Cast Iron

Cast iron cookware in context

Cast iron cookware is a very, very old form of cookware that has made a remarkable resurgence over the recent past. The reasons for this are not difficult to see as it is highly regarded for its even heating, versatility and durability and for being totally forgiving., It is also iconic harping back to early times in the great American tradition, with close associations with colonial and pioneering times.

Cast iron cookware is made by pouring molten iron into molds in the desired  shapes such as baking pans, skillets, Dutch ovens, Jambalaya pots of all sizes and cornbread pans at the other extreme, The majority of cast iron cookware is molded from a single piece of cast iron and will not have attached handles; avoid those that do.. Whilst its antecedence is timeless, cast iron cookware is not a thing of the past as many a chef and home cook use it on a daily basis in favour of all other forms of cookware.

So where does all the fanaticism surrounding cast iron cookware come from as certainly it comes with, what might be seen by some, as drawbacks: its heavy, it has to be washed carefully, it can crack if seriously mistreated, it has to be seasoned before use and must be re-oiled after use and it has to be kept away from acidic foods, which can cause undue damage!

On the positive side there is much to be said for cast iron:

1. Cast iron cookware has exceptional heat retention and even cooking properties; as such it is excellent for stewing, browning, frying and baking
2. After seasoning the surface of the cast iron is totally non stick meaning you can cook with little or no oil, making it an exceptionally healthy form of cooking;
3. It is versatile, heavy duty, rugged, durable, sturdy, long lasting and forgiving; as such it is excellent for when out hunting, fishing, camping or scouting;
4. Using cast iron is a good way to add trace elements of iron into your diet. By contrast with much else on the market it is totally free of  additives found in other cookware, such as Teflon;
5. It  is excellent for recipes needing to be cooked at high temperatures such as when searing or frying;
6. It is one of the most versatile forms of cookware on the market; all other forms of cookware are far more limited in their use
7. Cast iron cookware is unquestionably the best value cookware you’ll ever purchase, especially as it can be used on the stovetop, in the oven and on top of a fire; not forgetting the fact that it lasts for generation upon generation meaning it will become a family heirloom enjoyed by your great-grandchildren’s great grandchildren;
8. Cast iron cookware is worth every penny for peace of mind and protection of the planet.

One of the top cast iron cookware brands from our extensive reviews across the marketplace is the Bayou Classic range of Cast iron Cookware and Jambalaya pots, the  best seller of which, just for your information is the oval roasting pan.

We conclude that cast iron cookware is not a thing of the past; it is not only  alive and well but outperforming all that modernity can throw at it by way of competition.

About the Author

Stephen Kember is the Proprietor of The outdoor cooking equipment Store where you will find a range of exceptional value cast iron cookware and cast iron frying pans .

Get along to the store today as there is a pre Christmas sale on with some superb offers.

Cast In Iron $12.49 Cast In Iron

VEWOK Cast Iron Wok $49 Cast Iron Wok Ring

Small Cast Iron Grate $119 Small Cast Iron Grate

Large Cast Iron Grate $128 Large Cast Iron Grate

CAST IRON CONDITIONER $6.99 CAST IRON CONDITIONER

7542 Cast Iron $44.99 Weber 7542 Cast Iron Griddle

VEGRD100C Cast Iron Grill/Griddle $99 Cast Iron GrillGriddle Combination

PSWK-RNG Cast Iron Wok $49 Cast Iron Wok Ring

Cast Iron Umbrella Base $149.85 Beautiful black cast iron umbrella base

Cast Iron Billy $45.99 John Thomson Cast Iron Billy - Art Print

Cast Iron $16.49 This Rectangular Cast Iron Grill Press has a raised ridge pattern on bottom and hardwood handle. Great for getting good contact with the grill for the most impressive grill marks. Features: • Made of Cast Iron • Hardwood handle • Makes great grill marks • Pre-seasoned • Great for steaks • Color: Black Size: 4 1/2"tall x 8 3/4"wide

Texsport / CAST IRON GRIDDLE / 14502 $33.73 Texsport - CAST IRON GRIDDLE - 14502

Large Franklin Cast Iron Grate $79 Large Franklin Cast Iron Grate

Sampson G500-20 Cast Iron Grate $126 Sampson G500-20 Cast Iron Grate

Sampson G500-24 Cast Iron Grate $136 Sampson G500-24 Cast Iron Grate

Sampson G500-28 Cast Iron Grate $151 Sampson G500-28 Cast Iron Grate

Sampson G500-32 Cast Iron Grate $170 Sampson G500-32 Cast Iron Grate

Sampson G500-36 Cast Iron Grate $192 Sampson G500-36 Cast Iron Grate

Cast Iron Labrador Andiron Set $177 Cast Iron Labrador Andiron Set

CAST IRON SKILLET, PRE-SEASONED $10.99 CAST IRON SKILLET, PRE-SEASONED

CAST IRON DUTCH OVEN, SEASONED $27.99 CAST IRON DUTCH OVEN, SEASONED

CAST IRON, DUTCH OVEN, SEASONED $42.99 CAST IRON, DUTCH OVEN, SEASONED

CAST IRON GRIDDLE, PRE-SEASONED $18.99 CAST IRON GRIDDLE, PRE-SEASONED

CAST IRON ROUND MEAT PRESS $12.99 CAST IRON ROUND MEAT PRESS

REVERSIBLE PRE-SEASONED CAST IRON $38.99 REVERSIBLE PRE-SEASONED CAST IRON

Cast Iron Fish Cooker $103.99 Our Outdoor Fish Cooker with Cast Iron Fry Pot (Dutch Oven) comes with an 8.5 quart cast iron fry pot cast iron lid perforated basket and outdoor gas cooker.

Medium Cast Iron Grate $123 Medium Cast Iron Grate -Legs measure 4" H

Cast Iron Billet, 1876-77 $49.99 John Thomson Cast Iron Billet, 1876-77 - Giclee Print

Cast Iron Bench and Fountain $34.99 Karl Friedrich Schinkel Cast Iron Bench and Fountain - Giclee Print

Japanese Cast-Iron Bowl $24.99 Alena Hrbkova Japanese Cast-Iron Bowl - Photographic Print

Tuscana Cast Iron Medallion $318 Hand antiqued cast iron medallion in ant. White with dark blue undertones mounted to naturally oxidized iron panel

Octavia Cast Iron Medallion $197 Hand antiqued cast iron medallion in ant. White with dark blue undertones mounted to naturally oxidized iron panel

Victoria Cast Iron Medallion $289 Hand antiqued cast iron medallion in ant. White with dark blue undertones mounted to naturally oxidized iron panel

AK-2 Adaptor Kit for Cast Iron $52.2 Napoleon AK-2 Adaptor Kit for Cast Iron Surround

AK-1 Adapter Kit for Cast Iron $52.2 Napoleon AK-1 Adapter Kit for Cast Iron Surround

AK-4 Adaptor Kit for Cast Iron $8.1 Napoleon AK-4 Adaptor Kit for Cast Iron Surround

Advertisement for 'Macfarlanes Cast Iron Baths' $44.99 Advertisement for 'Macfarlanes Cast Iron Baths' - Giclee Print

Cast Iron Armillary Sundial $91 Cast iron armillary with solid brass arrow. Adjustable for all latitudes. 17" overall height, 7" base dia. 11" time band, 20" arrow length. Mounts on Cast Iron 20-Inch Sundial Pedestal, Cast Iron 28-Inch Sundial Pedestal, Cast Iron Vine Pedestal Base, Pillar Cast Iron Pedestal.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 10:56 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.