Comments on: Cooking With Cast Iron

By: LisaB

LisaB — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:08:07 +0000

When I bought a new stove a few years ago I didn’t even look at the smooth-top ones because I love my cast iron skillet so much. Mostly I use the 10-inch skillet I bought cheap from Wal-Mart 30 years ago. The best thing about cast-iron skillets is the more you use them the better they work, and the blacker they are the better the seasoning. I like that I can scrub them with steel wool and it doesn’t hurt a bit. But mine is seasoned so well now that it hardly sticks at all. Cleaning while it is still warm (but not too hot) really makes things easier, too.

By: Chrissy

Chrissy — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 05:25:21 +0000

I love cooking in my cast iron Dutch oven ouside. I just bought me a Dutch oven table.

By: Terri

Terri — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 02:21:40 +0000

I love mine,but would really like to find a bread pan. Have never seen one.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 02:06:12 +0000

@Kristen, I prefer Lodge Brand cast iron. I have never had trouble with any Lodge piece that I have owned. On the other hand I have owned some cast iron with the label of some of the famous TV chefs and have trouble with them. They never season right, they are hard to clean, etc. So, if you are new to cast iron, I would say look for the lodge brand. As far as a good price for used pieces, I would say check the new pieces in your area to see what they would cost and then compare the used ones you find. Most places like Walmart or Target sell new pieces of the basic sizes for a good price. For me I prefer to start with new pieces and not have the trouble of having to remove rust and reseason a piece. However, I know a lot of people that buy used pieces all the time and clean them and reseason them. I think you can usually clean up and reseason older used pans, it just takes a little work. I have never had to do it, but I am sure you can search online for directions. I hope that helps.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:56:41 +0000

One question I have is how do you know if it is worth buying a used cast iron pan or not? I have seen several at yard sales, but always pass on them not knowing if they will be able to be cleaned up well or not. Are there good and bad types of cast iron or are they all the same? How do you know if it is a good deal? Thanks!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:34:01 +0000

A year or 2 ago we started cooking with cast iron, and I love it! We use it for everything. I have 2 large skillets, a couple of small ones, and a 2 quart one we use for pasta.

By: Karen L

Karen L — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:57:18 +0000

I received a set of three cast iron skillets for a wedding present 25 yrs ago. I have just recently started using them after getting a canary and reading the warnings about using non-stick coated pans being toxic to senstive birds (remember canary in the coal mines used to detect toxic gases). I’ve had to season the pans again as the got a little rusty sitting in the back of the cupboard all these years but I really wish I had started using them sooner. I love the way they cook things and love the ease of browning things and setting them into the oven skillet and all to finish cooking.
I am looking forward to your future articles!

By: SkylarKD

SkylarKD — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:44:57 +0000

I like cast iron because it doesn’t have any non-stick chemicals on it, but I have trouble with things sticking sometimes (like potato). What’s your secret?

By: Annie

Annie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:25:15 +0000

I would be VERY VERY interested in a post about how to care and use your cast iron. I LOVE my cast iron but sometimes it is high maintenance. Thanks for all your helpful tips! I’m a silent but regular reader (i use google reader).

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:49:29 +0000

I have three cast iron skillets, and use them for everything!