• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Flexitarian Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact

Inspired Epicurean logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Flexitarian Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Flexitarian Recipes
    • Lifestyle
    • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Cooking Tips

    November 11, 2017 Cooking Tips

    5 Reasons a Cast-Iron Skillet is the Secret to True Happiness in the Kitchen

    IMG_0797

    1. It is the ultimate, natural "nonstick" cookware -- no Teflon involved!

    Yes, the concept of nonstick cookware is awesome. But, it is also a bit dangerous. Teflon is only "safe" when heated to no more than 500 degrees, and you MUST be careful about using utensils that won't scratch the surface. <<Ahem, Cliff. You should have seen how many deep scratches he had on his bachelor Teflon cookware...I think that man took a butcher knife to every meal he prepared! >> 

    Teflon can leach chemicals into the air and into your body, ultimately exposing you to possible carcinogens. Extensive research is available here. Though the links to cancer and other health problems are still being studied, I would rather just avoid the possibility of issues down the road. Life is too short as it is!

    You don't have to worry about this with cast-iron cookware. Yes, you do have to keep it seasoned, but that leads us to our second reason :

    2. It does add iron to your diet

    Obviously, you need to pay attention to your specific medical needs, but many times additional iron is beneficial. According to Dr. Weil's article, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association determined iron is transferred to food during the cooking process-- and this was confirmed in 1986. Why wait to start taking advantage of this?

    Note: This might be a good time to take inventory of your diet. Do you already get plenty of iron from the foods you eat on a regular basis? If so, you might want to adjust what you cook and in what type of skillet. 

    3. Cast iron is an investment...

    ...because it will LAST FOREVER, if you take care of it. Cliff and I are incredibly grateful to use a family cast-iron skillet in our home. Each time we use it, we feel connected to those who cooked with it before our time. So, you have the opportunity to start a new tradition in your family, or dust off the skillet you haven't used in a while and thank it for its service -- before putting it back to work now. If you season your skillet and care for it, there is no reason it can't last forever. Think about your great-great-great-grandchildren swapping stories of you every time they reach for your pan. 😉

    4. You can transfer it from the stovetop to oven in an INSTANT!

    You can both cook and bake in the pan -- how awesome is that? In a matter of minutes, I can pivot from searing a piece of meat, or roasting veggies in the skillet, to baking peach crisp in the oven. Is your mouth watering yet? I LOVE the fact I don't have to pull out a ton of dishes to make multiple meals, and is a constant reminder that this one tool is a serious workhorse. And, because it is a little heavier than most pans, I feel like a workhorse knowing my biceps are getting an extra workout. It's a good thing! 🙂 

    5. Finally, your food just tastes better!

    There are a variety of opinions about whether the seasoning process directly impacts the taste of food, but your food will really have an elevated taste. Your overall results are improved because of the evenness with which cast iron heats, and how it ultimately cooks the food. Of course, I think the history behind the pan, and the memories you'll make with it add a bit of "something extra" to your meals. Cook with love, folks!

    "Just like Southern girls, though, no two iron skillets are the same. Each bears the marks of its heritage in the form of scratches, scrapes, and dents, and each has its own special use. Get to know your skillet and treat it well, and you can look forward to a lifetime of compliments on your cooking -- from your light-as-a-feather biscuits to your finger-licking chicken." - Deborah Ford   The Grits Guide to Life

    More Cooking Tips

    • asparagus folded in rose colored tea towel on counter
      What Does Asparagus Taste Like? A Guide
    • herbs in glass jar | hearth health happiness
      Countertop Herbs
    • coffee with caco nibs | hearth health happiness
      A Coffee Hack for Any Problem
    • overhead picture of metal pan | hearth health happiness
      Best Materials for Bakeware

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Get the latest recipes, sustainable living tips, and more!

    Content straight to your inbox

    Thank you!

    Melanie Lorick Hair Half-up looking at camera

    Welcome! I'm Melanie - the founder and content creator of Inspired Epicurean. I share delicious vegan recipes (with a few flexitarian recipes from my pre-vegan days).


    Our lifestyle content is crafted to bring eco-friendly and sustainable ideas more mainstream. Learn more about what Inspired Epicurean has to offer in the about me section. Pull up a seat, friends. Cheers!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • air fried potatoes and carrots on cutting board for serving
      Air Fryer Potatoes and Carrots
    • Stacked cookies on wire rack
      Banana Tahini Cookies (Vegan, Gluten Free)
    • side image of stacked peanut butter cookies with bite taken from cookie on top
      2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
    • side image of air fryer bananas ready for serving
      Air Fryer Bananas
    Cookd Pro: A Genesis Child Theme for Food & Lifestyle Bloggers

    Footer

    Stay Connected

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Inspired Epicurean
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates, plus download your free ebook!

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Cook'd Pro on the Cook'd Pro Theme

    Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions