When it comes to buying the right cookware, cast iron vs stainless steel is a very common debate that pops in the heads of many. These are two of the many materials that are recommended by cooking experts for various reasons. We cannot negate the fact that each has its own set of pros and cons which must be taken into consideration when making the final purchase. The reason why they tell you to revolve your buying decision around the material of the cookware because it has an integral part to play in adding the consistency and richness to the flavor of the meal. More than that, the quality of the material also enhances the performance of the pots and pans.
Right now, if your mind is juggling between cast iron and stainless steel cookware then we are here to help with all our hearts and knowledge that we have on the topic. Get to know everything that cast iron and stainless steel have to offer to their users and how both the materials differ from each other. By the end, you will be able to identify which one suits your needs the best and add more value to your experience in your home or restaurant’s kitchen.
Table of Contents
An Introduction to the Materials
Cast Iron Cookware
Cast iron is particularly known for its durability and the magic it adds to the food you cook in utensils made of this very material. Did you know how exactly is cast iron made? The procedure is no doubt interesting. It is made by pouring the molten version of cast iron into a mold. The shape and size of the mold can vary according to what you want to achieve by the end of the process. The process produces a heavy pan that takes the shape of the mold being used. In the new age and day, there have been many variations to the cast iron cookware. With more demands and changing trends, manufacturers are now producing cast iron pans that are pre-seasoned. This reduces quite a lot of time and effort for the ones using these pans.
Raw cast iron tends to be high maintenance because it cannot be washed in the dishwasher and has to be properly cleaned without soap after every use and this adds to your workload in the kitchen. Moreover, even if it pre-seasoned, it still has to go through the seasoning process once every while.
Stainless Steel Cookware
Now moving on towards stainless steel. It is by far one of the easiest to handle materials that you can use in the kitchen. It is known to battle the longest days in the kitchen without losing its shape and does not even require too much maintenance. Stainless steel cookware tends to have a base of another material that is a good heat conductor. This is mainly because stainless steel itself is not a very good heat conductor. Most often, the base material usually consists of aluminum or sometimes, copper.
People with the busiest of kitchens tend to rely on stainless steel because they do not have to worry about it corroding after every use. No doubt, it is an ideal fit for restaurant kitchens.
However, this information is still not enough to come to a conclusion for cast iron vs stainless steel. There is a lot more than you are going to get to know about these materials below.
Cast Iron vs Stainless Steel Pan – Key Differences
Many people around the world fail to figure out the difference between cast iron and stainless steel when they are standing in the aisle purchasing new cookware for themselves. This well-explained comparison will hopefully put an end to cast iron vs stainless steel debate for you and it will enable you to buy cookware that is going to transform your cooking.
Weight
Some people believe stainless steel to be heavier, however, the reality is far from that. The truth is that cast iron is a lot heavier than stainless steel which can make it extremely difficult to lift and shift the pan when it’s full of ingredients. This is why it is generally not recommended for chefs with busy schedules in the kitchen and those who have to cook large quantities of food. After all, who likes to hurt their wrist while they are cooking?
Washing
For some, this is going to put the comparison to end because we all want to get away with washing dishes in the best way possible. Washing and cleaning stainless steel pans is no big deal. Technically, you can wash them in the dishwasher as well. However, cast iron pans can add to your responsibilities when we talk about washing and cleaning them.
Reactivity
Cast iron pans are reactive. Putting acidic ingredients in them is not a wise thing to do since they are most likely to react with such ingredients. This, in turn, does nothing but greatly influences the taste of your meal. In this regard, stainless steel is no doubt the best. Cook whatever without largely affecting the taste.
Heat Retention and Conduction
One cannot doubt cast iron pans when it comes to heat conduction. It is one of the best heat conductors and this furthers adds value to the cooking experience because every food good heat distribution to achieve the desired taste. Moreover, it also retains heat well which is an added benefit. However, it takes time to heat which can affect the cooking time. Stainless steel is known to be a poor heat conductor, however, it heats quicker which is great for emergency cooking.
Health & Safety
Both materials are chemical-free and are extremely safe for consumption. However, one of the problems with cast iron is that it can transfer some of the iron content to your food which is not good for health. This is one reason why so many people prefer not to use cast iron. But surprisingly, it is also believed that the iron content in cast iron is not bad for the health it has some health benefits to offer. This is another debate which should be saved for some other day.
Related Posts:
Difference Between Skillet and Frying Pan
How to Sharpen Electric Knife Blade
Ceramic vs Stainless Steel Cookware
Cast Iron vs Stainless Steel- Pros & Cons
No debate is complete without discussing the pros and cons of each side. We believe it was necessary to share the good and bad sides of both separately so you can get an idea about the situation in a much clearer manner. We hope this will further help you decide which one to bring to your kitchen.
Cast Iron
Pros
- Cast iron’s durability knows no bounds. The material lasts you for a better part of your life and there’s no exaggeration.
- It is one of the best choices you can make if you don’t wish to spend a fortune on cookware.
- Cast iron pans have excellent heat retention and conductivity. Usually, this is all that should matter when it comes to cooking.
- The heat distribution of cast iron is even which does not leave the food uncooked or burnt from different areas.
- It is ideal for browning and low simmering.
Cons
- It reacts to acidic foods which end up distorting the taste of the food.
- Cast iron is heavier so it is not suitable for cooking large quantities of food.
- Cast iron pans are not very easy to maintain since they are not dishwasher safe.
- The material takes a little longer to heat up which increases the cooking time.
Stainless Steel
Pros
- Stainless steel pans are timeless and above all, durable. They remain by your side even when you handle them roughly.
- Stainless steel is the easiest going material you can ever come across. It is extremely easy to clean and maintain.
- It is great for the environment because of its eco-friendly properties.
- Stainless steel is corrosion and rust-resistant. This makes it very easy to handle.
- It offers even heat distribution.
Cons
- Stainless steel is expensive than cast iron.
- It is known for poor heat conductivity.
- It requires some amount of oil and butter to be added before cooking. This can be a cause of concern for the health-conscious.
Is Cast Iron Better than Stainless Steel?
Given the information above, our verdict does not take the side of anyone in cast iron vs stainless steel. Both are great in terms of cooking. Although stainless steel is a poor heat conductor, it still does a great job of providing you with perfectly cooked meals. We would suggest cast iron pans only if you have a heart big enough to take care of it like your newborn. However, if you still wish to buy a cast iron pan for your kitchen then we would suggest you go for enameled cast iron.
Enameled cast iron has a glaze applied to it on the surface that prevents the pan from rusting and eliminates the need to season the pan. With an enamel, the finishing becomes such that you do not have to make unnecessary efforts to clean the pan. In addition to this, it is ideal for foods that are required to be cooked at slow heat.
Also, before you buy one make sure you know what you prefer because this way you are more likely to make the right choice.