How to Cook with Cast Iron

I love my chuck iron skillets . I use them every undivided Clarence Day . If they are properly give care for , they can work just as well as a non stick pan , but without all the nasty chemicals . I slide over easy eggs out of my baby cast iron frying pan without try every morning ! I even use them for broil , they sour perfectly for things likecornbread , rustic cakes , cobbler , and quiche . learn how to cook with cast smoothing iron is a scrap of a acquirement , but it ’s really not that punishing . Let me tell you how I do it , with a few tip and caper for clean and regenerate them .

How to Cook with Cast Iron

What Kind of Cast Iron Should You Buy?

This is the real interrogation , and there are a few things to consider here . Almost everyone will say , and I agree , that the former , vintage name brands like Griswold and Wagner are the good . They have been well used and seasoned over clock time , which is key for cast iron cookware , and they typically have a super smooth cooking surface .

The only problem with these is that they can be laborious to come in by , as neither marque are in product any longer . We get most of ours at old-hat shop or second hired hand stores , and I ’ve assure them listed on eBay , but they are n’t always cheap . you’re able to sometimes see ones that are in pauperism of some restoration for a estimable cost , and I go over that process below .

The other option is to get a new stamp branding iron , andLodge brandis the most popular one that mass usually go for . They are inexpensive and operate well , but do not have that smooth effulgence that is so sought after . The reason for this is that they make out “ pre - seasoned ” , which is really not ideal . However , they do work , it just may take a while of use before they become as non reefer as a vintage pan .

A stack of cast iron skillets and a cobbler cooked in a cast iron skillet.

Restoring and Seasoning Cast Iron

If you do bump a unspoilt mint on a vintage cast smoothing iron that needs a little love , it can be done . bet on what shape the pan is in , it will take a short or a quite a little of elbow grease , but it ’s worth it in the end ! My husband Joel fix this Wagner frying pan into a thing of beauty ! Just look at that refulgence .

Most often , chuck branding iron skillets in need of restoration will have area of rust fungus and/or caked on dust . This can be removed by using awire brush setthat will fit onto a drill . It may take a while and some solitaire before it ’s finish , so it ’s a great project for a rainy day ( or two ) . If the pan is really bad , you may need to completely strip it of everything first before using the brush . There are detailed instruction on how to do that onCommon Sense Homesteading .

After you ’ve clean off all the rust and debris , the genus Pan will require to beseasoned again . This is also how you will re - season any cast iron pan that has been completely stripped of its seasoning . Coat the entire pan with a very thin layer of oil , one with a higher smoke point like coconut petroleum is best ( but some people verify by bacon fat ) . pass over off any excess oil and put upside down in a 400 ° atomic number 9 oven with a sheet pan on the rack below it to get any dribble . Carefully remove after two hour and let it cool completely .

A stack of various sized cast iron skillets.

Ideally you want to do this whole appendage three clip total to achieve proper seasoning , but you’re able to also just manipulate a whole lot of bacon in the cooking pan before using it for other cooking .

Cleaning Your Cast Iron Cookware

This is believably what turn most people off of getting a cast Fe skillet , as they assume that cleaning and care for cast Fe is difficult , but it really should n’t be that fashion . clean a cast iron skillet is actually pretty easy , and if it ’s well seasoned it ’s probably even be flying than washing a regular pan !

The first step is to scrape out all of the intellectual nourishment bit that are left in the cooking pan . The best style to do this is with ametal spatula that has assail corners . If there is food coat on , you’re able to also add a little bit of hot water to the pan as you scratch to aid loosen it .

Once all of the intellectual nourishment bits are released , operate the pan under hot water to rinse it out . Do not use max of any genial or harsh sponges , as that can break the seasoning . If you have a well seasoned genus Pan , most of the urine will just bead up and drop off .

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dry out the genus Pan very well , either with a paper towel or a designated “ cast of characters branding iron ” towel , as it will get oily and shameful moderately chop-chop . Make certain you get all the water off the pan , otherwise it will rust .

If your pan is n’t well seasoned , you will require to rub a footling bite of petroleum into it after make clean . Any type of oil will work here , Olea europaea , coconut palm , bacon fat , whatever you have around . This will help to make up a squeamish flavourer on the skillet . And that ’s all , it ’s now quick to be used again !

Cast Iron Cooking

This is the most fun part about take a cast iron skillet , cooking with it ! I use mine for everything , from sauteing veggies to cook egg to making afters . The nice thing about cast iron cooking utensil is that they can go from stove top to oven without any headache .

I have every size and form , from small enough to perfectly fit two bollock to large dutch ovens that I make myNo Knead Sourdough Breadin . One of my very favorite dessert recipe to make in cast iron is thisBlueberry Cornmeal Skillet Cake . Delicious !

I actually have several recipes on this web log that utilize hurl iron , mostly desserts and bread making . Here are the rest period of them , but do n’t draw a blank that you may use your cast iron cookware for almost anything !

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