It’s important to find the right cookware to use. That’s one of the things my grandma said to me that I’ll never forget when cooking. She told me that using the right cookware can make a big difference in the taste of my food. Grandma always used her best cast iron cookware when she cooked for us. We could always tell the difference when cooking with cast iron.
Most of us are unaware of how vital cookware is to creating delicious dishes. It would be advantageous if you paid more attention to the cookware you use and how it affects the food you’re preparing. Different materials can impact your dish’s taste, texture, and cooking time, so it’s important to choose the right cookware for the job.
My grandma usually uses cast irons when cooking, and it always turns out good. So, I wanted to know if there’s any difference when cooking with cast iron and the usual iron cookware. Gladly, she willingly shares with me her experience when cooking with both cookware.
Difference When Cooking with Cast Iron vs Regular Cookware
Nana explained that the difference between regular iron cookware and cast iron is based on its function rather than the material itself.
Cooking method and Types of food to cook
She mentioned that regular iron cookware is usually made of thinner materials and is more suitable for tasks, such as frying and sautéing. Cast iron, on the other hand, is made of thicker materials and is better suited for tasks such as baking and braising.
Moreover, she added that the type of food you’re cooking can also make a difference when cooking with either regular iron pans or cast iron. For instance, it’s best to stick to hearty meals like stews or roasts when cooking with cast iron. These dishes tend to do well when cooked slowly over low heat, making them ideal for cast iron pans. On the other hand, regular iron pans are better suited for quick-cooking foods like stir-fries or pancakes.
Cooking time
Nana recommends that If you intend to cook something that requires a lot of preparation time, cast iron cookware. Cast iron heats up gradually without burning the food. This ensures that the meal is cooked evenly and consistently. On the other side, iron cookware heats up quickly, which could cause the food to burn. If you’re not careful, the high heat of the iron can easily ruin your meal.
Durability
There are many types of iron cookware, but the two most common are cast iron and regular iron. Cast iron is more durable than regular iron because it is made with thicker metal. Standard iron cookware is thinner and not as strong, so it is more likely to warp or dent. Additionally, cast iron retains heat better than a regular iron, so it is often used for slow cooking methods such as braising and stewing.
Portability
It can be challenging to decide which type of iron cookware is more portable, cast iron or regular iron. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. For instance, regular iron cookware is usually lighter in weight than cast iron, making it easier to carry around with you. However, cast iron cookware is typically more durable and will last longer. It really depends on your individual needs as to which one is better suited for you.
Heat Sustainability
Cast iron cookware is more resilient to high flames than other types of cookware because it does not expand when exposed to high heat. This makes it ideal for cooking at very high temperatures, such as when you are frying food. On the other hand, regular iron cookware is not that sustainable to heat. It takes a lot of energy to heat up, and it cools down quickly, so you have to keep reheating it.
Nonstick Feature
Cookware made of cast iron has a natural nonstick feature, and they get better when they are well-seasoned. Thus, you will use far less oil while cooking on cast iron cookware than in an iron pan. Additionally, food cooked in a cast iron pan often has a more intense flavor. On the other hand, regular iron can heat up quickly, which can cause the food to stick. So, you need more oil to keep the food from sticking to the iron pan.
Maintenance
My Nana always said that cast iron was one of the best materials you could use for cooking because it’s so easy to keep clean and looks new compared to other types of iron cookware. Cast iron is less likely to rust than a regular iron, and it doesn’t require as much upkeep. Cleaning regular iron cookware can be a bit challenging, as it requires more care than other types of cookware. Iron is a porous material, so it tends to absorb food and grease, which can lead to rusting if not cleaned properly.
Budget-friendly
Although both cookware options are affordable, cast iron cookware is generally less expensive than iron cookware. This is because cast iron cookware is made using a mold, which streamlines and speeds up the manufacturing process. In contrast, iron cookware is individually forged, which is a more time-consuming and labor-intensive process. As a result, cast iron cookware tends to be more affordable for consumers. So, aside from the functionality of cast irons, they are also cheap to have.
Heat Distribution
Heat distribution is a crucial aspect to consider when cooking. Not distributing heat evenly while cooking can result in either undercooked or overcooked food. One way to help ensure even heat distribution when cooking is to use cookware that is made of materials that conduct heat well. Cast irons are excellent at conducting heat, which results in even heat distribution compared to regular iron cookware. This is one of the reasons why my Nana always seems to choose cast iron for cooking, as it ensures that your food will be cooked evenly and thoroughly.
Long-lasting
Cast iron is known to be durable and last for a long time. I can attest to this one since my Nana has been using the same cast iron even when I was still a little kid. I’m already in my mid 20’s, so cast iron must be really that long-lasting compared to iron cookware.
