topic Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers in Kitchen

Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

coffee drinker — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 16:53:33 GMT

Check out Amazon dot com for some pretty good deals on Lava brand cast iron cookware. Prices seem very reasonable and I believe it's made in Turkey.

ETA -- also check out Lodge cast iron cookware. Very reasonable prices and some have over 1,000 reviews, some 4+ stars.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

Topaz Gem — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:21:22 GMT

I'm in the market for a 10" cast iron skillet and I've decided on Lodge. It's made in the USA and it's excellent cookware. I have a Lodge skillet in a smaller size and love it, but now I need the larger 10" size for other recipes.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

SharkE — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:24:21 GMT

enamel coated are the best won't rust. HSN used to carry Tim Love brand really good !

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

Topaz Gem — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:26:23 GMT

On 2/19/2014 Sharke said:
enamel coated are the best won't rust. HSN used to carry Tim Love brand really good !

ShopHQ (formerly ShopNBC) has a line of enameled cast iron cookware. They had a set of frying pans as the Today's Top Value a few weeks ago and I bought them. I've only used them once, but so far I'm impressed.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

ennui1 — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:33:26 GMT

On 2/19/2014 Sharke said:
enamel coated are the best won't rust.

But do you get the same flavor?

I remember using my cast iron pan all the time -- until the doctor told me my iron levels were too high and to stop.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

Lacey1 — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 21:12:49 GMT

Coffee Drinker-Thanks for the post about Lava cast iron. I use cast iron daily. A lot of people are a little snobbish about imported pieces. I am not. I love cast iron but there is definitely a learning curve. Many pieces are sold as 'pre-seasoned', some people might think that means, 'non-stick'. It is NOT the same thing. Seasoning is the process of building a coating on the cookware, this will become non-stick over time. Cast iron can not be put in the dishwasher or kept in a humid environment. It will rust. There are plenty of good videos on YouTube on cast iron care. Once you get used to it, it's great. It makes a great crust to baked goods. A covered Dutch oven makes great Artisan style bread. The best fried chicken, etc. It is heavier than other cookware, but will take high heat and is induction compatible.

Now, excuse me, every time I see a post by Coffee Drinker-I want some!

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

Retta Jo — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 21:37:41 GMT

Does anyone know if you can use cast iron or the enamel cast iron on a smooth top stove?

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

Lacey1 — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 21:47:34 GMT

From the reviews that I've read on other websites. You CAN use cast iron on glass top stoves but you have to be careful. If you slide them or put them down hard, they can damage the cooktop.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

chickenbutt — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 21:57:16 GMT

On 2/19/2014 lacey1 said:
From the reviews that I've read on other websites. You CAN use cast iron on glass top stoves but you have to be careful. If you slide them or put them down hard, they can damage the cooktop.

I don't have one (I have the old coil-burner electric stove), but this is exactly what I've heard too.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

olewoman — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:22:19 GMT

Im an ole woman from the mountains of NC,I have my grandmothers and my mothers collection of the old cast iron,Just a little tip if you find any of the old cast iron no matter how bad it looks,all you have to do is put it in a bucket ir tub fill it with any cheap cooking oil until the pot or pan is coverd leave it for week or two.Looks like brand new especially if you find them at yard sales or flea markets. if its really really bad you may have to soak it in the oil a little longer.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

MikafromTopeka — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:28:20 GMT

I have the 3 different sizes of Dutch ovens that ShopHQ offers and I saw the cookware Value of the Day awhile back but I'm really wanting a 12"" skillet.

I have a decent hard anodized set that includes an 8"" and 10"" plus I've added a huge 13.75"" every day pan which I love but I need a 12"" skillet or every day pan in either the anodized or enamel cast iron.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

Linda 60609 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 01:42:32 GMT

I'm happy with Lodge brand cast iron. I have some skillets with lids and also an enamel dutch oven and smaller enamel pot. The enamel pieces are a good value for your money compared to Le Creuset. And I really like that it's made in the USA. The only thing is, it's very heavy to handle. Also, I have a glass cooktop and haven't had any problems using cast iron on it. You do need to keep the bottoms clean though.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

IamDoodles — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 03:51:46 GMT

On 2/19/2014 navy0412298 said: Im an ole woman from the mountains of NC,I have my grandmothers and my mothers collection of the old cast iron,Just a little tip if you find any of the old cast iron no matter how bad it looks,all you have to do is put it in a bucket ir tub fill it with any cheap cooking oil until the pot or pan is coverd leave it for week or two.Looks like brand new especially if you find them at yard sales or flea markets. if its really really bad you may have to soak it in the oil a little longer.

