I would dare to say that anyone who has even the slightest interest in cooking probably owns at least one cast iron pan.
Sized from small enough to barely fry an egg, to large enough for a one pan meal for a family. And that’s just the traditional round skillet. There are also griddles, grill pans, dutch ovens and many more styles made from cast iron. Each with its own special use, but all needing the same love and care to keep them lasting a long time.
What can I cook in cast iron?
In short, just about anything can be cooked in cast iron. Some things do better than others but if done properly nothing is truly off limits. You can sear, fry, bake, braise, roast, simmer and even grill using your cast iron.
You can fry eggs and potatoes on the stove top. Use the grill pan for indoor grilled chicken. Use a small pan to melt garlic butter on the grill, and also roast a whole chicken in the oven. These are just a small sample of the ways I use my pans. Try making this apple crumble recipe with your pan and you will see how versatile these pans are.
While I’m not afraid to cook most things in my pans, there are a few things you should avoid. Acidic foods can take on a metallic taste from the reaction to the iron. Save the tomato products for the enameled cast iron.
Enameled vs. Bare
Enameled cast iron is more expensive but it will never need seasoning. You will, however, need to take care of the finish to keep it from scratching, chipping and staining. Enameled cast iron is also good for cooking those acidic foods that are generally considered not best for cooking in cast iron.
You can wash enameled pans with hot soapy water and a plastic brush. There are also cleaning products designed specifically for enameled pans.
Bare cast iron is generally inexpensive and are very durable. They can last a lifetime with the proper care. When seasoned properly they are virtually non stick and able to withstand high heat as well as traditional non stick pans such as Teflon, except without the harmful chemicals.
To clean bare cast iron, scrub it with hot water and a stiff brush while it is still warm, but not hot. Dry immediately to prevent rusting, and coat it with a thin layer of oil. Store it in a cool dry place.
