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Cast and forged iron are really the most wonderful items to
collect and use. Here are some photos and information on
my collection and how I enjoy them.
I hope you too will collect iron if you do not already.
I have both old a new iron and enjoy both cast and
forged pieces. You can check out my links to look for sources
of new and old pieces. I have found some fine antiques on
eBay but the prices can be high there. However,
If you are careful deals are still to be had if you look hard.
I'm on a budget and can't pay big prices either.
I like the early iron styles but Grizwold,
Wagner and other fine makers of latter iron are also great
to collect and use! Lodge still makes a fine product too.
(See the link below.)
 
Cookin on the farm.
 
Beth and her kingdom of iron Six gallon bulge pot
Below are three bulge pots or gypsy kettles,
the two larger ones are antiques.
This style evolved from the bell metal kettles of the 17th Century
and remained a standard item in many farm kitchens
and homes as late as the 20s.
The South is where allot of these fine iron kettles were
in use the longest. In the UK they were very common in the highlands
up until the 30s The little handles on the sides that are cast in place
are known as ears. It is through these that the lifting handle or
bale hooks on.The large kettle here has an unusual
chain lifting handle.To the right is the more common style
used on 18th and early 19th Century kettles.
Many fine examples of bulge pots have been found in
New England as well.
 
Hanging on a cross piece are two
small bulge pots, while a six gallon one
hangs from a forged tripod.
These are sometimes called gypsy kettles.
This style kettle was cast in local foundries all
over the US but is a style that came over
from England.
Close-up of 18th Century Pot hanger or Handle
Early pots 17th and 18th Century seldom had a attached handle.
They had a bale that was a removable handle as seen in the photo above.
There were some other types of hook on handles not shown here.
By the mid 19th Century pots had a wire bale,
a handle like the one pictured, or a forged handle that was not detachable
These are hard to come by now but a blacksmith can forge one without a problem.
Cooking Over the Opened Fire
I hand turn these chickens on the spit which takes
constant watching but I parboil the birds in a bulge pot
first so they are cooked to the bone and also take
a shorter time to cook. It removes some extra fat too.
The spit cooking turns the bird a lovely crisp, golden brown.
I often cook corn on the cob in the big kettle. It is a
bear to clean after a stew but I love my big pot
the best of all!
It weighs about 70 lb. when full of water.
Here is a wonderful hanging skillet used over the
opened fire out doors or in a fireplace.
This example is early 19th Century.
These were also used for simple baking.
This one has a hook, many have rings that turn.
This came from right here in Chautuaqua County, NY
It is early to mid 19th Century.
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