Axford Cast Iron. It never ceases to amaze me. Stumbling into a piece of cast iron at a garage sale or flea market. Something that looks so commonplace you think it has no value. We often see worthless knock-offs that are mass produced.
AXFORD Broiler skillet (Pat 1931 on the top of the Handle)
Then unfortunately passing the piece due to lack of knowledge. Leaving the few dollar item lay.
Later becoming curious when you get home and start sifting through obscure information on the internet.
So is the case, with a recent cast iron broiler skillet. AXFORD was on the bottom. Not being particularly fond of the raised rib skillets (broiler) for use in actual cooking, this became a “pass” situation. For me the “broilers” are not often given a second look. Though I collect, I like to also use my finds for cooking from time to time. Even well seasoned, the raised ribs of a broiler skillet make them hard to clean.
In hindsight, I found some interesting reading and photos of an existing Axford Mansion in San Francisco. A registered Landmark #133. Built in 1877.
Some vague information connected to William Axford and two metalworks companies from the 1800’s. Is this information and person connected to the Axford Cast Iron Cookware? The skillet bears a raised Pat 1931 on the handle.
We would like Axford photos and copies of any documents readers are willing to share on our site. Most of what we attempt to track down leads us to sites you have to have a paid membership. Or to sources like eBay or Worthpoint that often do not provide any accurate historic information.
At lease some of these open sources have provided some photos of pieces that exist out there. So if you have your own information or images that are not copyright, please use our CONTACT US information. Please help us provide more historical background and images.
The story does have somewhat of a happy ending. My wife went back and the skillet was still there. I guess we aren’t the only ignorant collectors. For $4 it followed us home.
While I enjoy Dutch Oven cooking/baking often. I don’t shy away from other forms of cast iron. Even while camping.
While on a recent “car camping” outing I put to use a modern piece of Cast Iron. A modern Lodge 6 muffin cast iron pan. It fits perfectly in a fold up Coleman Oven. I use the oven on my camp stove. Both the Oven and Pan pack in a small space and permanently ride in my “camp box”.
Shown above serving hot corn bread muffins with a bowl of chili. Which incidentally, the chili was done in a Dutch Oven.
Also shown is a 4 burner LP Partner Stove.
If you think this combo doesn’t make warm muffins for a side with coffee…..on a brisk fall morning. You better reconsider!
The BLACKLOCK skillet is a keeper! You certainly want to read through this review for all the details. We will also provide the link to the info on the LODGE website.
https://youtu.be/SHKreTCavr4?t=1
The Dutch Oven Cook is happy to present our personal evaluation of the new cookware line from LODGE.
The BLACKLOCK line of cookware is redesigned, lighter weight, smoother surface, and comes factory triple seasoned.
Image Courtesy of LODGE
When UPS delivered our skillet, we were attending an event in the Redwoods of Northern California. We were camping, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors. We could hardly wait to return and put the skillet through some cooking tests. In hindsight, we wished the skillet had arrived before we left. We could have put it to use the 10 days we were camping and cooking.
Back home to the real world again we found the skillet, double boxed, delivered by UPS. The packaging was excellent. Someone would really have to mess up in the delivery system to have it arrive damaged.
Our test piece is a 10.25 inch skillet. We used the skillet straight out of the box, after giving it a wash in hot soapy water. We applied no additional seasoning. It comes tripled seasoned.
You will appreciate the thinner, and lighter, design. We love the handle style. It stays cooler longer when cooking. You will also like the smoother finish. More smooth than their traditional modern cookware. Though not machined to a glass like finish, they have found the perfect balance to achieve great seasoning properties. Seasoning that even right out of the box is virtually a non-stick cooking surface.
EDITORS NOTE: For those new to cooking with Cast Iron, or having trouble with food sticking when cooking with Cast Iron, please take note. Cast Iron Cookware, regardless of the finish or seasoning, is not for someone in a big hurry that may be used to cooking with Teflon or other manufactured non-stick materials, at medium high or high. For the most part, slow things down and you will be amazed. Though there are times you may have to sear meat at higher temperatures.
During our testing we apply a light coat of spray canola oil and cook on medium low. We use the same technique when using other Cast Iron cookware for comparison.
We cooked 3 items in the skillet that might normally give even the average experienced Cast Iron cook problems with sticking. We did Sausage Links, Fried Eggs, and Scrambled Eggs.
Again we sprayed a thin coat of canola oil on the interior cooking surface of the skillet. We then cooked the 3 items on Medium Low.
The sausage did not stick and browned nicely.
The over easy eggs did not stick. In fact they easily slid around. We were even able to accomplish a chef flip without the use of a spatula.
Scrambled eggs are always a tough food to avoid sticking when cooking in cast iron. No problem in the BLACKLOCK. As shown in the video nothing is adhering.
