Ok, so the probability of me being in a plane crash, combined with the probability of me being able to choose one piece of desired cookware, is most likely pretty slim. However, I can still imagine. Would it be my trusty wooden spoon I picked up from a farmer’s market? No. What about a can opener? Even that can be worked around like I show here. For me, it would undeniably be our 12″ Lodge cast iron skillet.
Please. Hold the groans. I know what you are thinking.
– Cast iron pans are hard to care for.
– They are gross, you can’t use soap on them.
– Cast iron pans are only what cowboys and civil war war soldiers use.
– Cast iron pans take up a lot of room.
– Cast iron pans are hard to care for.
– They are gross, you can’t use soap on them.
– Cast iron pans are only what cowboys and civil war war soldiers use.
– Cast iron pans take up a lot of room.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths and misinformation surrounding cast iron cookware, which is why more people don’t buy them.
Cast iron pans are tougher than Chuck Norris.
We have dropped it from 3 ft heights, cooked all sorts of sticky foods and the seasoning never chips or disappears or rusts. We can use stainless steel utensils on it and are not afraid to put it in the fire or the oven. We love to use it on camping trips and for BBQ outings. When using a cast iron pan, we don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into our food (eh hem Teflon), we use less oil because it is already pre-seasoned, and studies have even shown that it fortifies your food with iron!
We have dropped it from 3 ft heights, cooked all sorts of sticky foods and the seasoning never chips or disappears or rusts. We can use stainless steel utensils on it and are not afraid to put it in the fire or the oven. We love to use it on camping trips and for BBQ outings. When using a cast iron pan, we don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into our food (eh hem Teflon), we use less oil because it is already pre-seasoned, and studies have even shown that it fortifies your food with iron!
Cast iron pans are easy to cleanI’m all about easy cleaning, especially when it comes to dishes. We have a 30 second cast iron cleaning ritual. Rinse the pan under water, using a sponge to get all the gunk and burnt stuff off. Once it is clean, we throw it on the stove over medium heat and let the water evaporate. Then we wipe it with a thin layer of oil until it smokes a little, and then immediately turn the stove off. It’s good to go. We occasionally use soap, but honestly the rinse, heat-to-kill-the-germs, and oil method works great. The reason you can use soap is because the oil is heated and actually creates a “plastic-like substance that has bonded to the surface of the metal. This is what gives well-seasoned cast iron its non-stick properties, and as the material is no longer actually an oil, the surfectants in dish soap should not affect it.” Whew. (For the record, Calvin even thinks it’s easy to clean).
Cast iron pans make the perfect burgerBefore using one, I didn’t know that professional chefs still turn to cast iron pans on a regular basis. They are superb for searing meat, crisping potatoes, and making cornbread. As for the best burger, it’s true. The cast iron pan keeps the juices in, instead of a grill where they drip into the coals.
Cast iron pans are good in an emergency situation
If you are already used to using cast iron cookware in everyday living, if a natural disaster happens where you need to use it, you won’t even bat an eye.
If you are already used to using cast iron cookware in everyday living, if a natural disaster happens where you need to use it, you won’t even bat an eye.
Cast iron pans are cheapAlthough you cannot find them at the dollar store they are relatively cheap ($25.)Some people will tell you to buy used ones from a yard sale or thrift store, but I have never even seen one. The ones on Craigslist are usually over priced. Look online, there are some good deals. I would also recommend the silicone hand grip if it’s and option. It really is useful. Compared to an enamel-coated pan (which are awesome), the savings are tremendous! And cast iron pans have the same heat conducting properties as more expensive pans. Win.
TIPS:
Season it when you get it. I repeat, SEASON IT WHEN YOU GET IT.We received a beautiful dutch oven as a wedding present. Exited to use it, we saw that it said “pre-seasoned” and eagerly made some peach cobbler in it. Let’s be real – it was a disaster! Despite our best efforts, a sticky glue covered the bottom. We of course saved it, but it took a little elbow grease. Round two, we got a cast iron pan, preseason it, and haven’t had a problem with it since. We used this method.
Season it when you get it. I repeat, SEASON IT WHEN YOU GET IT.We received a beautiful dutch oven as a wedding present. Exited to use it, we saw that it said “pre-seasoned” and eagerly made some peach cobbler in it. Let’s be real – it was a disaster! Despite our best efforts, a sticky glue covered the bottom. We of course saved it, but it took a little elbow grease. Round two, we got a cast iron pan, preseason it, and haven’t had a problem with it since. We used this method.
The more you use it, the better the seasoning will be. That statement is pretty self-explanatory.
Don’t let your cast iron sit in waterIf you do soak it and it forms rust, don’t throw it out, re-season it. Just try as much as possible not to let water sit in it.
Gunk not coming off? Try using salt to scrub it down. We like using Kosher salt, but any kind will do. The more you use your skillet, the less you will have to do this.
This may seem like a lot of information, but with anything new it takes awhile to get accustomed to. We were cast iron newbies, but have come to love this little piece of iron. We use it daily.We also feel more prepared in case of a disaster. Also, although we were not stranded on a deserted island, it was the only pan we packed for our out of state internship. When the only belongings you can take fit in your car, you only take the best. Trust us, we know.
This may seem like a lot of information, but with anything new it takes awhile to get accustomed to. We were cast iron newbies, but have come to love this little piece of iron. We use it daily.We also feel more prepared in case of a disaster. Also, although we were not stranded on a deserted island, it was the only pan we packed for our out of state internship. When the only belongings you can take fit in your car, you only take the best. Trust us, we know.
Not convinced? This is what sold me to get one.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/11/the-truth-about-cast-iron.html
http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/healthy_cooking_101_basics_and_techniques/3_health_reasons_to_cook_with_cast_iron
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Cast-Iron-Skillet-L10SK3ASHH41B-12-Inch/dp/B00G2XGC88/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1434429544&sr=1-2&keywords=cast+iron+skillet
https://www.lodgemfg.com/use-and-care/seasoned-cast-iron-use-and-care.asp
http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/healthy_cooking_101_basics_and_techniques/3_health_reasons_to_cook_with_cast_iron
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Cast-Iron-Skillet-L10SK3ASHH41B-12-Inch/dp/B00G2XGC88/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1434429544&sr=1-2&keywords=cast+iron+skillet
https://www.lodgemfg.com/use-and-care/seasoned-cast-iron-use-and-care.asp
Cost: $25-30 Level of difficulty: Level 2
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