Cast Iron Care Kit

November 30, 2015 9:27 AM

I'm looking to put together an assortment of accessories for my dad's beloved cast iron pans as his Christmas present this year. I've already thought of one of those silicon heat-protecting handle covers and a bottle of flax seed oil (let me know if I should be going with another kind) for seasoning. What else should I include?

My dad's not a cookbook guy, so that's out, but any other cast iron pan related (even tangentially) items you can recommend would be appreciated. I'm looking to spend >$100 all in. Stuff I can order on the internet is best, but I live in NYC, so if there's something really spectacular I can only get in-store, let me know.

posted by ELind to Home & Garden (11 answers total)

I'm a big fan of those chainmail cast-iron pan scrubbers.
posted by PearlRose at 9:30 AM on November 30, 2015 [3 favorites]

Amazon has deals on chain-mail cleaners for cast iron, that work as scrubbers! The reviews for them are great.
posted by shortyJBot at 9:31 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I refurbish old cast iron, and I personally don't like using flax seed oil (though you'll find lots of pro-flax advice on the internet). My go-to is Crisco, although it admittedly doesn't make for a very sexy Christmas gift.

A better gift is one of these chain mail scrubbers. They're great.
posted by mudpuppie at 9:32 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

Not "care" exactly, but how about a good quality metal spatula?
posted by msbubbaclees at 9:54 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

Totally agree with the chain mail scrubber although i havent had to use it much, and msbubbaclees about a metal spatula.

This thing is my favorite tool in the whole kitchen and keeps my cast iron pans looking great.
posted by bleedfoot at 10:01 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

Does he have a steak weight? Which I had no idea was called a steak weight, I thought it was for smushing your grilled cheese. MANY USES.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:14 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

A couple months ago America's Test Kitchen did a review of different ways of cleaning cast iron. Their favored product was this brush from Oxo, as it's easier on the hands than the chain mail.
posted by lharmon at 10:17 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: We got these $6 scraper things in a stocking a few years ago and use them all the time.

Not care exactly, but these mini skillets are great as spoon rests or to make tiny adorable desserts in.

Finally, we also have these cast-iron trivets (my family really likes to give cast-iron accessories, apparently) and they are nice/multipurpose (we sometimes put them over the burner to cook tortillas).
posted by ethorson at 11:33 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

I gave my SIL one of those tiny Lodge skillets as a "tie-on" to a gift. I actually got fancy and turned into a gift tag of sorts by cutting out a circle of pretty paper and sticking it on the pan and adding some stickers.
posted by radioamy at 12:46 PM on November 30, 2015

Yes, the chain mail scrubber is amazing.
posted by getawaysticks at 1:20 PM on November 30, 2015

I have my eye on this round bacon/steak press. Actually they have lots of cast iron things and cast iron related things at Webstaurant.
posted by mon-ma-tron at 8:55 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]