One man's trash is another's treasure?

[jeromedawg]

So my mom just texted all her children and told us she scored on finding a 7-8" cast iron skillet on the street that one of the neighbors was throwing out. Great idea right? Except, because I'm into fishing, among other things I know that some people melt lead in cast iron pans... I'm *sure* that's not the case here, but you know what they say about "assuming"

Anyway, would any of you use someone else's *used* cookware who you don't know or have ever made contact with (e.g. would you pull cookware out of the garbage or even out of a 'giveaway' pile that your neighbor 'graciously' left out for anyone to take?)? Seems a bit sketchy to me. If my friend or family member was giving away cookware, reassuring me that the only thing they've used it for was to cook food and assuming it wasn't all scratched up and dented, I'd have no problem taking it. But me passing by an old used cast iron pan on the street and taking it home? That would be pretty easy for me to pass on LOL.
Going back to the whole lead thing, you can conceivably melt lead off at 621.5F but it just seems like a lot of effort in attempts to sanitize something that you could just buy new for $10. I explained all this to my mom, and she complained that she didn't want to spend money (yes, she's extremely frugal but takes it to the extreme) and started asking if any of us have cast iron frying pans we're giving away or if we know someone... She then went on to lament that she already has 6 cast iron frying pans. So then I told her to get rid of one or more, to which she responded that each one has a different purpose and that she "needs" a 7 or 8" pan.

*sigh*

I'm thinking some of this behavior is fallout from my dad's ongoing battle with depression and anxiety (for the past year). She may just trying to find things to keep herself occupied and sane (even when it is insane to the rest of us). So in that sense, it's kind of sad.

BTW: does anyone here have a 7-8" cast iron pan they no longer use? Please PM me.... JK jk

[jeromedawg]

My brother just responded saying he has 6" and 7.5" pans that he doesn't use that my dad bought them from Harbor Freight. My mom asked for both, even though she already has a 6" and was complaining about how many cast iron pans she has... *facepalm*

When I offered to buy the $10 one prior, she said "I don't need it" - so I guess if money is involved she doesn't "need" it but if it's free then she definitely "needs" it lol

[MilesTeg]

If it has any potential to be a vector for disease, infestation, poisoning or anything similar it's just not worth it unless you're really hard up. There's often a good reason people throw away perfectly good looking things that may not be apparent.

Someone might be throwing away, for example, a knife or bone saw or other similar tool used on prion infected animals which means that blade can be bleached, heated and treated in many ways that most think will sterilize it but those prions will still be contaminating that blade.

[draco44]

I'm not sure what it's like in your mom's area, but could she simply go ring the neighbor's door/call them/leave a note and respectfully ASK about the history of the pan?

I love buying/finding used stuff. In one of my previous apartments, the prior tenant was doing a fast move for a new position and left behind all of their kitchen stuff, mostly dishes and glasses and silverware. Worked out great for me, though I did already own my own skillet and pot so I didn't need theirs.

Re. cast iron specifically, depending on the manufacturer there can be a strong resell market, especially for vintage pieces. Griswold pans in particular can go for like $100. At a minimum I suggest your mother check the resale value of her freebie pan before getting rid of it, if she decides to do so in the end.

[jeromedawg]

I'm not sure what it's like in your mom's area, but could she simply go ring the neighbor's door/call them/leave a note and respectfully ASK about the history of the pan?

I love buying/finding used stuff. In one of my previous apartments, the prior tenant was doing a fast move for a new position and left behind all of their kitchen stuff, mostly dishes and glasses and silverware. Worked out great for me, though I did already own my own skillet and pot so I didn't need theirs.

Re. cast iron specifically, depending on the manufacturer there can be a strong resell market, especially for vintage pieces. Griswold pans in particular can go for like $100. At a minimum I suggest your mother check the resale value of her freebie pan before getting rid of it, if she decides to do so in the end.

LOL I guess I need to put my reading skills in check. She was just talking about how because her neighbors apparently have been throwing stuff out, now she has her eyes on a used cast iron pan. But going back to the same point, I'm not sure why she would want used (or why a majority of people would be getting rid of one either... this seems like a pretty staple item to have in the kitchen) for something that costs only $10. In any case, it sounds like she'll be set now with the Harbor Freight set that my dad ironically bought for my brother years ago (that was never used).

