11 GMT

I bet his stuff is the best

https://www.qvc.com/kitchen-&-food/cookware/geoffrey-zakarian/_/N-12hlxZ14ark9y/c.html?limit=96&ro=lglvZ14ark9yZ12hlx&redirectTerm=geoffrey%20zahkarian&navsrc=REFINE#plModule

Re: Cast Iron question

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 01:22:45 GMT

Get a Lodge. Don’t forget to season it before using the first time and oil it after cleaning.

Re: Cast Iron question

Sooner — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 02:16:02 GMT

If you want traditional cast iron, only get Lodge pre-seasoned. It works.

If you want enameled cast iron Le Creuset is the best. I like their deep skillets a lot! And yesterday baked a spatchcocked chicken in one of their signature skillets and it was perfect! The black interior is great.

Call some of the outlet stores and see what they have on sale.

Re: Cast Iron question

Jane Anne — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 02:48:14 GMT

Lodge is made in America (except for their enamel) and is top notch and has always been affordable. I use Lodge iron skillets which my great-grandmother used over 100 years ago. Good as new!

Re: Cast Iron question

Othereeeen — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 12:29:43 GMT

Buy a Lodge 10.25" or 12" skillet.....Walmart and Amazon carry them....

Even though they say they are "pre-seasoned"...you can still season and reseason them over time.....

(NOTE:LODGE enamlelled cookware is made in China. the black cast iron, in Tennessee).

There are TONS of videos on You Tube on how to care for cast iron pans....cleaning, seasoning, re-seasoning, storing, etc.....

****Kent Rollins on You Tube I find to be the best on advice***

You may want to watch FIRST to see the involvement of proper care of cast iron skillets!!!

You can NOT treat or store NON-enameled cast iron skillets or pots like you would aluminum or non-stick pans....

I love my Lodge cast iron skillets, and I actually like the act of taking care of them. It adds to the experience of cooking all my own food. I even use mine over and directly on the burned down coals on my frequent stick fires ( I live in a rural area where a lot of little branches drop in storms....I like picking them up because that's great exercise too....!) then I build a small fire, and when it burns down, cook my luncn in the cast iron skillet.

Good luck!

Note: Griswold is out of business. You can get them on E-bay, but if you are just starting out, spend less than 20.00 on a Lodge skillet, learn how to care for and clean it, and good luck!!

Plan to make a big batch of bacon first time use....!!!

Re: Cast Iron question

Cats3000 — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 13:37:28 GMT

We've had Lodge for many years. Made in USA. Love the stuff. The traditonal black items are made at their factory in TN. The enamel coated stuff is made in China; wouldn't touch it.

Re: Cast Iron question

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 15:36:57 GMT

Thanks everyone for the replies....I do know that I need to season the pan...mom cooked with cast iron, and it was drilled into my head how to take care of her pan, ha, ha...

...and I thought a good cast iron pan would be more expensive!

again, thanks.

Re: Cast Iron question

SharkE — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 15:49:01 GMT

good to cook some stuff in, but, I'm not hefting around heavy cast iron.

Re: Cast Iron question

depglass — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 17:29:38 GMT

You can find authentic Griswold pieces at your local antique mall. Wagner is another older brand. Prices depend on rarity, some of this stuff is really pricey.

Re: Cast Iron question

Still Raining — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 17:30:11 GMT

Keep getting embarrassed here. Turned mine over to confirm brand, and realized the undercarriage has been neglected. Upside down being seasoned right now. A work in process....

Re: Cast Iron question

grandma petes — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 17:54:54 GMT

This is just my honest opinion, and from experience, I absolutely DO NOT recommend Geoffrey Zacharian Cast Iron. I purchased all three sizes of his cast iron pans....they worked great....at first....now, no matter what I use as a non-stick coating....everything sticks around the center of the pan. They were suppose to be non-stick...and, again, at first they were....now....everything sticks. I'm out a lot of money for my purchases, but if I can save someone else money from not buying them, then it's worth it.

Re: Cast Iron question

SharkE — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 18:42:35 GMT

That's good to know. I don't have any, but, just from the presentations looked like it would be good stuff.

Re: Cast Iron question

goldensrbest — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:52:51 GMT

Lodge i find is the best.

Re: Cast Iron question

CelticCrafter — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 13:52:41 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
I want to purchase a cast iron pan...the nice old black ones are the ones I really like.

I always undersoodt the Giriswold brand was the best to buy, the vintage ones.....if I cannot find one locally to purchase what is the next best option, which I guess would be new.

thanks

I have my grandmothers Griswold skillet that had been handed down to my mother.

One day I had used it and when it came time to clean it decided it was too much trouble to try to keep it the way they did and was going to give it to Goodwill.

Changed my mind after I did the research on it and saw the potential value of it.

I do use it a couple of times a week now.

Re: Cast Iron question

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:01:26 GMT

@CelticCrafter I have a small, maybe 6" cast iron that was my grandma's....it's well seasoned but it's so small, I rarely use it.

Re: Cast Iron question

mekhya — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 21:33:45 GMT

If your looking for something other than lodge or add to your collection check out stargazer cast iron. They are made in the USA by a small company I believe in Pennsylvania. They have a website & Facebook page.