cast iron cookware

Funny I just saw another person's post elsewhere - on religious practice of lighting candle for a deceased person...and I thought of my cast iron cookware.  I figure every time I'm firing up one of those old black (bottom encrusted) cast iron skillets that's as good a testament to my grandma as any (who was a fabulous down-home cook).

Also and that food is about as close to a religious experience as I get...well, that, and other things that I can't mention here.

I'm right there with you!  Well, not literally.  I'm not a stalker.  Honest...

I'm right there with you!  Well, not literally.  I'm not a stalker.  Honest...

As long as you have a good set of cast iron, you're not afraid...as I think you mentioned (already?) its versatility as an incidental weapon -- it could literally knock someone unconscious.  Btw...not sure how long you've had your old cast iron -- but if anyone has questions or problems about seasoning it (old or new) & keeping it seasoned, I think I've a good grip on that.  (It couldn't be easier really.)

I love how easy it is to look after them, and that even if they rust they can be salvaged.  How damn cool is that??!  Talk about built to last.  That's another thing I appreciate (apart from the ancestors and the absorpbable dietary iron and the superior and even heating and the versatility): the fact that they represent to me a rejection of the concept of the "disposable society".  I intend to pass these along to my kids (if I have any) to pass along to their kids.

When my first DH and I split up, we actually had an argument over who got "custody"of one of our cast iron skillets! I regret to say that he ended up with it, but in fairness, he WAS the better cook. 

I like that Lodge cast iron products are so cheap, and that you can find them in most camping equipment stores

Yes that's the thing!  The stuff is dirt cheap & lasts FOREVER.

My grandmother used to called the skillets "spiders". She was from New England, her ancestors walked off the Mayflower. Anybody else heard that term?

I used to really love cast iron, but now that I cook vegetarian meals, I find I don't need all that heavy duty equipment used in cooking meat. I can't think of a reason I would need cast iron to steam some broccoli! My most prized posession now is my carbon steel wok.

I'm vegan and I use the griddle for: Pancakes (American style), tempeh strips, patties; the skillets for: roasting, pizzas/focaccia, and just about anything else I'd use a skillet for.  Love them to bits, and I swear everything tastes better.

You can use these pans for *anything*.  You can even bake brownies or cake in them & so forth.

Yep - they're the right sizes for cakes, cornbread, Irish soda bread...  I haven't eaten meat in all my adult life (went veggie in 1989 and vegan in 1998), and I use them most days.

Sorry, I know this is way old but I was so freaking excited at what my mom has sent us for Christmas!

It was so big they couldn't wrap it and thus the reason why I'm jumping up and down now instead of Christmas day.

It's in granite. Wheeeeee!


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but if anyone has questions or problems about seasoning it (old or new) & keeping it seasoned, I think I've a good grip on that.  (It couldn't be easier really.)

It's been ages since I've seasoned a pan, and I have forgotten!  I'd love to know your secrets! 

When my first DH and I split up, we actually had an argument over who got "custody"of one of our cast iron skillets! I regret to say that he ended up with it, but in fairness, he WAS the better cook.

I did too - I lost custody of all the cast iron pans, so I bought one at an antique store or flea market a few years ago, and it's just been sitting in the cupboard!!  I'd love to get it all seasoned up and make some proper corn bread for Simon when he's here.  Mmmm!!

~Liza

I brought back my chapati pan from Kenya. I use it for everything. Indeed it was the iron I absorbed that kept me from being anemic my two years in the bush. I have every intention of bringing it with me when I move to London.

I forget how I seasoned it... probably just by using it after I got all the rust off when I bought it from the metal smith on the street.  It is great!