Camp & RV Cooking With Cast Iron
Lodge Manufacturing, Benefits of Cookware and Sample Recipe Ideas
Cast Iron is a great tool when cooking over an open fire, on a grill or inside the RV galley. Following are tips for buying, benefits of the cookware & classic recipes.
Popular Brands & Where to Buy Cast Iron
Since 1896 Lodge Manufacturing has been producing high quality, American made cast iron cookware in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. Well over 100 different pieces from dutch ovens to enameled cast iron and accessories are produced by the family owned and operated company. Lodge now also offers a preseasoned line along with the traditional raw product. Not only are Lodge products available through their catalog and website, but in a large selection of stores around the country.
Cast iron cookware is widely sold in a range of department stores and kitchen supply stores. Lodge is a long standing and trusted company, however, there are many other manufacturers selling the cookware that are not as well known. Griswold cast iron, a company from the 1800s whose products are no longer being made, are collectors items and hard to find. Because of the need to season cast iron cookware, pieces that are handed down through generations are most often better than newly purchased items.
Benefits of Cooking with Cast Iron Cookware
- durable and will last through a lifetime of cooking, and more
- once worn and well seasoned is virtually non-stick
- holds heat and cooks food evenly
- affordable
- can be put directly on hot coals
- can be used on every surface: stovetop, oven, broiler, grill, open fire (not microwave safe)
- come in a large variety of shapes and sizes
- tolerable to very high temperatures
- can be used for an array of cooking techniques from roasting and frying to baking
- requires little to no oil
Classic recipes
- Fried Chicken
- Chili
- Cornbread
- Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, see below
- 1 cup of unsalted butter
- 1 cup of packed light brown sugar
- 1 15oz can of pineapple (any variety - traditionally used with rings) drain and reserve juice
- 1 small jar of maraschino cherries (optional)
- 1 box pineapple or yellow cake mix and necessary ingredients from back of box
In a 10 inch seasoned cast iron skillet, melt 1 stick of butter over low to medium heat on a stovetop. Once the butter is melted add the brown sugar and stir to mix completely. On top of butter and sugar mixture, space out pineapple rings evenly, or chunks/crushed/tidbits if using, and place a single maraschino cherry in the center of each ring (optional). Prepare cake mix as directed by the manufacturer, replacing the majority of water with reserved pineapple juice (some water will be needed to meet required amount of liquid). Pour mixed cake on top of butter/brown sugar mixture and pineapple pieces making sure to cover the entire pan. Place skillet in preheated 350 degree oven for 35-45 minutes. Test after 35 minutes with a fork or toothpick (when removed from the cake, if done, it will come out clean). Allow the cake to cool before flipping it upside-down onto the serving dish.
