I'm a recent fan of cooking with cast iron cookware. My interest started with my frustration with Teflon coated pans and their tendency to lose their nonstick coating over time. I really dislike replacing my pans. And of course some people express concerns about the safety of ingesting tiny particles of Teflon, although there's so far no definite evidence of health hazards.
While talking with my mother I learned that she was looking at cast iron cookware as an alternative. When properly seasoned it is fairly nonstick, and it can last for generations.
Cast Iron Pan
I guess my husband paid attention to my complaints about my nonstick pans. He got me a cast iron pan the following Christmas. I was and still am delighted. I now also have my grandmother's old cast iron pan. It's a true delight.
Cast iron cookware can actually make your cooking a bit healthier. It adds a bit of iron to your food. How much depends on the age of the pan and what you're cooking, but the tests have been done, and they are quite clear. It's really nice knowing that something good for you is being added just through your choice of pan.
Cast iron heats very evenly. It may take a touch longer, but it's really not that much of a wait for it to heat up. You can even use it in the oven, which most other pans are not supposed to do.
It's very affordable. When I price cast iron in comparison to stainless steel pans, the iron ones often come out cheaper.
It's more nonstick than stainless steel or aluminum pans. Food can still stick, but in my experience it really doesn't do so all that badly. And if you want a quick way to remove it, I've read that filling the pan with water and then heating it to boiling makes it easier to get the food off.
One thing you will always have to do with cast iron is make sure that you dry it completely, or you do risk it rusting. The easiest way to do this is to place it on the stove and turn on the burner until the pan is completely dry. Give it a light coating of vegetable oil, and you're in good shape.
This bit of extra care is very much so worth it to me. I have pans that I will probably never need to replace, and can be handed down after I am gone. No health worries due to what the pan is made of. All in all I find it to be a very good deal.
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Lodge Max Temp Handle Mitt, Black Feature
- Durable handle mitt protects hands from hot handles
- Heavy-duty Pyrotex fabric exterior with heavy cotton batting
- Thick terry lining feels comfortable against the skin
- Scorch-proof coating protects against steam burns
- Resists temperatures up to 450 degrees F; comes in basic black
Lodge Max Temp Handle Mitt, Black Overview
"MaxTemp" Hot Handle Mitt is made of heavy-duty Pyrotex, which resists scorching and burning to 450 degrees. Ideal as an all purpose handle mitt where safety is important. Also suitable for using outdoors when cooking on the BBQ. The Max Temp features heavy cotton batting and a steam barrier for ultimate heat protection. The thick terry lining protects from heat without sticking to the handle. It comes single-packed, not a pair.Lodge Max Temp Handle Mitt, Black Specifications
Protect your hands from hot pot handles with this slip-on handle mitt. From Lodge, maker of rugged cast-iron cookware, the mitt features heavy-duty Pyrotex fabric on the exterior, along with a scorch-proof coating. Inside, a thick terry lining feels comfortable against the skin, and thick cotton batting between the two layers adds further heat and steam protection. Heat-resistant up to 450 degrees F, the Max Temp mitt fits over stainless or cast-iron handles, indoors or at the barbecue, and comes in basic black to match any décor. --Ann BieriAvailable In Stock. |
