Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware? in Category-Specific Boards in Community

Last Post Sep 10, 2009 5:53 AM by: highcotton575

Replies: 40

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 8, 2009 7:00 AM

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I know my Mom always cooked with as well as my grandma. And I have some too, but am starting to collect it now. We also used only cast iron pot and pans when camping...and I use to make waffles camping too (Jotul).
I bought one piece off of ebay that came broken in the mail...luckly it can and was repaired. The welder at the time I took it in said it would depend on the kind of iron used when poured if it could be repair. Fortunately, when I picked it up he said "This is excellent iron!" He repaired it so well that I can't see the repair usless I look for it.

But I don't know the difference between, Griswold, Jotul, Alfred Andresen and Wagner. Can anyone tell me the history and why these are so much better then what you can buy today. I have noticed that the older irons have a shiney surface.

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Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 8, 2009 7:52 AM

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Hi sailboat I dont know the history of cast but I do know the more you use one the better it gets, the more seasoned it is the shinier it will be.. not sure if thats how shiny-er is spelled,lol, you might google cast iron cookware and see if you can find out anything that way

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 8, 2009 8:44 AM

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Hi Barb....Thanks...I know the more you use it the better it is. But the older cast irons side bottoms where polished smooth, not like todays. I just don't know what the differences was in the foundries of yesterday and todays.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 8, 2009 6:31 PM

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I'm not really up on the history, but I was always told that Griswold was the best, then Wagner. All mine are either Griswold and Wagner and they're wonderful to cook with! Love 'em.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 8, 2009 7:12 PM

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I think you are right about that. I have a few griswold. I bought a couple online from nd, I cant remember what brand they are but I love them! I had a few of my grand mothers and moms I dont know what happened to them though I think they were swiped from the house.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 8, 2009 10:50 PM

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Here is a place for some history on Griswold and Wagner I had in my favorites, hope this helps you a little.

Link

Maggi

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 11, 2009 8:51 PM

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My dad always used to say 'they put too much sand in that cast' Meaning poor quality. Silica added to the steel makes it brittle, and easy to 'cast'. Higher % of silica = more porous. So, although the surfaces may look the same, poorer quality pans have a more porous surface. Causing food to stick more often. The good pans will be heavier than poor pans of the same size and thickness. In a good pan, put in your oil or lard, heat very hot then reduce heat to your cooking temp. Your food shouldn't stick. Happy cooking.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 13, 2009 6:54 AM

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Thanks Perma.....I had a feeling there had to be something in the chemical componds that made the difference in casting iron. My older pans Griswold, Jotul, Andred Anderson have such a better quality of feel and look to them, then anything newer I have bought (those now come from China which doesn't make me happy).
Couldn't find anything made here in American, Europe or Canada. I suppose all those manufactures have closed down and billion or so years ago.
Was thinking of having the surfaces professionally sand on the ones from China...but if there is more sand in them I don't believe it would help. So, I will keep them for camping.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 13, 2009 6:59 AM

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Thanks Everyone for your answers and links

I knew you guys would have the answers.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 13, 2009 7:31 AM

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asail- if you want to clean up the surfaces of your cast iron pans, you can "super heat" them in an open campfire or fireplace. It burns off the old seasoning down to the metal and you can re-season the pan after it cools.

I've done this with a few of mine that were acquired second hand, to "fix" them so I could use them.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 13, 2009 9:24 AM

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Thanks Cardinal....I will do that. Going to be buying more old cast iron and won't be afraid if is looks icky then. Funny how life goes...gave all my cast iron away except a few pieces cause it was too heavy for me to lift at this age. Now have gave anything that contains aluminum (well all except on piece...it's a family heirloom and a family joke. Seems cast iron or stainless steal is the only thing to cook with when you have cancer. And I dislike my stainless steal skillets I don't like cooking with at all...the pots are fine...but not crazy about the skillets. (had my some of my stainless steal going on 50 years now)...but it's back to basics here now. Don't have Telon or any with coatings and anything aluminum....has gone out the door.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 13, 2009 9:26 AM

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steel....looks like my brain has gone flat line at this age too...LOL

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 13, 2009 5:06 PM

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won't be afraid if is looks icky Nope, all that icky can be burnt off as long as it's a good old cast iron. I don't know anything about the new stuff, but wouldn't try it anyway. I'm spoiled with my Griswold and Wagner. Not to mention my mother's old Revere. She had the set from the 30's and I got it. I love cooking with either, they're great!

I've been told that aluminum leeches into whatever you cook in it. I've long been rid of all of it and when I got mom's revere, I gave my old stuff to my daughter on the condition that she pitched anything aluminum also. She did.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 14, 2009 2:47 AM

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Lodge is made in America, in Alabama.

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Jan 14, 2009 7:51 AM

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Thanks Amquest...that is good to know. Will keep my eye out for any Lodge at yard sales and such.

Also have old Reverware....and love it too...but not crazy about the skillets...still prefer the cast iron ones.

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Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?

Can anyone tell me the history of Cast iron cookware?