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Small Cabin Forum / Off Topic / Lagostina Cast Iron - Any experiences?
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Tyndra
Member
# Posted: 23 Mar 2018 01:07
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Canadian Tire has Lagostina CI Frying pans and Dutch ovens on for a pretty good price right now. Has anyone used them? They are on for less than most Lodge, and have not read good things about other "Amazon" Brands. I know they will not be as good as a the old stuff that I have at home but I am just looking for a set to leave up at my property (aka: if they grow legs I won't be heart broken).

I have a lot of work to do up there this year as it is currently nothing but trees and some storage boxes right now. I am sure I will be making a few last minute trips and it would be great if I could just set up a tote of cloths, grab the chainsaw and go. Hoping to not have to pack a stove, propane, dishes, and everything just for a weekend trip.

Steve_S
Member
# Posted: 23 Mar 2018 06:11
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Lagostina is an old brand who's made Stainless for a very long time and pretty good stuff. My Pot & Pan set is Lagostina, 25 years or so old. No experience with the Cast Iron but I personally would not hesitate given my experience with their other cookware.

hattie
Member
# Posted: 23 Mar 2018 20:29
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I too only have the Lagostina stainless. Don't know about the cast iron. The stainless is very good but the lid handles get really hot while cooking. I wish that wasn't so. It is a good brand so I would think the cast iron is also good.

Tyndra
Member
# Posted: 23 Mar 2018 21:07 - Edited by: Tyndra
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The main purpose is to leave a set at my property that can literally be cooked over an open fire or with coals. But I also don't want to leave a bunch of valuables there.

There is no buildings on my land and nothing is really cleared besides a driveway. Still lots of work to do. I have some basic tools up there but not much. With my odd work schedule I am hoping to be able to literally swing by home, grab a tote of clothes, a cooler, chainsaw and go. Don't want to have to have to get there a full camp (tent, stove, tables, etc) when I get there.

*thanks everyone for their input!

silverwaterlady
Member
# Posted: 23 Mar 2018 21:24
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I noticed new cast iron is not smooth inside the cooking area.

There are to many crannies making it really hard to clean.

I got lucky and found antique cast iron really cheap at estate sales and thrift stores.

KinAlberta
Member
# Posted: 23 Mar 2018 22:23
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Yeah there’s a reason our parents abandoned plain old cast iron decades ago - it’s a make work project to scrape clean after every use - plus wasn’t there a requirement for a regular seasoning of the iron? ...

There’s that textured stuff that’s sold now that cleans nicely. We have a couple small fry pans coated in it and I’ve also seen it under the Rock brand.

skootamattaschmidty
Member
# Posted: 25 Mar 2018 05:22
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I bought one of these pans a couple years ago on sale at Canadian Tire. I bought it to use at home. It works very well. It says it is pre seasoned, however I still seasoned it after buying. I use it primarily for making blackened salmon or other fish. I do not wash it with soap after use, but rather wipe it clean with paper towel and then a damp cloth. Very happy with it!

old greybeard
Member
# Posted: 25 Mar 2018 10:39
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Quoting: KinAlberta
Yeah there’s a reason our parents abandoned plain old cast iron decades ago - it’s a make work project to scrape clean after every use - plus wasn’t there a requirement for a regular seasoning of the iron?

Blasphemy! Cast iron is VERY easy clean, just has to be oiled properly every time you use it. And seasoned if its raw.
Superior heat retention and distribution. No nasty chemicals, rather iron added that we need.
Don't buy new, hit yard sales and flea markets and buy the better old smooth stuff.

ChuckDynasty
Member
# Posted: 26 Mar 2018 20:12 - Edited by: ChuckDynasty
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Quoting: old greybeard
Don't buy new, hit yard sales and flea markets and buy the better old smooth stuff.


I agree but you'll want to buy a piece that's not or not badly pitted and doesn't have a warped bottom. Problem is...if you don't find what your looking for you may end up buying other crap. Lot's of great crap out there.

elizabaths
Member
# Posted: 13 Jan 2021 10:20
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That being said, it is not easy to figure out which cast iron skillet for steak will be most suitable for your needs and cooking habits. Factors like whether a large cast iron skillet is needed or a small one, and much more needs to be considered.

old greybeard
Member
# Posted: 13 Jan 2021 14:36
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thats why you need at least 3 cast iron skillets, we use 5. Plus 2 at camp. And griddles. And dutch oven.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 13 Jan 2021 19:42 - Edited by: gcrank1
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As to the brand Lagostina, they likely dont make the CI cookware, it is sourced elsewhere (guess where if it aint pricey).
Cast iron, once seasoned and Never washed with soap is easy to maintain. But, it takes a good bunch of time and use to build up that 'seasoning'. This past year I reburbed a neglected one, had to basically strip and scrub it out and start over seasoning. It took me a couple of months of use fairly regularly (but NOT every day) and works nicely and cleans up quick and easy now.
Any CI fry pan over 10" may be hard for some to handle.
A deep wall 8" probably would weigh about the same but you could do some shallow 'dutchy' cooking (with the right lid) or deep frying in one.
A square one would hold 4 burgers or chops better than a round one.
Im about at the point where I dont 'need' several sizes just the big one (thats my 10" round) for everything would be fine.

NorthwoodsGuy
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 19:58
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I have no experience with Lagostina, but agree that if you know how to use it, cast iron is great cookware that is easy to maintain. We've got one of these both at home and at the cabin:

https://www.amazon.com/Ringer-Original-Stainless-Cleaner-Patented/dp/B00FKBR1ZG

They make clean up a breeze.

toyota_mdt_tech
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 20:22
Reply 


Quoting: NorthwoodsGuy
I have no experience with Lagostina, but agree that if you know how to use it, cast iron is great cookware that is easy to maintain. We've got one of these both at home and at the cabin:

https://www.amazon.com/Ringer-Original-Stainless-Cleaner-Patented/dp/B00FKBR1ZG

They make clean up a breeze.


Hey, looks like chainmail for a knights armor. Tossed one into my cart, thanks for the link.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 20:26
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Quoting: gcrank1
As to the brand Lagostina, they likely dont make the CI cookware, it is sourced elsewhere (guess where if it aint pricey)

China...as this thread was brought back from the dead by spam.

Just
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 21:06
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We received this one for Christmas . It has the rough service inside . We have only used it once but it cleaned up well , stew . We found it a bit heavy , if I was buying I would go a bit smaller .
Cast iron
Cast iron


gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 23:23 - Edited by: gcrank1
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Spammy or not there are some good CI posts in this thread now. Maybe its redeemed?
Iirc some time back I saw a u-tube vid on reburbing neglected CI, the chap used an orbital sander to smooth up the rough surface. I was tempted to do it on the one I refurbed but the surface wasnt horrible rough. Now when I pour off the grease and wipe it out with a paper towel it sometimes pulls/leaves a tiny bit of paper sheds. I can live with it but now I know the limit, or my limit, of acceptable. Guess I would suggest anyone reburbing one that isnt really smooth (like the nice old ones are) to take the time/trouble to sand at least the sharp edges off the rough before starting to use it.

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