Cooking with Cast Iron Cookware

Cast Iron Cookware Is Better Than Aluminum Cookware  

If you are a real avid cook and are looking for new cooking ware you might want to check out what is available in cast iron cookware. Cast iron pots and pans have a rich history in cooking and are still in use today for the more discerning cooks. Cast iron has many advantages over other cookware. Here are some reasons to consider it as your preferred choice of cookware. 

Moderate temperature cooking:

Cast iron is a relatively poor conductor of heat which is a good thing. It takes longer for it to get to a desired temperature but after it does it retains the heat for a much longer time than other types of cookware. In addition, the heat is distributed more evenly without forming hotspots. Other cookware is often very hot in one spot which leads to overcooking and burning part of the meal. This is far less likely to happen with cast iron cookware due to the even spread of heat.

Cast iron is excellent for browning because the heat in a cast iron skillet stays evenly distributed. A cast iron cooking pan is also excellent for frying and stewing. Cast iron cookware even works well for cooking on top of the stove as well as in the oven. Many other types of cookware cannot be placed in the oven because the high heat may damage the handle. This is not a problem with cast iron.

Non-stick:

Although there are many non-stick pots and pans on the market today most of them require a great deal of care and maintenance. You have to be very careful what kind of utensils you use in them so you don’t scratch or damage the surface. The clad coating on many of these products will flake and peel over time. After a while, you may need to get rid of them, as they will no longer perform their cooking functions.

It is a simple matter to make cast iron none-stick. Once a glaze is properly baked onto the skillet food will not stick to it. There is no need to use plastic utensils as you will not scratch the surface. Cast iron cookware is very durable. It does not wear out and it will not lose its coating like many non-stick products. This means that your cookware will last for decades. 

Cast iron cookware is better than aluminum:

Aluminum cookware is not suitable for many different kinds of cooking. If you cook items such as tomatoes the aluminum can leach into the food due to the acid in the food. In addition aluminum cookware is not very durable and will easily dent if accidentally dropped or struck.

How to season cast iron cookware:

Your new cast iron skillets have to be seasoned to prevent sticking and so it will last many years. Some house ware stores sell pre-seasoned cast iron cookware. Seasoning it yourself is an easy DIY task as it is not difficult. Simply coat the pan with grease such as lard or vegetable oil. Place the pan in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 15 minutes then remove it from the oven. Wipe any excess oil from the pan and place it back into the oven. Allow the pan to bake for about two hours.

Seasoning the cookware will improve the coating and foods will be less likely to stick. It is a good idea to use the pan for frying during its initial uses. This will help with the seasoning process.

After everything is said and done, when you buy cast iron cookware it is a long-term investment. You will get many decades of use out of it and it is a better choice than any other type of cookware. Cast iron is much superior to aluminum and once properly seasoned, will provide many years of dependable service. In Addition, your body actually benefits from the iron from cast iron cookware. I do not recommend any type of aluminum cookware, in fact I would suggest you discard any you may have and replace it with cast iron.

See more Perks and related articles

How to Clean Cast Iron Cookware

For more DIY information Check out these Resources