SPRUNTDec 7

Ok, honestly, is cast-iron really any better than a non-stick, stainless, copper (anything else?) pan?

https://lemmy.world/post/39830790

Ok, honestly, is cast-iron really any better than a non-stick, stainless, copper (anything else?) pan? - Lemmy.World

To me, someone who celebrates a bit more of the spectrum than most: Metal hot. Make food hot. Non-stick means easier cleanup, but my wife seems to think cast-iron is necessary for certain things (searing a prime rib roast, for example.). After I figure those out, then I gotta figure out gas vs. electric vs. induction vs infrared…

Show threadRhynoplazDec 7

This is a HUGE “Yes, but.”

Entering adulthood, I got cheap run of the mill non stick pans, they work until they dont.

Then we tried cast iron. Gotta oil it, cure it, and don’t use soap to wash it. Some extra work, but it worked great.

Now, I’m rocking stainless steel. Less work than the cast iron, but you need to preheat the pan before you put anything in it. If you do this, it’s just as nonstick as the others, and it’s a lot lighter and easier than the iron, and I think they are less expensive than cast iron, but I haven’t compared in a very long time.

Show threaddavadDec 7

FYI, you can wash cast iron with soap.

Not using soap is a hold over from when soaps were more caustic (e.g. lye soap).

Show threadRhynoplazDec 7
Thanks for the tip. I saw many people saying both sides, so I figured I’d just avoid soap and not find out for myself.
Show thread__Lost__
If you wash your cast iron with eg Dawn dish soap, you can definitely clean it down to bare metal and it will rust. I usually will clean the cast iron pan last and use the sponge that just has a small amount of soap left in it. Just watch it as you clean, if the shiny hard coating seems to be going away, rinse out the soap and make something greasy next time you use the pan to replenish it.
Dec 7 at 8:48pmWeb
Show threaddavadDec 7

If you have a good seasoning, it won’t wash off. “Seasoning” is the process of polymerizing oil. That hardens the oil and binds it to the surface. You’re more likely to burn the seasoning off or to scratch the seasoning and have it flake off than take it off with dish soap.

Whether you use soap or not, dry it on the stove and give it a light coat of oil after you clean it.