Why Cast Iron Makes Desirable Cookware

If you are a novice in the kitchen or new to buying cookware, then you may not be familiar with cast iron.  Cast iron and pig iron have nothing to do with farm animals or assisting the healing of a broken arm.  However, because of the compounds and minerals added to iron during its smelting process and final mixing, cast iron does make a strong metal used in making building materials and automotive parts. And due to its strength, even heating, and resistance to scratching, it makes excellent cookware.

Pig iron is a term used to describe the smaller sections of melted iron that are at right angles to the larger ingot when it is poured into a mold. These ‘piglets’ are broken off and then used later in other iron melting applications. One of these uses is making cast iron. Pig iron, steel, metals and alloys give cast iron its strength and desirability in skillets and cook pots.

Cast iron was first invented in China in the 4th century BC.  After melting, it was poured into molds to make ploughshares, pots, weapons and pagodas. In the west, where it did not become available until the late 14th century, its earliest uses included cannon and shot. Throughout the 1700s, cast iron proved valuable for making armaments, pots, steam engines, architecture and bridges. Automobile and machine parts are still valuable uses of cast iron, along with home decorations and cookware.

Bare cast iron is able to withstand high cooking temperatures, both on the stove and in the oven. It is cast from a single piece of metal so the heat is distributed evenly. Seasoning the cook surface will also make it stick free. Searing, frying, braising and baking-it can all be done in cast iron. It can be set directly on the coals at a cookout, too! No other metal cookware can do this.

Cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens can be purchased in most big box stores, specialty stores, and online. However, American cast iron cookware manufacturers are harder to find. During the first half of the 20th century, such brands as Griswold and Wagner Ware were especially popular. Both of these companies folded and were integrated into other manufacturers in the 1950s. The Lodge      Manufacturing Company is currently the only major manufacturer of cast iron cookware in the United States, as most other cookware suppliers sell pots and pans that are made in Asia or Europe.

Enameled cast iron cookware is an attractive alternative to bare cast iron. It is finished in many attractive colors and does not need to be seasoned to make it stick free. It is also rust resistant and easy to clean. There are several companies that make this enameled version, including Lodge, who make theirs in China. A negative aspect is that the enamel can scratch and chip. Care needs to be taken to prevent damage as this will expose the metal and possibly allow rust to develop.

If you are new to cast iron, and would like to add it to your lifestyle, you can find it in retail stores, secondhand stores and antique shops. It is a strong and resilient metal that will add charm to your home and long lasting quality to your cookware.  A cast iron skillet is more than a frying pan, it is an investment.