What to Consider Before Purchasing a New Cast Iron Cookware Set

If you’re thinking about purchasing new cast iron cookware, you’ve probably thought about it a lot. Whether it’s because you want to get a new set for Christmas or just because your old set is getting worn out, buying the best cookware can be an exciting and educational process.

This is an article to help you decide whether or not cast iron is the best cookware for your needs and whether or not to buy a pre-seasoned cast iron set or one that you season yourself. If you need help, a Seasoning guide is the best way to learn the process if you’re not an expert.

Why buy cast iron?

There are a lot of reasons why cast iron is popular. The most apparent and obvious one is because it’s a great way to cook with more control over your food’s temperature. After all, it can be seasoned, and because it heats evenly and retains heat for a long time. On their own, any of those reasons is a reason to choose cast iron, but all together, they make it the best style of cookware for most home cooks and chefs.

Pros of cast iron cookware

Cast iron uses less energy than other types of cookware and requires less oil which burns more slowly. It’s easier to clean because it’s non-stick and releases less heat when being heated. It has no sealer, so it won’t stick to food, meaning that you will not be adding new flavors to your meals with the same old coating.

The chances of cast iron sticking or not heating evenly are slim

Food rarely sticks to cast iron, and you never run into the issue of the pan not heating evenly. In fact, because of how even heat is distributed, you can cook food faster without worrying about burning your food, and when you’re pouring your food out of the pan onto a plate or cutting it into pieces, you don’t have to worry about the liquid sloshing around and spilling all over the place.

It’s strong and durable

Cast iron is strong enough to be used for rough handling by you or by your kids, making it an excellent option for family life. It’s durable and can be used for cooking on the stove or in the oven and over a grill. It will probably outlast any other type of cookware, making it a wise investment for the home chef.

Cons of cast iron cookware

From experiences and research, there are three significant cons about buying cast iron cookware. The first is a learning curve, taking about a week to get used to the way the pots and pans conduct heat. The second con is that they are hard to clean, and for this reason, many people choose to buy the pre-seasoned ones. The third is that they are relatively heavy, but if you’re not going to move them around a lot, this isn’t much of a concern.

Cast iron has been popular for centuries, and it will continue in popularity

One of the greatest benefits of buying cast iron is that it’s been popular for centuries and will continue to be popular for centuries. People have been cooking with it since time began, it seems. It’s made well and will outlast other types of cookware. Its value will probably always be there, and prices will only rise, making it a very wise investment indeed.

Every kitchen needs at least one cast-iron skillet. Anyone who considers themselves a chef or serious cook should have various cast iron pots and pans to choose from. It’s one of the best types of cookware out there, both for professionals and novices. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you can’t go wrong with a cast-iron skillet. It’s one of the few pieces of cookware that’ll get passed down from generation to generation.