Cast Iron Clam Chowder

Name: Cast Iron Clam Chowder
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon bacon grease; 2 potatoes, chopped; 3 carrots, chopped, or more to taste; 0.5 cup chopped onion; 3 cloves garlic, minced, or more to taste; 0.25 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.5 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring; 0.5 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 (6.5 ounce) can clams, liquid drained and reserved and clams chopped; 2 tablespoons butter; 0.25 cup cornstarch; 1 cup milk; 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream; 0.5 cup corn