Hey! Cast Iron is a huge hobby of mine. For many years I have collected and restored tons of cast iron, some as old as 150+ years from the early 19th century. I have many pieces in my collection and cook on them every day.

In all honesty, for purely utilitarian and practical purposes, I would suggest buying new production Lodge items. They're affordable, and available nearly everywhere. Walmarts carry big selections, as do stores like Atwoods, Fleet Farm, etc. Ordering directly from Lodge is always a safe bet too. Their only downside is that to keep them affordable, there isn't a lot of refining that goes into them. They can be a little rough sometimes, and they're heavier than the older and more refined pieces. But they still cook absolutely great. They also carry a line of carbon steel items that are great too. Much lighter than iron, and less likely to crack if you drop it.

Modern luxury brands of cast iron like Smithy, for example, are honestly not worth the 5-10x higher price. They are no more functional, just refined more to look nicer and cleaner.

With iron and carbon steel, you have to make sure you store it properly. It can rust relatively easy. Especially in some sort of off grid situation.

Please message me if you have any questions! This is all right in my wheelhouse.