Lodge cast iron cookware, is it worth the hefty price?

[the ringo kid]

Lodge makes two types of Dutch ovens, so make sure you are getting the right kind. One type has legs on the bottom and a lip around the lid on top. It is for use in the coals of a campfire. The more common type has a flat bottom and a domed lid with no top lip, and is for use with stoves. With large skillets, you need to be careful when heating on a modern stove. If you put a large diameter on an eye with the heat on high, you can crack the skillet (ask me how I know). I don't think you could crack one on a wood stove, and its probably less likely on a gas stove than on an electric eye. Putting a piece in a wood fire is a good way to clean a used one before putting it into use. The only thing I have a problem with sticking is scrambled eggs and they are easy to clean up by pouring water into the skillet while hot. The eggs will just float off. I have one small skillet that has never been used for anything but baking corn bread, and it has never been washed. I just turn the corn bread out, and then wipe it with a paper towel to remove excess grease, and it is ready to use next time.

Thank you Tom. Luckily my stove is gas. Im wanting the flat bottomed Dutch. Id be wasting money on the other. Last time I went camping was at least 32 years ago. Id be the only person in history to start a forest fire using a Dutch oven. Id hate to see the Big Bend, burn because of me.

 

[the ringo kid]

The wife has had a #10 dutch oven for 35 years and a #14 for about 33. We cook deep dish pizza when camping along with many other things. My breakfast is cooked in a 10" skillet that was dad's mom's. She married granddad in 1908 so the pan could be that old. The most important lesson I learned about cast iron, is don't take a 6 pound cast iron oven back packing in the hills! Ivan

Ive never had a pizza cooked in a Dutch. Someone else mentioned that. Im looking forward to trying it. Heh heh, last time I back--packed, was when I was still in the Boy Scouts--a long time ago. I was on a trail for a week, carried a few things figured in needing, wound up regretting it about the 2nd day.

 

[the ringo kid]

I would like to have this Biscuit Pan!
You could make many things with this. Looks like the cylinder of a six-shooter!

http://www.lodgemfg.com/images/prod...l&Width=418&Height=302&algorithm=proportional

Thats the one I saw for sale at The Cracker Barrel Restaurant earlier this week. I cant recall the price but im thinking it was around $80?????

 

[LazyKB]

Thanks a lot guys. Now I have something else to collect, like guns, knives, holsters and books weren't enough.

I moved mom into assisted living last month. Now I am cleaning out her house. I found three cast iron skillets. I have two from my previous marriage and my present wife has one. We have three 10.5", two 8", and one 6.5". Of the six three say Wagner. Of the three two say "Wagner Ware of Sidney", the third, hers, says Wagner Ware" and then a list that tells you how to care for it, right there on the bottom of the pan. It is heavier than the other two. Are the Sidney ones the real deal? The remaining three have no names, but do have numbers, two have the number 5 and the larger is plain and is heavier than the two Wagners of the same size. These three have a ridge around the bottom while the Wagners are flat. Any ideas on what they might be?

 

[the ringo kid]

Go to your local "country" supermarket (around here it's Piggley-Wiggley or Kroger) and get some pure lard. Melt a little and coat the inside of the cleaned cast iron ware generously and put the iron in the oven (I use the outdoor grill) at three hundred degrees for an hour or so. Repeat as needed.

I have a Lodge 12" skillet and the matching Lodge dutch oven and lid. We also have a muffin "tin" that belongs to our daughter. The skillet is my "go to" utensil at mealtime.

I want a griddle but I haven't found one reasonable or large enough yet.

Russ

Sadly, the closest we come around here to a place like those--is The Cracker Barrel and the World Market--both expensive as heck. The bad thing about World Market--is they alternate carrying many items. You go in--see something you may want but dont get-with intending getting it next trip--go back, no longer for sale.

 

[the ringo kid]

One of the handiest Lodge utensils I own is a round griddle. It has a handle like a skillet, but just a shallow lip around the edge of the flat bottom. I mainly use it for baking biscuits because the thick cast iron bottom prevents the biscuits from becoming too brown and hard on the bottom. Since getting it I have found that it is good for making grilled cheese sandwiches and French toast too.
I bought most of my Lodge stuff when I live about 60 miles from the Lodge foundry and outlet store, but I have seen some Lodge stores in a couple of those outlet malls along the interstates. If there is one close by, that would be a good source. The Lodge outlet at the foundry carries a lot of stuff that I had never seen for sale in other places.

