From a versatile skillet or Dutch oven, to specialized cast iron pieces, like the loaf pan, bacon press or oyster grill pan, cast iron can be your cooking and baking staple.
Why cook with cast iron?
It’s healthy: Cooking with cast iron is healthier, because some of the iron will actually leach into your food, providing more iron in your diet.
It’s affordable: Cast iron cookware is very affordable because each piece will last for years – in some cases, it is passed on from generation to generation.
It’s easy: Cast iron is very easy to take care of – simply wipe out food scraps while the pan is still hot, rinse in hot water, and use a Chain Mail Scrubber from Lehman’s for hard-to-remove food. Most cast iron comes seasoned already so you just need to rub in a dab of oil after each use.
It’s versatile: You can cook, bake, fry or grill with one cast iron pan. You can cook over an open fire, on your grill, or your stove top or in your oven. You can make sizzling bacon and eggs for breakfast, a stew for lunch and seasoned steak for dinner – three meals all using the same cast iron pan.
It cooks better: Because the pan heats evenly over high heat, your food won’t burn on the bottom and be under-cooked in the center.
It’s proven: Cast iron has been used for hundreds of years by cultures all over the world. The cast iron we use today was first developed in Europe in the 16th century, when blacksmiths began using sand molds to create pots and pans. But there is evidence cast iron was used by the ancient Chinese at far back as 220 A.D.
It’s naturally non-stick: Most non-stick pans rely on chemical coatings. Cast iron is naturally non-stick through seasoning. The seasoning involves adding a thin layer of oil to the skillet and heating it, which creates the non-stick surface.
How do you season cast iron pans?
If you need to season your cast iron cookware, just follow these steps:
- Wash the skillet with warm soapy water and a stiff brush.
- Dry it completely with paper towels.
- Rub the skillet with a thin layer of neutral oil like canola or avocado oil, covering the inside and outside of the pan, including the handle.
- Bake the skillet upside down in a preheated oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour.
- Let the skillet cool down in the oven. You can repeat the process if you notice food is starting to stick to the pan.
You can also get enameled cast iron that comes in pretty colors and styles (not recommended for use on grills, microwaves or over an open fire).
