From home cooks to experienced chefs, many swear by cast iron skillets and their versatility in the kitchen, and for good reason, too.
They are durable kitchen tools that cook food more efficiently than the usual nonstick pan.
Cast iron skillets are a key item for anyone hoping to make great meals in the kitchen.
Unfortunately, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the right way to handle a cast iron.
Knowing the best way to clean it is already difficult in itself, with various websites offering conflicting advice on how to best approach it.
Another challenge is understanding how to maximize its powers when cooking and baking.
Harnessing the full potential of your cast iron enables you to make numerous healthy meals with it.
To do this, you need to know what is true and what isn’t about using it.
The Actual Facts About Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron skillets don’t work like magic when used improperly.
Here are some tips to avoid kitchen mistakes that could ruin your home-cooked meals.
1. You need to give your skillet time to heat up.
Cast irons are often lauded for how evenly they distribute heat. The truth is that skillets tend to have hot spots and cold spots when not heated well.
Avoid this issue by preheating your skillet in the oven before using it for cooking or baking.
Place your skillet in the oven before heating to around 400°F, then take it out and use as needed.
Use oven mitts and be careful when taking the skillet out because the heat could cause burns that require urgent medical care and attention.
2. Be careful when cooking acidic foods.
Many advise against using your cast iron with acidic ingredients such as vinegar, wine, and tomato sauce.
There is good logic behind this, as acidity can cause damage to the skillet and make your food taste like metal.
However, there is one way to prevent this problem.
A cast-iron skillet that is perfectly well-seasoned is usually safe from these issues, as the acidic food items will come into contact with oil on the pan instead of the metal.
The unfortunate reality is that it is more likely that a pan is unevenly seasoned than perfectly, so take caution.
You can still use acidic ingredients when cooking with your cast iron, but don’t keep them on the pan too long.
The safest move is to avoid cooking things like tomato sauce on your skillet, though, since it needs simmering for a long time.
3. Use different skillets for meals and desserts.
The non-stick part of your cast iron skillet is due to the layer of fat you leave on it with oil and heat.
While it makes your skillet work well to avoid ingredients from sticking, it can also retain some flavors from the dishes you cook on it.
This semi-porous surface can cause savory scents to find their way into your sweet baked goods.
If you can, use separate skillets for your meals and desserts to avoid accidental flavor transfer.
If this isn’t possible, you can still use the same skillet, but you will have to clean it more thoroughly to make sure there is no residue from previous dishes.
Proper Cleaning Practices for your Cast Iron
Cast iron skillets are often presented as if they are fragile items that can break with a single mistake, but they are more resilient than many think.
Here are the facts to help you clean your pan successfully.
1. You can quickly wash it with soap and water.
After accomplishing your kitchen duties, immediately wash your skillet. If necessary, use soap and water to remove bits of food left on the skillet.
It won’t automatically ruin your skillet!
What many people get wrong is the part after rinsing. You should never let it soak as this is what causes rust to appear.
Instead, thoroughly dry your skillet right after rinsing. Quick action prevents issues from happening.
2. There is hope for rusty cast iron skillets.
Accidentally soaked your skillet for too long? Don’t lose hope. There is definitely a way to bring your skillet back to its former glory.
Bring out your steel wool to remove the layer of rust on it.
If you don’t have one, rub coarse salt and water on it with a towel instead. Rinse, then dry thoroughly before re-seasoning the skillet before cooling and storing.
The idea that cast iron skillets are only accessible for seasoned cooks is untrue.
It just takes some review to get started on cooking your best and healthiest dishes at home using your own cast iron.