TLDR: Cast iron pans are not allowed in carryon baggage while flying. Either check it or leave it at home.
Sharing my screw up here in case it could potentially save anyone else some trouble this holiday season. I was gifted a lovely cast iron bread oven while visiting my family last week. On the return flight I packed it in my carryon suitcase not thinking anything of it. My bag was pulled going through TSA screening and a very nice officer informed me that cast iron pans are a prohibited item in carryon baggage as they are heavy enough to be considered a weapon.
Thankfully I had enough time to leave security, check my bag, and come back through. However, I was not thrilled about making that $50 mistake. Hopefully the bread is worth it lol
by em2star17
12 Comments
I suggest you ditch the Dutch and use a poultry roaster.
https://preview.redd.it/l2rdfpt0q19g1.jpeg?width=3264&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57c72f599a4fbcbdb022c2538acc634498c1ec4d
YSK
Your sourdough starter is considered to be a spreadable. It can be confiscated even if it is under 3 ounces.
While travelling to share my starter with a friend, I used a small glass jar that originally contained 12 oz of diced tomatoes. …I measured it empty and added 3 oz of starter and sealed it.
TSA agent could not understand that it was only 3 oz. He kept telling me that the label said 12 oz….i pointed out that it also said that it contained tomatoes….SMH
My experience has been different. I have carried on cast iron cookware while flying out of EWR with TSA pre-check.
So YMMV.
That agent must play PUBG
Wow this just saved me 😅 thank you for your sacrifice
That’s interesting to know cause a few years ago I won a cast iron Dutch oven from a Vegas casino. I packed that sucker along with a couple pounds of parm, a couple frozen ribeyes, and some salami in my carry-on for the flight back to Florida. Vegas TSA even opened the bag after X-ray and joked about it.
If you want a cheaper version, grab a steel pan throw a loaf in that and cover it up with a metal bowl.
https://preview.redd.it/mdvdim1e829g1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a27c59a5c2160271efaae223c5de7b206485ce7b
I can do 3 at a time this way.
That’s how I got my Staub! State auction of TSA confiscated cast iron pans!
It’s beautiful.
Years ago, my bro has a 12 inch skillet from his mom in his carrion and they told him it was a weapon and couldn’t be in carrying luggage. He is 6 feet tall. He asked how he is supposed to use it as a weapon when he would t be able to swing it on board due to ceiling height, but still we checked it.
OP, if for whatever reason you go to Mexico, know the same applies to tortilla presses and comals.
Yet they always let me through with a heavy bag full of rocks.
I didn’t know you weren’t allowed to take cast iron pots in carry on these days. I remember (probably before the ban/TSA) hauling a Le Creuset Dutch oven from Amsterdam to the USA in my carry on luggage, because they were so much cheaper in Amsterdam. That sucker was heavy!