Cast Iron Cooking: Preventing Gold Sticking

Cast iron pans are great for cooking, but they can be a pain to maintain. Food sticking to the pan is a common issue, but there are ways to prevent it. The most important factors are heat and oil. Cast iron retains heat better than other cookware, so you don't need to use a high heat setting. Using enough oil is also crucial, as it prevents food from sticking and adds a layer of seasoning. You should preheat your skillet for 4-5 minutes and ensure your oil is hot before adding food. When the oil starts to shimmer, it's ready. You'll want to use enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan, and a little more for foods that are prone to sticking, like eggs.

Preheat your cast iron pan for 4-5 minutes

Preheating your cast iron pan is an essential step in ensuring your food doesn't stick to the pan. It is recommended that you preheat your cast iron pan for 4-5 minutes to establish an even heat before adding your food. Cast iron skillets don't heat as evenly as non-stick or stainless steel pans, but they retain heat very well. Therefore, preheating your cast iron pan on low to medium heat for 4-5 minutes will ensure it is evenly heated before you add your food.

It is important to note that you should preheat your cast iron pan without oil. Heat alone will not smooth out the microscopic irregularities on the metal surface. It is the combination of a preheated skillet and oil that will quickly begin to cook the food so it does not stick to the pan. The heated pan and the oil work in tandem. Over time, you can smooth out the surface by creating layers of polymerized oil, which form a plastic-like coating. However, proper preheating is about timing to ensure that the oil can quickly and evenly transfer heat from the pan to the food, so it immediately browns and crisps rather than sticking to the pan.

When preheating your cast iron pan, be careful not to overheat it. Cast iron is particularly effective at retaining heat once it has come up to temperature. You may shock the metal if you place a skillet over too high heat. Burning the fat or food is also a risk, especially with cast iron. It is recommended that you preheat your cast iron pan on low to medium heat to avoid these issues.

You can gauge the heat of the skillet by holding your hand above the surface or looking for the oil to shimmer when added to the skillet. You can also do the drop of water test: if the water crackles a little bit before evaporating, the pan is ready.

Use enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan

Using enough oil to coat the bottom of your cast-iron pan is crucial to prevent food from sticking. Before adding your food, ensure that your oil is hot—when it starts to shimmer, that's a good indication. If you add your food when the oil is too cold, it will soak it up, leading to sticking. On the other hand, if the oil begins to smoke, it's too hot, so remove it from the heat for a minute or two to cool it down.

The amount of oil you'll need depends on the type of food you're cooking. Foods prone to sticking, like eggs, may require a bit more oil. Fatty foods, like chicken thighs, won't need as much. If you're using butter, it's still a good idea to start with a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking and burning.

When cooking at high temperatures, opt for a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or grapeseed oil. These oils have little to no flavour, making them ideal for stir-fries and frying. For low-temperature cooking, olive oil is a great choice.

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point

When cooking with cast iron, it's important to use enough oil to prevent food from sticking. Using a neutral oil with a high smoke point is ideal for cast iron cookware, as it can withstand high temperatures without smoking or burning. Here are some reasons why you should use a neutral oil with a high smoke point when cooking with cast iron:

Prevent Sticking

Neutral oils are flavourless and odourless, allowing the natural taste of your ingredients to shine through without being overpowered. When cooking with cast iron, using a neutral oil helps to create a non-stick surface, ensuring your food releases naturally from the pan. This is especially important for foods prone to sticking, like eggs or burgers.

High Smoke Point

Neutral oils with high smoke points can withstand high temperatures without smoking or burning. This makes them ideal for stir-fries, frying, and other high-heat cooking methods. Examples of neutral oils with high smoke points include canola oil, grapeseed oil, and vegetable oil. These oils have smoke points above 400°F, making them suitable for most cooking applications.

