OT: Cast Iron

NotEnoughSmoke

Looking for some new Cast Iron skillets?  Anyone know where to find large skillets at a reasonable price?

Photo Egg

Define "reasonable price".

SoCalTim

Keep a eye on the Lodge website, they had a 30% off sale this past weekend. Subscribe to their newsletter, they have great stuff

blasting

Mainstream skillets?  Walmart if they have the size you want.  Otherwise Amazon.  Garage sales and estate sales are fun hunting if you're into that sort of thing and looking for the old stuff.

Most of the new stuff benefits from a good sanding prior to seasoning.  There usually are some minor rough patches

fishlessman

i see lodge 12's under 20, if you want bigger the bigger lodge is awkward. bigger and i would be looking for something like this with the handle design

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/bayou-classic-reg-cast-iron-skillet/3266549?skuId=43987351&mrkgcl=609&mrkgadid=3246864240&rkg_id=h-ee810a15177b5cdbccd83bdea897cb5f_t-1511888658&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_cookware_online&product_id=43987351&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=1o5&creative=224234111979&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2fDMieDh1wIVB4GzCh0j1wDEEAQYBSABEgKClvD_BwE

TN_Egger

yard sale...estate sale...

DieselkW

I find iron at garage sales very reasonably priced, as long as you're willing to clean them up.

New iron can be found "cheap", but it's going to be made in China and have relatively thin walls. 

Kroger has "woo - hoo" (close out) pricing on some Chinese iron right now if you're in the midWest.

Begger

Lodge is STILL made in USA and for new, the only viable choice.
Griswold and Wagner are the most common Vintage brands seen and some are VERY collectible.

HeavyG

Begger said:

Lodge is STILL made in USA and for new, the only viable choice.
Griswold and Wagner are the most common Vintage brands seen and some are VERY collectible.

There are other cast iron manufacturers that make their stuff in the USA and they are making some nice stuff. They are, however, quite a bit more expensive than a Lodge skillet from Walmart.

Hairless_Hand

Anyone have one of these?

https://smitheyironware.com/

mEGG_My_Day

Hairless_Hand said:

Anyone have one of these?

https://smitheyironware.com/

Those are pricey!  I think I would opt for vintage at a lot less $$.

NotEnoughSmoke

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I currently have lodge, but the wife wants a "big cast iron skillet for Xmas".  It will be used mainly for brunch, but I figured I could steal it for the egg. 

We have some lodge cast iron that and have been very happy with the lodge brand. I would define "reasonable price" as a lot less than someone wants to charge me.  I agree with the garage sale route.  I have found some good stuff over the years. 

Coldspring

If you have Academy near you the usually have Lodge for less than Walmart.

DoubleEgger

HeavyG said:

Begger said:

Lodge is STILL made in USA and for new, the only viable choice.
Griswold and Wagner are the most common Vintage brands seen and some are VERY collectible.

There are other cast iron manufacturers that make their stuff in the USA and they are making some nice stuff. They are, however, quite a bit more expensive than a Lodge skillet from Walmart.

And more expensive than the vintage stuff. Pretty disappointed with the Field CI pan I bought. Not even close to a Griswold. 

HeavyG

DoubleEgger said:

HeavyG said:

Begger said:

Lodge is STILL made in USA and for new, the only viable choice.
Griswold and Wagner are the most common Vintage brands seen and some are VERY collectible.

There are other cast iron manufacturers that make their stuff in the USA and they are making some nice stuff. They are, however, quite a bit more expensive than a Lodge skillet from Walmart.

And more expensive than the vintage stuff. Pretty disappointed with the Field CI pan I bought. Not even close to a Griswold. 

What do you find disappointing with the Field compared to an equivalent-ish Griswold?

DoubleEgger

HeavyG said:

DoubleEgger said:

HeavyG said:

Begger said:

Lodge is STILL made in USA and for new, the only viable choice.
Griswold and Wagner are the most common Vintage brands seen and some are VERY collectible.

