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The Benefits of a Cast Iron Skillet

10/24/2013

6 Comments

 
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When I was little, my grandmother cooked with only one pan—a big, black, cast-iron skillet that was too heavy for me to lift. She used it for as long as I can remember until she became elderly, and couldn't lift it herself.  I don’t know what happened to that pan, but more than twenty years ago, I bought one for myself, and I've been using it ever since.

Unlike chemically-treated, nonstick pans that can get scratched and start to peel, (not to mention releasing potentially harmful fumes into the air if used at a high temperature), cast iron will last indefinitely—and safely—with the proper care. While many people like to shop for bargains at a yard sale, you can buy a new, pre-seasoned, 10-inch skillet for about $20.00, which is still a bargain, considering that your great grandchildren could inherit it. 

If you decide to buy a used one, or you inherit one, you’ll probably have to clean it, depending on its condition. Remove any rust with a steel wood pad, then wash it with soap and warm water, the ONLY time your pan should see soap.  Rinse and dry it thoroughly,
then rub the skillet—inside and out—with a thin layer of vegetable oil. Too much oil will leave the pan sticky. Place it in a 400-degree oven for an hour with a sheet of aluminum foil on the rack below the one the skillet is on to catch any drips of oil, allowing the oil to
absorb into the iron. This is how the pan is “seasoned.” Turn off the oven, and leave the pan there to cool.

In the beginning, you’ll have to use a little oil to cook with, and be careful: the handles are hot, so be sure to use an oven mitt! To clean the pan after cooking, just use a scrub brush and warm water, not the dishwasher. Dry it completely so that it doesn’t rust, or you’ll have
to go through the seasoning process again. After it’s dry, put a small amount of vegetable oil onto a paper towel, and rub the pan with it. It’s also a good idea to layer the inside of the pan with a paper towel for storage, if you’re nesting it with other pans.

All foods cook beautifully in a cast-iron skillet, with the exception of eggs, which tend to stick, but the more you use the pan, the more non-stick it becomes. No special utensils are needed to cook in it, it won't warp, and It can go from the stovetop to the oven, a grill or campfire, but don’t put it in the microwave!

One more added benefit—if you’re trying to get more iron into your diet, cooking with a cast-iron skillet will help.

About SJ Wilson
SJ Wilson has been writing novels for many years, including the recently published, The Soul of Fenway. She loves spending time with her family, especially at the beach. Her hobbies include genealogy, photography, American history, and baseball. 



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6 Comments
Theresa link
10/24/2013 04:45:36 am

I recently got a cast iron pan at a thrift store. After we cleaned it up, it's been wonderful, better than any new one. The surface is so smooth, even eggs don't stick very much. I've found the other issue with eggs is temperature. The pan has to be very hot but not all the way up on high. In the right temp zone, they don't stick at all.
Visiting you from the UBC blogboost on Facebook. Happy Thursday. :)

Reply
1st Green Clean - Pharice
11/6/2013 03:41:43 am

Theresa the thrift store is a treasure trove of great finds, but a cast iron pan is the best. Listening to you talk about your pan makes me want to go in the kitchen and find something to cook in it.

Thank you for your comment!

~ Here's to a healthier lifestyle.

Reply
Penny McDaniel link
10/24/2013 09:40:20 am

I LOVE my iron skillet! I remember my mother, my grandmother, and my great grandmother always using one. I won't eat any cornbread unless it comes from a skillet!

Blessings.
Penny

Reply
1st Green Clean - Pharice
11/6/2013 03:45:50 am

Penny I'm with you, I LOVE mine too! I use it way more than any other pan I own. As the weather changes I've been saving recipes to try. I'm planning to go to the thrift store, like Theresa suggested, and see if I can find one.

Thank you for your comment!

~ Here's to a healthier lifestyle.

Reply
gena livings link
10/24/2013 11:24:39 am

I love my cast iron skillets!
I don't know what I would do without them.
I like all the safety reasons behind them too! I've never been fond of all the harmful fumes that other pans release.

Healthy blessings,
Gena

Reply
1st Green Clean - Pharice
11/6/2013 03:48:15 am

Gena join the club! Since the posting of this article so many women, and few men, have told me just how much they LOVE their cast iron skillet. I'm hoping to find other kitchen items we all love that are long lasting and healthy for us to use.

Thank you for your comment!

~ Here's to a healthier lifestyle.

Reply

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    Pharice Brown & Associates, LLC, has over 10 years of progressively responsible experience directing as many as 1,000 employees in fortune 500 companies. In this blog she will share useful information for a luxurious and healthy lifestyle with www.1greenclean.com

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