[draco44]

That's great that someone in your family already has what your mom was looking for. Sounds like a win! Glad to hear it all worked out.

Re. cast iron, I know of many people who can't stand cast iron because they don't want to bother keeping the pan seasoned and would prefer something they can pop in the dishwasher. I also had one older relative get rid of cast iron because it was too heavy for them to lift and handle easily in their old age. There's also been times when friends just got rid of basically everything, regardless of their belongings' quality, because they were making a long distance or international move. Or got rid of a bunch of stuff, kitchenware included, when they combined households with a significant other/spouse. Or inherited some cast iron and donated it because they don't need it or have room for it.

In short, there can be many reasons people get rid of stuff that is perfectly safe and has a lot of life left in it. And some people (like me!) like to make a point of trying to buy used things even if it doesn't save them money (though it typically does) for environmental reasons. I strongly disagree with the notion (not that you are pushing this, but just for instance) that a used item is automatically worse than a new one. Obviously you need to be mindful of things like bedbugs, but for many items buying or being gifted used items can be a win for both your wallet and the planet. There's an old Frugalwoods post about this that I enjoyed: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/09/02/the-myth-of-the-gross-used-things/. And you don't even have to be a hardcore dumpster-diver or thrift store person. Personally, I love to get my professional clothes on Ebay. I can find replacements/new colors of things I already own and know I like for huge discounts, and don't even have to leave my house to do it.

Anyway, I went off on a bit of a tangent, but I hope someday you and/or your mom has fun in the future dipping your toes into the world of acquiring things secondhand. Cheers!

[jeromedawg]

That's great that someone in your family already has what your mom was looking for. Sounds like a win! Glad to hear it all worked out.

Re. cast iron, I know of many people who can't stand cast iron because they don't want to bother keeping the pan seasoned and would prefer something they can pop in the dishwasher. I also had one older relative get rid of cast iron because it was too heavy for them to lift and handle easily in their old age. There's also been times when friends just got rid of basically everything, regardless of their belongings' quality, because they were making a long distance or international move. Or got rid of a bunch of stuff, kitchenware included, when they combined households with a significant other/spouse. Or inherited some cast iron and donated it because they don't need it or have room for it.

In short, there can be many reasons people get rid of stuff that is perfectly safe and has a lot of life left in it. And some people (like me!) like to make a point of trying to buy used things even if it doesn't save them money (though it typically does) for environmental reasons. I strongly disagree with the notion (not that you are pushing this, but just for instance) that a used item is automatically worse than a new one. Obviously you need to be mindful of things like bedbugs, but for many items buying or being gifted used items can be a win for both your wallet and the planet. There's an old Frugalwoods post about this that I enjoyed: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/09/02/the-myth-of-the-gross-used-things/. And you don't even have to be a hardcore dumpster-diver or thrift store person. Personally, I love to get my professional clothes on Ebay. I can find replacements/new colors of things I already own and know I like for huge discounts, and don't even have to leave my house to do it.

Anyway, I went off on a bit of a tangent, but I hope someday you and/or your mom has fun in the future dipping your toes into the world of acquiring things secondhand. Cheers!

Yeah, she likes taking old used things to bring back to their house (especially items she finds at the schools she would help/sub at pre-COVID - she's a retired teacher and administrator so she works to keep herself busy and occupied)... so much so that it's borderline hoarding. She'll take old desks, chairs, bikes, and nearly anything she can get her hands on for free or cheap to bring back. Then will try to give it away (most of the time nobody wants it). She'll justify bringing back random items because A) she claims she uses it... even though she likely doesn't and it's cluttering up their place and or B) she was able to give it away to someone else (rarity, since most people won't want the stuff she gets).


I agree with you on the cast iron though...especially the bigger models. They get super heavy to deal with whether for cooking or cleaning haha.

