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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 28 Fotos
What is cast iron? - Cast iron is an alloy of iron that contains 2-5% carbon and varying amounts of silicone, manganese, and phosphorus. The iron is then liquidated and cast, or poured and hardened.
© Shutterstock
1 / 28 Fotos
History of the cast iron skillet - The Chinese produced cast iron starting in the 6th century BCE. It was introduced in Europe by the 14th century CE. From there, its presence and popularity spread worldwide.
© Shutterstock
2 / 28 Fotos
Benefits of using cast iron - Cooking with cast iron has many benefits, from the fact that it holds heat well, is easy to clean and is affordable, and comes in many shapes and sizes.
© Shutterstock
3 / 28 Fotos
What does seasoning a cast iron skillet mean? - Seasoning a cast iron skillet means you are coating the clean pan with a very thin layer of oil and then heating it.
© Shutterstock
4 / 28 Fotos
Why do you season a cast iron skillet? - The process of seasoning chemically bonds the oil to the pan, creating a nonstick surface that continues to improve through cooking and care.
© Shutterstock
5 / 28 Fotos
Cast iron is nonstick - The better you season your cast iron skillet, the more nonstick it becomes. However, it’s not as nonstick as Teflon, for example.
© Shutterstock
6 / 28 Fotos
When do you season a cast iron skillet? - While a brand new pan will likely come preseasoned and ready to use, it's important for older pans with rust or uneven seasoning to be washed and reseasoned.
© Shutterstock
7 / 28 Fotos
How do you season a cast iron skillet? Step 1: Clean - Clean your skillet with a sturdy brush, metal pad, or chainmail scrubber using soap and water.
© Shutterstock
8 / 28 Fotos
Step 2: Apply oil
- Use a paper towel to apply an extremely thin layer of flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, or even canola oil to the clean skillet.
© Shutterstock
9 / 28 Fotos
Step 3: Place in the oven - After cleaning and applying the thin layer of oil, it is recommended to place the pan upside down in the oven and bake for one hour at a temperature between 450-500°F (approximately 232-260°C).
© Shutterstock
10 / 28 Fotos
Step 4: Repeat if needed - This step is more a preference than a hard and fast rule. For some, they prefer to coat and bake several times before they are satisfied and ready for the next step.
© Shutterstock
11 / 28 Fotos
Step 5: Cook something fatty
- Now it's time to cook something very fatty (such as a ribeye steak) in your newly seasoned pan to soak in the flavor.
© Shutterstock
12 / 28 Fotos
How to use a cast iron skillet - First you’ll preheat your skillet by placing it in the oven over medium heat for about five minutes. Then, take it out and add a light layer of oil. Finally, add your food to the skillet and cook accordingly.
© Shutterstock
13 / 28 Fotos
Cooking techniques
- With a cast iron skillet, you can use countless cooking techniques. A few popular ones include browning, searing, sautéing, baking, braising, roasting, and frying.
© Shutterstock
14 / 28 Fotos
Things to cook in your cast iron skillet - Proteins like steaks, lamb chops, chicken breasts, and fish filets are all excellent in a cast iron skillet. Additionally, deep-fried foods and egg dishes are huge hits.
© Shutterstock
15 / 28 Fotos
Things not to cook in your cast iron skillet - Some items not to use in a cast iron skillet include long-simmered tomato sauces and other acidic things, delicate fish, and sweets after you’ve already cooked something savory.
© Shutterstock
16 / 28 Fotos
How to clean your skillet after cooking: Wash - Make sure your skillet doesn't soak in water or stay with food in it, as both can cause rust. You can wash it with a tiny bit of soap, though, but not too much.
© Shutterstock
17 / 28 Fotos
How to clean your skillet after cooking: Use kosher salt - Using kosher salt as a natural scrub can help loosen any bits that are baked on. Then, thoroughly rinse with hot water.
© Shutterstock
18 / 28 Fotos
How to clean your skillet after cooking: Towel dry
- Towel dry the skillet and then set it on the stove with the burner on low until all the water is dried.
