Whether it’s a cherished heirloom, thoughtful gift, or flea market gem, one thing is for sure: cast iron is treasured. From the passionate cook to the forged-in-fire fan, our readers are some of our favorite collectors. We wanted to see some of your favorite unique or antique pieces, and naturally, each one had a story to tell.
When my mother died, we didn’t save many of her pots and pans, but we did bring her cast-iron pan home, even though we had two of our own. When a friend lost everything she had in a fire, I was so glad I could give her a seasoned cast-iron pan, but she was overwhelmed with all the used things people were giving her and she abruptly turned down my offer. The next day, she said sheepishly, “My husband says thank you so much, we definitely want your mother’s cast-iron pan!”
—Margery Heyl
While I love cooking with all my cast-iron skillets, the ones I enjoy the most are my minis! They are miniature skillets, only 3 inches in diameter, perfect for individual servings. My favorite thing to make in them are brownies. You can serve the brownies at room temperature or hot out of the oven with vanilla ice cream on top! People think they are cute, and they seem to like individual servings. I recently scored a cast-iron grill pan at an antiques store. I love cooking meats on it.
—Roseanne Felago
I didn’t grow up with cast iron—I met it later in life, at about 40. I can laugh now about those first attempts to cook in it, really knowing nothing other than it shouldn’t go in the dishwasher. Today, 17 years later, my husband and I have a little hobby business. We take old rusty American cast-iron cookware and restore it. Each piece gets e-tanked and organically seasoned three times before it’s put up for sale.
Our own cast iron isn’t a collection; they are working pieces, as that is all I cook in now. The love affair we have with cast iron is something we truly share. We both love these pieces and both know how to cook in them and how to clean them. They include pieces that are gate-marked—a gem pan, initial skillet, and griddle—which can be almost 150 years old, and 1920s Griswold. From a chicken fryer and lid made by Chicago Hardware Foundry in the 1930s to vintage Lodge skillets made in the 1920s and 1930s. A three-legged bean pot and a couple Dutch ovens we use for bread and for chili over the campfire are well-used and loved. We also have a couple of skillets made by Birmingham Stove & Range in the 1930s & 1940s.
Learning about these pieces and thinking about the history involved, how many meals were made in them, all add to our love for them. We love talking to people about cast iron and passing on that love to our kids and grandkids.
—Michelle Jones
Which piece do I start with?
When I moved into my first apartment back in 1983, my mom had two presents for me. One was heavy, the other light. Must be a new lamp for my apartment. Nope, a new iron skillet and a new Tupperware strainer. Not exactly what I wanted, but they became a treasure over the years.
After my parents died, we divided their iron skillets back in 1988 among my brother, sister, and me. I have three different sizes that were my mom’s. Then again, as we cleaned out my favorite aunt’s kitchen, some old iron skillets came my way! All seasoned as slick as a baby’s bottom from years of cooking.
I have 11 skillets, one Griswold and one combo cooker, and a very old Frigidaire iron griddle that was my mom’s. The combo was a Christmas gift from my youngest son and has produced many loaves of sourdough bread. Before I received the combo cooker, I used two different cast-iron Dutch ovens that were my mom’s and my grandmother’s. The griddle is wonderful for pancakes, grilled chicken, grilled veggies, or quesadillas. There are pieces for cornpone, fried chicken, bacon and eggs, homemade biscuits; all have stories to be told and new traditions to be created.
Very rarely is there a day that at least one, if not several iron pieces, are used. My parents were married in 1954 and mother always used hers, taught me to use and care for them. If you take care of them, use them, and love them, they will last for your lifetime and pass from generations to generations. My children ask me sometimes when they will get my iron skillets. Always the same reply: “When I die.”
—Susan Rodriguez
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Find even more inspiration in our latest May/June 2024 issue!