Is this really true? I have 5 really old cast iron skillets that are over 100 years old. They are sitting in my garage right now because I just couldn't bear to part with them but they are coated with gunk and grime and I didn't think they could ever be used. What kind of oil do you use? Does the oil loosen all that gunk or how does this work? What do you do after you have soaked the skillets? I am really interested since I would love to use these skillets. Thanks.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

SharkE — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 04:27:06 GMT

I got rid of my old time black cast iron long ago when I read in the directions you couldn't use dishwashing liquid in it! huh? I got the enamel and make fried chicken then milk gravy after the chicken is lifted out and after you pour the gravy out just put the skillet in the sink cover it up with water let soak for just awhile and clean it with Ivory, Dawn, etc. Brand new.

Don't use it a lot because yep any cast iron will be heavy and I'm lazy and just use my Sam's skillets most of the time. Tim Love's skillets make the best gravy though just cooks and thickens up gravy the best.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

Have6cats — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 04:37:05 GMT

I recently bought a "lightweight" cast iron pan with enamel exterior...LOVE

Always wanted to try cast iron, but I have a glass -top stove and cast-iron is definitely NOT supposed to be used on glass..too heavy.

It's a Food Network pan sold by Kohls..

I'm so pleased with cast-iron, I'm going to buy a regular weight cast-iron pan for oven use only.

Thanks for the Amazon heads-up.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

ennui1 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 04:53:20 GMT

On 2/19/2014 golden mariposa said:
On 2/19/2014 navy0412298 said: Im an ole woman from the mountains of NC,I have my grandmothers and my mothers collection of the old cast iron,Just a little tip if you find any of the old cast iron no matter how bad it looks,all you have to do is put it in a bucket ir tub fill it with any cheap cooking oil until the pot or pan is coverd leave it for week or two.

Is this really true? I have 5 really old cast iron skillets that are over 100 years old. They are sitting in my garage right now because I just couldn't bear to part with them but they are coated with gunk and grime and I didn't think they could ever be used. What kind of oil do you use? Does the oil loosen all that gunk or how does this work? What do you do after you have soaked the skillets? I am really interested since I would love to use these skillets. Thanks.

golden mariposa, I don't know about the oil trick ... but if you find someone who does sand blasting, they can clean up those pans. You might feel a little odd asking, but you probably won't be the first.

Sharke, for traditional cast iron, soap removes the oils and seasoning of the pan, but you're using the enamel coated stuff, so maybe that doesn't apply. Also, tomato sauces will remove the seasoning. If you need to re-season a pan, cooking a lot of bacon works well.

I'm glad I read about glass top stoves. I was wondering. I've always had gas stoves, so glass is a whole new world.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

glmama — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 05:46:20 GMT

Thanks for this thread. Need a new, big soup pot. Thinking about cast iron or stainless of some sort. The last I had I used all the time and it was a Cuisinart brand that was given to me as a gift. While I loved the size and used it all the time, it had some kind of non-stick coating that started to wear away. Time for a new pan!

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

Lacey1 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 05:52:10 GMT

You can clean up cast iron by running it through the self cleaning cycle of your oven. Check You Tube for more info.

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

poppinfresh — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 05:52:19 GMT

I have a glass top stove and I use cast iron on it all of the time. What you need to know is don't move your pan around on the stove top. Pick it up and set it down. Also, if you have a pan that is rusted, and you have a self cleaning oven, you can put the pan in the oven, run it through the cleaning cycle and it will come out brand new. You will have to re=season it, but it is worth the effort. Hope this helps?

Re: Cast Iron Cookware Lovers

blackhole99 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 06:25:32 GMT

I have some small Lodge cast iron fry pans that are pre seasoned, I bake my home made pizza in them. I find as long as I keep the pans clean and dry they do not rust. I like the Staub pots that the Q used to sell for soup , I don't like regular cast iron to make soup.