OT: Cast Iron (Again) Question

HendersonTRKing · May 2015

I've got zero cast iron, having somehow lost 2 grandma-in-law pieces in our last move, so I went to Kitchen & Company to rectify this sad state of affairs. After staring at their huge selection for a ridiculously long time, I narrowed it down to 3 options: a 14" flat round baking pan, a 17" two-handle skillet and a 10.5" reversible griddle (flat on one side, raised grill on the other). Took me forever (and lots of strange looks from shoppers and helpful staff) til I settled on the largest piece -- of course -- the 17" two-handled job, because BIGGER and seemed the most useful with the skillet walls rather than totally flat and smaller or reversible but smallest.

Got it home to find out that with the handles, it didn't fit on the LBGE.

So . . . long story long: if you had only ONE piece of cast iron, what would it be? The uses I was mostly contemplating was searing steaks and crusting burgers.

Very much appreciate the wisdom of the forum elders and seasoned eggers. Gonna take back the non-fitting piece later this week.

SmokeyPitt · May 2015

@Charlesmaneri mentions here he cut the handles a bit to make that one fit.

DoubleEgger · May 2015

For the egg, it's hard to beat this. Lid is a handleless skillet.
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L8DD3-Casserole-Skillet-5-Quart/dp/B000LEXR0K

Skiddymarker · May 2015

DoubleEgger said:

For the egg, it's hard to beat this. Lid is a handleless skillet.
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L8DD3-Casserole-Skillet-5-Quart/dp/B000LEXR0K

Agree with this, the lid with D handles is very versatile. Sears steaks, burgers, braises and deep dish pizza.
If I'm using the "Oval" grill - I like the Lodge LDP3
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-LDP3-Double-Reversible-Griddle/dp/B002CMLTXG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1430755746&sr=8-3&keywords=lodge+griddle

Carolina Q · May 2015

Around here, I find stuff in antique shops. $10-20 will often buy most any skillet or griddle, and they are nice and smooth inside, seasoned as well. Not the overly coarse and thick stuff that Lodge makes either. I don't know how many pieces I have, 20 maybe? Too many!

Many sizes of skillets, a couple of griddles, muffin pans, a gem pan that was my great grandmother's (or was it great-great?), several DOs. I use 'em all, in the kitchen and on the egg.

Antique Dutch Ovens cost a bit more, but still less than Lodge. Which reminds me, I need a larger one.

I wouldn't cut the handle off of an antique and I don't buy new CI. But I have many sizes so I can always find one that fits. Or I can use two or three if that fits better.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/e6/9hmhegrivb2e.jpg

s_claus · May 2015

I don't think I could get by with just one piece of CI. I have 8 & 10 inch skillets, a chicken fryer (think deep skillet with lid), and dutch oven that we bought before we were married. They're now about 45 years old. Also have a 12 inch Lodge skillet that I got in Jan. It fits on the LBGE just fine and will hold a spatchcock chicken perfectly. The 8 & 10 inch are used just about every day, on the stove top, in the oven or in the egg. Haven't figured out how to make them work in the microwave though.

blasting · May 2015

Not sure I could do with just one piece. But, to answer your question, hands down it would be this:

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Pro-Logic-P14P3-Pizza-14-inch/dp/B0000E2V3X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430758054&sr=8-2&keywords=14"+lodge

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/n2/agdcfyauo88t.jpg

blasting · May 2015

Another good one to start out with would be this one:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81y+f2aBpTS._SL1500_.jpg

Ladeback69 · May 2015

DoubleEgger said:

For the egg, it's hard to beat this. Lid is a handleless skillet.
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L8DD3-Casserole-Skillet-5-Quart/dp/B000LEXR0K

I have this one and a 12" skillet. Does mostly everything I cook.

blasting · May 2015

Oh, and don't forget one of these - nothing beats it for cleaning your CI.

http://www.amazon.com/Ringer-Cleaner-Stainless-Steel-Chainmail/dp/B00FKBR1ZG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430758804&sr=8-1&keywords=cast+iron+chain

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/id/2pbwig8elito.jpg

Skiddymarker · May 2015

Further to the garage sale route per @Carolina_Q if you have a TJMaxx, check them out. Found a lodge 10" in their "cooking" section for $13.

northGAcock · May 2015

While i am certain that your question is based on utilizing with the Egg, I use a great deal of cast iron in my daily cooking. I cook on a gas range, and use my 9 inch skillet almost daily for sauteing, gravy's, browning meat and searing. It is a staple in my cookware for sure.

On the egg side of things, I use two platter (one flat and one oval). They are really quite simple pieces, and are both available from Lodge in two sizes.

OT: Cast Iron (Again) Question

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