Share your Cast Iron origin story!

[Alan]

I'm curious about how members of this forum became avid Cast Iron (CI) users or dedicated collectors. I thought it would be interesting to map out our collective journeys!

I've put together a short questionnaire below to spark your memory and guide your reply.

Thread Rules: Please Read!
To keep this thread focused, searchable, and clean, please adhere to these two strict rules:
Text-Only Replies: Please share your story using words only, absolutely no photos or images, even in links, are permitted in this thread.
Confine Replies to the Q&A: Your post should only contain answers to the questionnaire in the original post.

1. What was the very first piece of cast iron cookware you ever owned, and how did you get it?
2. What was the "spark" that turned you into an avid CI enthusiast (collector, user, or restorer)?
3. Do you primarily identify as a CI collector, a regular user/cook, or an equal combination of both?
4. What was the specific piece of CI you acquired with a deliberate, "collector's eye," marking the true start of your collecting journey?
5. If you were forced to keep only one piece from your entire collection, which one would it be and why?
6. Please name the most truly "collectible" (rare, vintage, high-value) piece you have managed to acquire so far.

Jump in and tell us your story!

 

[BubblyCat]

My first piece of cast iron cookware was a Lodge 10-inch skillet. My grandmother gave me this pan as a gift when I moved into my first house. She told me that this pan will outlast every other pan I own. Turns out, she was absolutely right.