question about cast iron

[Bibow]

what are the upsides of cast iron? is it worth carrying the extra weight for a 10 1/2'' fry pan? i don't know where to post this but this seems best

[crashdive123]

Pros - Relatively inexpensive, lasts forever, when seasoned it rivals any non-stick cookware, distributes heat evenly.

Cons - Heavy. I ceartainly wouldn't take it backpacking.

[TrappinGal]

cast iron is good stuff for at home( i have mostly cast iron) or in a permanent cabin setting where ya didnt have to carry it in and out all the time. but i wouldnt pack it into the woods either as crash said. its heavy and there are lighter made skillets and pans that will work in a camping situation just as well.

[Bibow]

i've heard that most frying pans you can pack in will warp/break/crack over a fire

[crashdive123]

I've never warped or cracked one. Most of my camping cookware is aluminum and have never had a problem.

[RobertRogers]

Hehe, I live next to the Appalachian Trail in northern New Hampshire. Quite frequently I've found cast iron fry pans left behind at the lean-to areas and tent sites. It doesn't take many miles lugging these on foot before one sees the value of traveling light!

[crashdive123]

RR - How big is your cast iron collection?

[Rick]

I sort of imagine this sign out front of his house that says, "Cast Iron Sale!" with about 150 small cast iron skillets tacked to the front of the house and little wind chimes made out of cast iron skillets out front.

[crashdive123]

Thursday's haul.

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[Rick]

Exactly! That's it!

Bibow, do this. Take a 10 1/2 inch fry pan and just walk around the house with it for a half hour. You'll understand in about 10 minutes.

There are some excellent quality backpack pots and pans. Some with teflon coatings. They are light, rugged and reliable. I carry an army mess kit but I also have a Primus Litech cooking kit that I carry when several of us go.

[dukenukum]

I love my cast iron cook wear , but not for backpacking my pack skillet is a small steel camp skillet about six inches diameter .

[skunkkiller]

steel skillets are the way to go for camping a 10 or 12 inch is best you can use it for more then just cooking.

[Sam Reeves]

I have a little 3" cast Iron frying pan that I take with me that is perfect for eggs. I suppose I could trade it in on a hi-tech light weight model but I get a nice warm fuzzy feeling just having it around. We usually take simple can goods with us and have learned to cook every thing in the can. Unless you are going to be doing some fishing I'm not sure one would even need a frying pan. (except for my egg pan)

[Rick]

The only problem with a steel skillet that size would be weight. Titanium would be much lighter. But if it works for you then it's all good. I carry a mess kit, which has the skillet as part of the package. And yes, it's heavy for what you get. But it's cheap and durable. Always a trade off.