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It is true that not all Lodgeware is created equal. Or Le Cruset, for that matter. Check the bottom for the manufacturing origin and it will give you an idea of quality. You may not want to shop at Williams-Sonoma or the Complete Cook for a host of reasons, but at least you always know the origin when you buy from those specialty-type stores. All Lodgeware sold in WS is made in the US. All Le Cruset sold at WS and the CC is made in France. You can pick up the occasional Le Cruset in Winners, but 90% of the time when you turn it over and check the bottom, it was made in China. If you don't want to shop the specialty shops like WS, Complete Cook, Cookbook Cooks Co., Happy Cooker, etc., the suggestions of checking out the outdoor shops, Canadian Tire or Winners will produce some good cast iron. Just not necessarily the brand you're looking for. I would avoid cast iron not made in N America or France because of questionable manufacturing standards and materials. A well made cast iron piece should last for decades or more. Most new Lodgeware doesn't require seasoning, but that isn't the norm. If you are a flea market or garage sale shopper, you can almost always find great buys on used cast iron that way. Just check for cracks or rusting that is more than superficial.
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re: CookieGal
I second Outdoor Sports Outfitters in the Deerfoot Meadows. That's where I got my Lodge cast iron dutch oven and it's amazing quality for a reasonable price. Try and stay away from the cheaper made in China Wal Mart brands (although Lodge stuff comes from China too they seemed to have maintained the quality). All cast iron might look the same but the density/quality of the composition is what matters.
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sweeterpea
Sep 11, 2008 03:56 PM
I agree with marcopolo -- try Superstore, I saw Lodge cast iron pans there in the summer, they may have moved them out now that it's fall. I think a large frying pan was $20.00. Got a great deal on a pair of Lodge cast iron pans, one small and one large frying pan, the two of them for $20.00 at Costco. Again, they may have moved them out as fall's here.
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lol, buying cast iron at williams sonoma would be like buying hemp necklaces at tiffany's...
ribtor hasn't closed down completely, just the downtown location. they still operate out of their warehouse at 2713 16th street SE. http://www.ribtor.com/
i would also suggest the Army & Navy store behind canadian tire in the NE at 1107 33 St NE. We bought a few cast iron pans from their camping section.
i'm pretty sure i've seen cast iron pans in the flea market section of the crossroads market also.
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re: throwdown
That's what i'm sayin! Lodge is a great brand for cast iron... I love my Lodge cast iron skillet -- in fact, I cooked some great Rougie duck breasts with it last night -- but Lodge isn't exactly hard to come by...
Why pay the extra $$$ at W&S when you most likely can get it cheaper somewhere else (as OP is looking to do)? heck, the 12" skillet is 5 bucks cheaper on canadiantire.com ($24.99) than on williams-sonoma.com ($29.99, and that's their american pricing... incidentally, hendrix has the same pan for $48.95 on their website...)
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