I wandered into my favorite thrift store earlier in the week and in the 3+ years that I’ve been going there, I’ve never seen cast iron there.
The store is located in a pretty hip part of town and I don’t think I’m the only one hip to the thrifting game.
I surmise as fast as old cast iron comes in, it flies off the messy shelves.
Except this week because I found two pieces.
I think I can make eggs muffins or who knows what in this piece.
Whatever it’s intended use, I could stop a burglar with it. Theft protection for $10 bucks.
Updated to add: This is an ebelskiver pan for making puffy little filled pancakes. I remember when there was a craze a few years back on blogs about making ebelskivers but I tuned it out because I didn’t have a pan. Well, now I do and can play around.
This piece is small but must literally weigh about 8 to 10 pounds.
Who needs dumbbells? Just get your three sets in with the muffin pan.
And vintage Le Creueset for $6
Or maybe not vintage, just well-used.
I’m fairly certain what I picked up at the thrift store is this 9-inch iron handle skillet, which retails for $110
The pricing structure at thrift stores and antique stores is always amusing. Sometimes true junk is truly expensive.
And sometimes true gems are dirt cheap.
Maybe because this gem is as dirty as dirt is the reason it was $6 bucks.
I found a short and sweet helpful article on how to clean and refurbish cast iron.
A quick google search turns up tens of thousands of hits.
But I really didn’t purchase the cast iron to cook with, but instead to use as photography props. If I can actually cook something in either of them, bonus.
Collecting dishes and filling up my new cabinet is my favorite pastime.
Favorite pastime other than eating Baked Cinnamon Bun Donuts with Vanilla Cream Cheese Glaze, which I intend to make Saturday morning.
I wonder if I could make donuts-muffins in the cast iron? Doubtful. I think I’d end up with the worst stuck-on mess ever. Donuts and muffins aren’t supposed to sear.
Do you have any cast iron? Tips on taking care of it or cleaning it?
Are you a thrift store person? Do you like antiques or collectibles?
The last thrift store round for me was 8 pieces of vintage silverware for $2 bucks and a vintage sifter
I found these thrifty dishes
These dishes and old Corningware
I used to live literally just a few blocks from it and walked in at least once a week. For five bucks, you can really feel like a kid like a queen in a candy store.
I could troll around all day on Ebay, Etsy, and Pinterest looking at vintage dishes, old wood boards, old kitchen utensils and bakeware. Something about it all really speaks to me and I wish I knew the stories behind the pieces.
My parents collect antiques of all kinds and as a child, I used to think my mom with her canning and sewing, my dad with his gardening, their antique collecting, and all their hobbies were boring and used to wonder why on earth anyone could think going into a dirty antique shop was fun.
But I have officially turned into my parents when I get excited about dirty cast iron.
And this store is the creme de la creme for antique furniture shopping that I’ve come across in San Diego, or anywhere. I got my 150 year old+ photography table there (item #5) and could spend days (years) wandering the aisles.
The winner of the Cascadian Farms Cereal coupons is Paula
Thanks for the Zoku Single Quick Pop Maker and Chocolate Station Giveaway entries
Have a great weekend!
Scott, Skylar, and I are going to the Pride Block Party and the Pride Parade. We’re going to have the best time people-watching and soaking it all in.
If you’re ever in NYC, you HAVE to go to the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market… I think you would die and go to heaven!
Just the name – I really have to go…just googled it. WOW
I’ve been looking forever for cast iron that doesn’t cost a small fortune. Someone else told me to try out thrift stores too. Looks like I need to make a trip! 6 bucks is like the ultimate deal!
Well after 3+ years of weekly trips, one of these weeks/years, my persistence was going to pay off. It probably would have been far more productive to just pay the hundred+ bucks for one a few years ago but then I wouldn’t have that “omg i found this!!!” feeling :)
Got mine at the christmas tree shop for $12! good quality one too.
