Cast Iron Anyone?

[Flynnster]

Wow, I never knew how many people used cast iron! MY roommates are making fun of me for using it every day almost since I got it, but I'll be darned if I cant cook everything in it!

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Flynnster

Wow, I never knew how many people used cast iron! MY roommates are making fun of me for using it every day almost since I got it, but I'll be darned if I cant cook everything in it!

Should be the other way around... What the f do they know? It's great for many things, but does not respond good to sudden heat changes and is not the best for cooking liquids unless it's enamalized.

Remember to just wipe off or use as little water as possible to clean. Heat and scrape off works well and then just oil it.

[SvilleKid]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Should be the other way around... What the f do they know? It's great for many things, but does not respond good to sudden heat changes and is not the best for cooking liquids unless it's enamalized.

Remember to just wipe off or use as little water as possible to clean. Heat and scrape off works well and then just oil it.

Water in cleaning isn't the issue. Soap is the no-no for cast iron. My typical cleanup is super hot water in pan/pot for 10 minutes or so, then wipe it out with a non-soap dishrag. If my stove is still hot, or if I'm cooking on coals, I add water to the level of whatever was cooked, then set it back on fire/heat to get water hot. Been cleaning this way for 30+ years. Only thing is, you can't put the water in it, and walk away and forget it. One day in water, and you will find yourself re-seasoning in a hurry!

For those interested in learning more, and with great recipes and links, go to the International Dutch Oven Society's site at: www.IDOS.com

I found that site in the 1990's while a scout leader, and doing a lot more dutch oven cooking than I currently do. Haven't looked at it in a couple of years. It appears that it may be a pay site to get to most of the good stuff. That's a shame. But if you are really into Dutch Oven cooking, it is probably well worth the price!

[awsmith4]

I had two or three good cast iron pieces that we used/use all the time and just acquired a bunch more from my step grandfather. The coolest piece he had though went to my stepdad, a waffle iron similar to this link

http://static.veracart.com/generalar...et_1/50/lg.jpg

[SvilleKid]

Originally Posted by awsmith4

I had two or three good cast iron pieces that we used/use all the time and just acquired a bunch more from my step grandfather. The coolest piece he had though went to my stepdad, a waffle iron similar to this link

http://static.veracart.com/generalar...et_1/50/lg.jpg

I got one of these probably 20 years ago in a local antique shop, and gave it to my mother for decoration. It will come back to me when passes away. The one I got has a frame around it that allows the pan to readily flip, but it also takes the cooking surface well above the usable range for a modern heating element. I figure it must have been made for old wood stoves, or maybe for open coal cooking, as I can see no way to effectively get heat to it in it's current configuration. As far as I know, my mom has never used it.

Just out of curiosity, Eric.... You ever see that waffle iron in use?

[awsmith4]

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

I got one of these probably 20 years ago in a local antique shop, and gave it to my mother for decoration. It will come back to me when passes away. The one I got has a frame around it that allows the pan to readily flip, but it also takes the cooking surface well above the usable range for a modern heating element. I figure it must have been made for old wood stoves, or maybe for open coal cooking, as I can see no way to effectively get heat to it in it's current configuration. As far as I know, my mom has never used it.

Just out of curiosity, Eric.... You ever see that waffle iron in use?

Not yet (its Al btw) but its frame allows the cooking surface to lay flat but still allows you to flip the waffle. I don't think Papa had used it in years since his wife passed but my stepdad and I will get around to it sooner or later...if it was at my house I would have by now.

[SvilleKid]

Originally Posted by awsmith4

Not yet (its Al btw) but its frame allows the cooking surface to lay flat but still allows you to flip the waffle. I don't think Papa had used it in years since his wife passed but my stepdad and I will get around to it sooner or later...if it was at my house I would have by now.

Good luck with getting it back, AL!! Sorry about the name. I even checked to make sure I have it right, then was distracted by a commercial about a show with Eric Roberts, and my mind went totally "old guy" on me! Dammit!

I actually plan on getting mine back in the next several months. Mom's already told all us kids that the ones who gave her stuff will be the ones to get them back when she passes. However, I have one sister who raided mom and dad's house when we moved them out after dad's stroke. And I have no doubt she would do it again if given the chance. So, I'll be laying claim to the waffle pan soon.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

Water in cleaning isn't the issue. Soap is the no-

Only thing is, you can't put the water in it, and walk away and forget it. One day in water, and you will find yourself re-seasoning in a hurry!

That is the issue and excessive water with a sponge I find to take off a little coating, but it's better to just have a good habit of just scrapping with a minimum of water.

I own some DeBuyer Mineral Element pans which are even more sensitive than cast iron to water that rock for cooking meat.

[McSmokey]

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

Water in cleaning isn't the issue. Soap is the no-no for cast iron. My typical cleanup is super hot water in pan/pot for 10 minutes or so, then wipe it out with a non-soap dishrag. If my stove is still hot, or if I'm cooking on coals, I add water to the level of whatever was cooked, then set it back on fire/heat to get water hot. Been cleaning this way for 30+ years. Only thing is, you can't put the water in it, and walk away and forget it. One day in water, and you will find yourself re-seasoning in a hurry!

For those interested in learning more, and with great recipes and links, go to the International Dutch Oven Society's site at: www.IDOS.com

I found that site in the 1990's while a scout leader, and doing a lot more dutch oven cooking than I currently do. Haven't looked at it in a couple of years. It appears that it may be a pay site to get to most of the good stuff. That's a shame. But if you are really into Dutch Oven cooking, it is probably well worth the price!

I recently acquired to cast iron dutch ovens never actually cooked in one so I have some research to do.

[OLS]

Originally Posted by McSmokey

I recently acquired to cast iron dutch ovens never actually cooked in one so I have some research to do.

The boy can spell "Tuscaloosa" But caint spell TWO, lol.
Sorry......hehe....leftovers from football season.

[McSmokey]

Originally Posted by OLS

My landlady is always hinting that she wants her metal building organized, but she thinks it's fine to just
dump crap in there and a year later let me organize it, nah, I'll pass....BUT I was in there the other day trying to
wrangle the lawn mower past the latest pile that crashed down from somwhere and there was a milk crate
with about 5 various sized skillets and about 10 Fajita cast iron Fajita serving pans. I snugged a couple of those
and secreted them away to the house before the lot turns into a rusty pile of fused metal. hehe.

Nice Snags!

Originally Posted by OLS

The boy can spell "Tuscaloosa" But caint spell TWO, lol.
Sorry......hehe....leftovers from football season.

HA HA HA