Cast Iron Pans: an Investment for Your Kitchen

Both moms at home and professional chefs agree, cast iron pans and pots are the best kitchen cookware. Made by molding, these cast iron pots and pans were first used only in 1100 A.D., but were first mass produced in the 1700s. Although some people would argue than newer, more modern kitchen cookware should be used like aluminum, Teflon and stainless steel, cast iron can still give the user a unique cooking experience. Cast iron cookware simply gives food a unique taste, and can cook at a steady, even temperature.

Pans are dense, and can be quite massive. For this reason, they hold a constant temperature, and are great for shallow frying food. This makes it perfect for browning meat and grilling steaks and burgers. Not only that: you will also be able to enjoy a healthier diet without having to use a lot of oil in cooking. You can cook fat free meals and be sure that your food will not stick to the surface of your wel seasoned pan. You can use cast iron pans to cook without additional oil. The non-stick surface is completely natural, unlike coated stainless cookware or Teflon. Because of the superior heat-conducting system, exceptional heat retention and diffusion properties, cast iron pots are great for precision cooking. You can be sure that you get an even temperature every time.

The most popular dish made with these pans is scrambled eggs. The non-stick surface lets the eggs slide right off. Cast iron pots and pans can really give you a lot of benefits when it comes to cooking. They are practical, and relatively inexpensive. Meanwhile, they are also perfect for searing fish and meats, as it can seal in the juices perfectly using high temperatures.

These pans are also more cost-effective. You can use them for cooking absolutely anything from fry-ups to pastries, and you can buy them at almost any store, and can even be purchased at flea markets. As compared with copper cookware, cast iron is equally as reactive. However, if you know how to maintain and care for your pots and pans, it can last you a lifetime. For about ten dollars, you can get a basic skillet measuring 10 inches in diameter. You will be able to purchase a 20-dollar grill pan.

These pans can last a very long time – if you take care of it. Proper maintenance will ensure that you will be able to pass on your cast iron pots and pans to your grandchildren. Make sure that you season and cure the surface of the pan well. You need to fill the pores of the metal with grease. They should be baked in so it seals. This creates a naturally non-stick surface over time. A well-seasoned cast iron pans could not only make cooking easier. It can prevent your pans from rusting. Should your pan develop rust, all you have to do is re-season the pan. It simply means that the pan is not well-seasoned yet.

During our research we visited many online vendors and discovered that the best prices are typically found on Amazon.

	Lodge Pro Logic Cast Iron 14" Pizza Pan, Black List Price: $56.00 Sale Price: $34.97 Used From: $33.22
	Seasoned 14" round pizza pan with loop handles features even, fast heating and excellent heat retention. Golden pizza crust every time. Great for roasted vegetables, pork chops, chicken and beef. Not even the most expensive stainless or aluminum cookware can rival the even heating, heat retention, versatility, value and durability of Lodge Cast Iron...

	Lodge Logic L8SGP3 Pre-Seasoned Square Grill Pan List Price: $24.95 Sale Price: $16.26 Used From: $13.49
	Put restaurant stripes on your grilled favorites like a pro. Low fat cooking as the ribbed bottom pan lets you keep foods from simmering in fatty drippings. 10.5 inch square skillet is Seasoned and ready to use.

	Camp Chef Home Seasoned Cast Iron Bread Pan List Price: $18.99 Sale Price: $16.88 Used From: $16.04
	Camp Chef Home Seasoned Cast Iron Bread Pan. This cast iron bread pan offers even heat distribution providing a golden brown crust every time you bake. The handles on each end make it easier to lift the pan in and out of the oven...

	Lodge Logic, Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware Muffin/Cornbread Pan List Price: $15.99 Sale Price: $13.99 Used From: $13.70
	Seasoned and ready to use straightsided muffin pan with 6 impressions. Old fashioned muffins are always a treat. Cast Iron cooks best. The even heat control allows for a perfect bread crust every time...

	Lodge Pro-Logic Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 12-Inch Square Grill Pan List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: $27.00
	The graceful rolled edges and curved lines of Pro-Logic represent a new design in cast iron cookware while offering the same legendary cooking performance. Designed with sloped sides, and loop handles...

	Lodge Logic L14SK3 15-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet List Price: $48.99 Sale Price: $31.09 Used From: $33.55
	Start your own family heirloom. The do everything, use anytime skillet is built to last several lifetimes.. Full 15 inch diameter so you can really load it up. Cast Iron is a fantastic cooking medium. It conducts heat evenly with no hot-spots and maintains heat for efficiency and cooking control...

	Lodge Logic L5SK3 Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron 8-Inch Skillet List Price: $12.99 Sale Price: $10.16 Used From: $12.34
	The American-based company Lodge has been fine-tuning its construction of rugged, cast-iron cookware for more than a century. No other metal is as long-lasting and works as well for spreading and retaining heat evenly during cooking...

	Lodge Pro Logic 14" Cast Iron Wok, Black List Price: $80.00 Sale Price: $45.99 Used From: $47.47
	Seasoned ready to use 14" wok with loop handles features even, fast heating and excellent heat retention. All important factors in successful stir frying, simmering and braising. This unique flat bottomed cast iron wok allows you to use an electric or gas range without a ring to hold the work steady and transfers the heat rapidly from the burner to the wok.

Lodge Pro-Logic Cast-Iron Aebleskiver Pan
List Price: $31.99
Sale Price: $26.31

This seasoned and ready to use Danish Cake pan is also called an "Aebleskiver, which means "Sliced Apples" in Danish, is excellent for making Danish "pancake balls". Considered a specialty bakeware item, the little round cups are filled with dough and as it starts cooking, the chef uses a little wooden stick to "flip" it into a little ball which can then be filled with fruit, such as sliced apples...

	Emeril by All-Clad E9644064 Cast-Iron 10-Inch Square Grill Pan Cookware, Black List Price: $27.99 Sale Price: $11.99 Used From: $22.22
	Emeril puts professional-grade tools in your hands. With this grill pan you can add the finishing touches that help you re-create the same meals you see Emeril craft on his show. The thick base, even heat-distribution, and cast-iron ridges of this pan put authentic restaurant-style grill stripes on all your favorite grilled foods...