About those sticky pancakes, even though the directions say "just add water and stir," I have found out that if you add a couple of table spoons of bacon grease to the mixture, the pancakes don't stick. Try it, see if it works for you.
And if you are looking for good cast iron cooking pans and pots, I suggest looking in the second hand stores. Find one that some old lady has used for the last 80 years or so.
My son and his wife bought new cast iron cookware made in RED CHINA. They are out of the will now.
Rufus