Comparing Skillets

[RogueMnstr]

Do you like cast iron?

And, really, is Calphalon over-rated?


_{*sorry, this is definately drunk content...}

[Jester]

Really just depends on what you're cookin.  Cast iron rocks for a variety of stuff though.

[gm2]

who can argue with something you're only supposed to barely clean?

[Howie]

Really just depends on what you're cookin.  Cast iron rocks for a variety of stuff though.

Zackly!  For crepes and omelets you want steel, high heat cast iron, never use high heat with a coated pan and avoid acidic foods in aluminum.   

[rgramjet]

My wife threw away all my well seasoned cast iron when she bought a new set of Calphalon hard anodized.     10 years later and she still hears about it!

Calphalon is good stuff but I like the natural non stick that occurs with a well seasoned skillet.  I wont use non-stick, coated pans.

[RAT900]

Cast Iron always excels in the blunt-force trauma category

[herm]

Calphanon hard anodized is pretty good stuff..but pricey. their non-stick coated stuff is no better than any other brand IMO

[Johnny OrganDonor]

Cast Iron always excels in the blunt-force trauma category

The only comment worthy of a motorcycle forum.  Carry on hooligans.   

[He Man]

cast iron is the be all you can be of cookware. you cant go wrong with it.


Ever seen chinese people cook? we have a big cast iron wok. and well thats about it.

Im sure theres plenty other ones that are good if not better, but its great for much, if i had only 1 skillet it would be cast iron, instead of the shitty teflon coated steel i have.

[SacDuc]

Zackly!  For crepes and omelets you want steel, high heat cast iron, never use high heat with a coated pan and avoid acidic foods in aluminum.   

This man is wise. I personally use cast iron for damn near everything, from frying eggs to making sauces to browning pork loin. I also seem to start a lot of cuts of meat on the stove top then transfer the whole pan into the oven to finish. Nothing beats cast iron for that. Teflon seems unnecessary. People have tried to tell me that you can't make an egg over easy in cast iron, but I don't seem to have a problem with it.

Hell I even bake my no knead bread and pizzas in a cast iron skillet. Works just as good as a pizza stone.

sac



/plus it was Wilma's weapon of choice when she wanted to whack Fred over the head with something

[SacDuc]

Calphanon hard anodized is pretty good stuff..but pricey. their non-stick coated stuff is no better than any other brand IMO

I have some 10 year old Calphalon that is starting to deteriorate on me. I'm not impressed.

sac



/the best way to season cast iron is to make lots and lots of 

[DaniD]

I personally like the stainless steel Calphalon over the hard anodized stuff.  I also loooooove enameled cast iron, it's expensive but worth it!!

[SacDuc]

I personally like the stainless steel Calphalon over the hard anodized stuff.  I also loooooove enameled cast iron, it's expensive but worth it!!

Do you know of any good brands that are less expensive than Le Ceuset?

sac

[Popeye the Sailor]

Hooligans. All of you.

[Johnny OrganDonor]

cast iron is the be all you can be of cookware. you cant go wrong with it.


Ever seen chinese people cook? we have a big cast iron wok. and well thats about it.

Im sure theres plenty other ones that are good if not better, but its great for much, if i had only 1 skillet it would be cast iron, instead of the shitty teflon coated steel i have.

Yep, cast iron is the first choice for everything from head bashing to frying bacon but this is more typical of the Chinese home cook'n I've experienced.  No big cast iron wok but it's amazing what can be done with a little electric wok.