Health Benefits

Some neutral oils, like avocado oil, are high in monounsaturated fats, often referred to as "healthy fats." Avocado oil also has a high smoke point of 500°F, making it a healthy and versatile option for cooking. It's important to note that avocado oil is more expensive than other neutral oils, so it may not be the best option for recipes that require a large amount of oil.

Light Texture and Viscosity

Neutral oils have a light texture and viscosity, which helps distribute heat evenly during the cooking process. This ensures that your food cooks evenly and prevents hot spots that can cause sticking.

Versatility

Neutral oils are versatile and can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including stir-frying, roasting, baking, and deep-frying. They are suitable for a wide range of cuisines, including Asian cooking, where they are commonly used for stir-fries and high-heat applications.

In summary, using a neutral oil with a high smoke point when cooking with cast iron can help prevent sticking, ensure even cooking, and provide health benefits. It's important to use enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan and to preheat the pan before adding your food. With the right techniques and the right oil, you can make the most of your cast iron cookware and create delicious, evenly cooked meals.

Don't let the oil smoke

When cooking with cast iron, it's important to remember that cast iron retains heat much better than other types of cookware. Therefore, you generally don't need to use as high a heat setting as you normally would with stainless steel or aluminium cookware. If your oil begins to smoke, it's too hot. Simply remove it from the burner for a minute or two to cool it down.

To prevent your oil from smoking, you can try the following:

• Preheat your skillet for 4 to 5 minutes to establish an even heat before adding your food.
• Ensure your oil is hot before adding your food. When your oil starts to shimmer, it's a good indication that it's hot enough.
• If your oil is smoking, it's too hot. Remove it from the heat and let it cool down for a minute or two.
• After preheating your pan, you may need to reduce the temperature slightly, as cast iron will continue to absorb heat as it sits on the burner.
• Use enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. For foods that are prone to sticking, like eggs, you may need to use a bit more oil.
• When cooking at high temperatures, use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil or grapeseed oil.
• If you're using butter, start with a thin layer of oil first to prevent it from sticking to or burning on the pan.
• If you're using a gas stove, you can experiment with the timing by putting oil in the pan early enough that it doesn't smoke right away. You'll be able to observe different stages: the oil becoming more 'runny', then starting to run in streaks and increasing in viscosity, which is just before it will smoke. At this point, you can reduce the flame.
• If you're using a glass-top stove, be quick to turn off the stove temporarily once the oil reaches stage 2 (see above). Glass tops retain heat and will keep heating your pan.
• If you're cooking something that requires medium heat, use a lower setting than you usually would.
• If you're cooking something that requires high heat, you can expect some smoke. In this case, open windows and remove/cover your smoke alarm.

Adjust your bake time

Cast iron pans are great for baking, but they do require some adjustments to your usual bake time and temperature. Here are some tips to help you adjust your bake time when using a cast iron pan:

• Cast iron retains heat very well, so your baked goods may brown quicker than usual. It is recommended to check on them a few minutes earlier than you usually would to prevent over-baking.
• Cast iron takes longer to heat up than other types of cookware, so if your total bake time is under 30 minutes (e.g. for cookies), you may need to extend the oven time.
• On the other hand, if you are baking something with a longer bake time, such as a loaf of banana bread that requires 50+ minutes in the oven, it probably won't need to stay in the oven longer than the suggested time.
• The best advice is to check on your baked goods early to prevent over-baking and don't be afraid to experiment with bake times.
• Preheating your cast iron pan is generally recommended, especially for baked goods like drop biscuits, pizza, and cornbread. However, for items like brownies, cakes, and pies, you don't need to preheat the pan.
• When it comes to oil, use enough to coat the bottom of the pan. For foods prone to sticking, like eggs, use a bit more oil. For fatty foods, like chicken thighs, you don't need as much oil.
• If you are using butter, it is helpful to start with a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking or burning.
• When cooking at high temperatures, use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil or grapeseed oil. For low-temperature cooking, olive oil is a great option.

Frequently asked questions