My mom gave me one of her cast iron pans, and I’ll admit, I’ve never used it. To be honest, the feeling of it is unpleasant to me. However, after researching and learning more about cast iron cookware benefits, I’m a changed woman. The number of benefits of cast iron pans outweighs (literally) the cons, and I think you’ll see that too.
Cast Iron Pan Benefits
Below are seven benefits of using a cast iron skillet.
1. Nonstick
There are plenty of benefits of a cast iron pan. For starters, once your cast iron skillet has a nice sheen to it, it’s basically nonstick. That means you can cook with less oil, which means it’s a health bonus!
2. Chemical-Free
Another one of the benefits of cast iron cookware is that they are chemical-free. So they are a great alternative to nonstick pans since most contain perfluorocarbons, which is a chemical linked to cancer, developmental problems, liver damage and more.
3. Long Life Span
Cast iron cookware has a long life span as well. Many people still use cast iron pans inherited from their parents or grandparents.
4. Adds Iron To Your Food
Possibly one of the greatest cast iron skillet health benefits is that it adds iron to your food. Many people suffer from iron deficiency, and cooking with cast iron pans can help increase your iron content by as much as 20 times!
5. Use In The Stove And Oven
They are dual purpose. Not only can you use them on the stove, but you can also use them in the oven at any temperature.
6. Easy to Clean
One of the most popular benefits of cast iron pans is that they are easy to clean. They don’t require soap and food lifts off the pan easily.
7. Less Expensive
We recommend the Lodge L10SK3 Cast Iron Skillet. You can get a 12-inch model for ! (One of our team members has this pan in two different sizes. She loves cooking with it!)
And, since these pans last forever, you may even be able to pick one up for a deal at a yard sale or local thrift store.
How To Clean And Season Cast Iron Skillets
Cast iron cookware does need a little more preparation than the typical stainless steel pan, but the extra work is worth it. These pans can last a lifetime or longer. Watch this video from Martha Stewart on how to season and clean your cast iron pans.
What Will You Cook Up?
The benefits of cast iron skillets are much better than the generic stainless steel and a far cry from the toxins associated with cooking on nonstick, Teflon pans — No more worries about those chemicals deposits into your food. If you’re looking for some new recipes to try out on your skillet, consider a meal kit subscription that sends everything you need to make yummy meals straight to your doorstep.
Why are you planning to start cooking with cast iron? What will you cook first?