As far as my parents - I'm afraid we'll have to deal with all the junk my mom and dad have hoarded over the years (once they pass on) despite repeated attempts to get them to clear things out for the sake of themselves and for us. Our former closets in their house are full of all their stuff (mostly items my mom buys from the 99 cent store, CVS, Old Navy, etc at bargain prices because nobody else wanted them). I agree with you though that new items are always superior than used items - there are many practical cases where this is just true (ask me about fishing gear LOL). But for some things the point of diminishing returns comes so early that it's not worth hassling. One discrete example of this is my mom buying tons of items from CVS or Old Navy just because they were "cheap" and she got them for 90%+ off. Most of these items are given away and the person that they are "gifted" to can't not accept the "gift" and feels obliged to take it. But I bet 9/10 times the item just gets passed on or donated. She does this with us and the grandkids too - we've donated A LOT of things haha. The point is that just because she got it for a good price doesn't mean it was a good deal or even a bargain - obviously she got suckered into buying something that isn't valued by anyone else besides her. If I had to guess she has probably spent hundreds if not thousands on what she considers to be "good deals" - instead, for the stuff she gave to us, I'd rather her have just given us a $10 bill and called it a day. It's not far from spending a penny on stuff that nobody would even take for free LOL. What's even more puzzling is that we'll suggest that she just donate these items herself to charity, homeless shelters, etc and she refuses to do that. So there's something about the thrill of the chase that drives her.

[Cassie]

I would definitely not take a pan I found on the street. Sorry that both your parents are hoarding. It a strange illness. My ex was starting to hoard the last 5 years we were married. He always kept things but he was escalating. His mom was one and it embarrassing him when he was younger.

[partgypsy]

I would from a friend or neighbor, but not the street, might have been used to cook drugs or something. My brother loves to bring home stuff he finds that is free, and my sister lives shopping and "deals". Anyways a few years ago my sister and then my mom moved in with my brother, and my mother downsized from a house. Also my father died and so my brother was in charge of emptying out his apartment. Anyways the garage and spare bedroom is jam packed with stuff.  eta I have a cast iron pan that was a hand me down (grandparent) and it gets near daily use. New pans don't have that same smoothness and seasoning old pans seem to have.

[jeromedawg]

I would definitely not take a pan I found on the street. Sorry that both your parents are hoarding. It a strange illness. My ex was starting to hoard the last 5 years we were married. He always kept things but he was escalating. His mom was one and it embarrassing him when he was younger.

I think since my dad was hit with major depression/anxiety last year, my mom realized that it's not good the amount of crap they have. I believe this is also what partially may have contributed to my dad's depression and anxiety... he would buy so many "toys" like Apple products, laptops, electronics, etc etc etc and would just throw them in his room after using them lightly. Both are retired and my mom is frugal but bargain binge shops. He would buy the expensive stuff though. Now he doesn't do any of that... in fact, due to his depression and anxiety now he worries that he doesn't have any money (even though both he and my mom have pensions and are quite wealthy as far as assets) so he will avoid buying anything and everything.

[iris lily]

We furnished our house for 2 decades with furniture I brought in from the alley. We had dogs who pee’d on sofa cushions, tore them up, etc. and so there was no point in buying new furniture. This was be long before the days that bedbugs infested all of America.

I live in an urban core and dumpster diving has been a pasttime of ours for decades as well. Now that I’m old and downsizing, I have to resist the urge to bring things in from the alley and that is hard.

However I do have a personal goal: once a year I want to donate at least one alley find to our park Conservancy sale. This year it was a cute little bar cart that mimics a 1950s bar cart. I re-stained it and put a coat of polyurethane on it and I’ll ask $15 for it and somebody will buy it because these things are popular right now.

As far as cast-iron pans, anything you buy at Harbor freight won’t touch the quality of a Griswold pan.

[Saffron]

I have a small collection of houseplants that have abandoned to the garbage. A bit of pruning and some water and then they're often happy plants again. 

When I bring one home I joke with my boyfriend that I found a new friend and his name is "Gary". I have three of these plants now.

[AMandM]

I buy cookware from the thrift store all the time. I don't see how this is different.

[elaine amj]

I never knew using used cookware a "hazard"? Super thankful my mother has a great eye for good cookware at the thrift store/yard sales because that's where most of my good stuff is from.

I buy everything I can used and only buy something new if I need matching or if it is hard to find or I need it quickly.

Horror of horrors, I even buy swimwear and shoes used!

