Cast iron has been used for cooking for over 2500 years, maybe much longer; its cooking quality and pedigree is now long proven; its the ideal cooking medium; its fun to cook with and its healthy.
So what makes it special? Isn't it heavier than other types of stockpots? And don't I have to be careful when I clean it? And doesn't it need curing before I can cook with it?
Yes, but you will find that there are so many advantages & benefits of using cast iron cookware that these far outweigh any concerns.
Lets look at why you really should think about building your cast iron collection.
Cast iron: is eminently affordable and great value by comparison with other alternatives, especially when you think that it lasts a lifetime; cast iron is extremely durable and enjoys extreme longevity; once it's well seasoned it becomes unbelievably non-stick; because of its heavy construction & thickness it retains heat & cooks evenly without hot spots, allowing you to cook at lower temperatures; it retains all its great cooking qualities whether cooking on a campfire, stove or in the oven; and it can be used directly on hot coals, on the grill, in the oven and on an open fire; bit remember it can't be used in a microwave oven.
Cast iron cookware comes in almost every conceivable shape, size and format and you never have to worry how hot your cookware becomes; it just simply takes it in its stride......... but do make sure you've got a really good pair of oven gloves.
So how many types of cookware does cast iron come in? Here is a sample list which no doubt you'll be able to add to; 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'll 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 it is true that your cookware requires seasoning and ongoing care care but this is most satisfying as your pot develops it's lovely black hue. lets get real, given the enormity of the many benefits of cast iron these concerns are no real hassle at all.
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!
Cast Iron cookware can also be purchased with an enamel finish [for example Creuset], typically this comes in many colors & formats but they are very expensive by comparison. For the additional cost you have certain benefits such as the fact that the surface does not need curing, it can be washed in the dish washer and you can cook with it using acidic products, such as tomatoes, which dissolve the protective coating of oil covering the black cast iron.
It seems clear that, once your black cast iron is well seasoned, its benefits far outweigh the advantages of other types of cookware; and given how cheap it is and the fact that it lasts so long, it really is the obvious choice.
So what makes it special? Isn't it heavier than other types of stockpots? And don't I have to be careful when I clean it? And doesn't it need curing before I can cook with it?
Yes, but you will find that there are so many advantages & benefits of using cast iron cookware that these far outweigh any concerns.
Lets look at why you really should think about building your cast iron collection.
Cast iron: is eminently affordable and great value by comparison with other alternatives, especially when you think that it lasts a lifetime; cast iron is extremely durable and enjoys extreme longevity; once it's well seasoned it becomes unbelievably non-stick; because of its heavy construction & thickness it retains heat & cooks evenly without hot spots, allowing you to cook at lower temperatures; it retains all its great cooking qualities whether cooking on a campfire, stove or in the oven; and it can be used directly on hot coals, on the grill, in the oven and on an open fire; bit remember it can't be used in a microwave oven.
Cast iron cookware comes in almost every conceivable shape, size and format and you never have to worry how hot your cookware becomes; it just simply takes it in its stride......... but do make sure you've got a really good pair of oven gloves.
So how many types of cookware does cast iron come in? Here is a sample list which no doubt you'll be able to add to; 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'll 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 it is true that your cookware requires seasoning and ongoing care care but this is most satisfying as your pot develops it's lovely black hue. lets get real, given the enormity of the many benefits of cast iron these concerns are no real hassle at all.
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!
Cast Iron cookware can also be purchased with an enamel finish [for example Creuset], typically this comes in many colors & formats but they are very expensive by comparison. For the additional cost you have certain benefits such as the fact that the surface does not need curing, it can be washed in the dish washer and you can cook with it using acidic products, such as tomatoes, which dissolve the protective coating of oil covering the black cast iron.
It seems clear that, once your black cast iron is well seasoned, its benefits far outweigh the advantages of other types of cookware; and given how cheap it is and the fact that it lasts so long, it really is the obvious choice.
About the Author:
Stephen Kember is an outdoor living & outdoor cooking authority. He runs The Outdoor Cooking Equipment Store, which you can visit by clicking on the link. Before buying any cast iron cookware check out his wide selection, where for a very limited period prices have been significantly reduced.
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