I had one of those-used to make pancakes--and grilled cheese sandwiches all the time--but my brother seems to have permanently borrowed mine.

 

[the ringo kid]

San Antonio my man. No indoor range in it however.

IMO Lodge stuff is great. I have a nice little cast iron hibachi style grill of theirs Ive had for several yrs and it is the greatest little thing for grilling for 2 on. Alsa have a few of their skillets as well. Cast iron to me is the best investment as far as cookware. We also have some cast pans that were ny wifes great grandmothers mfg in late 1800s and still in use today.

Argh, that figures. 150 or so miles down the road. I made the decision to get back to what works. I just gave a frying pan tp a neighbor-I never did like it even though it cost a pretty penny. The teflon stuff scratches too easily and stuff itssupposed to stop fron sticking--nope.

 

[the ringo kid]

Check the prices on Lodge cast iron cookware, at "All Sports" in Victoria. They were not cheap, but seemed really reasonable.

Many thanks. That is doable soon because I have an appointment there in late April.

 

[nagant]

I like lodge but have mostly old Griswold. seems the older Gris is lighter and better cast. I have a O'brian 8 inch that is really old and light plus it's smooth as glass, eggs come out like their on ball bearings when i don't overheat the pan

 

[LazyKB]

Found this site and answered one of my questions.

Cast Iron Cookware Trademarks & Logos - The Cast Iron Collector: Information for The Vintage Cookware Enthusiast

 

[Brian41]

We use several of my wife's skillets she inherited that must date back to near 1900. They work great and di I catch heck when I started to wash one out once not knowing any better.
I do want a Dutch oven though for outdoor cooking and will look at the Lodge brand ones now thanks to this thread.

 

[the ringo kid]

I went to Wally earlier today and saw the Lodge they had--not much--just two diff sized frying pans and a bacon griddle. Their prices are the cheapest ive seen so far. A large frying pan I THINK? was only $19.99.

 

[David harleyson]

If you do? give me an idea of what you get or looked at? I think the first purchase will be a 5 piece set.

Ringo, I went to the lodge factory store today. They have all kinds of goody's. I bought one of their charcoal grills, 2 skillets with lids, a chicken fryer, a muffin pan, a cake pan and a square griddle. I bought all of this for about $225.00. The grill alone listed for $140.00, but was on sale for $99.00. Was a very good trip.

 

[Rpg]

Griswold or Wagner cast iron cookware is much superior to the Lodge product. Lodge products look unfinished in comparison.

Of course, Griswold and Wagner are no longer produced. However they are widely available for no more than Lodge prices if you look a bit. I use my Griswold cookware daily.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[ol' geeser]

all the above is good.....for long term storage wipe down with olive oil, it will not go rancid on ya like other oils....check in with the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society...good folks

 

[the ringo kid]

Ringo, I went to the lodge factory store today. They have all kinds of goody's. I bought one of their charcoal grills, 2 skillets with lids, a chicken fryer, a muffin pan, a cake pan and a square griddle. I bought all of this for about $225.00. The grill alone listed for $140.00, but was on sale for $99.00. Was a very good trip.

Thank you for the heads up on prices. It gives me more an idea on what all I want. I wonder how much one of their cast iron stands is?

 

[the ringo kid]

Griswold or Wagner cast iron cookware is much superior to the Lodge product. Lodge products look unfinished in comparison.

Of course, Griswold and Wagner are no longer produced. However they are widely available for no more than Lodge prices if you look a bit. I use my Griswold cookware daily.

Just my opinion, of course.

You answered what I was going to ask--Id wondered if they were still produced. Ill be hitting the flea markets tomorrow see if they have anything?

 

[the ringo kid]

all the above is good.....for long term storage wipe down with olive oil, it will not go rancid on ya like other oils....check in with the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society...good folks

Thank you for that too. I will also look those folks up too. Im very interested in trying something new to me out. No more in the box, processed junk for me when I get all the cookware I want.

 

[BigBill]

Food tastes so much better when it's cooked in the iron pans.

Every diner uses the cast iron grill for the short order cooked stuff. From homegrown to burgers to strip steaks the cast iron rocks.
Even the pastrami Ruben sandwiches had that special iron flavor.

 

[Rule3]

Forget the "rocket science" method of re seasoning your cookware. Remove the old seasoning with hot soapy water and a scrub pad. Re season the finish.

Lodge - Seasoned Cast Iron

Lodge Logic 5-Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set - Walmart.com