I’ve been cooking with cast iron for a long time. Many of my cooking friends have heirloom skillets handed down through generations. Not me. I bought a 10-inch skillet for $20, which lives rent-free on my stovetop 24/7. When we have company over, people often ask about the cast iron and even appear interested in trying one out. But they are frightened by several myths associated with cast iron.
You’ll find plenty of contradicting opinions online about how to use cast iron and ways to care for it. It can all seem very confusing and intimidating at first. But trust me, it’s more simple than it seems. I was once in your shoes, nervous about ruining the seasoning or getting the metal too hot. But here’s the thing, it’s not rocket science. So here are a few simple things I’ve learned about cooking with cast iron.
#1 It’s solid.
Let me assure you, cast iron is not fragile. In fact, it’s ridiculously strong. The name ‘cast iron’ speaks volumes about its durability. Yet, many people are under the misconception that it’s delicate and requires extra care. I don’t understand where this myth comes from. A cast iron skillet lasts lifelong and then some. It’s the reason why people are still using their great-grandmother’s cast iron–because it’s built to last!
#2 Use soap.
Cleaning cast iron is probably a person’s number one reason not to try it. One of the most prominent myths about cleaning cast iron is that you can’t use soap. The theory is that a thin layer of delicate oil (called seasoning) coats the skillet. Since soap is designed to cut grease and remove oil, soap would damage the seasoning of your cast iron.
Yes, there is a thin layer of oil… but it’s polymerized, which is just a fancy way of saying that it’s been bonded to the surface of the metal. In other words, a little dish soap is not going to take it off. Now, that doesn’t mean you should soak it in the sink filled with soap. There are much better ways to clean your skillet. But a little bit of soap is not going to hurt the seasoning.
#3 Electric is Fine
People often tell me I need to use gas burners for my cast iron. Sure cast iron is excellent on gas and feel free to throw it in the oven. But it works on all cooktop ranges, including electric (what I use), induction, glass, and ceramic. You can even throw it on your outdoor grill, or if you’re looking for some real adventure–on an open fire!
I could say a lot more about my experience cooking with cast iron. And maybe that’ll be a post for another day. For now, try cooking with it yourself, and let me know what you think.
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