Anyone cook with cast iron?

[SeldomSeenSlim]

Can you use cast iron in a solar oven? Just wondering. I have been looking at solar ovens but want to be able to use cast.

I can't see why not. Solar ovens work the same way as any other oven, just with a different heat source. I'd imagine a dutch oven would work well in one simply because it retains so much heat and would help the oven keep temperature.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

That is what I was thinking as well, but wanted to ask to be sure as strange things happen.

[Preppergirl]

I grew up almost exclusively cooking in cast iron. I agree on the avoiding soap part. On occasion, should a helper in my kitchen accidently use soap to wash my cast iron I've gone ahead and grabbed my vegetable shortening to re-season my pans. Getting the pan hot before putting food in is helpful to prevent sticking. My parents collected so many cast iron pans that they would sometimes store them in the shed. If a pot gets exposed to the elements, it may very well rust. Rusty pans come dirt cheap at garage sales because usually the owner doesn't know what they've got or how to fix them. Simple fix- put them in the campfire. they come out black and beautiful. ok, so yes, you have to wash the soot off but it makes them good as new. My large dutch oven was a Katrina heirloom survivor that was given to me, and after a trip to the fire, it cooks just fine.

[jimmycthemd]

Like a lot of folks here, I grew up with cast iron. I wash with soap most times, but I always dry the iron on the stove (low heat) and treat with vegetable oil each time. It's not necessary, but it's how I was tought. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[kappydell]

SCinPNW has it right, season it and use care to dry it promptly after cleaning or it can rust. The rust does scrub off though so if you need it you get a do-over. The only down side I've found is that it is heavy and hard to manage if you have arthritis, otherwise it is a perfect cookwear product.
Do not get the ones with wood or other composition handles, as it limits its use to stovetop use only, and it is pergect for the oven and in a fire pit if the handles, knobs are all iron, too. Get some thick potholders so you wont burn yourself, and some sturdy trivets (oron ones are goo, an iron pot plus food is heavy) to avoid scorching you dining table. Ice cold liquid poured into a how pan supposedly warps and may crack the pan, but I tried to do it and couldnt so you're probabvly safe there. Just dont drop it on your toes - the toes may break. Enjoy the cast iron pans.

[Daelith]

Rusty pans come dirt cheap at garage sales because usually the owner doesn't know what they've got or how to fix them. Simple fix- put them in the campfire. they come out black and beautiful. ok, so yes, you have to wash the soot off but it makes them good as new. My large dutch oven was a Katrina heirloom survivor that was given to me, and after a trip to the fire, it cooks just fine.

I was just wondering this past weekend if rusty cast iron could be fixed up to usable again. I saw a couple of griddle type flat skillets and some regular skillets at an estate sale. They were pretty rusty though besides being over priced. (First day of the sale.) I appreciate the info on how to fix the rust problem. If I ever run across a deal on some cast iron in similar condition, I will give it a try.

[MJC]

Cast Iron is great ! I've been using mine for about 25 years now. If it's well seasoned , it's better than teflon. I rarely have to wash it, just wipe it with a fresh paper towel with a little oil, in a pinch I've even used newspaper. I've found a lot of deals a yard sales, some as low as 1.00$ pr. pan. Just scrub the rusty ones with sos or a brillo pad to remove rust. I've even used sand paper or for the really bad ones, or a wire wheel on my dremmel tool. For the ones that the black seasoning is chipping off you can run it through a cycle in a self cleaning oven. (don't do this more than once or twice because it can crack the pan.) After cleaning check for cracks. Cast Iron cracks easily if overheated regurlary or dropped on hard ground, cracked round griddles can still be used for pot covers. Then re-season and never wash with soap. (soap is a degreaser, seasoning is burnt grease, see the connection.) Hope this helps.