There are other cast iron manufacturers that make their stuff in the USA and they are making some nice stuff. They are, however, quite a bit more expensive than a Lodge skillet from Walmart.

And more expensive than the vintage stuff. Pretty disappointed with the Field CI pan I bought. Not even close to a Griswold. 

What do you find disappointing with the Field compared to an equivalent-ish Griswold?

I don’t like the milled surface of the Field at all. I like the smooth Griswold over the ridges in the Field. The Field #8 is smaller than the Griswold 8. No pour spouts on the Field. The seasoning came off of the Field after the first use.  The Field seems like a $20 pan that was milled quadrupling the price. 

fishlessman

NotEnoughSmoke said:

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I currently have lodge, but the wife wants a "big cast iron skillet for Xmas".  It will be used mainly for brunch, but I figured I could steal it for the egg. 

We have some lodge cast iron that and have been very happy with the lodge brand. I would define "reasonable price" as a lot less than someone wants to charge me.  I agree with the garage sale route.  I have found some good stuff over the years. 

if she is using it stove top she might not be happy with a skillet bigger than 12 inches. the burners will concentrate heat to the middle and the outer zones stay cooler. it even happens with the 12 but not so bad.

Teefus

I like the Lodge two handled version. They make a 12 and a 17. It makes it easy to center it on the egg without that big handle on one end. They can occasionally be found in the wild. If you find a Griswold, be prepared to get out your checkbook.



Lodge makes a carbon steel version too.

jtcBoynton

For a large pan for brunch items, I would suggest looking at carbon steel pans.  Will not have the weight issues of cast iron but will give good performance.

saluki2007

TJ Maxx has good deals on cast iron.  Only problem is you never know what pieces they have as they are always turning them over.

Focker

Griswold is out, as 12" pans are hitting $150 on the low end at fleabay.

Not sure what size egg you have, but I have a 15" Lodge paella pan, and it won't fit on the large.

The biggest CI I have is a BSR 13", it's a traditional skillet I can fit with the handle intact.  It has barely noticeable pour spouts, but who pours out of a heavily lopsided and awkward skillet?   Useless as tits on a boar.

Uneven heat is not an issue, if you preheat the pan in the egg or oven at 500, and cook.  An extra step, but it works.  Preheating your large pan, and all of that Fe, is a must for searing, sauteing, stir frying, cornbread.   

Your best bet, would be the dual handled Lodge posted.  

fishlessman

Focker said:

Griswold is out, as 12" pans are hitting $150 on the low end at fleabay.

Not sure what size egg you have, but I have a 15" Lodge paella pan, and it won't fit on the large.

The biggest CI I have is a BSR 13", it's a traditional skillet I can fit with the handle intact.  It has barely noticeable pour spouts, but who pours out of a heavily lopsided and awkward skillet?   Useless as tits on a boar.

Uneven heat is not an issue, if you preheat the pan in the egg or oven at 500, and cook.  An extra step, but it works.  Preheating your pan is a must for searing, sauteing, stir frying, cornbread.   

Your best bet, would be the dual handled Lodge posted.  

thats if it fits the oven. my big lodge doesnt fit the oven at home but it works ok on the wok burner, at camp it fits the oven but does not fit the stove top.  and with the excess heat ive melted the back clock/timer, oven temp panel at camp. make sure it fits the stove top, those high back range tops dont work well with really big pans. stupid electric at camp, the burners cave in, the wires under the top melt etc with the heavy oversized pots/pans. that big pan is going to cost me a kitchen rebuild someday

mgoblue0484

Can anyone recommend a rectangle shaped cast iron skillet? One that suitable for a Induction cooktop. Most seem to be reversible. For induction, I need solid contact. Thanks

GoldenQ

Check for Lodge at Basspro     mine was not on sale and still about 40% less than at lodge site.

Jai-Bo

I look at thrift stores and antique shops....

NotEnoughSmoke

I picked up the 13in Lodge from amazon!  https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-13-1-4-Inch-Pre-Seasoned-Skillet/dp/B00006JSUC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1514126459&sr=8-3&keywords=13+in+cast+iron+skillet