Plus it's kinda fun to be known as the person who will take free stuff. We've gotten lots of useful items for free that way :)

That said, it does sound like your mother has a bit of a bargain hunting problem. It's not such a great deal when u buy stuff u don't need. And that is certainly unmustachian.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

[SotI]

I don't mind off the curb or op shop cooking gear, except electrical gear (microwave, ricecooker). Those I would only get used from family and friends who I know to look after things well.

We even got a great set of 12 old French army butter knives for a couple of bucks at a flea-market once. Great metal work and can be sharpened to razorblade level. My primary kitchen knives for almost everything that doesn't need a pointy tip.

Having said that, I don't like cast-iron stuff, too heavy and scary for me, so cannot comment on that specific item. 

[dcheesi]

I never knew using used cookware a "hazard"? Super thankful my mother has a great eye for good cookware at the thrift store/yard sales because that's where most of my good stuff is from.

I buy everything I can used and only buy something new if I need matching or if it is hard to find or I need it quickly.

Horror of horrors, I even buy swimwear and shoes used!

Plus it's kinda fun to be known as the person who will take free stuff. We've gotten lots of useful items for free that way :)

That said, it does sound like your mother has a bit of a bargain hunting problem. It's not such a great deal when u buy stuff u don't need. And that is certainly unmustachian.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

While thrifting, I once found a pair of (obviously used) earplugs in the pocket of a swimsuit ...ew.

[Cassie]

I take used things from friends and buy some things at thrift stores. I always buy new shoes as you need quality and shoes not to mold to someone else’s feet. You have to walk on them your entire life.

[Tass]

Maybe you can point your mom to a Buy Nothing facebook group or something similar - it is a great way to get free stuff from neighbors with at least the accountability that comes from exchanging pleasantries first. I've gotten loads of free furniture and cookware from my group.

I've also grabbed a few things from the trash before - end tables, vacuum cleaner, really cool art. I draw the line at furniture that might harbor bedbugs.

[sparkytheop]

You can test cast iron for lead! (I passed up a nice ebelskiver skillet because it had some stuff on it that looked like lead-- that greyish-white coating lead gets.  Most things aren't obvious though, so doing a lead test is always good on "mystery history".)

I have many old CI skillets, since they don't make the old ones anymore, and several are lighter weight than newer skillets. 

However, I also have a mother who manages to "collect" things because they were free/found/super cheap.  Sometimes I just take something to make cleaning things out later less of a burden.  I've also told my siblings "if mom offers you a box of your old stuff, take it" because I don't want to be the one to have to shuffle it around again, ever.

[elaine amj]

While thrifting, I once found a pair of (obviously used) earplugs in the pocket of a swimsuit ...ew.

Actually I don't find used earplugs gross. It would be like finding a hair elastic in the swimsuit's pocket (also a swimsuit with a pocket in a thrift store would be like gold to me!). I'd just toss it, wash the swimsuit and wear it. Unless it's those cool rubber ones that can be easily sanitized. And then yay, free earplugs.

I do draw the line at used underwear though. Although it really, really sucks to buy expensive underwear, wear it once, discover they are horribly uncomfortable, and know they are now good for nothing but the trashcan. Such a horrible waste.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

[dcheesi]

While thrifting, I once found a pair of (obviously used) earplugs in the pocket of a swimsuit ...ew.

Actually I don't find used earplugs gross. It would be like finding a hair elastic in the swimsuit's pocket (also a swimsuit with a pocket in a thrift store would be like gold to me!). I'd just toss it, wash the swimsuit and wear it. Unless it's those cool rubber ones that can be easily sanitized. And then yay, free earplugs.

I do draw the line at used underwear though. Although it really, really sucks to buy expensive underwear, wear it once, discover they are horribly uncomfortable, and know they are now good for nothing but the trashcan. Such a horrible waste.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

To me, it was more about the poor job of cleaning up/out the clothes more than the specific item.

And technically, since most people don't wear underwear under their swimsuits, that makes the swimsuits themselves effectively underwear...

[abbeydabbey]

I would probably pull a cast iron out of the trash can, yes.

A new $10 Harbor Freight or Lodge cast iron is a lot different in quality than an old Wagner or Griswald or even old Lodge cast iron. The new ones aren't very good quality and can crack far easier than old ones. Plus, old cast irons sell for quite a bit of money. I have some cast irons that were hand me downs from my mom and that I have found at flea markets. They can be worth quite a bit of money.

