OT: New brand of USA made cast iron

stompbox

Interesting, can you just polish the inside of a lodge?  sandblast?

Photo Egg

stompbox said:

Interesting, can you just polish the inside of a lodge?  sandblast?

I took a round orbital palm sander to mine and it made a great improvement.
I used the next larger sized sand paper so it would ride up the sides of the pan better. You should not have to sandblast.
You can strip it with oven cleaner, overnight in a plastic bag first if you want.

fishlessman

did this with a sander to the lodge, makes a huge difference

KiterTodd

Geez, Focker, your eggs are overcooked and your bacon is undercooked!     Just ball busting.  Those pans and the breakfast look fantastic. Smooth finish and you can't beat that price.  I like your application of the divided CI pan.  I've never seen one used  before and was always a little confused on the intended applications.

Anyway, minniemoh, thanks for sharing this!   I was very close to pulling the trigger on an impulse purchase, but then realized I already have a lot of CI, it lasts forever, so I can take the $10 gamble on the retail price and pick one up later.  If he stays in business, I guess....     Now I may just talk myself back into one.

HeavyG

Focker said:

HeavyG said:

Focker said:

I like the lip, and Wagner inspired handle.
Don't care much for the huge helper handle.

Wish them luck.  Finex makes some good stuff in Oregon, too rich for my blood when I can find them for $10 each, sometimes less.

I'm not really into the collecting old cast iron stuff but I recall reading a few years ago that some old brands are worth more (or less) depending on when they were made. Apparently there were some big changes in the mid 1950's so much of the stuff made after that period are worth significantly less. that might be why the prices displayed seem like such a bargain.

Or maybe the old cast iron skillet collectible market bubble has burst and many prices are dropping to reflect that.

I'm guessing the hipster market is moving out of old cast iron and into old carbon steel so keep an eye out for those old French carbon steel pans at flea markets and yard sales before the market takes off.

I'm good on the CS, and would take a Wags or Griswold over them any day.  They do have their place in the kitchen.  Nice to go to Amazon, or the local store, and buy a "nonstick" skillet off the rack without having to hunt, restore, and reseason the heirlooms.  

All I do know, is that the old pieces are getting harder and harder to find......at the prices I'm willing to pay.  That demand, is why you see Finex, and Stargazer in this post.  People appreciate quality when you understand the manufacturing processes involved to make these old pieces, hence the $77 dollar pricetag.  Try Googling a Finex, lol

Sad really, to see so many vintage pieces that don't qualify for rehab.   

I'm familiar with Finex. They too got their start via Kickstarter a few years ago. Interesting designs.

Don't forget about this guy - http://boroughfurnace.com/shop/

He also started a few years ago when the nostalgia for "quality" cast iron was really heating up. At those prices (makes Finex and Stargazer look like bargains) I'm sure the market for his wares was quite small - probably just Williamsburg hipsters.

There's also a fellow in Australia who started a company that makes some interesting pieces. I don't have any of his cast iron but I do have two of his formed steel pans. I'm thinking I might buy his little 6" cast iron skillet. - http://www.solidteknics.com/

I think if their was really any significant widespread demand for "quality" cast iron there would be a bunch of stuff being imported from China at prices somewhere between Lodge and say, Stargazer.

nolaegghead

Interesting....

blind99

What's "interesting" is that my crummy lodge with the rough bottom can cook an egg with no added grease now and no sticking. The "interesting" part is that after reading this thread I want to spend money on a new pan and take an orbital sander to my current pan. Guess I'm ooh shiny object highly suggestible. 

NPHuskerFL

Cool. But, I'm good w/ my old CI for the moment. And if I want more I'm more apt to shop for it at estate sales,  yard sales, consignment shops etc. But, hopefully they get it off the ground and running with product being fairly priced. 

4Runner

minniemoh said:

Anyone seen this kickstarter campaign? It's a little expensive but it looks like really nice product and I like the fact that it's made in the states. I have no affiliation other than I like to use cast iron. I like some of the design elements much better than my Lodge pieces. Now that we have a gas range, I'm using my CI skillet every day. This one looks good to me.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1397735195/stargazer-cast-iron-105-inch-skillet?ref=nav_search

I pulled the trigger. My first KS.  Just got notice the April batch is delayed.  I was looking for this size as I have a Griswold slant #6 and 15" Lodge.