Good
cast iron cookware is a staple piece in many kitchens because of its versatility and durability. It has served families for centuries and continues to be revered by cooks worldwide even with the introduction of other materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, and
copper cookware. Let's learn more about what makes cast iron cookware a timeless choice in this guide to cast iron cookware!
Why Cast Iron?
Durable: Tough, heavy, and robust, cast iron cookware are known to last generations compared cookware of other materials. The more you cook with your cast iron cookware, the better it becomes!
Natural non-stick: A well-seasoned cast iron bears natural non-stick properties, unlike certain cookware that are coated with synthetic (possibly harmful) materials.
Versatile: Cast iron is generally derived from a single mould, making it a solid piece of cookware that can be used to fry, sear, braise, roast, and even bake!
Amazing heat retention: When cooking with cast iron, heat is evenly distributed and retained for much longer. It is perfect when you plan to serve from stovetop or oven to table as it maintains the warmth of your food throughout mealtime.
What’s the difference between Coated Cast Iron and Uncoated Cast Iron?
The initial form of cast iron cookware is uncoated, giving it the term ‘raw cast iron’. With modernisation and innovation, enamel-lined cast iron came into the market to fill in the gaps for eye-catching, yet functional
cookware.
Raw cast iron can reach higher temperatures but requires seasoning before use. Although most cast iron cookware manufacturers pre-season their pans before shipping them off, it is still recommended that you season your cast iron cookware from time to time. Furthermore, seasoning your pan helps to facilitate the natural non-stick layer which will be great for simple frying tasks such as frying an egg with little to no oil.
Read our guide on
how to season your cast iron cookware.
Coated cast iron, also known as enamelled cast iron, does not require any seasoning as it is lined with enamel. The beauty of having an enamelled cast iron piece is not only its visual aesthetic, but it also removes the hassle of seasoning. However, this misses out on the non-stick quality a seasoned raw cast iron cookware can provide.
The enamel coating gives cast iron cookware the leverage of being able to cook acidic dishes such as tomato sauce, and recipes containing wine or citrus. Raw cast iron will be hard-pressed to do so as the acidity will mar its surface.
A small downside is that enamelled cast iron cookware has a low possibility of cracking if no proper care is taken. This is because enamel is essentially powdered glass fused with an underlying layer in high heat, giving it a slightly delicate characteristic. Therefore, it cannot be used on high heat or with
metal utensils, unlike raw cast iron.
Which cast iron cookware should I get?
Good question. Due to the versatility of cast iron cookware, they come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Cast iron cookware pieces that are most popular amongst kitchen owners are:
- Dutch Ovens
- Shallow Casseroles
- Grill Pans
- Skillets
French Ovens
French Ovens, also known as French Casseroles, are essentially enamelled cast iron pots. Some call it a variation of the Dutch Oven and to a certain extent, one can agree on that point. Inspired by the Dutch Oven, the French took conventional raw cast iron pot and added an enamel layer on to make it rustproof.
In doing so, they were able to remove the need to pre-season the cookware before use. This gives it the advantage to cook acidic dishes (like tomato sauce), something a raw cast iron pot is not recommended for.
You can use the French Oven for baking, braising, searing and slow cooking. Plus, it is great for one-pot meals such as soup, stew and curry.
These versatile pots are available in a wide range of sizes, from 20cm to as big as 34cm in diameter.
Founded in 1925,
Le Creuset is famous for its beautiful range of colourful enamelled cast iron cookware. The French Oven was one of the first cast iron cookware pieces produced by this established company and it continues to be one of their best sellers.
Originating from France,
Staub specialises in producing high quality cast iron and ceramic cookware for both home and professional cooks alike. Combining traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, Staub cookware can be found in residential and commercial kitchens around the world.
Known to be one of the most versatile cooking vessels in the market, the shallow casserole is a large deep-sided pan that can be used for making stews, soup, roasts, and gratin.
Furthermore, it makes a great oven to table piece. You can serve your dish immediately without the hassle of transferring it over to a serving piece, saving you time while minimising the amount of dishes to be washed.
You will find that shallow casserole pieces come in different sizes ranging from 22cm to 30cm in diameter. Ideal for one-pot recipes and batch cooking, the shallow casserole will be a great versatile addition to your kitchen.
Established in France,
Chasseur is another popular manufacturer of enamelled cast iron cookware. Chasseur is famous for their signature double layer enamel with black edges to protect the cookware from corrosion. You will also be able to find their cookware in a matte or glossy finish to suit your style and tastes. Each piece produced by Chasseur is hand-cast in individual sand moulds, then sent through a manual enamelling process under strict quality control. This stringent process ensures that your
Chasseur cookware piece is one-of-a-kind.
Grill Pans
A
grill pan works great when you want to grill up some meat without having to fire up the barbie. Grilling meat on a cast iron grill pan will produce juicy results thanks to the superior heat retention quality of cast iron. It also creates professional-looking char grill marks, perfect for burgers, steak, grilled meat and fish.
Grilling on a grill pan means that your meat will stay intact, and you won’t be losing bits and pieces to the BBQ pit. Furthermore, the ridges on the pan elevates the meat so it does not sit on the grease whilst the slightly deeper sides of the pan helps to accumulate the grease that cooks off, so you enjoy a healthier meal with less oil.
We recommend using a raw cast iron grill pan because of the natural non-stick properties which will make grilling meat super easy.
Skillets
Skillets are by far the most common piece for any frying, sautéing, and searing tasks. It is also considered as one of the most versatile cookware as you can use it for simple tasks such as frying eggs or bangers to something as advanced as whipping up a paella.
Depending on your needs, cast iron skillets are available in sizes as small as 9cm to as big as 37cm. You can also opt for a raw cast iron skillet or one that is lined with enamel as both are known to heat up relatively quickly with superior heat retention qualities.
Both raw cast iron and enamelled cast iron skillets make for a great oven to table piece. Sear a chicken, pop it into the oven to roast, then serve when it is ready.
Hailing from the USA,
Lodge Cast Iron is a cookware brand that is renowned thanks to its affordable price point. Being one of the pioneers in manufacturing cast iron cookware, Lodge has come a long way from the days when it was known as Blacklock. To maintain the quality of their products, Lodge’s pan comes pre-seasoned so you can put it to use as soon as you get it.
Cast iron cookware is a kitchen workhorse, revered by many home cooks and professional chefs everywhere. A great quality cast iron cookware is a solid investment and addition to your kitchen. So long as you give your cast iron cookware all the love in the world, they will return the love with delicious cooking results, and the durability to be great heirloom pieces.
Everten strives to provide a wide range of cast iron cookware to suit your needs. Browse our website to find the cast iron cookware piece for you.
Next Read: Lodge Blacklock Cast Iron Product Review
