How to keep cast iron from rusting? Cast iron is a popular material…
…used in many home kitchens. But cast iron is not all that it seems…
….and more importantly, care must be taken to keep it from rusting. So…
….if you are using cast iron in your kitchen and have been noticing…
….the signs of rust on your pieces, here’s what you need to know…
….about how to keep cast iron from rusting.
Heavy-duty cookware made of cast iron is valued for its heat retention, durability, ability to be used at very high temperatures, and non-stick cooking when properly seasoned.”
Wikipedia.org
Let’s start…
What is cast iron
Before we get into the different types of cast iron and how they are used…
….let’s first understand what exactly is cast iron. It is an alloy of iron…
…and other metals, with a high carbon content. Cast iron..
….has been used for thousands of years to make tools, cookware…
…and furniture. With its many uses, it can be found in any kitchen…
….or home in one form or another.
Here’s the thing…
What Cast Iron In Cookware
Cast iron is a type of material that has been used for centuries. It is made of iron…
….which can be transformed into various metals by heating it up. The process…
….is called sintering and this gives cast iron its special characteristics. For example…
….if you want to cook something in cast iron, it’s best to soak…
…the piece of cast iron in water for a few hours before cooking it.
This way, the pieces will not stick together and cook evenly. If you don’t do this step…
…your food might burn on the bottom if it is stuck together. Another…
….thing to remember about cast iron is that it should never go directly over heat.
That’s why it makes sense to place it on top of a burner…
….and use a pan underneath. If you put it right next to the flame…
….you could risk melting the entire piece of metal.
In here, we also have story from Celine, about her story using cast iron…
….cookware for the first time.
Let us hear Celine’s story
I really love cooking, and I do it everyday cause I feel like more enjoying…
….my own dish rather than buying out from restaurant. Yet I’m still new into this…
….and still learning a lot of thing, after one day my friend suggest me…
….to have an cast iron pan cookware, so I quickly went to the store and bought it!
I was very excited and didn’t expect it would take me some time…
….before I am able to cook good. And after do some research about this…
….and testing out cooking a lot of dish, this little things give me..
…a game changer in cooking! I never expect this thing will works really good!
From the story above, we can see that having cast iron cookware…
….is a good investment and choice to you for having it. So, why don’t you have it too?
In this blog, we also have an article about staub cast iron review…
….that might help you to choose the suits one for you.
Cast iron can come off as intimidating — from its price to its weight and maintenance
Lauren Levy, author from NBCNews.com
The main part…
How To Keep Cast Iron From Rusting
When you start cooking with cast iron, there are certain things…
…you need to know. One of these things is to avoid…
….putting aluminum utensils in your cast iron because aluminum reacts…
….with the iron and causes it to corrode. So far, this hasn’t been a problem…
….for me since all my pans have only stainless steel handles. But…
….if you want to be safe, you should always wash your cast iron cookware….
….thoroughly before storing them away. In addition…
…most cast iron cookware requires seasoning to prevent rusting.
Go on…
How To Keep Cast Iron From Rusting
A little known fact about cast iron is that it rusts…
…when not cared for properly. That’s why proper care is important…
…to prevent it from rusting. For the longest time, homeowners…
….have been buying and using cast iron utensils and pans…
….with little regard to the risks involved. However…
….now that people are more aware of these risks….
…they are taking precautionary measures against them. But what if…
…I told you that you don’t need any special tools or additives to prevent this?
Here’s how to keep cast iron from rusting:
Properly Clean cast iron
Proper cleaning of cast iron is critical to avoiding rust. If you put food…
….in there that has moisture for an extended period of time, as most meals do…
….rust will ultimately form. You are not need to clean your cast iron…
….immediately after cooking. Allow it to cool for a few hours…
…before cleaning. However, do not leave it there overnight.
To thoroughly clean your cast iron, pour some dish soap into it…
….add some water, and scrape the surface with a sponge. If any obstinate…
….bits of food remain clinging to your cast iron, soak it for 5 minutes…
….in a mix of dish soap and water. Regardless of what some claim…
….dish soap and a 5-minute soak will not destroy your cast iron.
I’ve been doing this for five years and haven’t developed any rust.
