How To Choose Cast Iron Cookware – Expert Guide

How To Choose Cast Iron Cookware?

With regards to kitchen gear, cookware seldom gets better with age. Nonetheless, the cast iron cookware is apparently a strange special case for this norm. As they say, if you treat the cast iron cookware right and cook with them routinely, not only will they last long for a lifetime, they will also improve with every use! Having that said, is all in the market working the same? Today we will explain how to choose cast iron cookware that is the best for you. 

Here’s how to choose cast iron cookware:

1. Look at the weight of the cast iron cookware

The weight is a central point in the acquisition of a good piece of cast cookware, and keeping in mind that not generally obvious, the heavier things will quite often hold more hotness and give a more bona fide iron cooking style.

Revolutionary technology has allowed the cast iron cookware to be lighter. In fact, La gourmet’s Nitrigan cast iron cookware range uses such technology to create 30% lighter cookware compared to other brands.

2. Convenient handles and knobs

The quality of the cookware is without a doubt important. Being able to move your cookware around is essential when you want to transfer the food onto a plate or to the dining table. 

Hence, the handle or knobs of the cast iron cookware is important so that you don’t get burned when accidentally touching the hot surface. 

Check out the features of the cast iron cookware that you’re looking to buy before making a purchase. See-through if the handle has a heat-resistant cover or holder over it. 

While looking for cast iron cookware, watch for the handle designs. Make sure the knobs are comfortable to hold. Remember that cast iron cookware is usually heavy. So, the handle design is quite important. 

It must be extensive enough to allow you to hold with cloth wrapped if needed. 

The position of the handle is important too. It should be ergonomic enough so that it won’t be too heavy on the wrist. This is essential to reduce the risk of injury when lifting the cast iron cookware to be served.

3. Choose whether you need classic or enamelled cast iron cookware

One major thing to do when it comes to buying traditional cast iron cookware is that you have to season it yourself. Pre-seasoned cast iron cookware is available in the market, however, they are for the most part more expensive than unseasoned cast iron cookware. 

When the traditional cast iron cookware is seasoned, it ought not to be cleaned with soap or put into the dishwasher. Instead, scratch the food out of the cookware, wash it with water and dry it on the stove with fire. Apply a thin layer of oil, then let it be. Don’t leave it in the sink as this will cause it to rust. This cookware can keep going for a really long time if appropriately taken care of. 

On the other hand, we have the enamelled cast iron cookware. This type of cookware is easier to care for than the traditional ones. They don’t need to be seasoned. Plus, they also can be washed with soap and water. 

Cooking acidic foods too is totally fine without additional effort to season it as how you would with the traditional cast iron cookware. 

The only downfall to the enamelled cast iron cookware is that the coating is prone to damage. It may chip. Plus, the colour too may go out of style. 

One of the main features of traditional cast iron cookware is its versatility. You can use it on the stovetop or outdoors under a campfire. If going outdoor is your thing, enamelled cast iron cookware will not be a good choice. That’s because you have to protect the enamelled layer. 

Price-wise, enamelled cast iron cookware is also much pricer than traditional ones. If you’re going for the branded ones, they tend to be more expansive but their enamel is expected to be tougher. 

4. Decide to go for new or used cast iron cookware 

If seasoning the cookware is your thing, go for a new cast iron cookware. It’s easily accessible and most malls sell them. 

Traditional cast iron cookware is well-known for its durability. When well taken care of, it could last so long that you can even transcend it to your next younger generation. So, in the right hands, there’s actually nothing wrong to get used to cast iron cookware. 

In fact, there’s a market for antique cast iron cookware. Besides, they tend to get better as it is used longer. Putting aside the fact that it is seasoned by other people’s cooking, you can actually save time to have the ideal cast iron cookware that has been smoothed well enough that it will always have that perfect non-stick coating on it. 

When you’ve decided to buy a used cast iron cookware whether, from your garage sales or some online market, it’s important to examine it before committing your payment. 

What to look at when choosing used cast iron cookware

Check for rust or pitting. Physical impact or thermal shock could cause pitting in cast iron cookware. This means that the cast iron has been eroded away. This kind of condition is hard to be salvaged so best to avoid it. 

If there’s little rust, then it’s generally okay. It can be cleaned off during the re-seasoning process. 

Check for warping of the cast iron cookware. Warping is a defect on the cast iron cookware where you can’t place it evenly on the surface of the table. It may wobble and will have movement. This is usually caused by putting water onto the pan when it’s still hot. 

Check the seasoning layer. If the seasoning layer appears thick, sticky or flaky, then it needs to be removed and reseasoned again. 

On the other hand, if the surface is shiny without any defect, then it’s good to bring home. It will also save you the hassle of seasoning it yourself. 

The seasoning can be foreign to some but it’s the upper hand that makes it better than non-stick cookware. Its durability is a benefit of cast iron cookware that’s worshipped by many. 

For the best cast iron cookware for your money, check out our Nitrigan range today!