Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather

I have a Blackstone Griddle and love it. Back in Seattle I 36, 24, and a 22” Blackstone. Right now I have the 24 and 22 with neither being fully seasoned. In the indoor kitchen I had several Griswolds but had to leave them behind and replaced them with Lodges which are exactly as you describe. For frying cast iron can’t be beat. For pans I’m not seeing cast iron as having any benefits.
 
I found a list of makers --- I've not done an exhaustive search --- they are certainly pricier than the big brand, across the board. I see the word "Lighter" on many of their pages.

Some of these brands have features I don't care for --- riveted handles and thin handle attachment points. One thing I like about Lodge is that their handles are cast in and virtually indestructible. I've beat mine in the back of an RV for 12 years now and never had one break.

Remember the younger you are, the better their prices are over time -- cast iron quite literally will be used generations from now, not years. Put these in your will to stop the fighting after you're gone.

I've only seen the Stargazer brand close-up (EDIT: It likely was Finex after inspection). They had it at the Smokey Mountain Knive Works by Pigeon Forge last time we were there. Pricy yes but about the same as those other premium brands. It looked like they put the skillet in a mill to flatten the bottom, not relying on just casting alone. It was a slick as glass. Not an endorsement. Looking at the photos, I can see some of these other companies do the same thing....
  • Appalachian Cast Iron Co.
  • Borough Furnace
  • Butter Pat Industries
  • Field Company
  • Finex
  • Lancaster Cast Iron
  • Lodge
  • Nest Homeware
  • Smithy Ironware Co.
  • Stargazer Cast Iron
 
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Sweeney said:
I found a list of makers --- I've not done an exhaustive search --- they are certainly pricier than the big brand, across the board. I see the word "Lighter" on many of their pages.

Some of these brands have features I don't care for --- riveted handles and thin handle attachment points. One thing I like about Lodge is that their handles are cast in and virtually indestructible. I've beat mine in the back of an RV for 12 years now and never had one break.

Remember the younger you are, the better their prices are over time -- cast iron quite literally will be used generations from now, not years. Put these in your will to stop the fighting after you're gone.

I've only seen the Stargazer brand close-up (EDIT: It likely was Finex after inspection). They had it at the Smokey Mountain Knive Works by Pigeon Forge last time we were there. Pricy yes but about the same as those other premium brands. It looked like they put the skillet in a mill to flatten the bottom, not relying on just casting alone. It was a slick as glass. Not an endorsement. Looking at the photos, I can see some of these other companies do the same thing....
  • Appalachian Cast Iron Co.
  • Borough Furnace
  • Butter Pat Industries
  • Field Company
  • Finex
  • Lancaster Cast Iron
  • Lodge
  • Nest Homeware
  • Smithy Ironware Co.
  • Stargazer Cast Iron
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Finex are local to us - they are machined after casting.

GSI Outdoors is a major omission from the list above, offering:
Raw aluminum dutch ovens
Anodized aluminum dutch ovens
“Guidecast” lighter/thinner cast iron
“Litecast” is a new line I’ve not seen

Another supplier of what is probably modern standard cast iron is agrisupply. Their prices look good, don’t know much about them.

There are Youtube videos of people putting a Griswold-like finish on modern Lodge cookware, using different abrasive approaches, not machining. I suppose all you need is a metal mill and one could recreate old methods like Finex has.

I have a 10” Griswold skillet that is a total gem. On the other hand, my modern-era 12” Lodge skillet works fine, even with the pebbly surface. Maybe these are sand-cast?

What gets the most use camping is the 20 y/o Lodge reversible griddle, it always rides on the stove in the CI. It sees duty for camp breakfasts and stirfrys, polenta/sausage/onions, and so many things! The only drawback is that once you’ve covered the two burners you’re out of burners for a beverage or rice/quinoa or whatever.

We are scratch cookers at home, and scratch when camping.
 
SethB said:
Finex are local to us - they are machined after casting.

GSI Outdoors is a major omission from the list above, offering:
Raw aluminum dutch ovens
Anodized aluminum dutch ovens
“Guidecast” lighter/thinner cast iron
“Litecast” is a new line I’ve not seen

Another supplier of what is probably modern standard cast iron is agrisupply. Their prices look good, don’t know much about them.

There are Youtube videos of people putting a Griswold-like finish on modern Lodge cookware, using different abrasive approaches, not machining. I suppose all you need is a metal mill and one could recreate old methods like Finex has.

I have a 10” Griswold skillet that is a total gem. On the other hand, my modern-era 12” Lodge skillet works fine, even with the pebbly surface. Maybe these are sand-cast?

What gets the most use camping is the 20 y/o Lodge reversible griddle, it always rides on the stove in the CI. It sees duty for camp breakfasts and stirfrys, polenta/sausage/onions, and so many things! The only drawback is that once you’ve covered the two burners you’re out of burners for a beverage or rice/quinoa or whatever.

We are scratch cookers at home, and scratch when camping.
Click to expand...

Cool --- more the merrier I say --- competition is good for the consumer.

I've had a set of GSI -- we used the heck out of it until last spring when it finally reached a point where it was "used up" -- beat the heck out of it :) But it lasted 10 years which is about 2 more than I thought it would when we bought it. So I can't complain --- But it wasn't cast iron...so I didn't even think about it.

I watched a bunch of videos to improve the lodge finish, and that is how I discovered so much pitting and graininess. The specific piece that has given me such a fit is the Lodge L9OG3 Logic Round Griddle. It functions -- but its far from as good as my older stuff which has come down 3 generations.

