Cast Iron Cookware: Worth The Hype?

Cast iron pots and pans are a popular choice for home cooks. They are affordable, durable, versatile, and virtually indestructible. They are great for searing steaks, baking cornbread, and even making pizza. Cast iron is a poor conductor of heat, so it takes longer to heat up and cool down, but once it's hot, it stays hot. This makes cast iron ideal for cooking foods that require high and consistent heat, like meat. Cast iron is also naturally non-stick when properly seasoned, eliminating the need for oil or butter and making foods lower in fat. However, cast iron is heavy, and the handles can get very hot, making them awkward to manoeuvre. They are also not the best choice for cooking eggs, as the surface is never going to be more non-stick than Teflon.

Cast iron is versatile and can be used for searing, sautéing, braising, baking, frying, stir-frying, and roasting

Cast iron is a highly versatile material, making it a great choice for cooking. It can be used for a wide range of cooking methods, including searing, sautéing, braising, baking, frying, stir-frying, and roasting.

Searing is a popular choice for cast iron pans, as they can heat up very hot and retain that heat, making them perfect for getting a good sear on steaks and other meats. The high heat also makes cast iron ideal for frying foods like potatoes and eggs. Cast iron's heat retention means it's also great for baking, whether that's cornbread, garlic knots, pizza, or cakes. You can even use cast iron for braising, roasting, and stir-frying.

Cast iron is also great for keeping food warm, as it holds heat for a long time. This makes it perfect for serving dishes like fajitas or keeping steaks and bread warm throughout a meal.

They are durable, virtually indestructible, and long-lasting

Cast iron pans are renowned for their durability and longevity. In fact, they are often described as "virtually indestructible". With proper care, they can last for generations, becoming cherished hand-me-downs passed down through families. Cast iron is a tough material that is challenging to ruin completely. Even antique cast iron pans can be found at yard sales, still in usable condition.

The durability of cast iron pans stems from their ability to withstand high temperatures and resist warping or damage. Once heated, cast iron retains heat exceptionally well, making it ideal for searing meat and creating a crispy, brown crust on foods. This heat retention is due to cast iron's high volumetric heat capacity and emissivity, which ensures that the pan stays hot and distributes heat effectively. As a result, cast iron pans are perfect for high-heat cooking techniques such as stir-frying and searing.

Cast iron pans are also prized for their ability to develop a natural non-stick coating through a process called seasoning. Seasoning involves building up layers of polymerized oil, creating a protective barrier that prevents food from sticking. A well-seasoned cast iron pan can even be used for cooking eggs, a task typically reserved for non-stick pans. Proper seasoning also helps to protect the pan from rust and corrosion, further contributing to its longevity.

In summary, cast iron pans earn their reputation for durability and longevity through their tough construction, exceptional heat retention, and ability to develop a natural non-stick coating through seasoning. With proper care and maintenance, these pans can last a lifetime, becoming trusted companions in the kitchen.

Cast iron is affordable and a fraction of the cost of other cookware

Cast iron cookware is a great investment for any kitchen. It is affordable, versatile, and virtually indestructible. Cast iron is typically a fraction of the cost of other cookware of similar material and quality. You can easily find a high-quality cast iron saucepan or skillet for a very reasonable price, often for less than thirty dollars. This makes cast iron a great option for those looking for solid cookware without breaking the bank.

Cast iron cookware is also very economical and long-lasting. With proper care, cast iron pots and pans can last for generations. They are tough and difficult to ruin completely. Cast iron is known for its durability and ability to withstand heavy use. This makes it a popular choice for both professional chefs and home cooks.

In addition to its affordability and durability, cast iron also has excellent heat retention properties. Once heated, cast iron stays hot, making it ideal for searing meat and creating a nice golden brown sear on your food. It offers an even heating area, ensuring consistent temperature even when adding colder items to the pan. This is in contrast to other materials like aluminum, which experience a significant temperature drop when you add food.

Cast iron cookware is also versatile and can be used for a variety of cooking techniques, including searing, sautéing, braising, and baking. You can use cast iron to make a wide range of dishes, from pancakes and eggs to charred vegetables and pizza. It is safe to use on both the stovetop and in the oven, making it a versatile tool for any cook.

In summary, cast iron cookware is a great choice for anyone looking for affordable, durable, and versatile pots and pans. With its excellent heat retention properties and versatility in the kitchen, cast iron is a worthwhile investment that will last for years to come.

It is a good conductor of heat and retains heat well

Cast iron is a great material for pots and pans. It is affordable, durable, versatile, and virtually indestructible. It is also a good conductor of heat and retains heat well.

Cast iron is an alloy of iron and carbon, with a higher carbon content than steel. This higher carbon content makes cast iron more brittle, which is why cast iron cookware needs to be heavy and thick—if it were thinner, it would break. Cast iron's thermal conductivity—the measure of a material's ability to transfer heat from one part to another—is around a third to a quarter that of a material like aluminum. This means that when you place a cast iron skillet on a burner, you will form very clear hot spots directly over the flames, while the rest of the pan remains relatively cool.

However, cast iron has a very high volumetric heat capacity, which means that once it's hot, it stays hot. This makes cast iron ideal for searing meat. Its high emissivity—its tendency to expel a lot of heat energy from its surface in the form of radiation—is another reason why cast iron is great for cooking meat. Stainless steel, for example, has an emissivity of around 0.07, which means that even when it's extremely hot, you won't feel much heat coming off it. Cast iron, on the other hand, has an emissivity of 0.64, which means that when you're cooking, you're not just cooking the surface in contact with the metal, but you're also cooking a good deal of food above it. This makes cast iron ideal for making hash or pan-roasting chicken and vegetables.

To ensure even heating, it's best to use a stovetop burner that's similar in size to your pan. Give the pan enough time to heat up properly—at least 10 minutes—and rotate it occasionally. Alternatively, you can heat the pan in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes.

Cast iron skillets and dutch ovens display your food beautifully, especially when used for bread or pies

Cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens are not only practical but also aesthetically pleasing. They can beautifully display your food, especially when used for bread or pies. The dark colour of cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens provides a stunning contrast to the golden crusts of baked goods.

Cast iron is a versatile material that can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, on the grill, or even over a campfire. It is known for its durability, heat retention, and ability to sear foods perfectly. This makes it ideal for baking bread, as the intense heat helps create a crispy, golden crust. The even browning that cast iron provides is especially desirable when making pies, as it ensures a consistent colour and texture.

In addition to their visual appeal, cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens offer several benefits for bread and pie baking. Their heat retention ensures that your dough cooks evenly, resulting in a consistent texture throughout your baked goods. Cast iron's ability to maintain heat also means that your bread or pie will stay warm for a considerable length of time after being removed from the oven. This is perfect for when you want to serve your creation straight from the oven to your guests.

Another advantage of using cast iron for bread and pie baking is the development of a non-stick surface over time. With proper seasoning and care, your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven will become increasingly non-stick, making it easier to remove your baked goods without them sticking to the pan. This not only ensures that your bread or pie looks beautiful but also makes clean-up a breeze.

So, if you're looking to elevate the presentation of your bread or pies, consider investing in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Not only will your baked goods look stunning, but you'll also benefit from cast iron's durability, heat retention, and non-stick properties.

Frequently asked questions