Cast Iron Pans

[Bravery]

Actually, I am now up in Chattanooga, TN visiting my sister and they took me to "The Lodge" outlet store (which is right next to the factory) and I bought several things. The prices weren't what I hoped but they were pretty good.

 

[old_anorak]

We picked up footed cast iron dutch ovens on sale at TSC before Christmas.

 

[Loomis]

I realized I didn't give a reason why I mentioned cast iron cookware. The reason being you can cook over a wood fire with them. If you did that with expensive aluminum cookware you would ruin them.

 

[Simple but effective]

Also saw some cast iron sets at a few military surplus stores. Surplus city in Lawton OK had a lot of cast iron cookware. Well a lot more than most stores

 

[Simple but effective]

Also saw some cast iron sets at a few military surplus stores. Surplus city in Lawton OK had a lot of cast iron cookware. Well a lot more than most stores

 

[Trapper]

I rescue cast iron cook ware. When I get time I can post the process I use to restore it. I buy most of my cast iron at thrift sales for usually a dollar. Be careful of what brands of cookware you are buyig. Stick with Lodge,Griswold, and Wagner. Most other commercial brands are made in China and may have unknown metal compounds in them such as tin and lead. Dutch ovens are pricey no matter wher you find them. CI is easy to use and care for. It will last the rest of your life if properly taken care of.

 

[Bravery]

I rescue cast iron cook ware. When I get time I can post the process I use to restore it. I buy most of my cast iron at thrift sales for usually a dollar. Be careful of what brands of cookware you are buyig. Stick with Lodge,Griswold, and Wagner. Most other commercial brands are made in China and may have unknown metal compounds in them such as tin and lead. Dutch ovens are pricey no matter wher you find them. CI is easy to use and care for. It will last the rest of your life if properly taken care of.

Great information about the metal content from other countries... especially China... their Quality Assurance (and/or ethics) sucks.

 

[Loomis]

Good point on China made cast iron. I've never seen them in a thrift store.

 

[Lindy]

Speaking as a person who has a SERIOUS, SEVER sensitivity to things high in iron, when you cook with cast iron you get your daily amount of iron. This could be a very very good thing for many people but may not be good for some. My first set of pots and pans were cast iron and I loved cooking with them. However, it took nearly 3 years of being sick, a very close call in the hospital and a comment totally out of the blue that caused the doctors to ask us if we used cast iron pots and pans. When we said yes the Doctor's were able to help me. We just didn't know so I want to make sure others do. ~Lindy

 

[Loomis]

Speaking as a person who has a SERIOUS, SEVER sensitivity to things high in iron, when you cook with cast iron you get your daily amount of iron. This could be a very very good thing for many people but may not be good for some. My first set of pots and pans were cast iron and I loved cooking with them. However, it took nearly 3 years of being sick, a very close call in the hospital and a comment totally out of the blue that caused the doctors to ask us if we used cast iron pots and pans. When we said yes the Doctor's were able to help me. We just didn't know so I want to make sure others do. ~Lindy

Wow ! A very good point.

 

[Chicknladee]

So...Lindy, as someone who is notoriously short on iron it would be good for me to take up cast iron cooking...but what do YOU do for cooking and what are your plans when SHTF for cooking paraphernalia? Currently my kitchen ware is stainless/copper clad and glass....somewhere out in one of my sheds I KNOW I have a nice cast iron dutch oven...I should dig it out soon...This summer I want to build a solar oven and play around with cooking (I always want to play around with cooking!)

 

[Lindy]

Hi Ms. Chicknladee,
I use none stickpots and pans we filter our water and that always helps. There are times when I can't avoid the iron. If we go to someones house it is difficult to explain but we try to make it as easy a possible. Now most of our friends have seen my unpleasant reactions and try to avoid an episode as much as possible. It only takes once and either we dont get asked to dinner anymore or they ask a milllion questions about what they can make. You might be surprised at all the foods that are "enhanced" with it. Like I mentioned for many people it is avery, very good thing. It makes us pay much closer attenion to the things we buy.It has landed me in the hospital two times and that is two times too many!!!!! My best bet is to always stay boarderline anemic which also makes me tire easily. I'm just so thankful we figured it out and now I have learned to adjust.

 

[Remi Snow]

Hey Colt 1911 if you are still looking for a dutch oven, I may know where to find one or three...I don't know what you are willing to pay for one but check out Lehmans.com they have like three different types.

 

[Colt 1911]

Hey Colt 1911 if you are still looking for a dutch oven, I may know where to find one or three...I don't know what you are willing to pay for one but check out Lehmans.com they have like three different types.

Thank you, I will check it out.

 

[Danil54grl]

Lehmans is great! I got my butter churn and milk separator there.

 

[WilliamAshley]

I prefer cast iron for cooking on a fire - for bug in, but it isn't my choice for a bugout, they are just to heavy compared to the aluminum. Blacking the bottom of a pan is not the end of the world. I think people are too fixated on appearance of cookware more so than they should be on the usefulness of the cookware.

I've blacked up more than one aluminum pot and it still boils stuff just fine.

The stuff still works.

I do trust the cast iron more though for cooking as, metals like aluminum arn't really fully safe.

Things that are teflon coated are horrible so most nonstick stainless steel is incredibly unhealthy to cook with.

None the less I'm sure most normal people would cringe at the thought of turning a pot black, to me it really means absolutely nothing. It doesn't shine as much, big deal.

The stuff is not safe to cook with for a bugout. large ceramic mugs hold heat really well and won't crack if you put them in a fire, they do get black though. Most people arn't worried about getting metals into their body though. Overall iron stuff seems like some of the best.

IMO the alluvial metals are the best to use for cooking. But remember you can cook with earth or bark, leaves etc..

 

[Lindy]

I prefer cast iron for cooking on a fire - for bug in, but it isn't my choice for a bugout, they are just to heavy compared to the aluminum. Blacking the bottom of a pan is not the end of the world. I think people are too fixated on appearance of cookware more so than they should be on the usefulness of the cookware.

I've blacked up more than one aluminum pot and it still boils stuff just fine.

The stuff still works.

I do trust the cast iron more though for cooking as, metals like aluminum arn't really fully safe.

Things that are teflon coated are horrible so most nonstick stainless steel is incredibly unhealthy to cook with.

None the less I'm sure most normal people would cringe at the thought of turning a pot black, to me it really means absolutely nothing. It doesn't shine as much, big deal.

The stuff is not safe to cook with for a bugout. large ceramic mugs hold heat really well and won't crack if you put them in a fire, they do get black though. Most people arn't worried about getting metals into their body though. Overall iron stuff seems like some of the best.

IMO the alluvial metals are the best to use for cooking. But remember you can cook with earth or bark, leaves etc..

For those who don't want the bottom of the pans to turn back, rub any dish soap on the outside of the pan before putting it on an open fire when you wash the pan it cleans up good as new.

 

[Mastercajun]

Thanks Lindy. I never thought of that. I will try it at the meet next week.

 

[Trapper]

For those who don't want the bottom of the pans to turn back, rub any dish soap on the outside of the pan before putting it on an open fire when you wash the pan it cleans up good as new.

I have tried soaping pans before and ended up with a bigger mess in the end. Im not sure what the problem was. Never tried it again. I would like to hear from others if it worked. I was using aluminum pans with a fancy coating on the bottom.

 

[Mastercajun]

Mine are old Trapper. I will let you know how it works out.