Jam kettle / preserving pan / Dutch oven question?

[12mp82]

the best way to tell if its cast is weight cast iron is really heavy also its a dark colour often black . take a look here http://www.dutchovens.co.uk/

How about cast aluminium though Tigs

[tigs]

the best way to tell if its cast is weight cast iron is really heavy also its a dark colour often black . take a look here http://www.dutchovens.co.uk/

How about cast aluminium though Tigs

cast aluminum is a lot, lot lighter than cast iron , but would also be heavier than pressed aluminum and thicker , cast aluminum cant be cast too thin or it becomes too brittle

[Brambles]

Yep, that's pressed and I'd be wary of suspending it over an open fire. Aluminium Dutch ovens are cast. Have a look at this and you will see the difference.

http://www.malikstores.co.uk/product_de ... SiMPmeg7IU

[mushroom]

Ah... big difference to the cast aluminium ones!! Never mind - still be good for it's primary use! Thanks for the help all.

[ForgeCorvus]

Good shot there.

Its a large pressed jam pan with a rolled edge with steel bail and a (useful) pouring handle (that seems to be a plastic material?), made I'd guess in the 70's... Not a bad buy as one not even half as good would set you back over £20

The real prize though is the Paella, I'd say its Cast and then Spun (to true it up, clean the finish and work-harden the surface) probably in Ali (I have a frying pan made the same way). Its serious domestic/ professional grade stuff and would of been expensive when new

The 'lid' I think is just a serving platter of the right size to act as a lid.... Still nice to have

Try to only heat the big pot from the bottom and don't let it get dry(jam pan on the stove or stew pot hung over a small fire) and you should be fine

Either pot would of been a great deal at that price

[12mp82]

and a (useful) pouring handle (that seems to be a plastic material?)

If it is it is likely to be bakelite, or it might just be enameled steel.

Might be worth keeping an eye out in TKMaxx for dutch oven type castironware, have seen it in there in the past and at a reasonable cost.

Has anyone a system of seasoning the cast iron pans?

[tigs]

treat it like a wock , heat it up with salt in , the salt draws out any oil or dirt in there by the time it turns brown

[12mp82]

Just searched over on Bushcraft UK site and they have a few things on seasoning cast iron.

This one is particularly good.

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showth ... +cast+iron