Since well before Christ, indeed for over 2500 years cast iron has been used for cooking , Today its cooking qualities and its pedigree is now long proven; its fun to cook with and its healthy as a cooking medium.
How is it special? Isn't it heavy? Don't I have to be careful when I clean it? Doesn't it require curing before using?
Quite so but there are many, many advantages of using cast iron cookware that far outweigh any concerns you may have.
Lets consider the reasons why you really should think about building your cast iron cookware collection.
There are six major reasons why cast iron is the supreme cookware: firstly, it is eminently affordable and great value by comparison with its alternatives, especially when you consider you're buying your cookware that lasts a lifetime; secondly, cast iron is extremely durable and enjoys extreme longevity; thirdly, once your cookware is well seasoned it becomes unbelievably non-stick; fourthly, because of its heavy construction, cast iron holds the heat and cooks evenly without hot spots allowing you to cook at lower temperatures;fifthly, it retains all its great cooking qualities whether you cook on a campfire, stove or oven; and sixthly cast iron cookware can be used directly on hot coals, on the grill, in the oven and on an open fire;albeit it cannot be used in a microwave oven.
Cast iron cookware comes in almost every conceivable shape, size and format of cookware and you need never have worry how hot it gets; it just simply takes it in its stride......... but make sure you've got a handy pair of oven gloves.
So what styles & formats does cast iron cookware come in? Amongst many others forms there are: Dutch ovens, Roasters, Skillets, Soup Pots, Frying pans, Covered Pots, Gumbo bowls, Griddles, Fajita pans, Steak & Bacon Presses, Cornbread and Baking Pans; and then of course there are Jambalaya pots ranging in size from 2.75 gallon flat bottomed jambalaya pots right up through to jumbo 30 gallon jambalaya pots, with 4, 7, 10, 15 & 18 gallon pots in between! .... And there's Jambalaya stew pots available too. Dependent on where you live in the States you may know some of these pots by other names such as: sugar pots, cauldrons, iron kettles & kettle corn pots. You're simply spoilt for choice!
There are numerous, valuable culinary & health benefits of cooking with cast iron cookware: it can be used trouble free to bake, roast, grill & fry.When cooking with cast iron it is marvelous as it helps retain moisture & flavor; cast iron is also healthy due to the fact that it gives off very small amounts of iron during cooking which our bodies constantly needs to replenish and you need to use very little oil because the pans and skillets are non stick.
Yes indeed your cast iron cookware requires seasoning & ongoing care care but this is most satisfying as your pot develops it's beautiful black hue. lets get real, given the many benefits of cooking with cast iron these concerns are minimal.
Now to the important question of 'value for money'. The cost of traditional black cast iron is exceptionally competitive; for example, today you can get the Bayou Classic 3 piece skillet set, comprising of 6", 8" and 10" Skillets. for under $20.00. This is extraordinary value for great quality materials. Which raises another important point, you really should only buy from a quality supplier of cast iron cookware or you might find your cookware warping & cracking!
You can also buy cast iron cookware with an enamel finish [e.g. Le Creuset], which comes in many colors and is made to a high quality standard, but such marks are extremely expensive by comparison. For the greatly increased cost you do have the benefit such as the surface does not need curing, it can be easily washed in the dishwasher and you can cook with it using acidic products, which can dissolve the protective coating of oil covering traditional black cast iron.
All said and done, once your black cast iron is well seasoned, most people say that they find the benefits of cooking with cast iron cookware far outweigh the advantages of other types of cookware and that given how cheap it is and the fact that it will outlast you and your children it really is the obvious choice.
How is it special? Isn't it heavy? Don't I have to be careful when I clean it? Doesn't it require curing before using?
Quite so but there are many, many advantages of using cast iron cookware that far outweigh any concerns you may have.
Lets consider the reasons why you really should think about building your cast iron cookware collection.
There are six major reasons why cast iron is the supreme cookware: firstly, it is eminently affordable and great value by comparison with its alternatives, especially when you consider you're buying your cookware that lasts a lifetime; secondly, cast iron is extremely durable and enjoys extreme longevity; thirdly, once your cookware is well seasoned it becomes unbelievably non-stick; fourthly, because of its heavy construction, cast iron holds the heat and cooks evenly without hot spots allowing you to cook at lower temperatures;fifthly, it retains all its great cooking qualities whether you cook on a campfire, stove or oven; and sixthly cast iron cookware can be used directly on hot coals, on the grill, in the oven and on an open fire;albeit it cannot be used in a microwave oven.
Cast iron cookware comes in almost every conceivable shape, size and format of cookware and you need never have worry how hot it gets; it just simply takes it in its stride......... but make sure you've got a handy pair of oven gloves.
So what styles & formats does cast iron cookware come in? Amongst many others forms there are: Dutch ovens, Roasters, Skillets, Soup Pots, Frying pans, Covered Pots, Gumbo bowls, Griddles, Fajita pans, Steak & Bacon Presses, Cornbread and Baking Pans; and then of course there are Jambalaya pots ranging in size from 2.75 gallon flat bottomed jambalaya pots right up through to jumbo 30 gallon jambalaya pots, with 4, 7, 10, 15 & 18 gallon pots in between! .... And there's Jambalaya stew pots available too. Dependent on where you live in the States you may know some of these pots by other names such as: sugar pots, cauldrons, iron kettles & kettle corn pots. You're simply spoilt for choice!
There are numerous, valuable culinary & health benefits of cooking with cast iron cookware: it can be used trouble free to bake, roast, grill & fry.When cooking with cast iron it is marvelous as it helps retain moisture & flavor; cast iron is also healthy due to the fact that it gives off very small amounts of iron during cooking which our bodies constantly needs to replenish and you need to use very little oil because the pans and skillets are non stick.
Yes indeed your cast iron cookware requires seasoning & ongoing care care but this is most satisfying as your pot develops it's beautiful black hue. lets get real, given the many benefits of cooking with cast iron these concerns are minimal.
Now to the important question of 'value for money'. The cost of traditional black cast iron is exceptionally competitive; for example, today you can get the Bayou Classic 3 piece skillet set, comprising of 6", 8" and 10" Skillets. for under $20.00. This is extraordinary value for great quality materials. Which raises another important point, you really should only buy from a quality supplier of cast iron cookware or you might find your cookware warping & cracking!
You can also buy cast iron cookware with an enamel finish [e.g. Le Creuset], which comes in many colors and is made to a high quality standard, but such marks are extremely expensive by comparison. For the greatly increased cost you do have the benefit such as the surface does not need curing, it can be easily washed in the dishwasher and you can cook with it using acidic products, which can dissolve the protective coating of oil covering traditional black cast iron.
All said and done, once your black cast iron is well seasoned, most people say that they find the benefits of cooking with cast iron cookware far outweigh the advantages of other types of cookware and that given how cheap it is and the fact that it will outlast you and your children it really is the obvious choice.
About the Author:
Stephen Kember is an outdoor living & outdoor cooking expert. He operates The Outdoor Cooking Equipment Store, which you can visit by clicking on the link. Before purchasing any cast iron cookware check out his wide ranging selection, where for a very limited period prices have been drastically cut.
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