New To Cast Iron Cookware?

editor — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:49:51 +0000

If you're new to cast iron cookware and have never used it before or it's been many years since you last used it, why not give it another try. With so much negative attention now focused on other types of cookware because of health concerns, Cast Iron Cookware should really be given another try.

The NY Times wrote a great article a few years ago on the benefits of cast iron cookware with some information on cooking with it as well. Enjoy

Ever So Humble, Cast Iron Outshines the Fancy Pans

Cleaning Cast Iron With Salt

editor — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:44:51 +0000

Different people have different ways of cleaning cast iron cookware. Some say never to use soap, while others suggest that you can use soap if you don't let it sit too long. Cast Iron Cookware can last almost indefinitely if it's cared for and cleaned properly, so make sure to get proper information before you attempt to clean your cookware.

One way to clean cast iron cookware though is to use salt. Coarse salts acts like an abrasive and helps to loosen food that's been stuck on the pan which can be especially helpful with a cast iron skillet. For more information on cleaning your cast iron cookware with salt, check out this helpful article.

Salt for Cleaning Cast Iron

Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

editor — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:20:37 +0000

Founded by Joseph Lodge in 1876, Lodge is the oldest cookware manufacture of the United States. Lodge Cast Iron has entered its second century of operation. Even more amazing, one can still find cast iron cookware produced in the firm’s early days being used regularly. Lodge now offers a wide variety of cast iron cookware: cast iron skillets, deep fryers, country kettles and more.

LODGE CAST IRON GRID GRIDDLE REVERSIBLE COOKWARE NEW
US $38.99

Vintage 12 Cast Iron LODGE Grill Skillet Pan Cookware
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Lodge 3 Qt Cast Iron Enameled Dutch Oven Cookware NEW
US $59.99

Some of the most famous Lodge products are described below:

Lodge’s Signature Series Cookware

Lodge’s signature series cookware is one of the most beautiful and eye-catching collection of pre-seasoned cast iron cookware there is. Their stainless steel primary handles (on the skillets and grill pans) stay cool when used on the stove top. They are thus very practical. Yet, armed with the quality that has become the trademark of Lodge, the Signature Series is certain to last for generations in the family. Signature series includes the skillet, grill pan, Dutch oven, and covered casserole.

Lodge Tableware Mini-servers

Cast-iron tableware has the advantage of remaining hot for a long time after having been heated. They are thus excellent for serving food that needs to be kept hot for as long as possible in order to remain savory. Lodge Tableware is versatile and can be used for hot or cold appetizers, desserts, sauces and specialty entrées. The tableware series includes the oval mini-server, the round mini-server the rectangle mini-server and the divided rectangle mini-server.

Lodge Enamel Cookware

Lodge enamel cookware offers some of the most vibrant colors in cooking utensils on the market today. With it brilliant designs such as the acclaimed Enamel Apple Pots, Lodge brings originality and functionality together. The enamel series includes skillets, roasters, pots, Dutch Ovens, Oval Casseroles and covered casseroles. Each type comes in four different colors. Enamel skillets; for example, come in blue, orange, green and brown color. The enamel finish adds a shine that make the utensils very attractive while still retaining their basic capability to flawlessly braise or sauté meat or prepare any other type of food.

Lodge Logic Sizzleware Set

Culinary presentations become easy and striking with Lodge’s exquisite set of cast iron serving-ware. Meal servings such as steak, salmon, chops and cake can be easily cooked and served in the most creative ways. The tough wooden underliners are made with thick forest hardwoods and finished with water-resistant oil and lacquer. This set consists of serving griddles, platters, wonder skillet, Lodge Logic Skillet, serving kettles together with their wood underliners. Lodge’s sizzleware enables the cook’s imagination to flare up and look for new ways to present the meal.

Lodge Seasoned Camp Dutch Ovens

Outdoor kitchenware is a specialty of Lodge’s. Lodge’s Camp Dutch ovens vary from small (1 quart) to very large (12 quarts) and are designed to meet every customer’s need. The small versions are very useful for family outings or can be used for preparation of specialized recipes. Baking, frying, stewing and roasting become easy with the Dutch oven. Versatile, it can be used on the stovetop as well as the oven and barbecue grill. It can also be buried under campfire coals.

