If you're in the Montreal area and interested in a plant swap click and post here. If we have enough locals interested it's a good way to get rid of some of your extras or divisions to good homes and get something else in return. If you're interested, speak up and we'll start trying to find a time and place that makes most people happy. BP

Bumped into this thread. I have used a lot of cast iron; stole most of it from the old home so some pieces are more than 50yrs old and still kicking. Best method for cleaning old skillets seems to be filling with cold water and bringing to a boil on the stove. Watch out that you do not cook off all of the water and overheat. Scrape off anything stuck with a metal spatula or scraper. I was always told to avoid steel wool as the particles could clog the pores in the iron. A 3M scrub pad works pretty good. I clean my skillets and dutch ovens occasionally if I have been sloppy; reseasoning with Crisco works; so does bacon grease (and it tastes better!) Some good ideas above on rust removal; I will give it a try on a skillet and muffin pan. One of the health lists advised cooking with cast iron was better for women because it can add iron to their diets which may be lacking. Best bet for old cast iron is yard sales, estate sales etc. EBAY/On-Line tends to overprice and the shipping costs may negate any savings. Be careful and look for cracks/flaws. Just because it does not say Griswold or Wagner doesn't mean that the piece is without value. Keep you eyes out for cast and/or glass lids; they can turn your find into a multipurpose fryer or steamer.

I think the idea of a SE MA swap is great, too and I appreciate how far our SE friends have been traveling. I hope, however, that we continue to have two swaps- Sp and F- and that one will be "up here" around Boston, AND that our Cape area friends will come this way, despite the drive! Can you see I'm feeling a bit anxious about the group (as fluid as it is) hanging in together? Rationally, my anxiety makes little sense because the reason people come or don't are so varied but even so, sometimes thinking about change is difficult. But I'll be there, no matter what, if I can get there!

Her name is Lana (Davis?)and she was encouraged to come by a friend, who I think may be on here. We used to work together and I have a question for her. She now works at an engineering firm in Clear Lake. If you know her, please drop me an email.