© Shutterstock
19 / 28 Fotos
How to clean your skillet after cooking: Oil - Take a paper towel with a little oil on it and wipe light on the skillet, then store in a dry, cool place for next use.
© Shutterstock
20 / 28 Fotos
Always make sure it’s totally dry before you store it - It's necessary to reiterate how important it is that your cast iron skillet is completely dry before storing it. If not, it could cause rust to accumulate and potentially ruin your skillet.
© Shutterstock
21 / 28 Fotos
Buying cast iron - One way to choose which skillet is right for you is to assess how heavy it is. A heavier pan is usually lower quality, while a lighter one is typically of higher quality.
© Shutterstock
22 / 28 Fotos
Buying cast iron - Smoother surface pans indicate higher quality, while rougher surface skillets indicate the opposite.
© Shutterstock
23 / 28 Fotos
Sizes - Cast iron has its own sizing system. When you see a number on a pan, don't assume it’s in centimeters or another standard measurement.
© Shutterstock
24 / 28 Fotos
Myth: Cast iron is hard to maintain - In reality, cast iron is extremely tough! There’s a reason you can often find pans in great condition that are decades old.
© Shutterstock
25 / 28 Fotos
Myth: Cast iron pans heat evenly - Actually, cast iron is not great at even heating. Bear in mind when cooking that the hot spots directly under the flame will often be warmer than surrounding areas in the skillet.
© Shutterstock
26 / 28 Fotos
Myth: No metal utensils should be used with a cast iron skillet
- The seasoning in cast iron is quite resilient and can withstand some use of metal. Sources: (Feel Good Foodie) (Lodge Cast Iron) (Keeping it Holistic) (Britannica) (Healthline) (Serious Eats) See also: Simple kitchen hacks to simplify your daily cooking
© Shutterstock
27 / 28 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 28 Fotos
What is cast iron? - Cast iron is an alloy of iron that contains 2-5% carbon and varying amounts of silicone, manganese, and phosphorus. The iron is then liquidated and cast, or poured and hardened.
© Shutterstock
1 / 28 Fotos
History of the cast iron skillet - The Chinese produced cast iron starting in the 6th century BCE. It was introduced in Europe by the 14th century CE. From there, its presence and popularity spread worldwide.
© Shutterstock
2 / 28 Fotos
Benefits of using cast iron - Cooking with cast iron has many benefits, from the fact that it holds heat well, is easy to clean and is affordable, and comes in many shapes and sizes.
© Shutterstock
3 / 28 Fotos
What does seasoning a cast iron skillet mean? - Seasoning a cast iron skillet means you are coating the clean pan with a very thin layer of oil and then heating it.
© Shutterstock
4 / 28 Fotos
Why do you season a cast iron skillet? - The process of seasoning chemically bonds the oil to the pan, creating a nonstick surface that continues to improve through cooking and care.
© Shutterstock
5 / 28 Fotos
Cast iron is nonstick - The better you season your cast iron skillet, the more nonstick it becomes. However, it’s not as nonstick as Teflon, for example.
© Shutterstock
6 / 28 Fotos
When do you season a cast iron skillet? - While a brand new pan will likely come preseasoned and ready to use, it's important for older pans with rust or uneven seasoning to be washed and reseasoned.
© Shutterstock
7 / 28 Fotos
How do you season a cast iron skillet? Step 1: Clean - Clean your skillet with a sturdy brush, metal pad, or chainmail scrubber using soap and water.
© Shutterstock
8 / 28 Fotos
Step 2: Apply oil
- Use a paper towel to apply an extremely thin layer of flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, or even canola oil to the clean skillet.
© Shutterstock
9 / 28 Fotos
Step 3: Place in the oven - After cleaning and applying the thin layer of oil, it is recommended to place the pan upside down in the oven and bake for one hour at a temperature between 450-500°F (approximately 232-260°C).
© Shutterstock
10 / 28 Fotos
Step 4: Repeat if needed - This step is more a preference than a hard and fast rule. For some, they prefer to coat and bake several times before they are satisfied and ready for the next step.
© Shutterstock
11 / 28 Fotos
Step 5: Cook something fatty
- Now it's time to cook something very fatty (such as a ribeye steak) in your newly seasoned pan to soak in the flavor.
