Welcome - The Ultimate Hub for Cast Iron Enthusiasts 🍳
Hey there, fellow cast iron lovers!
I’m beyond excited to introduce my new website—a space dedicated to celebrating the magic of cooking with one of the most timeless and versatile kitchen tools: the cast iron skillet. Of course, cast iron comes in all forms of cookware, and this community embraces them all. The name? Well, let’s just say it was the product of a backyard BBQ brainstorming session, and "castironskilletguy.com" had the perfect ring to it. And here we are—ready to dive into sizzling recipes, expert tips, and everything you need to master the art of cooking with cast iron.
The Backstory: A Childhood Skillet Memory Sparks a Passion After 40 Years
My earliest memory of a cast iron skillet takes me back to my grade school years in the small but charming city of Saratoga Springs, NY. I can still picture my dad standing at the stove in our home, cooking up perfectly sliced fried potatoes—sautéed in butter-lots of it, generously seasoned with salt and pepper, and crisped to golden perfection in that well-worn pan.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that this was no ordinary skillet. It was a century-old ERIE 8, crafted between the 1880s and 1907, passed down through generations in my family. As far as my dad recalls, he inherited it from his father, who had received it from his mother—my great-grandmother. Our family’s roots in Saratoga run deep, and this beloved pan hadn’t traveled far in over a hundred years.
The second memory I have with this same skillet takes place in a very different setting—the infamous deer hunting camp in the Adirondack Mountains. My dad has spent nearly 70 years at this same camp site and still makes the annual trip each fall. What stands out in my mind more than the hunting itself was the tent—an aged, tattered canvas structure with a layout as quirky as it was functional. Two double-layered cots lined the sides, a large table for cooking gear sat up front, and a propane heater kept the back warm (properly vented, of course). The real charm of that tent? If you slept on the bottom cot, you’d freeze. If you slept on the top, you’d roast. There was no middle ground.
But back to the skillet—it was as much a part of the camp as the tent itself. Dad used it to fry those same perfect potatoes, alongside steaks, pork chops, eggs, and whatever else made the trip. A quick wash with snow or river water and a paper towel, and it was ready for the next meal, carrying on a legacy of practical, simple cooking that would one day spark my own deep appreciation for cast iron.
Current Times: castironskilletguy.com is born
Over the years, I reconnected with cast iron after purchasing a set in Costco, discovering that it’s more than just cookware—it’s a tradition, a science, and a creative outlet rolled into one. Every meal prepared, every recipe perfected, and every lesson learned only deepened my appreciation for these incredible tools. Yet, something was missing—a single, reliable place where cast iron enthusiasts like me could access the knowledge, resources, and inspiration needed to fully embrace the craft.
That’s why I created castironskilletguy.com—a carefully curated collection of expert tips, mouthwatering recipes, and practical insights from across the web, all designed to help you make the most of your cast iron journey. Whether you’re just beginning to explore the timeless charm of cast iron or pushing your culinary boundaries, this site is here to inspire, guide, and celebrate the art of cast iron cooking.
At castironskilletguy.com, you'll find a wide range of content—from comprehensive directories of cast iron makers and community forums to expert tips, guides, and mouthwatering recipes. Essentially, it's all the inspiration you need, in one central location, to save you time and make the most of your trusty skillet. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, castironskilletguy.com is here to serve and sizzle as your go-to resource for mastering the art of cooking with cast iron.
Thanks for stopping by, and please do visit often. I have lots of ideas and content updates still sizzling in the skillet. And, I’d love to hear from you so feel free to leave a comment with any feedback or ideas on what could make this site more valuable for our beloved cast iron community.
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Regards,
Mike Conley
Creator ~ Curator ~ Cast Iron Lover