Cast iron skillet made a very loud cracking sound!!

[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.

[Melalvai]

Good to know that Lodge non-enamel products are made here. Thanks!

[smilingcat]

Wow. I just went to Lodge web site. Do they even make non seasoned cast iron skillet anymore or is it all pre-seasoned?

I bought mine about 30 years ago at ACE hardware store I think. I don't remember spending more than $10 for it. Has it become sort of yuppie gourmet cooking thingy? And the price to reflect it? I think I'm going to have to start looking at garage sales and such. that's a great idea.

[indysteel]

Wow. I just went to Lodge web site. Do they even make non seasoned cast iron skillet anymore or is it all pre-seasoned?

I bought mine about 30 years ago at ACE hardware store I think. I don't remember spending more than $10 for it. Has it become sort of yuppie gourmet cooking thingy? And the price to reflect it? I think I'm going to have to start looking at garage sales and such. that's a great idea.

I can't speak to the seasoned versus unseasoned issue, but the prices for Lodge's seasoned cast iron don't seem that high to me, especially when compared to Le Creuset and Straub. A 4 1/2 quart enamel dutch oven from Lodge costs about $92. From Le Creuset, it's $250. But I otherwise agree with you that trying to pick up one at a garage sale isn't a bad way to go.

[GLC1968]

Wow. I just went to Lodge web site. Do they even make non seasoned cast iron skillet anymore or is it all pre-seasoned?

I bought mine about 30 years ago at ACE hardware store I think. I don't remember spending more than $10 for it. Has it become sort of yuppie gourmet cooking thingy? And the price to reflect it? I think I'm going to have to start looking at garage sales and such. that's a great idea.

Price changes may also reflect a generally increasing shortage of metal. Since most iron goes towards making steel, iron used in its closer to iron form (like for cast skillets) might be in shorter supply due to the demand for steel. Just supposition on my part though...

[OakLeaf]

Wow. I just went to Lodge web site. Do they even make non seasoned cast iron skillet anymore or is it all pre-seasoned?

I bought mine about 30 years ago at ACE hardware store I think. I don't remember spending more than $10 for it. Has it become sort of yuppie gourmet cooking thingy? And the price to reflect it? I think I'm going to have to start looking at garage sales and such. that's a great idea.

$10, 30 years ago, street price of $45 now for a 5-qt non-enameled oven or $30 for a 12" non-enameled skillet ... pretty comparable to inflation I think.

[nuliajuk]

Cast iron is more brittle than steel, it's just the nature of it. If they didn't cool it immediately after forging it, the crystal structure could be quite large, and that would make it prone to cracking.