© Shutterstock
12 / 28 Fotos
How to use a cast iron skillet - First you’ll preheat your skillet by placing it in the oven over medium heat for about five minutes. Then, take it out and add a light layer of oil. Finally, add your food to the skillet and cook accordingly.
© Shutterstock
13 / 28 Fotos
Cooking techniques
- With a cast iron skillet, you can use countless cooking techniques. A few popular ones include browning, searing, sautéing, baking, braising, roasting, and frying.
© Shutterstock
14 / 28 Fotos
Things to cook in your cast iron skillet - Proteins like steaks, lamb chops, chicken breasts, and fish filets are all excellent in a cast iron skillet. Additionally, deep-fried foods and egg dishes are huge hits.
© Shutterstock
15 / 28 Fotos
Things not to cook in your cast iron skillet - Some items not to use in a cast iron skillet include long-simmered tomato sauces and other acidic things, delicate fish, and sweets after you’ve already cooked something savory.
© Shutterstock
16 / 28 Fotos
How to clean your skillet after cooking: Wash - Make sure your skillet doesn't soak in water or stay with food in it, as both can cause rust. You can wash it with a tiny bit of soap, though, but not too much.
© Shutterstock
17 / 28 Fotos
How to clean your skillet after cooking: Use kosher salt - Using kosher salt as a natural scrub can help loosen any bits that are baked on. Then, thoroughly rinse with hot water.
© Shutterstock
18 / 28 Fotos
How to clean your skillet after cooking: Towel dry
- Towel dry the skillet and then set it on the stove with the burner on low until all the water is dried.
© Shutterstock
19 / 28 Fotos
How to clean your skillet after cooking: Oil - Take a paper towel with a little oil on it and wipe light on the skillet, then store in a dry, cool place for next use.
© Shutterstock
20 / 28 Fotos
Always make sure it’s totally dry before you store it - It's necessary to reiterate how important it is that your cast iron skillet is completely dry before storing it. If not, it could cause rust to accumulate and potentially ruin your skillet.
© Shutterstock
21 / 28 Fotos
Buying cast iron - One way to choose which skillet is right for you is to assess how heavy it is. A heavier pan is usually lower quality, while a lighter one is typically of higher quality.
© Shutterstock
22 / 28 Fotos
Buying cast iron - Smoother surface pans indicate higher quality, while rougher surface skillets indicate the opposite.
© Shutterstock
23 / 28 Fotos
Sizes - Cast iron has its own sizing system. When you see a number on a pan, don't assume it’s in centimeters or another standard measurement.
© Shutterstock
24 / 28 Fotos
Myth: Cast iron is hard to maintain - In reality, cast iron is extremely tough! There’s a reason you can often find pans in great condition that are decades old.
© Shutterstock
25 / 28 Fotos
Myth: Cast iron pans heat evenly - Actually, cast iron is not great at even heating. Bear in mind when cooking that the hot spots directly under the flame will often be warmer than surrounding areas in the skillet.
© Shutterstock
26 / 28 Fotos
Myth: No metal utensils should be used with a cast iron skillet
- The seasoning in cast iron is quite resilient and can withstand some use of metal. Sources: (Feel Good Foodie) (Lodge Cast Iron) (Keeping it Holistic) (Britannica) (Healthline) (Serious Eats) See also: Simple kitchen hacks to simplify your daily cooking
© Shutterstock
27 / 28 Fotos
From skillet to table: a guide to cast iron cooking
Understanding your cast iron skillet and how to care for and use it
© Shutterstock
In the culinary world, there exist few tools or options as timeless and versatile as the cast iron skillet. It’s a symbol of tradition, and its durability and ability to capture flavor make it the perfect choice for cooking. With a cast iron skillet, you can sear steaks, make flavorful eggs, and so much more! There are nuances, though, including proper care and maintenance, which are essential for unlocking the cast iron’s full potential. Well, whether you’re new to cooking with cast iron or a seasoned pro, this guide can provide you with tips and tricks you might not have known.
Curious to learn more? Click through to discover the world of cast iron cooking.
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