Must-know Pros & cons of using cast iron pans and pots in 2024
Whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef, it’s essential to know pros and cons of cast iron pans and also select those materials for your cooking requirements that would last for longer and sustain cooking ingredients and tastes up to the expectations of the customers and homies.
Each material has its strengths and limitations and only the right fit for a particular condition, it’s up to you to select the best and reject the worst.
cast Iron pots and pans offer plenty of benefits along with some challenges too.
This article will help you decide whether this traditional material deserves a place on your kitchen horizon or not.
Surprising Pros of using cast iron pans and pots (advantages)
● Durable
Cast iron skillet contains approximately 3% carbon which strengthens it. However, it also adds an extra polymerized layer to that, which makes it more durable.
Due to its durability factors, it can be passed from generation to generation and is in use.
● Excellent Heat Retention
This quality makes it best for frying, roasting, and slow cooking. It gets very slow heat but can also retain it for a longer period without being quickly lost to the environment.
● Versatile
Due to its capacity of high heat retention & non-stick nature, you can use it for about anything. You can also use and put it on open flames and an extremely high temperature for cooking. It’s an excellent choice for frying, broiling, baking, roasting, etc.
● Affordable
You can buy it in your choice of sizes, colors, weights, and prices as it’s available in variable proportions. It’s an affordable material to purchase at a low price and a lifetime guarantee.
● Adds Iron to Food
Up to 16% of iron levels increase by cooking foods in iron pots.
According to researchers, studies reported a significant increase in blood hemoglobin levels due to cooking in iron materials.
Apart from all the other benefits, it is also advantageous to your health too.
Cons of using cast iron pans and pots (disadvantages)
● Heavy
One of the major drawbacks is their heavier weight compared to other types of cookware, which makes it harder while standing on flames to handle easily.
● Slow Heat Up
Cast iron pans have slow heat and cool-down times which can affect the cooking time and the heat required at specific times for the dishes.
● Reactive with Acidic Foods
It can easily react with acidic foods such as tomatoes, lemon, and citric foods which can adversely change the taste of the foods and the deliciousness of the dish while being cooked.
● Requires maintenance
Requires daily washing or after-cooking cleaning for non-sticking purposes of foods.
Conclusion:
To conclude, cast iron cookware have their benefits and challenges that make them suitable for various cooking preferences. On one side, it provides durability, excellent heat retention, and distribution, and can be used on ovens and open flames over high temperatures. Had a lifetime guarantee and had a non-stick nature.
However, it’s heavy, needs proper maintenance to prevent it from rusting, and yes it’s slow to heat up.
It’s not an ideal material for all types of foods, due to its high reactivity, but still, it’s a versatile tool in the kitchen to be used.
Well, every individual has different likes, dislikes, and needs of buying any product, by going through the article you can choose it for yourself. Check them out on amazon here!
infographics of pros and cons of cast iron pans and pots:
FAQ’s
- What are the disadvantages of cast iron pots?
Heavyweight, slow heating up, reactive to acidic foods, requires proper maintenance.
- What is the main problem with cast iron?
It gets susceptible to rust & corrosion if not properly maintained, also its reactive nature can change the taste of foods too.
- Is it healthy to cook in cast iron pots?
Cooking in iron pots can add a small amount of iron to foods according to some research studies, so it’s health-friendly.
- Are cast iron pots worth it?
It depends upon your kitchen and dishes needs, and definitely, if it meets your requirements of day-to-day life.
- Does cast iron cookware collect dust?
yes its cast iron and can collect dust if they not care properly ,to minimize dust collection you cans store dry ,covering properly and many more .if you need to learn more about how to prevent from dust click here