Bitter Southerner:
Among the most prized objects owned by Southern families are the cast-iron skillets passed down from generation to generation. The ones in your kitchen probably came from Lodge Manufacturing Co., in the tiny Tennessee town of South Pittsburg. Most of us know well the memories contained in those old skillets, but we know very little about the integrity of the people who make them. A visit to the Lodge foundry certainly has lessons to teach us about the South and its culture. But more importantly, Lodge also exemplifies something remarkably rare in today’s business world: a family-run company that has built a booming, global business without selling out its hometown.
I used to live in the general area and I wish I had know about Lodge Manufacturing back then. It sounds like a fascinating place and company. I now own a couple of their cast iron skillets and love using them.
I own several and I’m from the north. Best cooking implants I have ever used.
Some were handed down. Others were picked up cheaply at flea markets and rummage sales.]
I have owned a number of Lodge pans & cookware for decades with the ribbed grill pan being my favourite of the pan types. Also have a long flat grill for doing bacon, eggs, pancakes etc… as well as a slow cook stewing pot for chilli, stews, baked beans & more.
Lodge is top quality. They also make enamelled cookware such as dutch ovens & casseroles that are fantastic which nothing sticks to & is easy to clean. It rivals the best cookware that the French company Le Creuset manufactures which I also own a couple of.
I know this is an over used cliche but, I can’t recommend their products highly enough!
What the hell has is drivel doing on a tech site. If I want to know about cast iron cooking utensils I will visit Le Crueset @ http://www.lecreuset not some dodgy US knockoffs.
There’s a cool short video here about Lodge and how their stuff is made: http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/lodge-nonstick-skillet-0158140.html
Me, I have some old Wagner cast iron from my grandmother.
What the hell is your stupid rant doing on this tech site?
In case you hadn’t noticed, many posts on this site by Jim and the boys have nothing to do with tech.
I come here for interesting content.
I’m just glad that a company like this can survive and thrive in today’s world—not just for its products, but for the extended family it continues to support in South Pittsburg, TN.
This seems to be a good example of the kind of “home town”-type of economy which built this country (and Canada).
There have to be countless other examples, too, which we don’t hear about.
Good video. Thanks for the link.
You’re misinformed
To be fair, these kinds of “mom and pop” type business are also very common throughout Europe. And I’m sure elsewhere, too.