Cast iron cookware

[kingOFgEEEks]

Makes sense, and this is how I understood it. It is my understanding that there is no USA enameling company, which is why Lodge enameled products are inferior to the European (French) enamel ware. Discontinuing the enamel line is no loss imo, other than it was a more affordable product over Le Creuset or Staub.

This raises a question: what is the goal, Made in the USA, or just something made by a company that actually takes pride in quality and a well-paid skilled workforce?

For example, are Canadian goods OK? I have a very high quality pair of Bekina rubber boots made in Belgium. French enamelware is undisputed as the best in the world. Where is the line? I really don't know.

To me, I'm all for Made in USA, but I'm open to other countries who are on a more or less level playing field.

 

[Philbert]

It was supposed to be a better quality product.

Some of the Asian enameled cookware chips easily. Some of the French stuff is très expensive.

‘Made in the USA’ is not always better quality, but this line was positioned to offer higher quality at an in-between price.

I never saw or used it, but it got good reviews.

Philbert

 

[Fleethirte]

Waupaca foundry made the gray cast iron lodge products. Even when they were stamped made in Tennessee. I will have to ask my dad If they are still making them. He brought me a lodge bacon press not to long ago that they poured.

 

[Philbert]

Lodge is also competing against stuff like this.

Philbert

 

[MtnHaul]

If only someone would bring back the quality of good ol' Wagner Ware and Griswold cast iron, but I guess there's less money in making a product that lasts damn near forever. We have a full set of All-Clad fancy-ware and it gathers a lot of dust while the cast iron is always on the stove. I'm always amazed that basic cast iron cookware is as unpopular as it is. Who doesn't want a frying pan that doubles as a deadly weapon?

 

[Philbert]

If only someone would bring back the quality of good ol' Wagner Ware and Griswold cast iron,

Get out your wallet . . .

https://fieldcompany.com

https://smithey.com

A New Chapter for the Vintage Icon - Wagner Cast Iron

We're introducing Wagner to the next generation with a series of reissued cast iron products made here in the United States. Explore our first reissue, the Long Griddle No. 1148.

wagnercastiron.com

That’s why people hunt for the old stuff.

Philbert

 

[MtnHaul]

The hunt is more fun than whippin' out the wallet. The steals and deals are still out there.
Although it's not cast iron I have developed a great appreciation for some carbon steel cookware. I've cooked close to 80% of my dinners the last 5 years on a $40 carbon steel wok. The thin steel responds very quickly to burner adjustments and seasons easily.

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

Get out your wallet . . .

https://fieldcompany.com

https://smithey.com

A New Chapter for the Vintage Icon - Wagner Cast Iron

We're introducing Wagner to the next generation with a series of reissued cast iron products made here in the United States. Explore our first reissue, the Long Griddle No. 1148.

wagnercastiron.com

That’s why people hunt for the old stuff.

Philbert

Interesting.

I googled an inflation adjustment for the $240 griddle, and it would have been equivalent to about $18 in 1950.

I could imagine that in 1950, $20 was considered an investment, but not unreasonable for a good cast iron griddle. But somehow, $240 seems like a whole lot of money today.

 

[MtnHaul]

But somehow, $240 seems like a whole lot of money today.

I think about this kind of perception a lot lately. At times my notion of "a lot of money" is stuck in the past. It's hard to recalibrate a personal definition of value. Just an example here but my parents paid $116,000 for a small 900sqft. house on 1 rural acre in 1984, remodeled to 1850sqft. in 1991--nothing fancy--and now that house and 1 acre are appraised at 1.3 million. WTF?!?!? Of course gas was less than $1/gallon back then too.

 

[Loony661]

Interesting.

I googled an inflation adjustment for the $240 griddle, and it would have been equivalent to about $18 in 1950.

I could imagine that in 1950, $20 was considered an investment, but not unreasonable for a good cast iron griddle. But somehow, $240 seems like a whole lot of money today.

But that is still a good “value” for a lifetime cooking tool. A lot up front? Sure is. But not a lot when you compare to the replaceable griddles that don’t last, and inevitably cost more each time.

 

[Wilhelm]

Raw grey cast iron, fried some blood sausages in it the other day.
Didn't feel like scraping it clean so I hung it into my shops fireplace off a piece of wire to "burn clean".
Still need to wire brush it and coat in oil.
It is a tiny pan about 9x9".

 

[jakethesnake]

 

[Wilhelm]

View attachment 478674

Picture of the fireplace please!
Looks intriguing.

 

[Philbert]

Raw grey cast iron, fried some blood sausages in it the other day.

I pick up used CI at garage sales, etc., and periodically strip and reseason it in batches. Post some on Craigslist to try and recoup the costs of stuff I keep: not something that will pay the bills.

But just stripped several griddles: like yours, but more rectangular. Those grooves can be a P.I.T.A.!

Philbert

 

[Wilhelm]

I pick up used CI at garage sales, etc., and periodically strip and reseason it in batches. Post some on Craigslist to try and recoup the costs of stuff I keep: not something that will pay the bills.

But just stripped several griddles: like yours, but more rectangular. Those grooves can be a P.I.T.A.!

Philbert

That is why I burned this one off.
Only ashes left to clean off with a wire wheel and re-season it.

 

[jakethesnake]

Picture of the fireplace please!
Looks intriguing.

I’ll try to remember to snag one for you. It’s in the old man’s pole building

 

[Philbert]

Not sure if this is the same, or additional $ off.

Philbert

 

[jakethesnake]

Christmas present for me from
My mommy

 

[Philbert]

The Le Creuset and STAUB enameled cast iron is very nice, but pricey.

Typically, they will put a few items on sale, in the fall, as ‘manufacturer’s seconds’ (I never found the defects !), or ‘Black Friday’ specials.

Still not ‘cheap’, but a better value for quality stuff.

I have found a few at church sales, thrift stores, etc. A couple needed extensive cleaning. One was really banged up, but someone still wanted it on Craigslist, because of the name.

Philbert

 

[Yukon Stihl]

The enameled cast iron defeats the benefits of cast iron