5 Reasons to Switch to Cast Iron for Cooking

Are you sick of having to purchase a new non-stick frying pan year after year because they don’t last? Have you every thought about switching to a cast iron skillet or skillets? In this article, I give you 5 reasons why you should make the switch!

Cast iron has intimidated me in the past because I had a bad experience. Here’s what happened. After my husband and I were married, we purchased a cast iron grill pan and I hated it. Everything stuck to it, it was heavy and it started to rust because we’d soak it for periods of time to attempt to clean it. I also couldn’t put it in the dishwasher, which was a true travesty at the time.

Fast forward a few years to January of 2020. I found Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone and she inspired me to give cast iron a second chance. In search of a healthier lifestyle, this was my starting point. I decided to finally get rid of all my non-stick frying pans and sauce pans, and purchased three new cast iron skillets and use my stainless steel saucepan for things like noodles and rice. It was perfect timing to make the switch because I was up for my annual new frying pan anyway! Since then, I don’t at all regret my decision and will never go back!

So why do I love my cast iron now when I hated it so much before? Because I actually did some research and learned how to properly care for it. It’s actually a lot easier than you would think. In the future, I’ll talk about how to properly care for your cast iron, but for today, I really want to talk about why you should use a cast iron skillet over a non-stick frying pan, and some of the benefits. Now, let’s dive right in!

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A BIT ABOUT CAST IRON

Before we get into all the reasons why I think you should switch to cast iron, here’s a bit about cast iron. Cast iron cookware has been used all over the world for centuries. In the United States, companies like Lodge have been manufacturing cast iron skillets and cast iron cookware for over 100 years. Cast iron was a preferred method for cookware because it was relatively inexpensive and durable. That is, until the 1960s and 1970s when Teflon was introduced (source).

These days, cast iron is making its way back into many kitchens, including my own, for so many reasons, including durability and versatility. Top brands like Lodge and Le Creuset are companies that have withstood the test of time that make amazing cast iron cookware that cook food beautifully. If you’re ready to make changes in your home in your journey toward a more simplified, natural and chemical-free life, below are five reasons why I think you should ditch non-stick and switch to cast iron for cooking.

1. REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS

The biggest reason I chose to switch to cast iron was to reduce me and my family’s exposure to synthetic compounds and chemicals. As I’ve continued to do research, it’s apparent that non-stick cookware exposes you to harmful chemicals, even when deemed safe to use.

Prior to 2013, Teflon, a popular brand who manufactures non-stick cookware, was using a chemical known as perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, in their non-stick coatings for their cookware (source). PFOA is part of a family of chemicals known as polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS chemicals, which have many industrial applications (source). PFOA is a carcinogenic substance that has been linked to infertility, thyroid disorders and certain cancers (source). It was also found to be present in the blood of 98% of participants in a study conducted between 1999 and 2000 by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (source). Although the use and importation of PFOA is now banned in the U.S., PFAS chemicals and others are leaving long-lasting effects and are referred to by some scientists as a “forever chemicals” (source).

“PFAS chemicals pollute water, do not break down and remain in the environment and in people for decades.” (source). Here’s a recent example of water polluted by these forever chemicals. PFAS chemicals are still in use today in things like food packaging, water repellent fabrics, fire-fighting foam and, you guessed it, non-stick cookware (source). Today, companies like Teflon use a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, in their non-stick cookware. When heated to high temperatures, this polymer can emit hazardous fumes (source). Although it is considered safe and stable (source), the toxicity is also not fully understood (source).

Even if PTFE and other PFAS chemicals are deemed “safe,” the fact is, they are synthetic chemicals. There have been studies that link high levels of exposure to PFAS chemicals to things like high cholesterol, decreases in birth weight of babies and high blood pressure, among others (source). Here are other ways you can be exposed to PFAS chemicals. Although I know I will never be able to completely stop our exposure to these chemicals and toxins, I want to do everything I can to reduce it. We can only control what we can, and switching to cast iron cookware is one way to do that.

2. COST SAVINGS

The other big reason I wanted to switch to cast iron skillets was because I was sick of having to buy a new non-stick frying pan every year, sometimes more often than that. It was expensive and annoying. Overall, cast iron skillets are inexpensive compared to non-stick frying pans. For example, at Lodge, a 10.25″ cast iron skillet costs $20.95 and the Bayou Classic 10″ cast iron skillet is just $19.99! Both pans rank in Consumer Reports as some of the best cast iron frying pans. Compared that to the top rated 10″ non-stick skillet on Amazon, which is $49.99, buying cast iron can be a huge cost savings! The other huge cost savings is that cast iron, if cared for properly, should last a lifetime or more, so you shouldn’t have to continually buy them year after year. More on that later.