Plus, people get in situations where they have to get rid of a lot at once, and they end up throwing perfectly good things away rather than getting rid of them responsibly. Setting something on the side of the road is far less wasteful than putting it in the trash can.

Actually lots of things in my home were found on the side of the road. I joke that if I need or want something, I can usually manifest it on the side of the road! And I have a well furnished home. I found perfectly good outdoor furniture that just needed some new seats woven, a wicker couch that just needed some pillows sewn, a sewing machine that just needed to be hit with a screwdriver to work again, a tattered but useful-for-recycling wicker hamper, a couple of shelves, a small ladder, milk crates for various storage needs...

My parents would often pick things up off the side of the road. My dad will stop in any traffic if he sees a tool that fell off a truck.

[yachi]

I have old cast iron that is machined/polished inside and it's excellent.  New $10 cast iron is no comparison.  It has the same surface pitting from the sand/mold inside the pan that it has on the outside.

[alienbogey]

Finex cast iron is modern, $pendy, and worth it (to me), but not very mustachian.  Check it out if you're a fan of CI and haven't heard of it before.

[Metalcat]

Finex cast iron is modern, $pendy, and worth it (to me), but not very mustachian.  Check it out if you're a fan of CI and haven't heard of it before.

Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it isn't "mustachian". 

[alienbogey]

Finex cast iron is modern, $pendy, and worth it (to me), but not very mustachian.  Check it out if you're a fan of CI and haven't heard of it before.

Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it isn't "mustachian".

Yup

[zolotiyeruki]

I have old cast iron that is machined/polished inside and it's excellent.  New $10 cast iron is no comparison.  It has the same surface pitting from the sand/mold inside the pan that it has on the outside.

That's why I've hit some of our (modern) cast iron pans with the sander--to get that nice smooth surface that works so much better.

[Dicey]

You can test cast iron for lead! (I passed up a nice ebelskiver skillet because it had some stuff on it that looked like lead-- that greyish-white coating lead gets.  Most things aren't obvious though, so doing a lead test is always good on "mystery history".)

I have many old CI skillets, since they don't make the old ones anymore, and several are lighter weight than newer skillets. 

However, I also have a mother who manages to "collect" things because they were free/found/super cheap.  Sometimes I just take something to make cleaning things out later less of a burden.  I've also told my siblings "if mom offers you a box of your old stuff, take it" because I don't want to be the one to have to shuffle it around again, ever.

Brilliant!

[Sanitary Stache]

We have a collection of beautiful used cookware.  Mostly in the Le Cruset style of enameled cast iron (frying pans are enameled on the outside only).

I hadn't considered the lead concern on cast iron before, but most non stick coatings are toxic (relatively) and should not be purchased new, let alone reused.

I look for the day PFAS coatings are outlawed.

[BDWW]

I have "shop" cookware I use for dyes(wood and fabric), chemical etching and patinas (copper sulphate,etc), some of it is really nasty stuff. Granted, I wouldn't use cast iron for any of it but yeah, the idea of used cookware where you don't know the providence of it is sketchy.

[windytrail]

We have a collection of beautiful used cookware.  Mostly in the Le Cruset style of enameled cast iron (frying pans are enameled on the outside only).

I hadn't considered the lead concern on cast iron before, but most non stick coatings are toxic (relatively) and should not be purchased new, let alone reused.

I look for the day PFAS coatings are outlawed.

True. We have a Martha Stewart-brand dutch oven that was found next to the sidewalk and use it all the time. Rare find. Great for baking sourdough bread and stovetop cooking. I've even used it several times to make kimchi.

In my relatively-dense neighborhood, you can gauge the value of things by how often you see them appearing in the "free item" boxes in front of people's houses, or at the thrift store. For example, nonstick pans are always appearing in those boxes and the thrift stores seem to have hundreds of them in stock. This shows that they are worthless. I would never buy a nonstick pan when people can't even give them away.

On the other hand, used cast iron pans are quite rare, the latest of which I saw priced at $30 from the thrift store. The inflated costs at thrift stores around here is a different story altogether...

