Buzz
As the blog title suggests, we're passionate about skillets—especially those made of cast iron. If you don't own one or haven't fully embraced its potential, here's why you should start incorporating it into your cooking routine.
Let’s break down a few key reasons why cast iron skillets are a favorite. First, they’re affordable and versatile, suitable for almost any cooking or baking task. From an eco-friendly perspective, they’re free from harmful coatings and actually enrich your food with added iron. Most importantly, a well-maintained skillet can last longer than many other kitchen tools, improving with age and use if treated right.
While cooking, the oil bonds to the cast iron’s surface, enhancing its nonstick properties. This process is known as seasoning. With a well-seasoned skillet, you can actually use less oil than you would in a standard pan—and the more you cook with it, the better its performance becomes.
How to Choose the Ideal Cast Iron Skillet
The best cast iron skillets are often those passed down through generations, having had decades to build up a layer of seasoning that's almost completely nonstick. If you don't have one in your family, you can still find vintage pieces on eBay, sometimes priced at a few hundred dollars. These skillets were made using solid molds, not sand, and were polished after casting—a method that is no longer practiced today.
If spending hundreds on vintage cast iron is out of your budget, don’t worry. Lodge, the leading modern manufacturer, offers skillets starting at $25 on Amazon (here’s a tip: you can snag one for $20 at Target). Any reliable brand will work, but make sure the skillet is heavy and thick for optimal performance.
How to Maintain Your Cast Iron Skillet
Even if you buy a pre-seasoned cast iron skillet, it won't have optimal nonstick qualities right away. Be sure to clean it well with hot water and salt, then season it a few times by heating it over a large burner to dry it out, applying oil with a towel, and placing it in a hot oven for 20 to 30 minutes. The more you cook with it, the better the nonstick performance will become over time.
Proper cast iron care is essential. After each use, rinse your skillet with hot water and scrub with a brush (or use kosher salt if you need more scrubbing power). Soap is optional, but avoid leaving your skillet to soak in the sink, as it will rust. Dry it right away, then place it on the burner to let any moisture evaporate. Once dry, add a few drops of oil (preferably one with a high smoke point) and rub it in with a towel until the excess oil is wiped off. Watch the video above to see the full process.
Mastering Cast Iron Cooking
Cast iron cookware is perfect for nearly every cooking method—whether you’re searing, sautéing, baking, frying, or braising. Its size and shape make it ideal for one-pan meals like deep-dish pizza, skillet pies, and cobblers. The heavy bottom also makes it perfect for deep-frying, so start honing your skillet-fried chicken technique. Cast iron heats up incredibly well and holds onto heat, making it the best option for achieving a perfect sear on a thick steak or getting a great crust on pizza.
A quick tip: unless your cast iron is very well-seasoned, avoid cooking acidic foods like tomato sauces, wine, and citrus in it. Prolonged contact with these ingredients can give your food a metallic taste and cause your skillet to develop a blotchy, light-colored surface. If this happens, simply reseason the skillet until the surface becomes smooth and black again.
Proper Storage for Your Skillet
Cast iron works best when used regularly, but make sure it’s cleaned, seasoned, and cooled before putting it away. For long-term storage, try lining it with coffee filters to protect it. If it’s improperly stored and develops rust, restore it with vinegar (or in extreme cases, oven cleaner). Even if you’ve lost the seasoning and need to start fresh, you’ll never need to replace your cast iron pan entirely.
