If you’ve been using cast iron cookware for a while, you probably have an established repertoire of skillets, baking pans, and dutch ovens.  Maybe even a cast iron waffle iron or pie iron.  Those of us who really enjoy using cast iron cookware have probably accumulated a good stock pile of it over the years.  I have at least 150 pounds of it in my rendezvous (primitive camping) trunk and Yes, we take it all with us on our camping adventures.  I guess you figured out we’re not backpacking!

Now, for those of you just getting into cooking with cast iron, you may be pondering where you can get it.  Well, there are many options, and the great news is that it is very inexpensive no matter what the source.  If you’re like me and don’t like purchasing previously used items,  you can buy brand spankin’ new cast iron pots and pans at many hardware stores, departments stores, and from on-line stores.  If you’re baby boomers (like us) you may be fortunate enough to have inherited skillets or dutch ovens from your grandparents – or even great grandparents.  We have some pieces that are over 70 years old.

If you enjoy antiquing and going to yard sales, you can usually pick up some very nice pieces at really great prices.  However, even though you can clean up a rusty piece of cast iron cookware, be careful – the rust can be so severe that it extends deep into the surface.  In such cases, it can be very difficult to remove all of the rust and you may not be able to get a good seasoning and non-stick surface.

Good luck, and please share your experiences using cast iron cookware.

Tags: Baking Pans, cast iron cookware, cast iron dutch oven, cast iron pots and pans, cast iron skillet, pie iron, waffle iron