And it will most absolutely not remove your seasoning.
Finally, thoroughly dry your cast iron. If you do not allow…
…your cast iron to dry completely after cleaning it, it will rust. It’s the same…
….as soaking it, except that you’re leaving water on it. To dry it…
….you may either reheat it on the stove or place it in the oven.
Cast Iron Should Be Seasoned
Your cast iron should already be seasoned. However…
…if you have not already seasoned your cast iron or if it is fresh new…
….you will need to season it. Seasoning produces a barrier…
…between the cast iron and the moisture in the air…
….preventing the cast iron from rusting during storage.
Wipe a small coating of oil all over your cast iron to season it…
….including the base, walls, and handle. Then bake it upside down…
….at a temperature above the smoking point of the frying oil.
If you want detailed instructions on how to season cast iron..
….please check our in-depth tutorial.
Avoid Soaking Your Cast Iron Over Extended Periods of Time
Never immerse your cast iron in water for an extended length of time.
Soaking cast iron for an extended length of time…
….will rust it so quickly that you won’t have a chance.
Have you ever seen reviews on Amazon where people submit photos…
….of their cast iron rusting away within a week? They soaked it…
….indeed. If you’re going to soak it in order to remove tough stuck-on food…
….soak it for 5 minutes.
Keep up….
Keep in a cool, dry place
Storing your cast iron in a dry location is critical, even more…
….so if you haven’t seasoned it. However, even after seasoning..
…moisture in the air might find the appropriate places..
….to rust your cast iron. That is why it is critical to keep it in a dry location.
I propose a kitchen cupboard, since kitchens often…
…have enough airflow to avoid moisture buildup.
No Dishwasher
Dishwashers are corrosive to cast iron cookware. If you’ve ever purchased…
….cast iron cookware and read the warnings, you’ll notice…
…that it always says “Do not put in dishwasher.” Simply explained…
….running the dishwasher not only exposes the seasoning to harsh chemicals…
….but also soaks it for an extended length of time.
After a few dishwashing cycles, you’re likely to see severe rust. Therefore…
…do not attempt it. If you have a decent coating of seasoning..
….on your cast iron, you should be able to hand wash it without difficulty…
…since seasoning imparts nonstick properties to the cast iron.
Keep up…
Type Of Cast Iron For Cookware
Cast iron cookware is a timeless kitchen staple. It’s been…
….around for hundreds of years, and it’s still incredibly popular today. But…
….there are some things you should consider before..
….buying cast iron cookware to make sure you get the best value for your money.
First, there are three basic types of cast iron: enameled…
….blackened, and unencrusted. These all have their own advantages…
..and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at them now!
- Enameled cast iron is one of the most common cast iron types because it doesn’t require very much maintenance. You just need to wash it every once in a while with soap and warm water. This is actually better than regular stainless steel, as cast iron won’t react easily to acidic foods like citrus fruits. Enameled cast iron comes in a variety of colors, including white, red, gold, blue, green, and bronze. The beauty of these pans is that they usually come in two sizes – small and large. They fit perfectly in smaller kitchens where space isn’t an issue.
- Blackened cast iron is another option when looking for cast iron cookware. Blackened cast iron is similar to enameled in terms of appearance and durability, but it also happens to be more affordable than enameled cast iron. Like enameled cast iron, you can find the blackened version in multiple colors such as black, brown, grey, charcoal, etc. Unlike enameled cast iron which has a glossy finish, blackened cast iron tends to have a matte finish. If you’re looking for a more attractive option, blackened cast iron is great. However, it does not hold temperature well, so it may be too hot to handle during cooking.
- Unencrusted cast iron is simply non-enameled cast iron without a coating. Unencrusted cast iron pans tend to be cheaper, and will last longer than enameled cast irons. It is ideal for those who are worried about breakage since it is not coated. While unencrusted cast iron does not provide much protection against damage, it does offer a good alternative if you can’t afford the other options. The only downside of unencrusted cast irons is that they cannot be seasoned properly and must be treated with oil after each use.