3. VERSATILITY

There isn’t much I have found that you can’t make in a cast iron skillet. You can make desserts, corn bread, meat, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, eggs, casseroles and more! Cast iron can be used on the stove (even on induction and glass top stoves), in the oven, over a camp fire or on a grill. This past summer, we went camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota and I made cinnamon rolls and pizza in my cast iron skillets on the grill and on the fire! Here’s some pictures. Also don’t judge the crazy hair, no makeup look!

4. EASE OF USE

Cast iron skillets and cookware are naturally non-stick, easy to use and easy to clean and maintain. I’ll talk a bit more about each of these below.

• Naturally non-stick: You’ve probably heard people talk about seasoning their cast iron. The process of seasoning cast iron consists of baking a thin layer of oil onto the surface of the cast iron skillet or cookware that creates a non-stick surface. This process is called polymerization. By baking oil onto the surface of cast iron, it fills in any unevenness and creates a smooth finish. Once your cast iron is seasoned, you can continue to build up that seasoning by using fat or oil while cooking. The more you use your cast iron, the better the seasoning is, thus the better the non-stick surface becomes.
• Easy to use: There are three steps to take that make using your cast iron skillet and cookware easy. First is to preheat your cast iron before using it. It’s also important to use oil or fat if you’re making something that’s prone to sticking like eggs. You also have to be patient and allow the food you’re cooking to form a crust before you flip. This helps it from sticking. If you follow those three steps, not much should stick to your cast iron.
• Easy to clean: If your pan is well seasoned, most of the time, you’ll be able to simply wipe or scrape away any food debris. For example, if I make a grilled cheese or pancakes in my cast iron skillet, I never have to wash them because anything that may “stick” to the pan or be left in there can easily be wiped away. If you cook something like chicken or ground hamburger, chances are you’re going to want to clean it. It’s really as simple as rinsing with or without soap and a bit of scrubbing. Sometimes I’ll use a scraper to scrape any bits off. But again, if your pan is well-seasoned, they are really easy to clean.
• Easy to maintain: Cast iron skillets and cookware are easy to maintain as long as you don’t neglect them. Cleaning them right away (if they need to be cleaned) and seasoning them on the stove immediately after washing is important. It’s also important to store them properly. Store your cast iron on the stove or in a place that is free of moisture. I like to store my cast iron skillets on the stove because I use them every day, usually multiple times a day. But if you don’t use them as often, storing them in a cupboard is perfectly fine!

5. LONGEVITY

Remember earlier when I said cast iron skillets and cookware should last you a lifetime or even longer? Have you heard of families passing down cast iron? Yeah, it’s because they really do last. That means, ideally, you should never have to replace your cast iron skillets or cast iron cookware. Hopefully you can even pass it down to your children! Now, don’t get me wrong. Cast iron, although very tough, is not indestructible. Cast iron cookware can break, but it’s not often that should happen. As long as you care for them properly, you shouldn’t have to ever replace your cast iron! How awesome is that?

TYPES OF CAST IRON COOKWARE

There are several types of cast iron cookware. Here’s a list of just some of the most common!

• Skillets: Great for searing meat, cooking eggs, baking cinnamon rolls and more!
• Dutch oven: Perfect for making bread, roasts and even soup.
• Griddle: The griddle is placed over one or two burners on the stove and is great for making quesadillas, pancakes and even searing meat.
• Grill pan: Grill burgers, steaks, fish and anything else your heart desires!
• Enameled: Works great for making soup, chili and even a casserole.
• Loaf pan: Perfect for homemade sandwich bread and things like pound cake.
• Pizza pan: Makes pizza that is cooked evenly and is delicious.
• Muffin pan: Use to make your favorite muffins
• Baking sheet: Use just like you would your non-stick baking sheets to make pizza, cookies, veggies and more.
• Pie pan: Great for, you guessed it, making pies! You could also make pot pies in there too!

WHERE TO BUY

I have this 8″ skillet, this 10″ skillet and this 12″ pan from Lodge and I love them. They’re good quality and affordable, but there are many great companies that manufacture cast iron skillets and cookware. Here are some of the top cast iron brands:

• Lodge Cast Iron
• Le Creuset
• Staub
• Smithey Ironware Company
• Field Company

I’m happy I made the switch to cast iron, and I’m excited to continue to replace other items in my kitchen with cast iron as well. If you made it this far, thank you so much! If you decide to make the switch, I’d love to hear about it!

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE POSTS LIKE THIS ONE?

Are you looking for more posts to learn about cast iron and other natural living things? Check out the posts below!

• 5 Reasons to Switch to Cast Iron for Cooking
• How to Clean and Season Cast Iron
• How to Switch to an All Natural Laundry Routine
• Easy Guide to Making Homemade Natural Products