Cleanup was simple with hot water.
In the opinion of The Dutch Oven Cook: If you are an occasional Cast Iron Cook, or the more experienced daily user. Have had trouble in the past with sticking and have given up on cast iron. We can only say you will want one or more of the BLACKLOCK line of cookware from LODGE. They cook great right out of the box!
We hope to come back to this review from time to time with additional information of foods we cook.
For more information on the BLACKLOCK line of cast iron cookware, LODGE, LODGE Products, and some of the fascinating history they provide.
Disclaimer: LODGE provided us this 10.25 inch skillet for testing since we were unable to find them locally yet. In no way is our review a paid testimonial, solicited advertisement, or were we at any time even asked to provide anything other than an honest review.
We are excited to announce our Blacklock skillet arrived. A new product line from Lodge. We have yet to find this line in any local sporting goods stores or places we normally find Lodge products.
Be watching for our product review/evaluation coming soon. We are already liking the look of the factory triple seasoning! Definitely lighter weight! For sure, though not machined, a more smoother surface.
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We would appreciate readers input and requests for what you might like to see us provide during our product review of this new Blacklock skillet. Please Email us.
Introducing the Blacklock line from Lodge. As a cast iron lover, user, and collector, new products always interest us. We like a wide variety.
We recently stumbled into the Blacklock line. As we spoke of it to others in our circle of Dutch Oven Cooking friends. We quickly realized many are as uninformed as we were.
Numerous collector and daily use cookware pieces we have are Lodge. Vintage as well as more modern. Old school plus pre-seasoned.
To our knowledge the new Lodge line of Blacklock is a premium more lightweight piece of cookware. Best of all it comes triple seasoned!
History wise, Lodge was the first to introduce factory seasoned cookware. Starting that back in 2002. Now they are offering a triple seasoned product.
We hope that somewhere down the road, we have the opportunity to test out a some of the Blacklock line. Then provide you with a candid and honest TheDutchOvenCook review.
Needing info and help from the readers out there. This is a new name in cast iron for us. Preliminary internet searches aren’t digging up too much usable information.
This is a no yeast, quick and easy recipe for bagels. We often do these in a Dutch Oven while camping. I can't take credit for the recipe since a friend [Kathleen LeBlanc] shared it, and the technique, with me while camping. She did not know where it originated either.
1 CupSelf Rising Flour Or 1 C regular flour + 2 tsp Baking Powder
1CupNon Fat Greek YogurtNot Regular Yogurt
1/2tspSalt (Regular Table)or 3/4 tsp kosher salt
1 LargeEgg White
Instructions
Preheat Oven to 375°F - Or Charcoal for 375°
Spray oil a cookie sheet or Dutch Oven bottom. Parchment paper could be used too, but spray oil the paper too.
In bowl combing the self rising flour and salt. Whisk together
With a fork, spatula or hands, mix in the yogurt until combined and looks like crumbles.
On a floured board knead the dough a few times. Dough should be tacky, not sticky. (15 to 20) turns.
Divide into 4 equal balls. Roll each ball into 3/4-inch thick ropes and join the ends to form your bagel. Or make a ball and poke a hole with your finger then stretch/form your bagel
Top with egg white wash and sprinkle with the seasoning you prefer.
Bake on the top rack of your oven. Or in a Dutch Oven with top heat for 375°F based on you Dutch Oven size.
Notes
The "Apple Pie Bagel". Canned Apple Pie Filling - Cinnamon - Salt - Butter
A wind screen or windshield is often necessary to properly cook in the outdoors. Especially if you are cooking on some type of raised platform. A platform such as a cook table, or a camp stove placed on a picnic table.
While both cook tables and camp stoves may come with their own shield, they are often too low, and inadequate.
I have seen numerous types of DIY wind screens, out of many materials.
THE THOUGHT
This DIY project was thought out to use readily available materials. With the idea in mind during fabrication, to use the simplest of tools found in nearly any household. Best of all, workable by nearly anyone with minimal tool handling skills.
I also wanted this to break down and sort flat as possible during transport or storage.
The final “must have” was that this screen needed no tools, to set up/erect for cooking, or to break down for storage.
This DIY project shows the basics of building a Windshield for your Camp Stove or Dutch Oven. Numerous modifications could be made to suit your personal needs.
I prefer the higher shield as shown. Both for use, and for ease of construction.
The long sides of mine are made from a 18X25 inch cookie sheet. The smaller ends are 13X18’s cookie sheets. These sizes will avoid the need to make any cuts concerning the cookie sheets. These cookie sheets are clamped together with easy to fabricate aluminum angle clamps.
The clamps are snugged up using Thumb Bolts and Wing Nuts. No tools are required during set up.