In addition to the round griddle, I've also got a square that needs some attention --- a little corrosion in the corners. I'm afraid to touch it because my wife will kill me ;) We got it in the early 2000s. I have no idea what I'd find under the seasoning. I have never taken it completely down to raw iron, let alone tried to 'glass' it.

I only grabbed a partial list from a quick google search for US-made cast iron. I excluded enamel coated simply because the enamel doesn't travel as well as naked iron. But I supposed since this thread started as a home cookware discussion -- enameled might make sense. We'd have to add Le Creucet then as well. Its modestly priced compared to the boutique brands above.

But for camping -- I'd avoid it. Raw cast iron is nearly bullet proof. Its somehawt easy to chip the enamel coatings. I've had a couple over the decades and all have not been great. Spider cracks or outright chips have been a problem. BUT, you can cook acidic foods like tomato sauces in them....so there is that.

I have the same 2 sided griddle you mention and we love it! It's a stalwart friend when camping. I've had the same problem with it taking up both burners. The griddle side works great though. The grills side is just a little hard to clean between the ridges without a big sink and lots of water. For searing a flat iron steak -- best thing we've got.
 
Tour 931 said:
I’ve actually shoveled snow in them.
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Brave soul....it is it sole?

I bought my first pair last summer as a shower shoe --- I find myself wearing them a lot more often than thought I would. Only thing I wish, is I ordered 1 size smaller -- they seem to runa little large so if I'm wearing socks they get pulled down.
 
Carl U said:
We saved a ton of snow for your return!! Should be over a foot in your driveway.
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More like two feet from what the neighbors are reporting. The temperature will be -14F on Wednesday when we return.

I’m the first one up and waiting on everyone for the planned morning latte run into town.
 
You're a good neighbor :)

We've escaped the fluffy white stuff so far --- but the cold is coming. It looks like the daytime highs are in the single digits for Christmas Eve. Thank Goodness we have a new furnace and pellet stove --- those two will keep the house cozy and warm. I hope the cabin fever doesn't get us.
 
Well --- depending on who you ask, its 3 to 12 inches followed by blowing and drifting here in central Indiana. My family up north is looking at as much a foot or more, but its impossible to predict because of lake effect.

For us, 3 inches is as bad as 12 up north. Its my experience that people here in central Indiana are utterly clueless about driving in/on snow.

So....
  • Gascans full (check)
  • new snowblower (to replace old large 2 stage) oiled, filled, and initial run (check)
  • Generators oil fresh and ready for a few days of running (check)
  • A fresh bottle of ... perceived liquid warmth (check)
  • Lanterns fueled (check)
  • 18650 batteries charged (check)
  • emergency food on hand (check)
  • Camper Safety in the garage in the event of grid collapse (check)
  • Cars tank full of gas (check)
OK --- T-23 hours. I think I"m as ready as I can be. Lets get this party started!
 
Sweeney said:
Well --- depending on who you ask, its 3 to 12 inches followed by blowing and drifting here in central Indiana. My family up north is looking at as much a foot or more, but its impossible to predict because of lake effect.

For us, 3 inches is as bad as 12 up north. Its my experience that people here in central Indiana are utterly clueless about driving in/on snow.

So....
  • Gascans full (check)
  • new snowblower (to replace old large 2 stage) oiled, filled, and initial run (check)
  • Generators oil fresh and ready for a few days of running (check)
  • A fresh bottle of ... perceived liquid warmth (check)
  • Lanterns fueled (check)
  • 18650 batteries charged (check)
  • emergency food on hand (check)
  • Camper Safety in the garage in the event of grid collapse (check)
  • Cars tank full of gas (check)
OK --- T-23 hours. I think I"m as ready as I can be. Lets get this party started!
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Sounds like you are all set to hunker down to watch and see if the Colts can set another NFL record on Monday :eek:-:D-;)
 
dustinp said:
Sounds like you are all set to hunker down to watch and see if the Colts can set another NFL record on Monday :eek:-:D-;)
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Dolts? Who are they? :)

I'm not a football fan, it looks like we're downgraded to 1-3 inches....much better but still below zero overnights.... YEAH!? I think ....
 
This Stormageddon is turning into much less snow than predicted just 2 days ago. From 12" down to maybe 3.5 or so. Frigid cold temps and windy conditions remain, so it's a serious deal.
I just wanted the Australian granddaughter to get to see some major snow totals before going home Tuesday. I still think we'll manage to create some snowy memories by then...
 
6F as I slowly wake up and sip my Black Rifle Coffee. It only snowed 6” in the last 24 hours yet I have 4’ drifts.
 
Ken & Peggy said:
This Stormageddon is turning into much less snow than predicted just 2 days ago. From 12" down to maybe 3.5 or so. Frigid cold temps and windy conditions remain, so it's a serious deal.
I just wanted the Australian granddaughter to get to see some major snow totals before going home Tuesday. I still think we'll manage to create some snowy memories by then...
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You're welcome --- I'm convinced this is because I panic'd and bought that snowthrower. :)

We're still being told 3-5 inches Ice underneath with 30-50mph wind gusts. While its isn't bad as a week ago had it forecast, it still doesn't sound like a lot of fun.
 
We were at -9 or so with high winds --- I don' have the official number, but there were in easily 15-20mph.

Snowfall was insignificant --- the driveway was basically bare except for 3-4 inches of "Drift" around the perimeter of the car.

Mothernature seems to be off her meds. It looks like possible camping weather later in the week:


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