Cast iron skillet made a very loud cracking sound!!

[Irulan]

I have hears that quality really varies on the new stuff, but not the old. I would bet there was some some of flaw in the metal that finally fatigued and snapped.

[Melalvai]

I believe Lodge cast iron is made in China now and their is not much oversight of production quality. I heard something about "back yard smelting" so it may not even be factory made.

I looked into US made cast iron cookware and it is EXPENSIVE. So, you get what you pay for. But not really because I've had my cheap cast iron skillets for a long time now, so I got the better deal.

[withm]

ahhh, she's had the skillet for 30 years - so it's not a new fangled preseasoned Chinese product.

[indysteel]

I believe Lodge cast iron is made in China now and their is not much oversight of production quality. I heard something about "back yard smelting" so it may not even be factory made.

I looked into US made cast iron cookware and it is EXPENSIVE. So, you get what you pay for. But not really because I've had my cheap cast iron skillets for a long time now, so I got the better deal.

FWIW, not all of Lodge's product line is made overseas. They indicate on their website--and I'd like to assume this is true--that their "seasoned steel" products are still made in Tennessee. Their enamel pieces, however, are made in China.

[Dogmama]

Can anybody recommend a good cast iron skillet brand? I'm in the market but because of the "made overseas" stuff, I just don't know what is decent.

[Becky]

I buy Griswold skillets at antique shops, flea markets, Ebay, etc. The new stuff just isn't as smooth as a Griswold! Even if I have to invest some time stripping and re-seasoning it, the effort is worth it. Wagner is another good (old) brand.

[indysteel]

Can anybody recommend a good cast iron skillet brand? I'm in the market but because of the "made overseas" stuff, I just don't know what is decent.

I know I already said this, but Lodge's "seasoned" cast iron is still made in the USA at a foundry in Tennessee.

[withm]

Can anybody recommend a good cast iron skillet brand? I'm in the market but because of the "made overseas" stuff, I just don't know what is decent.

Le Creuset. Hands down my favorite. I bought a set of the stuff on Ebay 12 years ago for a ridiculous price, and it's fabulous! Over the years I've bought more pieces. I use this stuff several times a week. It's occasionally on sale at Sur La Table.

And there is a lifetime warranty. I actually burned a chunk of the interior enamel (about 1" square) off one of my pots, and they replaced it for either no charge, or maybe just a shipping charge. Either way, it was a very good deal.

[Irulan]

I don't believe La Cruset does a non- enameled line, isn't it all glazed on the inside?

[OakLeaf]

I have a Le Creuset skillet that's bare cast iron on the inside, enamel on the outside. Pretty sure they still make those.