Exploring the main 8 simple and awesome cast iron skillet benefits to see if a cast iron skillet is the right fit in your kitchen.
Cast iron skillets are non stick pans without the yucky chemicals. A year ago my family and I ditched all of our nonstick skillets to exclusively using cast iron skillets. This is one of the best decisions my husband and I have made for our kitchen. Switching over to cast iron took us over five years to make. I am so glad we took the leap.
You will see I mention “seasoning a cast-iron skillet” many times throughout this blog post. Let me answer some common “seasoning” questions.
What does it mean when a pan is seasoned?
When a cast iron pan is seasoned it means that oil is baked onto the pan and creates a semi-gloss shine to it. There aren’t any rust or dull spots. The skillet functions as well, if not better, than a non-stick pan.
How to tell if a pan is seasoned?
The ultimate test to check if your pan is seasoned well is to fry an egg using the pan. Add a bit of oil to your pan, place the pan on medium heat for a few minutes, and then add a cracked egg. Once the egg is cooked, if it comes off easily then your skillet is seasoned. If not, then you need to continue to use the pan and develop a season.
How to season a cast-iron skillet?
Stove Top Method
This method takes some time and patience. But for me was the easiest way to season the pan without needing to do anything fancy.
- Wash the cast iron skillet with hot soap water (if this is your first time using it)
- Dry the skillet well
- Add a fair amount of oil (canola, vegetable, coconut, butter, or your choice) to the pan
- Cook with the pan Tip: cook with food items that are easy to clean up like a well-buttered grilled cheese sandwich
- Continue to use the pan daily and naturally build up the seasoning.
Oven Method
This method, from Lodge Cast Iron, involves using the oven at a low temperature. I have tried this method once before and have found it works well to season a pan.
- Wash the cast iron skillet with hot soap water (if this is your first time using it)
- Dry the skillet well
- Add a thin layer of oil (canola, vegetable, coconut, or your choice) to the pan.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees
- Place the pan upside down in the oven for about one hour
- Done!
Top Eight Cast Iron Skillet Benefits
#1 Longevity
Cast iron skillets will last for decades (if treated properly). We have a cast iron pan that is well over ten years old. It is the same cast iron skillet that I use every single day, multiple times a day. This cast iron skillet will outlive me and I am super excited about that prospect. Which means one less item that will end up in the landfill; eco-friendly swaps. These pans last so long and are worth the investment.
#2 Cost
You can pick up a decent cast iron skillet for around twenty dollars. We bought a 10.25 inch cast iron for $20 ten years ago. It is still our main cooking pan that we use every day. The cost is low and a cast iron pan will pay for itself over and over again.
#3 Simple to maintain
Once a cast iron pan is seasoned, it is simple and easy to clean. Depending upon how dirty your cast iron skillet is, there are a few methods to clean. One method involves using a sponge and another involves hot water.
The Sponge Cleaning Method
All you need is a sponge (or scouring pad). You scrub, rinse, dry (make sure all moisture is removed from the pan), and season again adding a few drops of oil (coconut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil).
Hot Water Cleaning Method
If food is stuck on, add some hot water to the pan and scrape the bottom using a metal spatula. You can do this right on the stove. Then carefully dump the water, dry, and add a few drops of your favorite oil of choice.
Cast Iron Skillet Benefits
#4 Holds the heat
Cast iron pans will stay warm for a long amount of time. Many times a recipe will ask for the food to be put on a simmer, but with a cast iron pan, you can turn off the heat and it will simmer on its own for several minutes.
#5 Versatility
Cast iron pans can be used on the stove, in the oven, and for a variety of dishes. From eggs to sweet cinnamon rolls, to a shepherd pie for dinner. This pan is truly the pan that does it all.
What foods should not be cooked in cast iron?
1. Seafood (anything with a fishy smell)
Fish might stick to the pan and be difficult to remove. Fish can also leave behind a smell. Try using a nonstick skillet or cook in the oven on a different pan to avoid sticking. When I cook with fish, I usually prefer cooking in the oven on a baking sheet.
2. Acidic foods (maybe)
There is some conflicting advice online on whether you should or shouldn’t use your cast iron pan with acidic foods like tomatoes or lemons. Some say the acidic will strip away the seasoning while others say acidic foods are fine. Do what you think is right for you, but I cook with lemon and tomatoes in our cast iron pan. The skillet is still going strong.
3. Anything smelly
Cast iron pans hold onto the smells from what you last cooked in them. Avoid anything too smelly that will linger in the pan after cooking. Cooking with a lot of garlic can have this effect. If a smell is sticking around for some reason, use a bit of baking soda to scrub down the pan. Baking soda should help remove the smell.
4. Scrambled eggs (maybe)
I have found the scrambled eggs enjoy sticking to the sides. However, I have a few tricks that should help you avoid stuck on eggs.
First, add enough oil to generously grease the bottom as well as the sides of the pan.
Secondly, make sure the pan is on medium heat for a few minutes before adding the eggs.
Thirdly, scramble the eggs in a separate bowl before adding them to the warm pan.
Finally, keep the eggs moving during the cooking time.
Back to the cast iron skillet benefits…
#6 Food gets crispy
When cooking with cast iron, food takes on a delicious, crunchy, crispy, texture. One of my favorite items to cook in the cast iron is diced-up potatoes, tossed in oil. I also love making bread, dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, and all types of bread in our cast iron pan. Cast iron pans add a nice, crispy, crunchy flavor to food without even trying. Yum!
#7 Easy Clean Up
Cleaning up well-seasoned cast iron skillets is a breeze. All you need to do is wipe out the pan with a rag or paper towel, add a few drops of your favorite oil and off you go. It truly is that simple and easy to clean.
#8 Indestructible
The best benefit of cast iron pans over nonstick or other types of pans is they can be put through a lot. First of all, I have used a knife on our cast iron skillet. That sounds more intense than I meant it to. But when trying to get out some yummy apple pie I have used a knife on the pan. Our cast iron pans had no problem!
I have accidentally dropped our skillet. The skillet is fine, my toe, not so much. Cast iron skillets can be put through a lot and come out on the other side, usually better than when you first bought them (or inherited them).
Cast Iron Skillet Benefits Conclusion:
To summarize, cast iron skillets last for decades and are very affordable to buy. They are simple to maintain, hold their heat well, and are indestructible. If you haven’t tried out cooking with cast iron, give it a try. It is always a joy cooking with cast iron.
What cast iron skillet benefit do you enjoy? Why did you start (or want to start) using a cast ion skillet?
Discover other Cast Iron Skillet Benefits:
Eco-Friendly Swaps in the Kitchen
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