Cooking with cast iron cookware isn’t just for cowboys. In fact, cast iron cookware got its start in China, believe it or not. Cast iron cookware has gained momentum in households throughout the country in the past few years. What makes cast iron cookware such an attractive choice when it comes to choosing the best cookware for your home? For starters, when it is well cared for, it will last a lifetime-and then some!
Cast iron is exactly what it sounds like: iron that has been melted, poured into a mold, and left to cool. It is non-malleable, so it won’t bend or warp with each use, but it can become brittle if it is not properly cleaned, used, or stored.
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If you are searching for the best cookware for your home, keep reading to see why cast iron cookware might be the perfect choice for you.
1. Cast Iron Cookware Can Be Non-Stick
Non-stick cookware is a popular choice for kitchens. If food doesn’t stick to the pan or pot, cook time is faster and clean up is easier. Of course, when you purchase a set of non-stick cookware, what is included is a lot of dishes that you will have to clean and store. Wouldn’t it be easier to have just one or two pieces that you use regularly, and that could actually improve over time with use?
When a cast iron skillet or dutch oven is properly seasoned, a thin coating of oil hardens inside of the porous base of your skillet and creates a non-stick surface. There are many tutorials online that can help you learn to season your skillet properly, here or here, for example. Seasoning will keep your skillet in excellent health and extend its life, too!
2. Cook Without Harmful Chemicals
Many nonstick pans contain chemicals, and one in particular is not so great. Perfluorocarbons is a chemical linked to cancer, developmental problems, and even liver damage. Who would have thought that preparing meals for your family could also pose a risk to their well-being?
Cast iron kitchen products are chemical free, and can even add iron into your diet. It’s a win-win!
3. Cast Iron Cookware Easily Transfers From Stove To Oven
Have you ever read a recipe that called for something on the stove, but then you had to bake it for awhile? That can sound terribly inconvenient, especially when there are more dishes involved, or if counter space is limited. Cast iron cookware transfers easily from stove top to oven-all in one dish.
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Have you ever tried to get that perfect sear on a piece of chicken or steak, only to have it come out dry? Searing it on the stove first and then transferring it to the oven will not only cook it thoroughly, but it will also maintain its moisture by staying in one dish. Cast iron is definitely the way to go!
4. Cast Iron Cookware Will Last A Lifetime
Cast iron kitchen ware will last a lifetime if properly cared for. It will also improve with age. Some of the earliest cast iron companies in the United States are still in business today, and their items fetch a pretty penny at auction. If you want to make sure your cast iron lasts, there are lots of amazing guides online that can help you make choices every day that will improve the life of your cookware.
5. Cast Iron Can Bounce Back
If you have been digging around in the attic and found a rusted and dusty cast iron skillet, don’t throw it away! Cast iron is simply metal, and it can be restored. Restoration is not a long, painful process, either. If carefully treated and seasoned, that old rusty pan can become a household favorite in a matter of hours.
There are myths surrounding the use of cast iron, and one of the most popular ones is that you cannot use dish soap to clean a cast iron, as it will negatively affect the seasoning. This was true many years ago, when dish soap had oils in it. However, many dish soaps today do not contain these oils that could potentially disturb or destroy the seasoning, and are fine to use in moderation.
If you want to care for your cast iron in a purely natural way, using salt is an excellent way to keep your cast iron in tip top shape, and thankfully, we have the internet to teach us how to keep it healthy!
There are lots of options out there when it comes to finding the perfect way to cook in your kitchen. Cast iron cookware has been popular for hundreds of years, and for good reason. If you have been on the fence, then maybe these 5 things you didn’t know about cast iron cookware has helped you make an iron-clad decision on any new additions to your cookware collection.
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