The best non-stick cookware ever

[SoulWinner]

Over the past couple of years I have started a few threads about different kinds of cookware. I have had Pro grade stainless stuff (I owned a restaurant and was head chef), copper, Calphalon, and the usual bunch of stuff. On and off I have played with my old cast iron cook ware and I have decided that I like it best.....for the time being anyway. I have some Wagner, WagnerWare, and Griswold that I collected up over the years. All of it except my dutch oven was stripped in a electrolysis vat and re-seasoned. I have decided that I prefer the way cast iron cooks much better than aluminum. It heats evenly and holds it's temp, and has the most amazing non-stick surface. I was always sceptically about that because I had cooked on cast iron before with temps too high, and had food stick and make a mess. But using low temps and well seasoned cookware, I am happier with my hundred year old cast iron than I was with my brand new Calpalon. I just boxed it up sold it in a garage sale. Thanks to the iBoats folks who gave me information on using cast iron. I think OMC was one who uses cast iron and gave me some good tips on caring for it.
Anyone else cook with cast iron??

 

[treedancer]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

Your right, I think it is better to cook on cast iron. That is all my mom ever used, I have a hard time getting anything to not stick using her old cast iron skillet. Start out thinking Sunnyside up with the egg?s end up scrambled.

 

[jimyoung]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

I have been a Boy Scout leadr for 20 yrs......we teach the youth to cook with cast iron, how to season it, wash it oil it, we have skillets and dutch ovens that are 20 yr old and still cookin.........only way to go.....My son just finished the Corte on Blue school and is a exeutive chef in Portland.........Scouting encouraged the cooking in him and he is good!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

Any good cook on the planet uses Cast iron...even heat..ya want easy cleanup, get something with breasts..(and be darn nice to her!)

 

[roscoe]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

The best non-stick cookware ever.

How about a stick over an open fire?

My chx breest turned out great tonight.

 

[12Footer]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

The best non-stick cookware ever.

How about a stick over an open fire?

My chx breest turned out great tonight.

Technically, that aint "non-stck" tho
As for cast iron, I had a BIL who was a chef... He only used CI.
But he also spent most of his waking hours in the kitchen. When he wasn't, he was on the back porch seasoning pans for somebody else.
I think I'll just keep buying the cheapo teflon, and replace it once a year. My time is too valuble.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

I treasure my cast iron skillet and use it several times a week even though I have an excellent set of cookware. My other favorite is my cast iron kettle, it deep frys better than anything else I have and is great for a big ole pot of beans.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

I do about half the cooking and I use cast iron when I can. My wife won't use it because she has rheum. arthritis in her hands and it's heavy for her.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

My mother use to fry chicken in an old CI skillet her mom gave her. Nobodys chicken every tasted like hers. She passed away in 97 and the other kids and I fought over that old skillet. My big bro ended up with it and never used it. I asked him about it several years ago and he gave it to me.

What is weird, I fried some chicken up in it using the same kind of grease and receipe my mom used. It turned out tasting just like she use to make it. Apparently the secret is locked in that cast iron. Like any tool, you got to know how to properly use it.

 

[JB]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

I fry very little but use a tin lined solid copper fry pan I got at a garage sale years ago. It heats faster than CI and the heat is very even and easy to control, but the non-stick quality is not as good as a well seasoned CI fry pan. For frying walleye in butter (YUM!!) temp control and even temp are both critical.

My Grandson, Scott the Chef, uses AllClad for everything but frying. He uses his Gramma's big CI pan for that.

 

[i386]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

Cast iron is the only way to make real cornbread!

 

[licketdsplit756]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

When I Got Married I Threw All My Wifes Pans Out Now We Use Only Cast Iron. Ya Cant Beat The Flavor It Gives To Your Food. Great To Take Camping Also.i Own 32 Different Pieces Of Cppk Ware All Cast Iron And Keep My Eye Open For More. Saw A Pig Looking Pan The Other Day At A Resturant On The Wall Wanted It Really Bad But No Go. It Looks Like A Pig But Think It Is A Cast Iron Bread Pan Not Really Sure

 

[12Footer]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

Cast iron is the only way to make real cornbread!

OK, i fogot abt cornbread. That's all our CI gets used for, and you're 100% right-on.

 

[oddjob]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

I use iron for everything. LF and iboat members taught me how to fry PFC! (Pauls Fried Chicken). As it is now, Im second only to those sweet old ladie's at the Shoneys resturant in Corbin Ky. right off I-75...A must stop for the best home cooking I ever had!

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

Silly question here but I'm curious....................does cast iron only work well on gas stoves or is it good on electric hobs?

Living in the sticks we don't have piped gas, bottled gas is way too expensive, so electric hob is the only option.

 

[oddjob]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

Hello Stan, Iron works well with both. I have an electric stove, if I were to use a thin pot or skillet I would burn alot of food. gas is fine for thin because its a uniform heat. Electric coils are not uniform but the heavy metal becomes heat sink that evens the heat for the most part.

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

Hey OJ, thanks for that!!


I've been wondering for a while why a couple of the rings on the hob are really bad for burning things, even with expensive Teflon pots!

I'll be trying some CI very soon.

Many thanks for the tip!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

I live with a paradox. Mrs Boomyal has disavowed the use of teflon coated cookware. It seems that the teflon slowly contaminates the food and it is not good for you. On the otherhand, she won't let me bring in all my old Scouting castiron cookware because I won't let her put it in the dishwasher.

So, we are stuck using heavy based stainless steel cookware that everything sticks to like a magnate. So much for beautiful eggs cooked sunny side up.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

I thought all you UK guys ate was mushy veggies and warm/flat beer?

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: The best non-stick cookware ever

I thought all you UK guys ate was mushy veggies and warm/flat beer?

That's just the English!


The civilised Scot's drink malt whisky and eat meat, Aberdeen Angus mmmmmmmmm.


Doh! Now you gone and made me hungry!!!!!