Antique Cast Iron Cookware

editor — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:32:05 +0000

Antique cast-iron cookware has been used since ancient times. Cast-iron was used as early as the 2nd Century BC in Ancient China. Cast iron has been the standard in cooking since then—at least until the invention of the Teflon and other non-stick technologies. While many people have tossed their old iron pans and replaced them by the new “advanced” cooking utensils, the cast iron cookware has still retained it charm. Slowly, more and more people are reverting back to their traditional and antique cookware because the taste that is achieved in them cannot be achieved through modern cooking methods. The advantages of cast iron cookware are numerous: even heat distribution, non-stick surface, highly durable product, simple to care for and very versatile in use. For people seeking to buy these antique cookware pieces, there are certain points to bear in mind:

Determine the origin of the product—most antique cast iron cookware has the name of the manufacturer inscribed on the bottom of the product. Some popular names include Griswold, Wagner and Lodge. Griswold is more of a collection item because it is no longer manufactured.
Determine any damage caused to the product—avoid pieces that are warped, cracked and cannot be used for cooking any more.
Look for any signs of paint on the cooking surface—some dishonest dealers may cover up damaged spots by adding a layer of epoxy resin. This is poisonous when swallowed.

Most cast iron products made in the US or Canada has some value, especially old items like Griswold and Wagner. Prices can go as high as $1000 for frying pans numbered 1. The lid of a number 13 skillet alone can go up to $500. Oval skillets, waffle irons, Dutch ovens and roasting pans come in the various prices, between $40 and $500 each. Some of the antique Lodge products are also very much in demand and can fetch quite high prices.
From a collector’s point of view, the best deals are not where you would expect them to be. Often, cast iron treasures can appear off garage sales, Estate auctions, and resale shops. They can be rusted or dirty but with some minimal cleaning, they can be as good as new. Their value would be quadrupled overnight.
Cast-iron cookware is an excellent collection item for the following reasons:

(i)The good ones are rare and fetch high prices
(ii)There are many of them around, waiting to be discovered. The early manufacturers were very prolific and sold thousands of their products all over the USA.
(iii)The cast iron products last forever so that one can benefit from their accruing value with time.
(iv)They are part of the American history and a prized witness of American engineering.

Healthy Cooking With Cast Iron

editor — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:03:55 +0000

Maybe you haven't heard, but cast iron cookware is one of the safest kinds of cookware to use. All those non-stick pans which have been so popular in recent years have been determined to be very unhealthy. Unfortunately so many people discarded their cast iron cookware when non-stick pans first came out, thinking that they were far better.

While it may be true that non-stick pans were handy, the convenience is not worth the potential health consequences that come from using a non-stick pan. A properly seasoned cast iron skillet will be a non-stick pan, so there's no reason to think that a cast iron pan, although healthier to use, isn't as good. They are just as good or better and they are non toxic, which is so important.

Here's an article that explains why non-stick pans are not safe

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Paula Dean 10 cast iron skillet deep brand new
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8 1 2 Cast Iron Skillet Preseasoned by Universal New
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Cast Iron Cookware In Your Survival Kit

editor — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:44:40 +0000

There's been a lot of attention lately surrounding preparing a survival kit and for good reason. With all the drama in the economy in recent months, it is possible that you may need to make use of a survival kit. Hopefully it won't come to that, but one never knows.

If you do need to make a survival kit, you're going to want to include a cast iron skillet and a cast iron dutch oven. Because cast iron cookware lasts for many many years and is very durable, it makes a better piece of survival cookware than a newer, non-stick pan. Over time your non-stick pan will lose it's coating, making it useless, whereas your cast iron cookware will only get better with age. Avid campers and outdoorsman have been using cast iron cookware to cook over a fire for many years and before the modern kitchen, cast iron cookware was a normal part of life.

Antique Cast Iron Dutch Oven pot Wednesbury E Pugh
US $45.00

ANTIQUE VINTAGE cast iron kettle DUTCH OVEN W feet NR
US $50.01