For the life of me, I cannot recall what first drew me into the world of cast iron as a young new mom seven years ago. I wonder if it’s the historical fiction I had always loved to read. The stories where women were strong and had a love and desire to provide well for their families. Or was it the excitement of learning something new, and remembering the meals my grandparents would cook in cast iron that I still look back on, and my mouth waters? Maybe, just maybe, it was a little bit of it all combined.

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned cast iron user, you may find yourself assaulted or overwhelmed with all sorts of rules around cast iron. I like to take a different approach and encourage you to use that cast iron! It’s tougher than you think and will most likely outlive you anyway. Of course, we want to take care of them well and learn to do it properly, but trust that there’s plenty of room for a learning curve when it comes to cast iron. I would rather encourage you to approach a lot of life that way: learn a little and then dive in. If you wait until you’ve learned everything you could possibly think you need to know, then you’ll probably never get started. Whether it’s starting a flock of chickens, moving houses, or using cast iron- go for it and trust that you’ll learn along the way (definitely speaking from experience here!) So, whether you’re a fellow history nerd, love a good hunt, or you’re just plain hungry…let’s dive into why you may want to start your own personal cast iron collection!

The History

Every single piece of cast iron carries a story. Now, if you grab yours brand new off the Walmart shelf, then you can think of that as a fresh blank page for you to start with, but if you enjoy more of a rich history, then you’ll want to look for older pieces. If you’re not sure what you’d prefer to start with, there’s a great article from Boonie Hicks that may help you decide- you can find it here! I was in it for the history from the get-go when I first started using and collecting cast iron. Historical fiction and nonfiction have filled my bookshelves since middle school, and learning to cook in cast iron made me feel like I was one of my pioneer heroes I had always looked up to. Holding a skillet that’s fifty, seventy, or even a hundred years old makes you pause and wonder how many meals were made in that very pan. Whose hands prepared it? Who did they cook it for? You can sit there and daydream long enough that you forget what it was you were about to cook to begin with. The beauty of cast iron is that it just gets better with age. Like a long life lived well, it can accumulate stories of a lifetime that are just waiting to be told, and maybe you’re the one lucky enough to bring it back to life.

The Hunt

Vintage cast iron can tap into something in me that feels primal. It’s the same excitement I feel when I’ve been in the woods with my bow waiting for a clean shot on a deer, or when I finally find a good blackberry patch after walking the fence line and can fill my bucket. Sure, you can buy old cast iron on the internet, but boy, is there a rush when you’re rummaging in someone’s yard sale or skimming the bottom shelf at the thrift store and find exactly what you’ve been looking for- that hunk of cold black iron. And that’s just the beginning! There’s so much more to it than just hunting it down, because now you’ve got the history to dig up too. What old manufacturing company produced it? What year was it cast in? Does it have a maker’s mark? Raised letters? Numbers or notches? There’s too rich a history to miss out on, and these seemingly little details reveal the value of the cast iron in your hands. New to learning all of this? I’d love to cover it in a blog post soon to get into the nitty gritty, but for now, I’ll send you over to where I learned a lot of what I know when I first started out identifying vintage cast iron here! The thrill of holding an old skillet, Dutch oven, or chicken fryer in your hands makes you feel like you’re holding a little piece of treasure.

The Hungry

Maybe you think the history is cool, and even the hunt of finding old cast iron is fun, but really, you’re just hungry. I get it! I have three little boys and a husband in my house to feed, and every single meal is cooked in cast iron. The practical benefits? Nontoxic coating- no chemicals, BPAs, or any of that junk here. Just good old-fashioned iron with a seasoning that gets better and better with use and time. Bonus tip: Most vintage cast iron pieces are lighter in weight and have a smoother cooking surface than the new preseasoned iron you find on the store shelves today. It also heats up quickly and retains that heat evenly, and hot water makes clean up a breeze. You can bake, fry, sauté, roast, or even grill! Heck, it’s going to be your best friend if you love to get out in the woods and cook over an open campfire. And remember, cast iron can easily live longer than you, and it’s an investment that can be passed down from generation to generation. I’m giving my own little boys the gift of growing up and knowing how to cook with cast iron, knowing that one day all the love and meals I poured into these pans will be passed down to them to do the same thing for their families.

Ready to start your own little (or big) collection of cast iron to cook with? A good skillet and Dutch oven would be a great place to start! Buy from the store, from a local cast iron fanatic, or hunt for your own special piece. After seven years of learning, cleaning, and hunting down vintage cast iron, I’ve found a love and hobby in identifying and restoring vintage pieces to a vibrant life back to good food and good stories. If you could use some help identifying some of your own vintage cast iron, or just have questions, then please reach out! No, really, I love this stuff and want you to reach out here or over on Instagram. There’s nothing more special than digging up the stories and history that cast iron holds. There’s an entire cast iron world out there just waiting, and while there is much to learn, I hope this is just the encouragement you needed to try collecting a piece or two for yourself!

Happy hunting!