Cast Iron Cookware, Healthy Eco-Friendly Cooking
If you’re looking to retrofit or replace your kitchen cookware set you’ll be faced with many different options. In this article we are going to be focusing on cast iron cookware. We’ll take a look at cast iron’s affordability, efficiency, healthiness and eco-friendliness, and durability.
Finally, we’ll walk through a few brands that we like for their quality in design and their business practices. From ethical business standards to environmental stewardship, there are many ways a company can play a role in impacting the lives of customers and employees.
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Affordability
When it comes to affordability, cast iron cookware can vary. Some brands are comparable in price to competition from non-stick, ceramic, and stainless steel cookware while others can be quite expensive. Luckily, when it comes to cast iron, the increased cost of some brands is offset by the quality and longevity of the products. It’s important when considering cost to factor in the product lifespan and replacement intervals.
On average, cast iron cookware is more expensive than non-stick, ceramic, and stainless steel. For many people, replacing their entire cookware range with cast iron will be more than they want to pay. If making a change to cast iron overnight is too difficult, making piecewise changes over time will be much more tolerable.
When it comes it important objects in your life that you use very often we believe it’s always better to invest in your health and the health of the environment. Cookware is one of those important household items that investing in can have a very positive impact on your life.
Cooking Efficiency
Any type of cookware is only useful if it allows you to efficiently and effectively cook meals. Luckily, cast iron cookware is exceptional when it comes to cooking efficiency.
Due to the simple construction of cast iron cookware it has excellent heat distribution. One of the biggest issues with other cookware is the lack of heat distribution. When heat is unevenly distributed it can lead to ‘hot spots’ in your cookware which can cause food to cook unevenly, not a useful happening.
Another important factor to cooking is using cookware that food doesn’t stick to. This is why the ‘non-stick’ craze and the cookware it inspired – notably Teflon – exists. Well-seasoned cast iron cookware is indistinguishable from traditional non-stick cookware in terms of slickness. Even better, the coating on cast iron cookware that provides the slickness is not harmful like the fluoropolymers in Teflon cookware, in fact the seasoning can be as simple as vegetable oils.
Cast iron cookware is “seasoned” to create a non-stick coating. Seasoning cast iron involves curing cooking oil to the cookware at high temperatures. Once seasoned, the cookware will have a nice slick surface that food won’t stick to. Over time the oil coating will degrade, and the pan will need to be re-seasoned. Most of the time, coating the pan with a thin layer of oil after cooking with it will keep it nice and slick.
If a full re-seasoning is needed, the pan needs to be coated with a thin layer of oil and cooked in the oven at high temperatures to let the oil cure. A helpful guide to re-seasoning cast iron cookware can be found here.
Convenience
Cast iron cookware is very easy to use and is great for novice chefs and professionals alike. The solid construction means little worry about the cookware breaking or malfunctioning. Cast iron’ slickness is endlessly renewable thanks to the ability to re-season the cookware. Many brands include various different pans and vessels that lend themselves to fitting a wide range of cooking requirements all while offering the unbeatable cooking experience offered by cast iron.
Many cast iron manufacturers make their cookware pieces with hanging hooks in the handle of the cookware for easy storage. Additionally, larger cast iron pieces have a holding handle opposite the handle to allow lifting with two hands. This is added feature is a life saver, especially when cooking a large meal.
One potential downside to the unbeatable durability of cast iron cookware is the weight of the cookware. The added heft to cast iron cookware is a potential downside for people looking to avoid very heavy cookware. Additionally, as cast iron is usually one solid piece, the cookware conducts heat throughout the whole piece, this includes any handles.
It is very important to remember that the handles of cast iron cookware get very hot. Always use a handle cover or an oven mitt when handling hot cast iron!
Your Health and the Health of the Environment
Cast iron cookware is not only a safer option for the environment but it is also safer for you and your family. Certain stainless-steel types and ‘non-stick’ cookware have legacy chemical compounds (chemicals trapped in the material from the manufacture process) in them that can, and often do, find their way into your body or the bodies of family members. Cast iron has virtually no harmful chemicals due to its simple construction.
Most eco-friendly products are deemed good for the environment because they don’t emit harmful chemicals into the environment, they don’t require excess resources to create, and they are long lasting, recyclable, or don’t leach harmful material into landfills upon discarding.
Some legacy compounds, such as those found in Teflon (classic non-stick cookware) can have detrimental impacts on your health. Repeated heating of cookware causes microscopic expansion and retraction of the material, this is true of nearly everything that is regularly heated and cooled. Over time, this continued changing of the materials’ shape allows trapped chemicals to escape into the environment.
Once these trapped chemicals are released, they are free to collect either in the environment or within your body. Reports of pet birds suddenly dying after their owners cooked with nonstick cookware led to the realization that nonstick cookware can emit harmful chemicals during routine use. Some people claim these compounds can only be emitted if the cookware is heated beyond a certain temperature but the science indicates otherwise.
