Terrific Tips Tuesday - Cast Iron Skillets -

I am a lover of cast iron skillets... there are so many different uses for that 1 handy kitchen tool!! I think if you could only have 1 cooking item in your kitchen it should be a 

Cast Iron Skillet

I love non stick skillets and I do own many of those as well but a cast iron skillet doesn't have the toxic fumes that most non stick skillets have. So they are in fact safer for your family. 

I think the best thing about a cast iron skillet is they can be used in the oven and on the stove. They are made to absorb the heat well.. so well that you can cook in it at any temperature. You can go over 500 degrees with one of these skillets. 

Most people don't think of a cast iron skillet being nonstick. If you season the skillet well ( directions at the bottom ) then it will do just as well as a non stick skillet. I'm serious.. mine really are really non stick. 

Cleaning is much easier too. Food lifts easily off from cast iron.. You are really not suppose to use Soap because it just removes the oil seasoning.. which is what makes it non stick. If for some reason you do have to scrub the cast iron skillet use salt..its very effective. 

These skillets are also much cheaper than non stick skillets too. My best most used non stick skillet cost me over $80.. You can find a great seasoned cast iron skillet at Walmart for less that $20. Yep.. huge price difference.

Cooking wise this kind of cookware - I say that because there is lots of different kind of cast iron cookware from pots to dutch ovens - browns food really well. Again.. it has to do with holding and disturbing heat.  

Another good think about cast iron that I should point out is it totally works on the grill too. For thousands of years this cookware has been used over many different heat sources.. Cooking in an open fire will work with this cookware too. 

Its amazing verstile.. just in one skillet you can make hundreds of delicious things in one pan. You can make biscuits and gravy, or french toast. You can brown chicken in it for a salad. You can even fry donuts in it.

- Here are the tips from Lodge Cast Iron Cookware that tell you how to care and season a cast iron skillet.. 

Cleaning your Lodge Cast Iron

After cooking, clean utensil with a stiff nylon brush and hot water. Using soap is not recommended, and harsh detergents should never be used. (Avoid putting a hot utensil into cold water. Thermal shock can occur causing the metal to warp or crack).

TIP: If you are having trouble removing stuck-on food, boil some water in your pan for a few minutes to loosen residue, making it easier to remove.

Towel dry immediately and apply a light coating of oil to the utensil while it is still warm.

TIP: Do not let your cast iron air dry, as this can promote rust.

Store in a cool, dry place. If you have a cover, or lid, for your utensil, place a folded paper towel in between lid and utensil allowing air to circulate. This prevents moisture from collecting inside the utensil, which can cause rust.

TIP: The oven is a great place to store your cast iron; just remember to remove it before turning on the oven.

NEVER wash in dishwasher.

If for some reason your utensil develops a metallic smell or taste, or perhaps rust spots (maybe a well-meaning relative washed your utensil in the dishwasher or with soap thinking they were being helpful), never fear. Simply scour off the rust using a very fine grade of sandpaper or steel wool and refer to our section Re-seasoning Your Lodge Cookware.

Re-Seasoning your Lodge Cast Iron

While maintaining the seasoning (as in Step 5 above) should keep your Cast Iron in good condition, at some point you may need to repeat the seasoning process. If food sticks to the surface, or you notice a dull, gray color, repeat the seasoning process:

Wash the cookware with hot, soapy water and a stiff brush. (It is okay to use soap this time because you are preparing to re-season the cookware).

Rinse and dry completely.

Apply a thin, even coating of MELTED solid vegetable shortening (or cooking oil of your choice) to the cookware (inside and out).

Place aluminum foil on the bottom rack of the oven to catch any dripping.

Set oven temperature to 350 – 400 degrees F.

Place cookware upside down on the top rack of the oven. 

Bake the cookware for at least one hour. After the hour, turn the oven off and let the cookware cool in the oven.

Store the cookware uncovered, in a dry place when cooled.

I have cast iron skillets from my grandmother and my late mother in law plus I have my own too. I think passing something like this down generation to generation is an amazing gift. Just think about if those skillets could talk. I bet even some would tell you they were used as a weapon at times!  Cast iron is an amazing cookware that you can do just about anything with. I was told by a friend a long time ago that when their heat went out, they used a big cast iron pot to build a fire in and put on the front porch to huddle around. This cookware was invented in China in the 6th century BC. and they designed an amazing line of cookware! 

Do you own a cast iron skillet?  I would love to hear from you! 

K Jaggers

♥