Lodge cookware- the real deal!

[THE PILGRIM]

He never read a Paul Bunyon tale?

Do you really think those guys could read?

 

[feralmerril]

We had corny entertainment before tv.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I've been cooking with cast iron for about 20 years. I finally taught my wife how to use it after she tossed out another expensive pan that lasted about 3 years. Funny how something as good as cast iron was virtually dead and buried because of detergent. I guess people never stopped to think that germs can't live too long at 350°.

 

[the ringo kid]

I just saw a story on national news about Lodge Cookware, South Pittsburg, TN. They are the last US maker of iron skillets.
If you already have some, like me, you may not need anymore because they last forever.
When it's all said and done, iron cookware is the best you can get.
And lodge cookware is the best cast iron cookware.
You can get in a lot of places including Walmart.
Lodge Cast Iron Cookware - America's Original Cookware - South Pittsburg, TN USA

Saw that last night too. I had a trucker/friend who has stopped by that Lodge store more than once. Id love to get by there sometime myself--since WM here--only offers 3-4 items at any given time.

 

[cass]

I find the old ones at garage sales all the time - just need re-seasoning. My wife doesn't use one anymore because it's just too heavy for her to handle, which becomes a safety issue. When it's time for fried chicken, I get the iron skillet duties.

 

[Texas40]

They also make these nice little all cast grille. Works great for just wife n me to grill a couple burgers or steaks on. Not big enuf to do enuf food for more than a couple peeps. I clean it before each use with a wire brush and then rub olive or coconut oil on the surface.

 

[Straightshooter2]

I have my own set of cast iron cookware but I've also got three cast iron skillets in the kitchen right now that I inherited from Mom. I don't know who made them but they are 12", 8" and 6". The 12" has been used, among other things, for cooking pork chops in the oven since I can remember, the 8" skillet is used only for cornbread and the 6" has cooked many an egg. I'm pretty sure they are as old as or older than I am (and I start Medicare tomorrow!)

CW

 

[Rpg]

I find Lodge to be rough and unfinished.

Old Griswold or Wagner cast iron is readily available, far superior and often less expensive than new Lodge stuff.

 

[shouldazagged]

I find Lodge to be rough and unfinished.

Old Griswold or Wagner cast iron is readily available, far superior and often less expensive than new Lodge stuff.

Agreed--I have an eight-inch skillet that's been in my family for around 100 years, and it's superb. But for new stuff, Lodge is kind of what's out there, and a lot cheaper than really good used Griswold or Wagner from what I've seen.

 

[walkin jack]

My parents were married in 1942. My paternal grandmother gave her the black iron skillet she'd been using since she was a young bride When I married my first wife in 1966 my mother gave it to my bride. I don't have that bride any more but I do still have that black iron skillet. I use it to bake cornbread in and to fry chicken in.

No tellin' how many great meals have hit the table from that skillet but it still cooks great. The cornbread falls right out of it after it cools for about 5 minutes and the fried chicken comes out juicy and tender and golden brown. Don't guess it'll ever wear out. Thinking about giving it to my grand daughter when she gets married.

 

[Alpo]

I've seen a couple of posts on this thread about how you can buy the old Griswald or Wagner off ebay for less than new Lodge.

I sure wish you would point to it. I looked. 48 dollars for a 10 inch skillet, plus 25 shipping don't beat 24 dollars at Walmart.

Maybe y'all count different than me.

 

[SJshooter]

I'm seeing a lot of them on eBay that have sold for $7-8 with about $5-6 in shipping. Some of them look better than others, but you have to remember - this is cast iron. It can look disgusting, all you need to do is boil an inch of water in one and all that will come right out. I imagine there is quite a little niche business buying these for a few bucks, spending a few minutes cleaning them up, and then re-selling them for $50-60 each. As with guns, a little dress-up and some good photos goes a long way on auction websites.

 

[Kinman]

I was at a loss trying to figure out the best way to make ingots from over 300 lbs of pure lead. A buddy of mine told me he used an old cast iron mould for making little ears of corn. I went to a local store reknowned for carrying just about anything you can think of and sure enough there was a complete Lodge collection, I settled on a circular pan designed to make triangular shaped cornbread. It worked perfectly, each ingot weighs between 2.5 and 3lbs and is easy to load in the furnace by holding on the pointed tip. I can also use it to make cornbread, the nonstick surface doesn't allow any lead to stick. I think I'll still play it safe and only use it when melting down large quantities into ingots.

 

[Hodgin]

There also a Lodge outlet in Pigeon Forge, TN. Right by Smokey Mountain Knife Shop. We've taken the grandkids to a big water park in Pigeon Forge a couple of times. I spend more time at the Lodge and the knife shop than at the water park.

I've got a couple of real old skillets and a dutch oven of my parents but I'd love to have the small Sportman's Grill to take on vacations.

Purchase the Lodge Sportsman's Grill for less at Walmart.com. Save money. Live better.

 

[nsl]

Agreed--I have an eight-inch skillet that's been in my family for around 100 years, and it's superb. But for new stuff, Lodge is kind of what's out there, and a lot cheaper than really good used Griswold or Wagner from what I've seen.

I've been looking at flea markets and such for old cast iron, and if it is marked Griswold it is usually big $$.
Also, most of it is warped from being too hot.
While I have several vintage and smooth pans, my two users are newer Lodge. They just work better for me.