Cast-iron skillets

[Anonymous]

Considering one. What size for a family of four? What kinds of things do you cook in it?

[Anonymous]

8 inch skillet is handy. you cook anything in it that you would cook in another skillet. keep in mind that you have to hand wash it and keep it dry (I usually throw mine on a stove burner to dry it off when clean). pancakes, bacon, chicken breasts, sauteed spinach, whatever you cook!

[Anonymous]

We use 13 inch skillet for family of three. We usually make stir fry and scrambled eggs in it.

[Anonymous]

I heard you're not supposed to use dish soap on them, something about them being 'seasoned'? If you have one, what do you do with it after you use it?

[Anonymous]

I clean mine with salt and scrub it- then rinse with water, then put it on the burner to dry it. I oil it but it does not need it everytime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard you're not supposed to use dish soap on them, something about them being 'seasoned'? If you have one, what do you do with it after you use it?

Yes, a lot of soap will remove the oils that season the skillet, but all that needs to be done to reseason is to heat it with vegetable oil (you're supposed to put it in the oven, but I've done this on the stovetop).

As for cleaning the skillet, I don't even bother with salt--my skillet is well seasoned so all I use is very hot water.

[Anonymous]

You need to season it before you use it and occasionally as time goes on. You can find good articles about how to do it on about.com.

[Anonymous]

12" family of three, avid cook. I use it in place of a non-stick (Teflon-type) for anything but very acidic foods (tomatoes, e.g.). Eggs, pancakes, french toast, tofu, chicken, steak. Really great for meats because the sear you get from cast iron is much better than a non-stick.

[Anonymous]

Definitely go for the 12," though they're so inexpensive you could pick up a couple. I love mine - so great for so many things and they actually add a bit of iron to your food.

[Anonymous]

we've found that having at least three sizes and a griddle works well. Washing is not necessary. Just wipe it out with a napkin after using it. You need the oils to remain in the iron or else it will rust and everything will stick.

[Anonymous]

We have five of varying sizes and love them.

[Anonymous]

12" is the one we use almost every night. They can go in the oven, too, which is nice sometimes.

We do use dish soap on it and a nylon brush. Then dry it with a paper towel (it leaves stains on dish towels), then put it over a burner for a few minutes to make sure it is totally dry. If we cooked something acidic or used too much soap, we put a few drops of canola oil in it and wipe it around.

Ours is a Lodge and came pre-seasoned. Buy a glass lid to fit.