When it comes to good ole fashioned southern cuisine, nothing beats cooking out of cast iron skillets. The same holds true to campfire cooking.

As a matter of fact, no other culinary item has lasted the test of time with longevity, or popularity, as cast-iron skillets.

So, with that being said, I thought it would be a great idea to reframe our perspective on cast iron cooking. With this in mind, I am going to give you 5 reasons why we should be busting these out on a regular basis.

Without further ado, let’s get to cooking!

 

For more information on cast-iron cooking, please check out lodge cast-irons

 

 

 

5 Reasons you Should Be Cooking with Cast Iron Skillets.

 

#1. They are Tough.

Cast Iron Skillets have some serious mojo.

Unlike other cookware options, such as stainless steel or copper pans, the cast iron is pretty much indestructible.

There is a reason why it’s still around. There is a stigma though regarding this cookware. Many people think they are hard to care for and can easily be ruined.

Nothing can be further from the truth.

The cast iron pan is easily maintained once it has been properly seasoned. It can pretty much withstand any type of abuse that life will throw at them.

 

#2. They require less oil.

This type of cookware will allow yourself to cook with less oil. Due to the cast iron skillet’s nonstick nature, and its ability to cook efficiently with higher temperatures, you will notice it takes less oil to get the job done.

This type of cookware that allows you to cook with less oil without sacrificing flavor needs to be noted and appreciated.

 

Cooking with Efficiency.

 

 

#3. They Maintain their Heat.

Cast iron skillets hold on to their heat plain and simple. Once they heat up and are hot, it will stay that way much more effectively let’s say stainless steel for example.

This makes cast iron the ideal material for high-heat applications like searing a steak. The initial drop in temp caused by adding the lower temperature steak to the hot skillet will be much smaller in a cast iron, allowing for higher heat and better browning.

And better browning equals a much better steak.

 

#4.  It improves after each use.

One of my favorite advantages is that a cast iron skillet is possibly the only piece of kitchen cookware that you can purchase that noticeably improves after each use. Why? Because when you cook in it, the cast iron skillet develops a natural, slick patina, called seasoning.

A well-seasoned skillet can become just as nonstick as an aluminum or stainless-steel pan and will definitely outlast them.

 

#5. Increased iron content.

 

 

 

So, I get asked this question a lot. Does cast iron skillets increase its iron content? Yes. Acidic foods cooked in cast iron absorb the most amount of iron such as a simmering tomato sauce and was once thought to contain dangerous amounts of the mineral. This is also false.

While cooking with cast iron certainly doesn’t guarantee the daily recommended amount of iron in your diet, it does indeed provide an extra source when supplementation is needed–no other cookware can make that claim.

The greater the acidity of the food and the longer you cook it, the more iron is transferred to the food. Also, foods that contain more water than others also seem to absorb more of the iron.

 

 

 

Thoughts & Takeaways

And that wraps things up for today. There is no doubt that the cast iron skillet is a tried-and-true method of cooking. I personally never go camping without my cast iron skillets. I love the durable nature and its ability to cook efficiently. Please share your experiences with cast iron cooking in the comment section below.

 

 

 

 

-CT