Benefits of Using Cast Iron Cookware
The benefits of using cast iron cook ware include the following:
- They last forever. You don’t have to worry about cleaning them properly because they won’t crack no matter how much you clean them. Also, they can withstand temperatures ranging between 300° F- 1,400 °F. This means that you can use them anywhere there’s a stove and even when camping.
- They’re durable. As mentioned above, cast iron can withstand extreme heat without breaking down. Due to this quality, they are extremely sturdy and heavy-duty. No wonder these pans are so popular!
- They are easy to clean. Most cast iron pieces come pre-seasoned so you don’t have worry about cleaning them. However, if you decide to wash them every now and then, just scrub them under running water and rinse thoroughly. Be careful though, as cast iron can splatter or break if it gets too hot.
- They are nonstick. When cooking, you’ll find that cast iron pans release less fat than other kinds of pans. What’s more, they are also known to be easier to clean after grilling meat or vegetables.
- They are affordable. Because of their durability, cast iron cookware tends to be cheaper than regular stainless steel pans. Plus, you can purchase them in sets at discount stores like Sears and Walmart.
- They retain heat well. Most brands of cast iron pans have thick walls and bottoms so that they are able to retain heat really well. When using them, you don’t need to bother turning them around to prevent burning your food.
- They are great for baking. Baking is actually very similar to frying. To bake something, simply pour oil in the pan and wait until it heats up. Then add whatever ingredients you want to bake. Cast iron pans tend to produce better results because of the fact that they conduct heat well.
- They are safe to use. Unlike most materials, cast iron doesn’t react with the elements like plastic does and cannot cause health problems to you and your family.
Next up…
How to Choose The Right Cast Iron For You
When choosing a cast iron pan, there are several things to consider:
- Price: How much money are you willing to spend? The prices of cast iron vary depending on its brand and the material used to make it. Some of the best brands can cost as low as $10-$15. There are some cheap ones available but you may end up regretting the choice later on. So shop wisely before buying one.
- Handle: A good cast iron handle comes in handy especially when you are working with large items such as roasts or steaks. It helps prevent accidents from happening while you are carrying your meal. A good cast iron handle is usually made out of high carbon steel which adds strength. Look for handles with a rounded shape to avoid slipping.
- Size: One important factor to consider is the size of the pan itself. You will only know what size pan you need once you lift up your skillet and look at it. 4 inches is typically considered the standard size. Remember to measure both the width and height of your pan.
- Weight: Your cast iron should not weigh more than 3 pounds. If you already own an extra heavy pan, chances are you won’t use it anymore. Instead, buy a new cast iron pan that you can easily carry around. For example, you might want to get a 14-quart pan instead of a 10-quart pan. This way you will have enough space to store anything left over for another day.
- Type of Material: Although all types of cast iron pans are suitable for cooking, you should pick a specific kind based on how often you’ll be cooking with it. Choose one with ceramic coated surface rather than uncoated metal surface. They’re easier to clean and last longer.
- Capacity: Not every pan has the same capacity. Therefore, if you plan to fry foods regularly, you should invest in a larger capacity pan. However, if you rarely fry, then you might not need a big pan. Go by the amount of meals that you normally prepare and figure out whether you need a bigger pan or smaller one.
- Weight: Make sure that the pan you bought is light enough for you to move around without hurting yourself. While heavier pans may seem more durable, they also weigh more and will require more effort in moving them around.
Sum Up
Many people choose cast iron cookware in the kitchen…
….and around the campfire because it can easily transition..
….from stove to oven and vice versa without losing temperature. It’s also recognized…
…for its durability, which is why so many people…
…retain their cast iron pots and pans for decades!
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can use cast iron cookware in a variety of ways. It…
…can be used for frying, baking, and roasting. You can also use it…
….to cook vegetables and other foods that require high heat..
…and long cooking times. You can even keep your cast iron pots…
…warm on the stove top by using them as oven trays!
Cast iron cookware is an essential tool in the kitchen…
… especially if you’re looking for a durable product that will last…
…for years to come and you should keep your cast iron cookware from rust!
Okay that’s all for now! Thanks for reading..
…if you have any question about how to keep cast iron from rusting…
…..or any kind of question regarding cast iron…
…just drop it in the comment section! Cao!
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