I don’t have any cast iron but always eye it. And not the new stuff, but the vintage. Just thinking about who’s used it, how many meals it’s been used for…kind of cool. Check pinterest, I’m sure you can find some tips on cleaning it!
I kind of don’t even want to clean it and just want to keep it grungy and vintage and use it for photos – lol
The first pan is not for poaching eggs. It’s an ebleskiver pan- used to make delicious danish filled pancakes.
someone else just told me that! and a few years ago I remember when ebelskivers were a bit of a cult-ish favorite on blogs but I tuned them out b/c didn’t have a pan…well, looks like I do now!
We use our cast iron at least once a day! And if it’s seasoned properly it’s naturally nonstick!
And if you have any amazing cleaning, seasoning, or cooking tips, I’m all ears. What do you typically tend to cook in it?
Here is a video on how to use the ebelskiver pan. I’ve been debating getting one because those things look so yummy. https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/07/05/recipe-filled-pancakes-a-k-a-whole-wheat-ebelskivers/
thanks for the info!
such a fun, creative post! Happy Friday!
What a great find! I got a rolling pin for 5 bucks this week in an antique store in WVa. The stores out in the country have the best prices I’ve found too. Sometimes the trendy antique shops jack up the prices because of heavy traffic. So glad you grabbed these before someone else snagged them. :-)
yes on the jacked up prices! trust me, there are even “thrift” stores around here that are charging an arm and a leg for things because they know it’s trendy and they know they can get it!
Oh I KNEW you would find a cast iron pan at your thrift store… I remember us having this conversation ages ago. WOOT! The first one I think is for poaching an egg… that’s a bonus!
a few people have now told me it’s an ebelskiver pan (filled pancakes) and I remember when that craze was going around on blogs a few years ago – I’m all set now!
Well, it`s a good thing you didn’t try to poach an egg on it!!!
that first one looks like an egg poacher my grandma had when I was little. good find!
a few people have now told me it’s an ebelskiver pan (filled pancakes) and I remember when that craze was going around on blogs a few years ago – I’m all set now for it!
I get a little high off finding a good thrift shop deal, one of my favorite past times easily. I have a cast iron that I use multiple times every. single. day. And I never clean it and my mom thinks thats gross, but I’m fine! hah.
What are the most common things you cook in it? Would love to know how you use yours. And your never cleaning it…honestly I read about this and don’t “get” how it really works in practice but they say that basically you just sort of wipe it, not really clean it. I’m a newbie :)
I always use it stir fry veggies, and cook eggs in it, and meat. Sometimes I’ll throw it into the oven too if I want to bake a sweet potato or salmon. Couldn’t live without it.
Awesome info and sounds like once it gets there, it’s the one-stop-shopping pan. And it does become nonstick and can be used with pretty much anything.
Wonderful finds! The specialty pan is an ebleskiver pan, for making a round Scandinavian pancake with a filling. I’ve never made them, but they’re good.
Lots of people have told me this and I remember when that craze was going around on blogs a few years ago – I’m all set now to try my hand!
I love thrift stores, I just got home from a holiday in the country town my dad lives in where everyday we went to another town and another set of great little shops. The best thing about small towns is that the prices tend to be even cheaper. My 5 year old son actually got out of the car at one of our stops and pointed to the thrift store saying “please can we go in there” !
cutest story ever :)
What excellent finds! I’m so rubbish at thrifting that I never seem to come across anything other than junk but you always manage to find the best things!
persistence & checking back is KEY!
Shopping thrift stores, and when I have time, Craigslist, is one of my favorite pastimes. Over the years, I’ve found some great bargains and great brands. I just helped stock my daughter’s new apartment with Corningware and Calphalon via Craigslist.
Congratulations on the finds!!
good job, Mom :)
WOW what a great find! I love love love Le Creueset…but only have a couple pieces since they are so expensive. I guess I will have to visit thrift stores more often and maybe I’ll get lucky too :)
I know, I was in shock when I saw it and snagged it immediately!