Go into any kitchenwares store and you’ll find shelves filled with expensive and beautiful cookware. From stainless steel and copper to numerous non-stick varieties, the market is flooded with cookware options.

But there is one option that has been an inexpensive and excellent choice since the 18th century! Considered a precision cooking tool by professional chefs, cast iron holds temperature and allows for even heating without hot spots. And cast iron can go from stove top to oven to grill, no problem. Want to make cornbread or apricot upside down cake on the grill? Just grab your cast iron baking pan or skillet and you’re ready to go.

One of the keys to cast iron success? Cast iron must be seasoned before use. Seasoning is the process of allowing oil to be absorbed into the iron, which creates a natural non-stick, rustproof finish. So if you have an old piece of cast iron cookware that has been passed down through the generations, dust it off, season it and get cooking! It is actually a very simple process. Here’s how to do it:

1. Wash new cookware with hot, soapy water and a stiff brush.
2. Rinse and dry completely.
3. Apply a thin coat of melted vegetable shortening (i.e. Crisco) to the entire surface (including lid if applicable), both inside and out.
4. Line the lower oven rack with aluminum foil (To catch any drippings), and preheat oven to 350° F.
5. Place cookware upside down on the upper oven rack, and bake for one hour.
6. Turn oven off and let cookware cool before removing from oven.
7. Store in a cool, dry place. If you have a lid for your utensil, place a folded paper towel between the lid and the utensil to allow air to circulate.
8. NEVER wash in dishwasher.
9. If your utensil develops a metallic smell or taste or shows signs of rust, never fear. Wash with soap and hot water, scour off rust, and reseason.
After use: Clean using a stiff brush and hot water only (do not wash in dishwasher). Towel dry immediately and apply a light coating of vegetable oil to cookware while still warm. (Courtesy Lodge Cast Iron Cookware)

The Lodge Logic cast iron cookware that Backyard Bash carries is pre-seasoned, meaning that it can be used straight out of the packaging. There is no need to go through the seasoning process listed above. However, it is important to maintain your cookware as follows:

1. Rinse with hot water (do not use soap), and dry thoroughly.
2. Before cooking, prepare the cooking surface by oiling or spraying with Pam. Avoid putting a cold utensil onto a very hot burner.
3. After cooking, clean utensil with a stiff brush and hot water. Using soap is not recommended, and harsh detergents should never be used. Avoid putting hot utensil into cold water. Thermal shock can cause metal to warp or crack.
4. Towel dry immediately and apply a light coat of Pam or vegetable oil while utensil is still warm.
5. Store in a cool, dry place. If you have a lid for your utensil, place a folded paper towel between the lid and the utensil to allow air to circulate.
6. NEVER wash in dishwasher.
7. If your utensil develops a metallic smell or taste or shows signs of rust, never fear. Wash with soap and hot water, scour off rust, and season using the home seasoning instructions.
PLEASE NOTE: If your new Lodge Logic utensil is a Grid Iron or Pro Grid Iron Griddle, place the utensil over two burners, and allow the griddle to heat evenly as both burners heat. (Courtesy Lodge Cast Iron Cookware)

There are many types of cast iron cookware. The basics are:

• Skillets or Frying Pans: The apricot upside down cake in our November newsletter was baked on the grill in a cast iron skillet!
• Griddles (Currently unavailable at BYB)
• Dutch Ovens
• Bakeware: Wedge pans for cornbread, etc.

If you need a small grill for camping or tailgating, Lodge also makes a great Hibachi Style Sportsman’s Grill! (Pictured in newsletter.)

The possibilities for cooking with cast iron are endless! We hope to see you at Backyard Bash’s Holiday Open House on December 1st, when we’ll be offering demonstrations of how to cook with this fantastic material!