Why Use a Cast Iron Skillet?

Using a cast-iron skillet offers durability, even heat distribution, and the ability to add iron to food. Ideal for searing meat and improving with age, it’s a versatile, affordable kitchen staple. Proper care includes seasoning and avoiding dishwashers.

Why use a cast-iron skillet? They are durable, nonstick, have a long life span, can add iron to your food, are affordable, easy to clean. 

And you get a great sear on meat. Need I go on?

You can even pop your leftover meatloaf on them, to warm it up!

Cast iron skillets have been around for generations; with the correct care, they only improve with age. There are two types of cast iron.

They are enameled or regular. What’s the difference? 

Read on to find out!

Enameled Versus Regular Cast Iron

Enameled

An enameled cast-iron skillet is just a regular pan with an enamel coating. Cast iron is coated with enamel, which forms a useful protective coating on the surface of the skillet.

1. Ready to use right out of the box
2. Comes in many different colors
3. Is not prone to rust
4. More expensive
5. Prefers medium heat

The Le Creuset brand comes in many different colors to match your kitchen.

Regular Cast Iron

Regular cast iron is well, cast iron. It’s classic, affordable, and pretty much the same in style from brand to brand.

1. Prone to rust if not cared for properly
2. Affordable
3. Can use higher heat
4. Although it may say pre-seasoned it is a good idea to rub your skillet with vegetable oil before using it.

Lodge is a popular brand of cast iron skillets. 

The Pros of a Cast Iron Skillet

• Cast iron is tough
• Once cast iron is hot, it stays hot
• Cast iron is great for keeping food warm since it holds heat for a considerable length of time
• Every time you cook in your cast iron skillet you are making them better by seasoning them
• Can be used on the stovetop or in the oven
• Gets better with age
• Affordable
• Long life span
• Can add iron to your food

The Cons of a Cast Iron Skillet

• The handle gets hot
• Cast iron is heavier than other cookware
• Bare cast iron is not the best for boiling water and cooking acidic foods
• Bare cast iron may need re-seasoning
• Cast iron takes longer to heat up
• It’s stronger than kitchen tiles and toes. So don’t drop it
• Don’t use a dishwasher. The dishwasher can remove the protective layer of seasoning and cause cast iron to rust
• Don’t let the cast iron sit with water in it. Again that dreaded word. Rust.
• When cooking with acidic foods such as tomatoes, an enameled cast-iron skillet would be a better option

Stargazer Cast Iron has a skillet that is lighter with a smoother cooking surface. It has many positive reviews.

How to Clean and Care for Your Cast Iron Skillet

To properly care for your cast iron skillet follow the steps below after every use.

1. Rinse with warm water and use a brush or scraper to remove stuck-on bits
2. For really stuck-on food, scrub with salt and oil, rinse and wipe clean
3. Dry the pan and coat it with a thin layer of oil
4. Store until ready to use

How to Season Your Cast Iron Skillet

1. Scrub skillet well in hot soapy water
2. Dry thoroughly
3. Spread a thin layer of melted shortening or vegetable oil over the skillet
4. Place it upside down on a middle oven rack at 375°. (Place foil on a lower rack to catch drips.)
5. Bake for 1 hour; let cool in the oven

It’s also a great idea to season your cast iron in the oven a few times a year.

So Why Use a Cast Iron Skillet?

Cast iron is a metal that distributes heat beautifully. That means that when the pan gets hot, it spreads the heat evenly throughout the metal, therefore more even cooking and fewer hot spots. 

Make sure the burner fits the skillet. If the burner is too small then you will not get even cooking.

The middle will be hot while the edges stay cooler. They are extremely talented when it comes to retaining heat which is wonderful for keeping food warm while you are finishing up the rest of your dinner.

They are great at searing meat. Every time you cook in your cast iron skillet, you are making it better by seasoning it.

The only way I cook a steak is in a cast-iron skillet. I can get the sear I want. 

A cast-iron skillet also makes excellent fried chicken and gravy. Yummy!

Oh and don’t forget those fried potatoes with onion. They may seem to be more trouble than they are worth regarding the care and seasoning but it becomes a habit after a few times and in my opinion so worth it.

I have heard not to use soap when cleaning your skillet. But after much research on the subject, I have found that the majority recommend using a little soap.

And I use a little myself. They only get better with age. 

If you are given a rusty cast-iron skillet, don’t throw it away! Scrub it with a little soap, hot water, and a brillo pad to remove the rust.

Then season it. It may take a few times but you can bring it back to tip-top shape.

My Final Thoughts

• Cast iron skillets provide superior heat retention and even cooking, similar to how a Dutch oven slowly and evenly cooks stews and braises.
• They can be used on various heat sources, from stovetops to ovens, akin to how a stainless steel pan can transition from the cooktop to the oven for finishing a dish.
• Over time, cast iron develops a natural non-stick surface, or “seasoning,” which improves with use, much like how a well-seasoned wok enhances the flavor of stir-fried dishes.
• Cast iron cookware is durable and can last for generations if properly maintained, similar to how high-quality stainless steel pots and pans can be a long-term investment for a kitchen.
• Using cast iron can increase iron content in food, offering a health benefit, especially for those needing more dietary iron, similar to cooking with fortified cookware.

If you have never cooked in a cast-iron skillet I urge you to give it a try. There is a learning curve but isn’t that true with anything we try new?

Try something simple first. You might find that you prefer frying or cooking with cast iron.

You will never know until you try! I have an enameled cast iron Dutch oven. 

Boy, that thing is heavy. But it is the way I make my chuck roast in the oven.

On a low temperature and cooked for hours. Add some onion and potatoes and there is your whole meal.

And the meat is so tender. Go ahead give cast-iron a go.

And if you do cook with cast-iron then you know exactly what I’m talking about. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts on this amazing cookware.

And as always, have a wonderful day!

FAQ: Why Use a Cast Iron Skillet?

Q1: What are the benefits of using a cast iron skillet?

• Cast iron skillets provide superior heat retention and even heat distribution, which makes them excellent for searing meat and maintaining consistent cooking temperatures.
• Over time, they develop a natural non-stick coating called seasoning, which enhances the flavor of food and improves with each use.

Q2: How should I care for and maintain a cast iron skillet?

• To maintain a cast iron skillet, avoid using dishwashers; instead, clean it with warm water and a brush and then re-oil to preserve the seasoning​​.
• For stuck-on food, use a mixture of salt and cooking oil for scrubbing, then rinse and dry thoroughly​.

Q3: Are there any downsides to using a cast iron skillet?

• Cast iron skillets are heavy, which might make handling difficult, and they can also rust if not properly dried and oiled after each use.
• They are not suitable for cooking acidic foods like tomatoes, as bare cast iron can react and leach iron into the food, altering flavors and potentially harming the pan’s seasoning​.

Q4: Can a cast iron skillet be used on any type of cooking surface?

• Yes, cast iron skillets are versatile and can be used on various heat sources including gas, electric, and induction cooktops, as well as in ovens​.
• When using on smooth top ranges, it’s important to lift and not slide the skillet to avoid scratching the surface​.

Q5: How do I season a cast iron skillet?

• To season a cast iron skillet, coat it lightly with a high-smoke point oil and bake it upside down in the oven at 375°F for about an hour, placing foil underneath to catch drips.
• It’s recommended to season the skillet several times a year to maintain its non-stick properties and protect against rust​​.