One of the questions I am most often asked at my cast iron cooking classes is "Where is the best place to buy cast iron?". The answer to this is; everywhere. From brand new cast iron to used cast iron, there are countless options out there. So here for your reading pleasure, are my tips on buying cast iron cookware.
1) Buy American. This is more than just a catchy patriotic sales slogan. American made cast iron including Lodge, Wagner, and Griswold (of which, Lodge is the only company still in business) have a much higher standard of quality than foreign made cast iron. In fact, there are even reports of some companies using reclaimed engine blocks to make their cast iron. Start with the best to get the best results.
2) Inspect the prospect. You don't buy a car without driving it, you don't buy a horse without riding it, and you don't buy cast iron without inspecting it first. If it's new, take it out of the box. Check around the edges and make sure the walls are even thickness all the way around. Make sure there is no cracks or warping. If its a dutch oven, put the lid on and spin it. The lid should spin easily and without wobbling.
4) Old and ugly does not necessarily mean inferior. Great deals can be found at yard sales, flea markets, and estate sales. Often times the savings in money means there will be a trade off in elbow grease. Just because its dirty, rusty, and ugly does not mean it's not good cast iron. As long as it passes all the tests listed in number two above, you may have yourself a piece of rusty gold. We will discuss restoring cast iron in a future post.
5) Don't be afraid to shop around. Cast iron can be expensive. Don't get me wrong, it can be worth every penny. Good quality, well cared for cast iron can last generations. That being said, there's no reason you cant be a little thrifty. Take your time and look for sales. Look around at flea markets and the like. A little bit of patience and diligence can save you a few dollars in the long run.
Hope these tips help.
A word of warning; make sure your cast iron is spayed and neutered. Otherwise when you put it away in the cabinet, it may breed and create new cast iron.......at least that's the story I keep giving my wife.
Happy Hunting!
1) Buy American. This is more than just a catchy patriotic sales slogan. American made cast iron including Lodge, Wagner, and Griswold (of which, Lodge is the only company still in business) have a much higher standard of quality than foreign made cast iron. In fact, there are even reports of some companies using reclaimed engine blocks to make their cast iron. Start with the best to get the best results.
2) Inspect the prospect. You don't buy a car without driving it, you don't buy a horse without riding it, and you don't buy cast iron without inspecting it first. If it's new, take it out of the box. Check around the edges and make sure the walls are even thickness all the way around. Make sure there is no cracks or warping. If its a dutch oven, put the lid on and spin it. The lid should spin easily and without wobbling.
4) Old and ugly does not necessarily mean inferior. Great deals can be found at yard sales, flea markets, and estate sales. Often times the savings in money means there will be a trade off in elbow grease. Just because its dirty, rusty, and ugly does not mean it's not good cast iron. As long as it passes all the tests listed in number two above, you may have yourself a piece of rusty gold. We will discuss restoring cast iron in a future post.
5) Don't be afraid to shop around. Cast iron can be expensive. Don't get me wrong, it can be worth every penny. Good quality, well cared for cast iron can last generations. That being said, there's no reason you cant be a little thrifty. Take your time and look for sales. Look around at flea markets and the like. A little bit of patience and diligence can save you a few dollars in the long run.
Hope these tips help.
A word of warning; make sure your cast iron is spayed and neutered. Otherwise when you put it away in the cabinet, it may breed and create new cast iron.......at least that's the story I keep giving my wife.
Happy Hunting!