Is cast iron worth having?

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I use Le Creuset too,would'nt use anything else.
In fact they're permanently on the stove top.They hold the heat and last forever if looked after properly.
In my opinion the pans too are well worth investing in.I've had my set for twenty years and they still look as good as new.
If they'd been ordinary pans I'd have had to buy a few sets in the time I've had these so well worth the initial outlay.

Pitlanepiglet

Hmm difficult question, I love my cast iron pots (all non Le Creuset - mainly Tesco, Procook and one old one picked up from the auction - then a selection of non enamelled "outdoor" pots) but are they "worth it"? difficult....

I get a warm fluffy feeling using my pots, they feel like a luxury and I feel slightly like I'm treating myself everytime I use one (just call me weird )

If you've got some money to spend and you enjoy cooking then go for it, but it wouldn't be the first thing I bought with my last tenner in the bank.

I love the fact that they are easy to clean, retain heat and look nice on the table.

Lobell

I have a couple of Le Creuset cast iron casseroles, a cast iron frying pan, 2 stoneware oven dishes and a set of saucepans (stainless steel, not cast iron)...all bought heavily discounted from Amazon. IMO, they are worth their weight in gold. I use them constantly and they always wash up perfectly. I don't think I'll ever need to buy pans again.

Gigervamp

I love my cast iron pans (Aldi versions, so much cheaper than Le Creuset) but if you're looking for a stockpot, I'd go with stainless steel. Cast iron is heavy and a full stockpot made of a lighter metal is heavy enough as it is. Add on the weight of the cast iron and it'll weigh a ton! Something to think about when making your decision.

[Deleted User]

I had Le Creuset casseroles and pans, had to sell them eventually as I just could not grasp them with my hands let alone lift them up. I bought a very good quality stainless steel copper bottomed stock pot in a sale at Alders some years ago, its brilliant and much lighter than the cast iron.

I did love the Le Creuset I had but it was sitting in the cupboard more and more as I just could not lift it. A real waste so I put them on E Bay and got a really good price for them. Again I bought stainless steel copper bottomed pans which are so much lighter, have had them quite a long time and they are still in excellent condition.

lavenderlady

I have an eighty year old cast iron skillet/fry pan that is used nearly every day! I fry everything in it, put a lid on for boiling. I use it preheated in the oven for baking bread. I also make homemade pizza on it.

The best bit is that because its so old, the non stick properties are amazing. I don't even need to season it anymore, just wipe it off with paper towel and it sits on the stove ready for its next task.

I love it!

redlady_1

Ikea do a much cheaper version and I am more than happy with mine. I put it on top of the wood burner to cook.

I bought the matching frying pan too but cant get on with it. It is just so heavy so wouldn't buy all the pans.

snoozer

I'd love to get some cast iron stuff, but as others have said they are so heavy. If you have any issue with hands or wrists I would think very carefully about buying them.

smiler34

Thanks for all the help peeps but now I'm even more confused than ever xx

Gigervamp

Seriously, for a stock pot, get stainless steel, not cast iron.