While an electric hacksaw, drill press, and drill press vise, makes for an easy job of it. A simple hacksaw and hand drill will do just fine. Since the DIY clamps are soft aluminum, any required drilling is fairly easy. Do practice tool safety to protect body parts during fabrication. Eye protection is mandatory.
My initial build was a Windscreen for my Partner 4 burner stove. Made with three 18X25 cookie sheets. I later bought the 13X18’s for use when Dutch Oven cooking on a metal Dutch Oven Cooking Table.
For the Dutch Oven Cook Tables that are wide and rather narrow front to back. Two sets of an “L” Shape configuration can be arranged to adapt to most Dutch Oven Cook Tables. They can slide to adjust for whatever width table you may have. The two longer rear cookie sheets can be clamped together with a C-Clamp or Spring clamp.
In a good wind you might have to use small bungee cords to hold the shield down to the table. (Bungee attached at points away from high heat of course)
OBJECTIVES
*Something simple with minimum amount of complex fabrication.
*Free standing without the use of supports.
*Large enough to surround on 3 sides.
*Minimal cost.
*When not in use, something that stores flat for storage and transport.
*Multi-purpose.
*Easy to setup without the use of any tools.
All objectives were met. I am sure a good scrounger or person that has usable used material can beat what they cost me. For this article, all parts were purchased new, at full retail prices.
Additional benefits are this Windscreen is also easy to clean, and if not being used as a shield, the trays can be used for other purposes such as food prep, as serving trays, or perhaps other functions I am not even thinking of.
MATERIAL (3) 18X25 Cookie Sheets ($6.75 each) (For a 25X25X25 setup)
or (1) 18X25 Cookie Sheet ($6.75) + (2) 13X25 Cookie Sheets (2 Pack $10.25) (For 13X25X13 Setup)
(2) Aluminum Angle 1/16 inch 1×36
Both cut in half to make (4) 18 long pieces of angle ($5.37 each)
(4) Thumb Bolts 1/4inch, 20 thread, 1 ½ inches long ($1.18 each)
(4) Wing Nuts ¼ inch, 20 thread ($0.55 each)
These are local all new material prices. Cookie Sheets from Costco or Sams Club. Or a local restaurant supply retailer. Hardware was obtained from Home Depot. A good scrounger might be able to find this material at a thrift store or garage sale for much less.
FABRICATION (Read through this before starting)
Cut the two 36 inch Aluminum angles both in half to create (4) 18 inch angles. Make sure all pieces are of equal length. Trim if necessary.
Mark the 18 inch angle aluminum at 2 inches in from both ends. Keep these pretty exact so pieces will be interchangeable with each other during set-up. Meaning the holes will line up with one another. Its critical, that the distance measurement between the drilled holes on one piece of aluminum angle, is that same measurement on all pieces of aluminum angle.
If you decide to make additional wind screen parts in the future be sure to use one of your existing parts as a pattern. That way they will be interchangeable.
Stack 4 of your 18 inch aluminum angles together. Clamp in a vise if available to avoid having the stack twirling around and hitting you during drilling. If no vice is available use another method and proceed with caution. Drill a hole at your 2 inch marks, and drill down through all 4 angles stacked together. You start the hole on the inside of the V of the the angle. Use a 5/16 inch diameter drill bit.
Make sure the drilled holes on the first end of the stack do not become misaligned. Then Drill the other end at your mark using the same method.
The idea is to create 4 identical parts that can be interchanged even if flipped around or used with any other piece. Identical meaning the measurement distance between the drill holes are equal on all angle parts you fabricate.
Clean up any drill burrs and sharp edges with a wire bush, wire wheel, file, sandpaper, etc.
SET-UP
Insert your Thumb Bolt through a stack of two angles. The Flattened Thumb end of the bolt should be on the inside of the V of the angle aluminum. When held in place with a finger the angle aluminum prevents the bolts flattened thumb head from spinning. (No wrench required)
Loosely thread the wing nut on the threaded end of the bolt.
Repeat the bolt insertion and wing nut on the other end of the two aluminum angles.
Hold 2 of the cookie sheets up in a vertical position, with the top cooking surface side facing each other in an “L” shape.
Slip the clamp over the joint of the cookie sheets. One angle of the clamp with be on the inside of the cookie sheet joint. The other angle of the clamp will be on the outside of the cookie sheet joint.
Tighten the clamps wing nuts when correctly positioned. Repeat for the other corner to create a three side wind screen. (No tools required)
The whole set-up pretty much stores flat when not in use.
front to back. Two sets of an “L” Shape configuration can be arranged to adapt to most Dutch Oven Cook Tables. They can slide to adjust for whatever width table you may have. The two longer rear cookie sheets can be clamped together with a C-Clamp or Spring clamp.
