5 Reasons to Use Cast Iron Utensils
This is the third post for #BlogchatterA2Z 2021 powered by Blogchatter. C is for Cast Iron. Cooking is a passion and involves myriad ingredients. But the pots and pans we cook in are equally important. I’m a big fan of Cast Iron Utensils, here are 5 reasons to use them. Cast-iron pans have replaced Teflon on cookery shows. Most chefs are tossing and roasting their food in cast iron skillets.
I remember my grandmother and mom using the dependable old iron Kadai for cooking. To maintain health and nutrition it is imperative that we make a switch to cast iron utensils. It is also one of the basic ways to lose weight.
5 Reasons to Use Cast Iron Utensils
Goodness Vessels
Most of us focus on the food we eat but neglect the method of cooking; it adds to the amount of nutrition. We are focused on getting fresh farm vegetables and organic foods, which is not enough. The cookware is equally important. Most of us including me find using less fat and easy clean-up of Teflon pans appealing. Cast-iron pans demand a little extra care, but in the long run, they are our goodness vessels.
Healthy Pots & Pans
But now we all know that Teflon-coated pans are becoming a major health issue. They release toxic chemicals termed perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Initial research links it to hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and neurotoxicity. These chemicals percolate into our food. They lead to several health maladies that affect the liver, and brain and weaken the bones. As it is we take in lots of toxins and these added ones can be harmful in the long run. Cast-iron utensils do not add toxic substances to our bodies.
Cast Iron Pans are “Non-Stick”
Cast iron pans are ‘non-stick’, without chemical coating, and also upsurge the nutritional value of food. It is proven beyond doubt that iron suffused into food from iron pots is a requisite for increasing haemoglobin levels. No wonder our elders never had low haemoglobin counts or took iron supplements. Food cooked in them is particularly beneficial for menstruating women, expectant mothers and kids who need more iron.
They are Tough
Cast iron is tough and durable. It is best to go for new pans that are pre-seasoned. This makes using them easier and you can use them for cooking right away. Seasoning is a thin layer of polymerized oil that is rubbed in and heated repetitively. The oil is merged to the surface of the metal.
You can scrub it but not let it soak in the sink. Water is the biggest enemy for your cast-iron pans. Rinse, drain and let it dry totally.
And for storing it, take a paper towel dipped in any vegetable oil and grease it. It won’t rust or chip off. It is best to stack cast iron pans one on top of the other. Can you do that to your non-stick pans?
Heat Resistant
Cast-iron pans are heat resistant. Once they are hot, they stay hot. It roasts and grills evenly. They need less oil compared to stainless steel, aluminium utensils. Indian cooking takes time and we cannot use non-stick pans cannot for long on high heat.
You can cook the crispest dosas and for giving the fish and chicken a good sear. You can grill Sandwiches to perfection while the chicken or rajma gravies are smooth and silky. Use Iron Tawas can be to make fluffy rotis and evenly roasted stuffed parathas.
5 Reasons to Use Cast Iron Utensils
f you are buying a cast-iron Tava, grill or pan, sharing tried and tested ones. My Amazon Storefront has all the tried and tested products I use. Do check it out.
My previous posts for #BlogchatterA2Z are Andhra Pachi Tomato Pachadi and Bourbon Cream Pudding
Is it only tava or other Utensils also that we can use? This question because I want to know if I leave cooked food in Iron kadhi will it change color ot taste in few hours?
You just transfer after cooking. Rinse it immediately. Once dry..grease it and keep it aside.
This was actually a very informative post. Thanks for this.
Thank you Doc
I usually use cast iron pans for making dry curries and tadkas but never tried dosa for the fear of it getting spoiled. I guess it’s time to give it a try. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks, Navita…the pans just need a little care..no water and grease them and store
Wow thank you writing this. I have been contemplating on switching to cast iron utensils. I have 1 odd but now will be going in for more.
Deepika Sharma
Thank you Deepika…its heartening to see that u will be switching
Thank you for the post HarjeetJi! I have been on the fence for very long about using Cast Iron, now I think I will take the plunge!
Thank you Harshita…and am glad I could convince you to switch
I love to used cast iron pan and this cookware is easier to clean than stainless steel. thanks Harjeet for sharing details about cast iron.
Thanks Surabhi…its my pleasure entirely
This is an informative post. And surely the old is always gold. The older generation had so much knowledge about healthy lifestyle, which is eroding with each passing day.
Thanks Chinmayee…it is good to go back to the basics.
I am slowly making shift to cast iron utensils and love using them. Very informative post.
Thank you Anjalie..welcome to the club 🙂
yes dear agree with all the reasons. in fact, I am planning to buy cost iron utensils and mud pots for cooking since last many days. but somehow it is not happening. your post has reminded me to do that soon. this is must for our good health and saving our body from harm effects of toxic materials.
Thanks, Surbhi…when we are so conscious of our health….cookware is basic…we shud cook in healthy cookware.
Thank you for this post. I actually want to pick up a cast iron wok and pan but unsure about the brand and about its upkeep. If you have written anything on this before, it would be great if you could share the link.
I have shared the Amazon links in my post. Please do check
great advice but once it’s too hot, sometimes it’s a little difficult to handle it. what to do in such situations?
Once it is hot u turn it to simmer..it doesn’t cool down easily but cooks evenly
Cast Iron utensils are really good and I wasn’t aware that greasing is must for it. Thanks for sharing such an informative post.
Thank you Swati..its my pleasure dear
My mom had cast iron dosa tawa and a kadhai which I grew up admiring.
I agree it is a healthy goodness vessel. It’s a way to add iron supplements to our daily food.
Thanks for sharing its advantages.
Thanks Pragun..so when are you switching 🙂
I do own and use quite a few cast iron utensil. They indeed have a special quality when it comes go cooking and health benefits
Thats good to hear Sindhu
I have been looking to buy cast iron and this article has completely convinced me about it
Thats great…glad i could convince you
I hve always loved cast iron utensils but the rust was my major concern, glad you had written about how to take care and store them. Worthy post
Thanks a ton dear…glad it was useful
Can I agree more with you dear, I used cast iron but I guess id didnt care for them well since they rusted, you post teaches me how to take care of them.
Thanks Roma..please do switch back to them
I agree with all your reasons, Harjeet. Cast ion may seem tedious to carry and clean but the benefits that they have are worth that tediousness.
Thanks, Mayuri..they are really not that tedious
You article has totally convinced me to switch to cast iron utensils . in fact, I am planning to buy cost iron utensils and mud pots for cooking since last many days. Thanks for sharing Amazon links .
Thanks Jyoti….glad u liked them
I’ve been meaning to buy cast iron pans but wasn’t sure which ones were good. Thanks for the recommendations. Will check these out!
Thanks Varsha..glad to be of help
After giving so much time to my thoughts in 2021, finally, I switched to cast iron Kadhai. I couldn’t agree more on this that with easy handling, it also has high medical benefits.
Thanks, Archana for the vote! I am so glad everyone is reacting so positively. They are the oldest cookware used.
So true! They last way to long than the ‘non stick’ things.
Thanks..yes they do
I’ve been planning to buy cast iron utensils since a long time and now this post of yours came in handy! Thankyou for publishing the detailed piece!
Thanks Daisy….glad u like it