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Jan 16, 2022 · Because cast-iron cookware is an excellent conductor of heat, it can maintain high temperatures for long periods of time, promoting even cooking. "In general, cooking with a cast-iron pan works well with many foods, from a piece of meat, poultry or fish to veggies," Gellman says. But cast-iron pans aren't only suited for savory dishes.
- Myth 1: Cast Iron Is Hard to Maintain
- Myth 2: It Heats Evenly
- Myth 3: Cast Iron Is Nonstick
- Myth 4: Don't Scrub with Soap
- Myth 5: No Metal Utensils
- Myth 6: Vintage Is Better Than New
- Myth 7: No Acidic Foods
- How You Should Use Your Cast Iron Skillet
- FAQs
- Why We're The Experts
The Theory:Cast iron is a material that can rust, chip, or crack easily. Buying a cast iron skillet is like adopting a newborn baby and a puppy at the same time. You're going to have to pamper it through the early stages of its life, and be gentle when you store it—that seasoning can chip off! The Reality:Cast iron is tough as nails! There's a reas...
The Theory:Searing steaks and frying potatoes require high, even heat. Cast iron is great at searing steaks, so it must be great at heating evenly, right? The Reality: Actually, cast iron is terrible at heating evenly. The thermal conductivity—the measure of a material's ability to transfer heat from one part to another—is around a third to a quart...
The Theory:The better you season your cast iron, the more nonstick it becomes. Perfectly well-seasoned cast iron should be perfectly nonstick. The Reality:Your cast iron pan (and mine) may be really, really really nonstick—nonstick enough that you can make an omelet in it or fry an egg with no problem—but let's get serious here. It's not anywhere n...
The Theory:Seasoning is a thin layer of oil that coats the inside of your skillet. Soap is designed to remove oil, therefore soap will damage your seasoning. The Reality: Seasoning is actually not a thin layer of oil, it's a thin layer of polymerizedoil, a key distinction. In a properly seasoned cast iron pan, one that has been rubbed with oil and ...
The Theory:The seasoning in cast iron pans is delicate and can easily flake out or chip if you use metal. Stick to wood or nylon utensils. The Reality: The seasoning in cast iron is actually remarkably resilient. It's not just stuck to the surface like tape, it's actually chemically bonded to the metal. Scrape away with a metal spatulaand unless yo...
The Theory:Metal is metal, cast iron is cast iron, and the new stuff is no different than the old Wagner and Griswold pans from the early 20th century that people fetishize. The Reality:The material may be the same, but the production methods have changed. In the old days, cast iron pans were produced by casting in sand-based molds, and then polish...
The Theory:Acidic food can react with the metal, causing it to leech into your food, giving you an off-flavor and potentially killing you slowly. The Reality:In a well-seasoned cast iron pan, the food in the pan should only be coming in contact with the layer of polymerized oil in the pan, not the metal itself. So in a perfect world, this should no...
These are the only rules you need to know to have a successful lifelong relationship with your cast iron. 1. Season it when you get it. Even pre-seasoned cast iron can do with some extra protection. To season your pan, heat it up on the stovetop until it's smoking hot, then rub a little oil into it and let it cool. Repeat this process a few times a...
What's the best cast iron skillet?
After extensive testing and comparing 11 pans, we named the Lodge 10.25-Inch Skillet and Lancaster No. 8the best cast iron skillets. We think you'll be very happy with either of them and, with care, both will last forever.
Do you have to spend a lot to get a great cast iron skillet?
Nope! Some of our favorite cast iron skillets were less than $50, and we found that they performed the same as pans that cost hundreds. The key is to find a cast iron skillet that fits your budget and your needs, and for most people that will be the Lodge 10.25-Inch Skillet. That said, we did like some pricier skillets mainly because they were lighter weight.
Are smoother cast iron skillets better than rough ones?
Modern forging practices have made cast iron skillets cheaper and easier to make, but it also leaves them with rougher cooking surfaces than ones made decades ago. While expensive cast iron companies like to advertise the smoothness of their surfaces, using a Lodge 10.25-Inch Skilletcontinuously will build up more layers of seasoning until the cooking surface is smooth and more nonstick. Both surfaces performed well in our tests, so it's up to you.
Kenji has written numerous cookbooks, including The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking and The Wok: Recipes and Techniques.We've extensively used and tested cast iron skilletsover the years, so we know our stuff!- J. Kenji López-Alt
- 6 min
Mar 14, 2023 · Cast iron pans are popular, especially for searing, and are generally safe to use. But they can leach iron, which is a strong pro-oxidant. Those genetically at risk for iron overload should learn more about cast iron safety. For well over a thousand years, cast iron has been used as a reliable cooking surface.
Feb 5, 2021 · Cast iron cookware is made from iron (shocking, I know). Most cast iron cookware is made by melting a combination of iron ore and steel at super-high temperatures (we’re talking in the realm of 2,500-3,000 degrees Fahrenheit!). The metals are bonded together and shaped with molds, then typically sandblasted to remove any impurities.
Mar 27, 2024 · Myth 2: You Can’t Use Soap to Clean Cast Iron. Myth 3: Cast Iron Is Naturally Non-Stick. Myth 4: Acidic Ingredients Will Ruin the Seasoning. Myth 5: Cast Iron Will Scratch Your Cooktop. Myth 6: Cast Iron Heats Evenly. Myth 7: Cast Iron Is Indestructible. Myth 8: Cooking Bacon Is the Best Way to Season It.
14 hours ago · When we talk about cast iron cookware, we’re covering everything from frying pans and Dutch ovens to griddle pans and woks. Manufacturer Skeppshult, which has been making hand-forged cookware at its wind and water-powered foundry in Sweden since 1906, also crafts the likes of gratin and fish dishes, waffle irons and pancake pans.
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Feb 6, 2024 · Without maintenance, your cast iron pans can potentially rust. The USDA recommends against ingesting rust. But, thankfully, preventing rust on a cast iron skillet isn’t hard to do. Rust stain on Cast iron. You should dry your cast iron pan well after washing and season it with a high smoke point oil to prevent oxidation, aka rust.
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