How to Cook Using Cast Iron Pans

Cast iron cookware is a kitchen essential. Cast iron skillets are durable, versatile, evenly distribute heat and a good cast iron pan will last for years if looked after properly. You can move from the oven to the hob with ease, but some people believe it is much harder to cook with than standard cookware. We’re here to assure you that it is not as difficult as it seems! Cooking with cast iron is far easier than you might think.

Before we dive into different cooking techniques, it’s worth highlighting why cast iron is such a popular choice:

• Heat Retention – Standard cast iron cookware can hold heat incredibly well, which makes them perfect for searing meats and keeping food warm.
• Durability – Cast iron frying pans and skillets are almost indestructible, these great quality pans can last for years to come.
• Versatility – BergHOFF cast iron pans can be used on all hob types, moved into the oven or put under the grill, which makes your cooking options nearly endless.
• Non-Stick Surface – Once your pan has been seasoned, a cast iron pan develops a natural non-stick surface that doesn’t have any of the toxic or harmful chemicals that can be found on teflon pans.
• Health Benefits – Cooking with cast iron can even positively impact your iron intake as small amounts of iron are absorbed into the food you cook.

How to Season

Before using your pan for the first time, you’ll want to make sure that it is pre-seasoned by seasoning your pan. First, wash your cast iron cookware in warm, soapy water and make sure that it is completely dry before continuing. Once dry, rub your cast iron with a thin later of neutral oil (such as vegetable oil, coconut oil, or sunflower oil). When it is coated, place your cookware upside down on a tray and place it in the oven at 230 degrees for an hour. Make sure to let your pan cool down in the oven before you use it.

Maintaining the Seasoning

Every time you cook using oil in your cast iron cookware, you’re helping to build up the seasoning of your pan. When you’re using cast iron skillets or casserole dishes, you’ll want to wash it carefully to make sure that you don’t tarnish the seasoned layer that you’ve built up. To do this, wipe out your pan and wash it with a small amount of water, avoiding soap if you can, and make sure that it is completely dry. You can even rub a small amount of oil into your pan while it is still warm to make sure the surface remains conditioned.

There are a few cooking techniques to master for cooking with cast iron that will get you one step closer to becoming the next MasterChef:

Searing

Cast iron can sear meat beautifully, and it’s incredibly easy to do. Simply heat your pan over a medium/high heat until it’s smoking hot (don’t touch it to check), then add an oil with a high smoke point such as sesame oil. Place your meat into the pan and leave it undisturbed for a few minutes, this will leave you with a delicious crust and a juicy centre.

Sautéing

Sautéing vegetables and small cuts of meat is easy! Preheat your pan over a medium heat and add oil or butter, and sauté away. The trick here is to make sure that your pan is hot enough before adding your food so that they don’t stick.

Baking

Cast iron isn’t just for cooking on the hob, you should also take advantage of being able to use it in the oven. You can utilise your casserole dishes to bake a cake, or use your cast iron frying pans to make a deep dish pizza. Let’s not forget about pies! The options are endless and the even heat distribution that cast iron provides ensures a perfect bake every time.

Roasting

You can roast vegetables, meat and even a whole chicken in a cast iron skillet. Preheat your oven to around 200 degrees, throw in some vegetables and meat with a little bit of oil and roast until everything is properly cooked and nicely browned.

Indoor BBQ

Sometimes the weather doesn’t afford us the sun that we’d like to have a BBQ, but don’t worry – cast iron can save the day! The pans can get hot enough to mimic the temperatures of an outdoor barbecue so your burgers will be perfectly cooked and you can still enjoy an indoor BBQ experience.

Looking after cast iron cookware is far easier than you might think, but you do need to be careful.

• No Dishwashers – Never put cast iron in the dishwasher, it will remove your seasoning and can cause rust
• No Soaking – Soaking cast iron can lead to rusting. If food sticks, scrub it off or use a little salt as an abrasive to help remove the stuck residue
• Dry Immediately – Once you’ve washed your cast iron, dry it thoroughly by hand, or dry it by placing it on the hob. Think of water as the enemy – it can cause rust and damage your pan
• Reapply Oil – Just like our skin needs moisturiser, cast iron needs oil. Apply a light coat after drying to maintain the seasoning of your pan
• Deal with Rust – Don’t panic if your cast iron pan develops rust – it can be fixed. Simply use a scourer and then re-season your pan

You’ve mastered all the basics and want to take it up a notch, here are our top tips for mastering cast iron cooking

Pre-Heating

Cast iron takes a little bit longer to heat than other cookware, but once it is hot it holds heat exceptionally. Make sure that no matter what you’re cooking that you have preheated your pan for several minutes before you begin cooking.

Avoid Acid

Foods such as tomatoes or vinegar are high in acid and strip the seasoning from your cast iron pan, leaving a metallic taste behind. If you’re cooking with something acidic try not to cook it for long and make sure that you season your cookware again afterwards.

Less is More

When you’re cooking in cast iron, especially when searing or frying, you need to make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Too much food can lower the temperature of the pan and you may end up accidentally steaming the food in your pan rather than browning it.

Use It

Cast iron pans are like wine, they get better with age. Your pan will work best when you use it often – the more use it gets, the better the seasoning will become.

Following all of these tips will help you master cast iron cooking, and trust us, once you’ve become a cast iron convert, there’s no looking back. If you’re ready to get cooking, browse our range of cast iron cookware, it’s available in several colours, hardwearing and works on all hobs (including induction), so what are you waiting for? Get yourself a kitchen companion that only get’s better with age.