If you’re interested in this subject, you can read more about what has been deemed ‘Polymer Fume Fever’ here.
Durability
In an ideal world cookware would last a lifetime. No product is designed to last forever but it sure would be nice if that were the case. Cast iron cookware seems like an exception to the rule, the durability and long lifespan of cast iron is truly unrivaled. Due to its simple yet rugged construction, cast iron will stand up to repeated use and will last if treated properly.
Additionally, the long lifespan of cast iron helps you reduce your carbon footprint since it all but eliminates your need to continually purchase replacement cookware.
‘Non-stick’ coatings such as Teflon is also prone to scratching and chipping when metal utensils contact the cookware surface. Once Teflon has been chipped it has the potential to leach fluorinated substances (compounds that contain the element fluorine) into whatever contacts the damaged surface. Cast iron cookware does not have this issue.
Cast Iron Cookware, Overview and Brands
All things considered, cast iron is our preferred choice of cookware. There is a reason many professional chefs the world over choose to cook only in cast iron, it works, and it works brilliantly. It is durable and much safer than some of its competition. The chipping and scratching issues that plague non-stick, ceramic, and stainless steel are not a bother in cast iron cookware.
While these attributes make cast iron exceptional to cook with, the sheer weight of cast iron or the sometimes steep price can be too much for some. If cast iron is not possible given your budget or physical safety or if you want something flashier, don’t fret there are options.
We understand cast iron isn’t for everyone, if that is you feel free to check out our reviews and recommendations for alternatives such as ceramic and the classic stainless steel.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s delve into a few cast iron cookware brands we trust and recommend.
Lodge Cast Iron Cookware, High Quality, Fair Price
Lodge Manufacturing is an American owned and operated brand that has been creating quality cast iron products for over 100 years. Throughout the company’s long history, Lodge has refined their product line and today offers some of the best quality cast iron cookware at a reasonable price. Lodge cast iron cookware is perfect for making restaurant quality food and will work well for years all while keeping costs as low as possible.
Lodge offers a variety of different cast iron options. From classic seasoned cast iron cookware to beautifully enameled dutch ovens, Lodge offers everything needed to completely retrofit your kitchen and start cooking healthier and happier. In addition to their cookware options Lodge offers various accessories that make cooking with cast iron easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
Lodge Cast Iron Top Picks
Pre-Seasoned 10.25 in Cast Iron Skillet
Pros
- Pre-Seasoned
- Teardrop hanging hook in handle
- Molded pouring/venting grooves
Cons
- Can rust if exposed to water for an extended time
- Not recommended to use soap while cleaning
6 Quart Enameled Dutch Oven, Oyster White
Pros
- Exquisite enamel finish protects against rusting
- Safe to clean with soap
Cons
- Hand protection needed when handling while hot
- Enamel can be chipped if mistreated
- Thermal shock potential
Cast Iron Cookware Striped Mitt Handle
Pros
- Allows for safe handling of hot cast iron cookware
- Washing machine safe
- Can be used on other pans or skillets if desired
Cons
- Cannot be used while cooking in the oven
- Can be stained by oils or other foods
Le Creuset, Quality, Luxury, Vivid Color
Le Creuset is a French company that has been in the cookware game for nearly a century. The exquisite craftsmanship that goes into their products reflects their expertise when it comes to high-quality cookware. Le Creuset offers a wide selection of cookware types which are sure to please all cooking enthusiasts. The company even offers a line of non-stick cookware that is PFOA-free.
You truly are spoiled for choice when it comes to Le Creuset. On offer are various skillets, dutch ovens, griddles, and more in available in a variety of colored enamels. If you are looking to spruce up your kitchen with ultra high-quality cookware from a trusted time-tested brand, look no further than Le Creuset.
Le Creuset Top Picks
Enameled 9 In Cast Iron Skillet Cerise
Pros
- Enameled exterior can be washed with soap
- Hanging hook for easy storage
Cons
- Enamel can be chipped if mistreated
- Thermal shock potential
Enameled 2.25 Quart Saucepan Marseille
Pros
- Cast iron option for cooking soups and sauces
- Can be safely washed with soap
Cons
- Enamel can be chipped if mistreated
- Thermal shock potential
Cast Iron Cookware Silicon Grip
Pros
- Allows for safe handling of hot cast iron cookware
- Safe for use in microwave, freezer, dishwasher, and oven (up to 482 degrees F)
Cons
- Can crack and fray after repeated uses
Happy Healthy Cooking
Regardless of whether you prefer the ruggedly simple and efficient cast iron cookware offered by Lodge or the elegantly luxurious Le Creuset cookware, both brands offer quality products. Choosing cast iron cookware is an excellent way to create a healthier kitchen for you, your loved ones, and the environment.