Calling All Old Cast Iron Lovers.......

[laceynoelle]

Youre guy's old cast iron stuff is so neat!! My mom still cooks with hers because she got them from my granmama, and we've been working on reseasoning them agian.

fun.

 

[Jaguaress]

Quote:
CedarRidgeChicks... How do you know when to take them out of the fire, or how do you make it so they don't warp?

I've found some rusty old pieces that need cleaning, and the fire method is tempting.

All of y'alls collections are just wonderful... (jealous)

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

Jaguaress..I don't like to use the burning off method..but, the times we have that DIDN'T work the fire was extremely hot..so I think if it is a really low fire..??..it will work o.k...others on here may can answer better..I do know my MIL cracked her favorite skillet in the wood stove coals. I just don't take the chance anymore..some of my DHs' pieces are pricey and warped/cracked ruins that investment. I have never tried the propane grill method but think I will give it a try.

BTW...I received a call this week to come to a pre-auction sale later in the month..over 500 pieces!!..they even have Chocolate Molds!!..also have some Martin and Favorite pieces we are looking for..!!

 

[MrsStephan]

I love using cast iron! I started with a big frying pan that belonged to my grandmother, then added a griddle, some more frying pans, ect. I have a teddy bear muffin pan and recently found a pan that had 13 animals that all fit into each other. It looked like it had been rusted on purpose to make it look "old" and "country". It is all cleaned up and seasoned now. It was listed as a candy mold, but I am planning on using it for short bread.

 

[akpeeps]

Just came across this thread.
I LOVE my cast iron!

I only have a few pieces that I inherited from my mom that used to belong to my grandmother. I have 8" and 10" skillets, 8"and 11 1/2" grill pans, 2 corn bread molds in the shape of corn cobs, and a round kettle. The two skillets and kettle are from the early 1900's and rest is "newer" and not as well seasoned. The cast iron lid for the kettle is long gone, but mom found a glass cover that fits perfectly. She used that kettle every weekend to make mashed potato donuts or deep fried chicken. I use it for popcorn once in a while too. I use my 8" skillet almost exclusively for cornbread like my mom did. My DH didn't believe me about the difference cooking in cast iron makes until the first time I made cornbread in the skillet.

It's the only thing I use for fried potatoes and onions, hashbrowns, and killer corned beef hash. And why does gravy taste better when it's made in a cast iron skillet?
I bought him some Lodge cookware for Christmas because we've started doing a lot of campfire cooking this year. Mmmmmm!

I'm still looking for a griddle.

 

[seismic wonder2]

One thing that needs to be mentioned with Swap Meet sact iron finds.... Make absolutely sure they weren't painted.

Some people who get cast iron for decorative reasons tent to pain them black to prevent rust etc... Or they put scenery on them.

Some of that paint may have been lead based if it is real old paint...

I thought I was lucky to find a small skillet I had planned to take camping. I was inspecting it closely and saw some greyish residue near the lip.
I asked the guy about it and he said , matter of factly, "My dad used it to melt lead for bullets"

I lost my mind...."I was going to use that to cook with camping! Are you trying to KILL PEOPLE?!?!?!?" I bought it and broke it with a hammer he had for sale right there and left hin to clean up the pieces so that moron wouldn't sell it to someone else.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

I love cooking with cast iron. I have a collection going of the Smoky Mountain skillets starting in 2007 (the year we were married).

My absolute favorite piece is the dutch oven hands-down.

 

[bockbock2008]

I don't have anything to add. I just wanted to be able to find this thread when I have time to read it tonight

 

[Opa]

I have lots of Griswald and Wagner skillets, griddles, and Dutch ovens. I have one Griswald corn bread pan with a wheat pattern that I found a like pan that sold for $240. But hands down the one I treasure the most is one a cornbread pan that belonged to my great grandmother. When one considers the fact that my father had 12 siblings and I can't even name all of the cousins that I have, the fact that I wound up with it and my grandmothers favorite skillet it's a miracle.

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

Yep Opa, my favorite piece is my mothers deep chicken fryer, and even though we have quite a few Griswald pieces..they are not my favorite ones..I prefer the Martins and the Favorites..I also have an early#5National that is good and smooth.

My DH was on vacation this week; we spent a day "antique looking"..he added three pieces another Martin #6, a Vienna roll pan, and a wagner cornbread pan. After our upcoming move I will post some pictures of our (his) collection.