I see no need to own a cast iron pan

[AveMarica]

It seems cast iron has had a resurgence in popularity and some folks are borderline cult-like over it, but I've yet to have anyone give me a good reason to own one instead of stainless steel. They are heavy (I like to flip food), take longer to heat up, aren't responsive, react with acidic ingredients, and you can't just soak the pan to clean later since it will rust out. I don't get the appeal.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Food tastes much better in a cast iron pan. If you wash it, you really destroy it. I had a cast iron pan for years. Water never touched it.

 

[progressive hunter]

It seems cast iron has had a resurgence in popularity and some folks are borderline cult-like over it, but I've yet to have anyone give me a good reason to own one instead of stainless steel. They are heavy (I like to flip food), take longer to heat up, aren't responsive, react with acidic ingredients, and you can't just soak the pan to clean later since it will rust out. I don't get the appeal.

one good reason is they last forever and dont contain any toxic chemicals,,

and you dont have to worry about damaging them other than dropping them,,

OH they are great marital aids for disciplining a spouse

 

[progressive hunter]

Food tastes much better in a cast iron pan. If you wash it, you really destroy it. I had a cast iron pan for years. Water never touched it.

washing them doesnt destroy them,,

 

[Dekster]

It seems cast iron has had a resurgence in popularity and some folks are borderline cult-like over it, but I've yet to have anyone give me a good reason to own one instead of stainless steel. They are heavy (I like to flip food), take longer to heat up, aren't responsive, react with acidic ingredients, and you can't just soak the pan to clean later since it will rust out. I don't get the appeal.

We have several. All hand me downs. I don't disagree with you generally. You can get enamel coated cast iron if you want to avoid the reaction. For general frying, I prefer non-coated stainless.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

washing them doesnt destroy them,,

It's just as easy to maintain the integrity of the pan and don't rust it out.

 

[White 6]

It seems cast iron has had a resurgence in popularity and some folks are borderline cult-like over it, but I've yet to have anyone give me a good reason to own one instead of stainless steel. They are heavy (I like to flip food), take longer to heat up, aren't responsive, react with acidic ingredients, and you can't just soak the pan to clean later since it will rust out. I don't get the appeal.

I like black iron skillets, griddles, and dutch ovens. Always have. They are fine for the kitchen, but particularly good in camp. They are hard core, promote even heating, and if properly cured, relatively easy to clean for frying, for stewing or making cobblers in the ground. I took one with me last week camping.

 

[progressive hunter]

It's just as easy to maintain the integrity of the pan and don't rust it out.

sure.. but it doesnt destroy them if they get wet,,

and you can pull them out of a lake after 20 yrs and bring them back to full working order,,

 

[jotathought]

Food tastes much better in a cast iron pan. If you wash it, you really destroy it. I had a cast iron pan for years. Water never touched it.

It's not advised to wash them with soap and water .. it won't destroy them, it will negate the seasoning that provides protection and the "non-stick" surface. Water is fine, as it is a common approach to boil after your cook to clean / steam the surface.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Food tastes much better in a cast iron pan. If you wash it, you really destroy it. I had a cast iron pan for years. Water never touched it.

eeeyep.

I love my cast iron pans. They're seasoned perfectly, too.

 

[Weatherman2020]

It seems cast iron has had a resurgence in popularity and some folks are borderline cult-like over it, but I've yet to have anyone give me a good reason to own one instead of stainless steel. They are heavy (I like to flip food), take longer to heat up, aren't responsive, react with acidic ingredients, and you can't just soak the pan to clean later since it will rust out. I don't get the appeal.

My wife swears by them.

 

[BackAgain]

I hear that regular use can add a little iron to your diet.

 

[progressive hunter]

 

[jotathought]

It seems cast iron has had a resurgence in popularity and some folks are borderline cult-like over it, but I've yet to have anyone give me a good reason to own one instead of stainless steel. They are heavy (I like to flip food), take longer to heat up, aren't responsive, react with acidic ingredients, and you can't just soak the pan to clean later since it will rust out. I don't get the appeal.

There are a number of reasons:

• You can easily transfer food from stove top to oven (sear to roast)
• Multiple cooking styles: Sear, Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, etc.
• Awesome Heat retention
• Heat distribution
• Seasoning adds flavor over time
• Seasoning provides the non-stick surface
• Easy to clean with water / brush (no soap)

 

[jotathought]

I hear that regular use can add a little iron to your diet.

Absolutely correct

 

[EvilCat Breath]

It's not advised to wash them with soap and water .. it won't destroy them, it will negate the seasoning that provides protection and the "non-stick" surface. Water is fine, as it is a common approach to boil after your cook to clean / steam the surface.

Ditch the water. Use oil and kosher salt.

 

[miketx]

It seems cast iron has had a resurgence in popularity and some folks are borderline cult-like over it, but I've yet to have anyone give me a good reason to own one instead of stainless steel. They are heavy (I like to flip food), take longer to heat up, aren't responsive, react with acidic ingredients, and you can't just soak the pan to clean later since it will rust out. I don't get the appeal.

Jesus Christ, do you think anyone cares if you have one or not?

 

[Darkwind]

It seems cast iron has had a resurgence in popularity and some folks are borderline cult-like over it, but I've yet to have anyone give me a good reason to own one instead of stainless steel. They are heavy (I like to flip food), take longer to heat up, aren't responsive, react with acidic ingredients, and you can't just soak the pan to clean later since it will rust out. I don't get the appeal.

Why does anyone have to give you a reason, good or otherwise, for owning a cast iron utensil?

Own one or not.

 

[jotathought]

Ditch the water. Use oil and kosher salt.

After each use, I rinse it with water, dry it, apply a thin coat of oil and get it up. Been doing it this way for 20+ years and still have my original skillets and dutch oven.

 

[justoffal]

Food tastes much better in a cast iron pan. If you wash it, you really destroy it. I had a cast iron pan for years. Water never touched it.

Correct.... You season it why a hardened carbon film. Takes a couple months to build it right.
Then never use degreaser on it.. Simply wipe it out with paper towels.