is there anything to look for when shopping for cast iron cookware? are there certain characteristics that make some better than others?

I like the fact that you can get um preseasoned now.

I like the ones with the little spikes on the under side of the lid so the vapors that condense on the lid drip back down on whats in the pot.
Check out the interior surface of the pot,I was given one big mofo as a gift that has a rather rough finish and it drives me nuts making a roux in it,and cleaning it is also a PITA.

I always want to hit somebody in the head with the underside of the lid when I get to looking at it,you know that would have to hurt.

very few made in the USA any more.

Lodge brand still is and has been for a long time and has a good reputation.

A lot of stuff is made in China......

I bought a 16 qt. dutch ovens down in New Iberia

http://www.cajunclassiccastiron.com/nindex.htm


It is a Cajun Classic. The bottom says Mamou, La. I doubt it was made there.......could possibly be China (I hope not)

Has anyone ever had a black iron pot on the stove full of food that is almost finished make an extremely loud BANG!!! and you go to check out what the noise was and find your black pot split completely in half????????

cheap casting.. they prolly had a hairline crack in it and you never saw it. theres ways you can check for that tho .. what u was cookn???

dat f'n blows

Phuk the cheap chit they make nowadays. Find ya one at the fleamarket. The old chit. They are slick as a baby's azz. Buff it with mini-grinder, coat it wit oil, throw it in the oven, choke everyone wit fumes, pizz off the ole lady cause the house smells chitty, and you're good to go. You can beat the one's ya get from grandma's time.

buy Lodge, the only brand to get, all made in the USA too, Tennessee in fact