So here it is, someone asked me: "Do I need Cast Iron Pan?" Answer: YES, yes you do. Cast iron pans are incredible, they distribute heat evenly, are amazingly versatile, durable, naturally non-stick, and healthy to boot. You can use on the stove top, in the oven, on the grill, even on a campfire. You can use them to cook pretty much everywhere but a microwave oven.
You will never have better bacon and eggs than those you make in a cast iron skillet in the morning, I absolutely guarantee it. Not to mention you can heat it to absurd temperatures for searing steaks, make frittatas, and chicago-style pizza.
Cast-Iron Pans. Get one.
Dear Food Giraffe,
ReplyDeleteCast Iron Pans- got some. However, some are rusty, some are peeling or something.. can they be fixed? Also, the family is in two camps re: cleaning them. Grandma says she always uses soap and water with the rest of the dishes. Others say only a paper towel to get the gunk off and leave the oil. Thoughts? Thx.
drkate
http://blog.stoneturtlehealth.com
Hi drkate,
ReplyDeleteFirst off sorry for the delay of this reply. Second, as far as I know, (and that's not much) rusting on cast iron pans is typically a bad sign, depending on the degree of corrosion there are options. If a little rust, gentle scraping with a a wire brush may be an option, at which point you'll need to season the pan again and build up the layer of oil to prevent future corrosion and restore your pans performance. If it's a lot of rusting and if scraping it away would change the thickness of the pan, I suggest buying a new one. Too much stress on the pan from corrosion may cause cracking and also reduce the even heating of the pan which is sort of the point right?
As for cleaning there are certainly two camps. I fall in the middle, well middle but towards the dry-paper towel side. I use water and a dab of soap only when necessary for the rougher cooking days. I usually follow-up by applying a little grape seed oil with a dry paper towel. I'd also recommend salt scrubbing the pan now and again. Take about 1 Tbsp of Kosher salt and 1/2 Tbsp of cold water and toss it in the pan. Use a dry paper towel, and it scrub. It works as a great abrasive to get your pan shiny and new. Again follow-up with a little oil. Hope this helps! Let me know your results.