My Coworker Gave Me a Cast Iron Pan and Changed My Life

In this deeply personal video, I share my journey with you. From feeling lost and hitting rock bottom, to moving to East Texas and facing intense family challenges, my life was changed by a rusty cast iron pan my coworker gave me. This pan became a powerful metaphor for my own restoration. Discover how this single restoration video put the East Texas Duct Tape channel on the map, helping me realize what truly connects us all. It is more than just cast iron restoration and cooking; it is about purpose and finding new life. Thank you for being a part of my story.

(Correction to video. My friend Kevin Froehlich actually died Thursday evening, March 20 not the 25th)

If you’re into:
Bringing rusty skillets and Dutch ovens back to life
Keeping your cast iron nonstick for the long haul
Cooking simple, one-pan meals without a sink full of dishes
And laughing a little along the way

…then you’re in the right place. Hit subscribe and stick around for more cast iron tips, tricks, and experiments.

🕑 On this channel you’ll see:
Cast iron cleaning & rust removal
Reseasoning and long-term maintenance
Easy weeknight skillet meals and casseroles

🛠️ Gear & Goodies I Use As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — every click helps support the skillet-slingin’, duct-tape-wieldin’ madness here at EastTexasDuctTape!

🔥 Starter 10.5” Cast Iron Pan — Great if you haven’t scored one at a garage sale yet. https://amzn.to/3WdoU1N
🍲 Big Ol’ Casserole Pan — Perfect for feeding the whole crew. https://amzn.to/3KYyenS
🧂 Kosher Salt for Cleaning — My go-to for scrubbing without scratching. https://amzn.to/43mchVY
🧼 Steel Wool (Restoration Only!) — Use this only if your pan’s in rough shape. https://amzn.to/3WhBlK2
🛠️ Pan & Grill Scraper Set (2-pack) — These things are amazing. https://amzn.to/3WjOJgD
🛢️ Good Value Basic Seasoning Oil — Keeps that skillet slick and happy. https://amzn.to/3KZmDVw
🧤 Pan Holders to Protect Your Hands! — No more burnt fingers when the skillet gets rowdy. https://amzn.to/3Whhoms
🧽 Cast Iron Scrubber — Tough on grime, gentle on your seasoning. I got the red one and it works great! https://amzn.to/3LmOIpN
🥄 Kitchen Tools with Character
🪄 Harry Potter Wooden Spoon Set — Stir up some magic in the kitchen. https://amzn.to/49kJZyO
🌳 9-Piece Teak Utensil Set — Natural, durable, and East Texas-approved. https://amzn.to/3L3KJhO

Got a cast iron question, disaster story, or video idea? Drop it in the comments – it might end up in a future video.

Thanks for watching! If this helped, please:
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#CastIronRestoration #CastIronCooking #EastTexasDuctTape #CastIron #SeasoningCastIron