PICS of any or all Cast iron or Dutch Ovens Go here. Post them UP

That's badass, thanks!

 

Those things are pretty cool in their space saving and all in one nature but I feel like they can kinda jam you up if you’re trying to cook more than one dish at a time. I feel the same about the Lodge Dutch oven/skillet combo. The idea is cool but in practice might not work out so well. I’d prefer to just have a dedicated Dutch oven, skillet and griddle. Specific tool, for a specific job. Just my thoughts.

 

The Lodge Combo Cooker is the only cookware we usually bring camping.

 

I bring a 10" skillet and my cook all. The latter in place of the Dutch oven and griddle.

 

No we have a cabin in North Carolina and they have a couple of their factory outlet stores in Pigeon Forge and surrounding area. We go in there every now and then and look to pick something up. I will be on the lookout for that though, looks pretty sweet.

 

So I recently acquired another cast iron pan to accompany my other one. We think it might have been my other great grandmothers. Took two rounds of oven cleaner to get it clean and 6 rounds of seasoning it to get it right. I had a sudden notion to try cast iron pizza...





To my surprise both slid right out of the pans, no sticking! I used to pre-made dough so the edges are a little funky. However, the crust was done perfect! Will be doing it again!

 

First time using my grandma in laws' cast iron. Bless and rest her soul. Probably has 60 years of cooking on it.

 

That shit is glass though!

 

I think I’m drawn to cast iron because it’s damn near indestructible. I hear it’s fragile if dropped but I haven’t tested that yet. Here are a few before and after pics of a skillet I have REPEATEDLY saved from the abuse of my best friend, bless his foolish existence.

I put it through the usual paces to remove buildup. Wire wheel in a drill until down to almost cast again. Smooth all over. Hot wash in soapy water and thorough hot water rinse.

Coat thinly all over in high heat sunflower oil. Bake in oven upside down at 400 for an hour and let cool in oven. Best I can recall I did it twice for this one.

 

I use them too. Love to turn fresh ingredients into tasty noms.

Someone here is gonna appreciate those fried green tomatoes… maybe even my dream woman. It could happen.

Not pictured: brownies, blueberry pancakes, pizza, more flavortown nonsense.

 

Any of you ever used liquid smoke in a chili recipe before? Trying to decide when to add it in, and how much to use.

I was thinking maybe a table spoon into my chili paste/onion mixture when I cook it down but before adding in the beef, or option B) i also thought about adding a tablespoon or so to the onion /beef mixture when I brown it at the beginning, before it all goes together.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

No way on a tablespoon. Pretty gross.

I used to like it a little but got spoiled by real smoke.

Just a couple drops. Too much and ruined.

 

Appreciate it. Never used it before and not sure how potent it is.

 

Obligatory pics. Now we wait.

 

Looks great! How was it?

 

Honestly, a bit of a disappointment. It was a good chilli, but I haven't been able to achieve the smokier flavor I am looking for. I wasn't expecting much out of the liquid smoke anyway. Ultimately I think I am going to need to actually smoke the beef and/or beans to get it where I want it.

Regardless, I am having a great time experimenting with different dried and fresh peppers in this recipe going for different heat and flavor. Last year I tried a huge quantity of dried chipotles going for the smoke, but it came out way hotter than I wanted. This year I dialed back the heat and I didnt have any mid tier peppers like jalapeños or chipotles and it was boring. It didn't have the build up of heat that I like.

I was really happy with the blade stake I used this year for first time. It was much less fatty and easier to break down than the chuck roast I normally get, and so flavorful and tender that it just fell apart in your mouth without chewing.

 

Bacon. I have smoked store bacon and added to chili. It was good. And I have used smoked butt and it was good. A fella could do both!!

 

Since I’m scrolling the pan is in use so it’s ready for a photo shoot.

 

Co worker found me this yesterday

 

Some pastor in the cast iron for tacos.