Cast iron pans

fastesthamster

fastesthamster

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I'm finding it quite difficult to find good quality cast iron cookware (not enamelled, like Le Creuset). I bought a Bush Baby cast iron potjie at Checkers for R200. Nice enough, but I had to sand the inside to smooth it before seasoning it, and it's not really finished nicely.

What I'm looking for is a good quality cast iron pan, with a decent wooden handle, not painted with that black enamel paint on the inside, preferably only coated with a layer of vegetable oil. All cast iron seems to be mass produced in China these days, and you can usually tell the attention to detail by the handle, if it's loose, wobbly, unfinished, then the pan probably is as well.

Anyone know of something local and close to Joburg where I can find these sorts of pans?
 
Home etc have started importing a decent range of cast iron pots. Some are enamel but there's also a plain cast iron range with a nice smooth finish similar to the Lodge make available in USA or online. Largish one cost R399. Don't like that rough finish either.
 
ponder said:
They are most definitely not Chinese imports and pretty good quality.
Click to expand...

Aha. I assumed because the text from the website matches the text word for word from the Bush Baby pot, which is right next to the "Made in China" stamp:

TO PREPARE FOR COOKING THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE RECOMMENDED

* Wash out thoroughly with boiling water and dry
* Coat the inside with cooking oil (any) and heat till oil begins to smoke.
* Using a paper towel wipe inside clean. Repeat until towel wipes clean.
* The pot is now ready to use.
* The more you use it the better it becomes

TO STORE

* After each use wash pot and dry over heat.
* Coat inside with cooking oil or Spray & Cook.
* Store with lid off and absorbent paper inside
Click to expand...

So Best Duty is made in South Africa?
 
ponder said:
Yes. Even says so on the the products.
Click to expand...

Brilliant. Anyone in Joburg know of a distributor for Best Duty? I see Builders Warehouse carries some of the potjies.

Otherwise, I'll give them a call on Monday.
 
ponder said:
Yes. Even says so on the the products.
Click to expand...

My old potjie says made in SA. My new one doesn't. Both are Best Duty, so I don't know any more. The new one was definitely packaged like a Chinese import.
 
Drunkard #1 said:
My old potjie says made in SA. My new one doesn't. Both are Best Duty, so I don't know any more. The new one was definitely packaged like a Chinese import.
Click to expand...

Maybe you got a chinese clone :D

Best would be to call them and ask. They are part of a bigger company that makes pipes, drain covers etc with a foundry in gauteng somewhere. My pot which is not that old says 'made in south africa' on it.
 
Just about everything is made in China, I do think that just because it's made in China, doesn't mean it's always going to be bad quality
 
I ordered one from Amazon, a Lodge 12 skillet. Arrived on Monday. With shipping, came to just under R500.
 
aScience-based-technique-for-seasoning-cast-iron

fastesthamster said:
I'm finding it quite difficult to find good quality cast iron cookware (not enamelled, like Le Creuset). I bought a Bush Baby cast iron potjie at Checkers for R200. Nice enough, but I had to sand the inside to smooth it before seasoning it, and it's not really finished nicely.

What I'm looking for is a good quality cast iron pan, with a decent wooden handle, not painted with that black enamel paint on the inside, preferably only coated with a layer of vegetable oil. All cast iron seems to be mass produced in China these days, and you can usually tell the attention to detail by the handle, if it's loose, wobbly, unfinished, then the pan probably is as well.

Anyone know of something local and close to Joburg where I can find these sorts of pans?
Click to expand...

You may want to read this topic, very interesting and informative.

http://sherylcanter.com/wordpress/2010/01/a-science-based-technique-for-seasoning-cast-iron/
 
Last edited:
Nicci said:
Wow, I never knew you had to season your cast iron pots! Very interesting read, also interesting she uses flaxseed oil! Will remember this one!!
Click to expand...

Just get the right Flaxseed oil and not the Builders one, it may have additives. When I was young I used to "season" with lard, never knew you had to bake it until hard. You never get too old to learn!
 
Randhir said:
I ordered one from Amazon, a Lodge 12 skillet. Arrived on Monday. With shipping, came to just under R500.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Might be a plan if Best Duty doesn't have what I'm looking for.

wily me said:
You may want to read this topic, very interesting and informative.

http://sherylcanter.com/wordpress/2010/01/a-science-based-technique-for-seasoning-cast-iron/
Click to expand...

I did read that. Didn't see flaxseed in the shops, so just went with regular sunflower oil. Already cooked a meal in the pot, and it was non-stick, so not too unhappy!
 
I got a really nice "blue steel" skillet from makro at the beginning of this year. No idea where it was made but it's such a lekker pan that it get's used in just about every meal I make ... now that I mentione it , the thing even goes away with us on holidays .
 
I remember visiting a cast iron shop/factory with some friends in Bronkhorstpruit a few years ago. Can't recall any details so anyone else with a name perhaps?
 
Best Duty got back to me, Ivan gave me a call and sent me a mail. Sadly they had problems with the wooden handle pans, so those aren't available. They have a distributor in Midrand:
Your nearest dealer would be Agrinet, situated in Samraand (Midrand) off the Ben Schoeman Highway.
Their retail store is LandMark and is on the same premises.
Kindly contact either Peter Nieuwenhuizen or Kasheni Pillay on 012-656-2000 who will be able to assist you regarding stock availability and price etc.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate in contacting me or my colleague, Basil, Tel. No. 012-380-4636.
Click to expand...
So if anyone else is looking for cast iron stuff, hope this helps.
 
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