Kitchen

[VanSleepy]

My daughter gave me a cast iron skillet as a gift a few years ago even though I told her that I've gone this long without one, and I didn't need one. After looking up how to care for it, too fussy for me. It sits in the basement unused. 

I would like a Dutch oven, but I don't have anywhere to keep it in the kitchen; plus I don't know how much I'd use it to justify spending that much on a pot.

[shoesnbags]

I'm surprised at the number of posters who love to use cast iron pots and pans.  I have to assume that these are not the same people who say they would never use Fiesta ware because it's too heavy. 

Personally, I love my Fiesta ware and don't find it too heavy in spite of my arthritis.  But I have never used cast iron because it's always felt so heavy, even when I was younger.  To each her own, I guess.

[faeriemoon]

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@shoesnbags wrote:

I'm surprised at the number of posters who love to use cast iron pots and pans.  I have to assume that these are not the same people who say they would never use Fiesta ware because it's too heavy. 

Personally, I love my Fiesta ware and don't find it too heavy in spite of my arthritis.  But I have never used cast iron because it's always felt so heavy, even when I was younger.  To each her own, I guess.

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I wasn't aware there were people posting that Fiestaware is heavy.  I have never thought of it as heavy in the least.  The complaints must be from those who enjoy Corelle (sp?).

[shoesnbags]

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@faeriemoon wrote:

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@shoesnbags wrote:

I'm surprised at the number of posters who love to use cast iron pots and pans.  I have to assume that these are not the same people who say they would never use Fiesta ware because it's too heavy. 

Personally, I love my Fiesta ware and don't find it too heavy in spite of my arthritis.  But I have never used cast iron because it's always felt so heavy, even when I was younger.  To each her own, I guess.

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I wasn't aware there were people posting that Fiestaware is heavy.  I have never thought of it as heavy in the least.  The complaints must be from those who enjoy Corelle (sp?).

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Yes! That's exactly what it was. There have been several QVC threads where many, many posters proclaimed their love of Corelle and stated that Fiesta is so heavy.  So I was surprised to see all of the love for cast iron on the same board. And I could swear that I saw some of the same names. @faeriemoon 

[Laura14]

@cindyNC Highly recommend. When they go on sale, grab them. 

[Nightowlz]

My mom gave me one of hers when we got married in 76. I remember her using it when I was a kid so it's about as old as I am. We also bought a larger one years ago. DH uses them when he cooks.

[rockygems123]

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@sabatini wrote:

@rockygems123, my very favorite, every day skillet is a Griswold. 

I also have assorted Wagners, and a BSR (Birmingham Stove & Range) deep, chicken fryer.

I've only owned & used old cast iron, so until the past few years was unaware of the difference between the old and new.

Anyway, I bought one of my sons & also a DIL, a Lodge skillet as Christmas gift a few years ago.

Those things weighed a ton!

My DIL rarely uses hers, & I can't blame her. It's just too darn heavy.

Old, 'vintage' cast iron is lighter in weight, so is much more user friendly.

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@sabatini  That's good to know the older are lighter!  I go to estate sales weekly for work, will have to look for some of the older ones.  

The newer ones can be made in China, would rather have a vintage one made in the US.  Lodge I think isn't all US any long too if I believe correctly.

[lynnie61]

I have my mothers.  It's about a 9" pan.  Not too heavy, but the inside is so darn smooth.  She probably got it in the 60's.  I remember her making the best home fries in there.  I might have to try a cornbread in there.  I use it occasionally.

[Shihtzursqmom]

I have a lot of iron skillets and Dutch ovens that I use almost every day they are well seasoned and cook like non stick
I have one that belonged to my grandma ( I think it actually was my great grandmas ) it’s my cornbread pan nothing else is cooked in that frying pan except cornbread I have no idea how old it is but I know it’s old but looks brand new

I also have a larger skillet that was my grandmas I always remember her pineapple and peach upside down cakes made in that pan it looks brand new also
I wash my pieces and set back on stove to dry or in the hot oven
when they are dry I spray the hot pan with canola oil ( my grandma used the solid crisco ) and wipe dry with a paper towel
Nothing sticks to the pans , they are better than any non stick pan
All the pieces I’ve bought are lodge I have no idea what the old pieces are
I also have several pieces of le Creuset including the wok but use the iron pieces more
I have no issues with the weight