Using Cast Iron Griddles and Skillets
Cast iron cookware is a popular material in the kitchen due to the fact that it has excellent heat retention properties and can be produced and formed with a relatively low level of technology.
There are several reasons that people rave about their cast iron griddles and cast iron skillets. Besides being an ideal heat conductor, cast iron cookware heats evenly and consistently, it is inexpensive and will last a lifetime with proper care, and it is an old-fashioned way to cook fat free. When well seasoned, a cast iron pan will be stick resistant and require no additional oil.
History of Cast Iron Cookware
Bare cast-iron has been used for cooking for hundreds of years. Cast iron cauldrons and cooking pots were treasured as kitchen items for their durability and their ability to retain heat, improving the quality of cooking meals. Before the introduction of the kitchen stove in the middle of the 19th century, meals were cooked in the hearth or fireplace, and cooking pots and pans were designed for use in the hearth. Cast iron pots were made with handles to allow them to be hung over a fire or with legs so that they could stand up in the fireplace.
The 20th century also saw the introduction and popularization of enamel-coated cast iron cookware.
Cooking with Cast Iron
The beauty of a cast iron griddle is that it can be used for just about any cooking task. Cooking on cast iron griddles and cast iron skillets is perfect for searing a filet, frying chicken or frying potatoes and stir-frying vegetables.
Most bare cast iron pots and pans are cast from a single piece of metal in order to provide even distribution of heat. This quality allows most bare cast iron pans to serve as dual-purpose stovetop fryers and oven baking dishes. Many recipes call for the use of a cast iron skillet or pot, especially so that the dish can be initially seared or fried on the stovetop then transferred into the oven, pan and all, to finish baking. A well-seasoned cast iron pan will only get better with age, and will last you for a lifetime.
Professional chefs consider cast iron cookware to be precision cooking tools, as these dependable pans enable precise control of cooking temperatures. Their heat retention qualities allow for even cooking temperature without hot spots.
Seasoning Cast Iron
‘Seasoning’ is vegetable oil baked onto the iron at a high temperature. Seasoning creates the natural, easy-release properties; the more you cook, the better it gets. Because you create and maintain the seasoning, your cookware can last a lifetime.