Cast iron cookware in context

Cast iron cookware is a very, very old form of cookware that has made a remarkable resurgence over the recent past. The reasons for this are not difficult to see as it is highly regarded for its even heating, versatility and durability and for being totally forgiving., It is also iconic harping back to early times in the great American tradition, with close associations with colonial and pioneering times.

Cast iron cookware is made by pouring molten iron into molds in the desired  shapes such as baking pans, skillets, Dutch ovens, Jambalaya pots of all sizes and cornbread pans at the other extreme, The majority of cast iron cookware is molded from a single piece of cast iron and will not have attached handles; avoid those that do.. Whilst its antecedence is timeless, cast iron cookware is not a thing of the past as many a chef and home cook use it on a daily basis in favour of all other forms of cookware.

So where does all the fanaticism surrounding cast iron cookware come from as certainly it comes with, what might be seen by some, as drawbacks: its heavy, it has to be washed carefully, it can crack if seriously mistreated, it has to be seasoned before use and must be re-oiled after use and it has to be kept away from acidic foods, which can cause undue damage!

On the positive side there is much to be said for cast iron:

1. Cast iron cookware has exceptional heat retention and even cooking properties; as such it is excellent for stewing, browning, frying and baking
2. After seasoning the surface of the cast iron is totally non stick meaning you can cook with little or no oil, making it an exceptionally healthy form of cooking;
3. It is versatile, heavy duty, rugged, durable, sturdy, long lasting and forgiving; as such it is excellent for when out hunting, fishing, camping or scouting;
4. Using cast iron is a good way to add trace elements of iron into your diet. By contrast with much else on the market it is totally free of  additives found in other cookware, such as Teflon;
5. It  is excellent for recipes needing to be cooked at high temperatures such as when searing or frying;
6. It is one of the most versatile forms of cookware on the market; all other forms of cookware are far more limited in their use
7. Cast iron cookware is unquestionably the best value cookware you’ll ever purchase, especially as it can be used on the stovetop, in the oven and on top of a fire; not forgetting the fact that it lasts for generation upon generation meaning it will become a family heirloom enjoyed by your great-grandchildren’s great grandchildren;
8. Cast iron cookware is worth every penny for peace of mind and protection of the planet.

One of the top cast iron cookware brands from our extensive reviews across the marketplace is the Bayou Classic range of Cast iron Cookware and Jambalaya pots, the  best seller of which, just for your information is the oval roasting pan.

We conclude that cast iron cookware is not a thing of the past; it is not only  alive and well but outperforming all that modernity can throw at it by way of competition.