[RetiredAt63]

I have "shop" cookware I use for dyes(wood and fabric), chemical etching and patinas (copper sulphate,etc), some of it is really nasty stuff. Granted, I wouldn't use cast iron for any of it but yeah, the idea of used cookware where you don't know the providence of it is sketchy.

Anyone want a pot that raw fleece was washed in?  or the one that had alum and pennies in it?  They are nice steel pots.  ;-)

My craft pots will go to guild members or the garbage.

[Just Joe]

Drill a hole in it any kitchen ware used with chemicals and discard.

[RetiredAt63]

Drill a hole in it any kitchen ware used with chemicals and discarded.

Nice pots are appreciated by crafters.   We just want to be sure they don't get misused.  We keep our craft pots and utensils separate from kitchen pots, and would not put a pot out on the side of the road or donate to a thrift store because we do keep them separate.

I've seen the same thing in labs.  As long as things are well labeled it isn't an issue.

[meghan88]

Found an interesting resource regarding cast iron collectibles:  http://www.castironcollector.com/noncollectible.php

I looked up my old Wagner Ware 10 1/2" skillet, as it's over 40 years old.  Alas, it's not collectible but is still a joy to use.  Nice and smooth on the inside.

[TRD]

My brother just responded saying he has 6" and 7.5" pans that he doesn't use that my dad bought them from Harbor Freight. My mom asked for both, even though she already has a 6" and was complaining about how many cast iron pans she has... *facepalm*

When I offered to buy the $10 one prior, she said "I don't need it" - so I guess if money is involved she doesn't "need" it but if it's free then she definitely "needs" it lol

This is my mother.

I was listening to Marie Kondo's audio book while throwing stuff into Goodwill bags this weekend and had an "huh" moment when she said the more storage you have the more you hoard. I have a lot of storage and hadn't thought about that until she said it because it doesn't look messy and it's all stuff I can use. I purged a lot more stuff after hearing that.

[Metalcat]

My brother just responded saying he has 6" and 7.5" pans that he doesn't use that my dad bought them from Harbor Freight. My mom asked for both, even though she already has a 6" and was complaining about how many cast iron pans she has... *facepalm*

When I offered to buy the $10 one prior, she said "I don't need it" - so I guess if money is involved she doesn't "need" it but if it's free then she definitely "needs" it lol

This is my mother.

I was listening to Marie Kondo's audio book while throwing stuff into Goodwill bags this weekend and had an "huh" moment when she said the more storage you have the more you hoard. I have a lot of storage and hadn't thought about that until she said it because it doesn't look messy and it's all stuff I can use. I purged a lot more stuff after hearing that.

This is a big part of why DH and I bought a one bedroom apartment.

We're pretty committed minimalists and having nowhere to put anything except essentials really prevents us from buying or accepting anything we don't need. It also means I know where every single item in my home is at all times, which is great. I hate having to search for things.

[partgypsy]

I buy cookware from the thrift store all the time. I don't see how this is different.

I have purchased dishware, cookware silverware at a particular thrift store, but I know the owner and what she does is go to estate sales where an old person dies and she buys the household items. I think there is much less risk of buying potentially containimated cookware in that situation, than something found on the street.

[jeromedawg]

I recall the time when I was living at another apartment complex years ago and saw a Tivo DVR box (I think it was Tivo... if not it was some other paid-subscription DVR box) sitting on top of the piled up trash in the dumpster while taking the garbage out. It even had the remote. I grabbed it and brought it in to see what was up. Seemed like it wasn't starting up properly - I did a hard/factory reset and everything seemed to be fine after doing that. I sold it on Ebay for $100 after that hahaha

[Sugaree]

I'm southern, so we're more or less issued a cast iron pan at birth.  That being said, there is a huge difference between new cast iron and the older stuff (hence the reason I went to some questionable lengths to lay claim on my grandmother's).  So, I would absolutely consider taking a used skillet off of someone's hands.  I would scrub, sandblast, and reseason it.  But I'd definitely use it. 

[Just Joe]

There is a YT channel called "Its a Southern Thing" and they did a CSI type comedy episode about someone washing a cast iron skillet.

DW and I really like lifetime objects. Buy it once, take care of it, etc...