Do you use your cast iron skillets?
By estherlou
@estherlou (5015)
United States
December 31, 2007 4:16pm CST
It occurred to me that I still have a couple of cast iron skillets tucked away under the cupboard. When teflon and then later non-stick came out, I switched to that because I thought it was neat and easier to clean. But I seem to remember making the best fried chicken and the best home fries in that cast iron skillet. Do you still use yours?
10 people like this
24 responses
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I have one ancient one and I still used it to fry steaks as they seem to be better than fried in any other (expensive) cookware.
4 people like this
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
1 Jan 08
Something happened to my cast iron skillets and I no longer have them, but I do have a cast iron tortilla warmer that I use from time to time. Haven't used it in a while come to think about it! Never was any good at frying chicken no matter what I used.
3 people like this
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
31 Dec 07
i have one heavy, cast iron pan that i use for jam making, nothing quite like it
blessed be
3 people like this
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I have a nice set of cast iron I use when we are camping. I love the way they cook but I hate to clean up the mess after. I am to used to being able to throw my pots and pans in the dishwasher and so the cast iron is a hassle. When we are camping it is usualy less hectic so its okay to do a little more.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
1 Jan 08
Yes, I use mine. I would rather use cast iron or stainless steel any day over non-stick. As it is I don't have any non stick pans in the house. When I was growing up and non stick came out I asked my mom why she didn't have these type of pans. She said she didn't like them as it made the food taste funny (I think she tried it over at a friends house one time or another). Years later, people have found out that this non stick stuff isn't good and can cause health problems.
3 people like this
@thezman (78)
• United States
1 Jan 08
The new age of non stick cookware has made us lazy, but on occasions I use my trusty cast iron skillet. It just seems that, as you said, some things taste better when cooked in cast iron. Maybe because the pan heats more evenly?
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
1 Jan 08
Cast iron skillets are the healthiest to cook with even though they are a pain to clean. They need to be seasoned after using. Pul a little oil in them then heat them up good. Not to the point of smoking. They put iron in the food that is cooked in them. I wish they weren't so heavy because as others here have said they make the food taste better and are healthier.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160677)
• United States
1 Jan 08
I have quite a collection of cast iron skillets and bakeware. All sizes. Even the flat kind on which you warm tortillas. I do not fry, but I do cook in them. While we are doing memories, how about pineapple upside down cake? I have some that have grill grids and make lines on your meat. Using cast iron adds iron to your diet. Using teflon releases toxic fumes into the environment. I do have a few non stick skillets, I also have stainless steel. I will never be without my cast iron, though. I really want a dutch oven. I have at least ten various types of skillets.
2 people like this
@janet069 (663)
• United States
1 Jan 08
I only use cast iron for cornbread. They are actually the most unclean type of pan to use. I used to sell cookware and we really got an education about cast iron. When heated it expands and traps what you are cooking in it when it cools off. A great trick to try on cast iron is this. Clean it as good as you possible can. Then put some clean water in it, take a new scrub pad and rub around the inside of the skillet a few times. Then pour out the BLACK water into a clear glass. It is an eye opening experience.
2 people like this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
1 Jan 08
How interesting. So, we can use the ones we can't really clean, or use the ones that we scrape pieces off and eat. LOL
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I don't have any cast iron pans, but feel that they are better than the new stuff they have. I have used them occasionally. I think I still have a big cast iron pot for stews and such. I always liked using it. Gotta go digging around and find that thing.
3 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
1 Jan 08
I use mine very rarely but like you said, fried potatoes are the best in the cast iron skillet as are fried eggs, so I dig it out when I have those things. They can be a pain to clean afterwards but I usually let it soak in soapy water for awhile and at least you don't have to be afraid you'll scrape something loose on it that will cause cancer or something.
Annie
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
1 Jan 08
To be honest, I have no clue what hubby did with his cast iron set. Think it might be somewhere in his parent's shed or something. I used to use cast iron cookware at my mom's house when I was younger and hated it cause the food would stick/burn to bottom of the pan/skillet and only 1/2 the amount of food I was cooking would be edible. Nope, I like my non-stick cookware. lol
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Dec 07
Yes I do but every now and then but it's with this one dish that someone told my mom about and she told me after she tried it herself. It's where you put a roast in the iron skillet with the fat side up and sprinkle generously with hickory smoked salt and then cook it at 350 degrees for about 2 hours, depending on the size of the roast, then serve it. It is soooo good!! But it's the only time that I use the skillet.
3 people like this
@prettypinkbug (437)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I don't have castiron skillets but I love my moms and grandma's food that is cooked in these types of skillets. They just tastes so much better than the stuff I make in nonstick skillets at home.
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
2 Jan 08
I have a skillet and a deep dutch oven type. I have not used them in a while but I wont get rid of them. I saw something on the history channel one time about castiron pots. It said that they leach iron which is good for you. I dont like the teflon stuff. I am waiting for our big electric skillet to finally wear out. I have to spray it with Pam or add butter or oil because things stick because the teflon is wearing out. It is true that chicken and fries are better in cast iron.
@ChaJudLeoBit (1656)
• United States
30 May 08
Fried chicken and home fries in your cast iron skillets, huh?? So pull those babies out and let me know when dinner is!! Seriously... I'll be there!!
@winewhisky (345)
•
2 Jan 08
Yes I use mine for making chicken or vegetable fajitas. If it is big enough, you can also use it as a griddle - for example to make griddle scones or pancakes.
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
2 Jan 08
I love my cast iron pans. I have 2 frying pans,a griddle and a dutch oven. I use them in the house and over the camp fire. They hold the heat so well. I think fried potatoes taste the best in cast iron too.
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
8 Jan 08
I have put all my cast iron skillets in my camper and I only use them when we go camping. They work wonderfully on an open fire. They are easy to clean, even all that black soot, when I rub them in the grass first. Then I just wash them, like normal. I find them just too heavy to use every day in the house. I use and still prefer to use, the teflon ones in the house for everyday use. I know that they now warn against the teflon, now, that it causes cancer but so does everything else in this world.