There are two main types of cookware in the culinary world – cast iron and non-stick. Non-stick is typically made from either polyethylene or vinyl, and will almost always leave some sort of layer of residue when you wash them up. This residue can be burnt bits of food that stuck to the pan while cooking, or skin that peeled off during cleaning.
The problem with this type of cookware is that it does not hold onto heat very well. If you like to use your cookware for baking as well as frying, then this could be a downfall because you have to wait longer for each batch to bake/toast properly.
Cast iron pans were originally manufactured using iron plates and oil as coating material, which would eventually oxidize and create an internal layer of oxide. This layer acts as a protective barrier between the hot surface of the pan and whatever you place in it.
Since cast iron doesn’t need any extra help holding onto heat, people have given it new names depending on what kind of cuisine they prepare in it. Professional bakers refer to their cookware as fryers so that students don’t confuse the term “fryer” for another word.
However, you should know that there is no reason to avoid burnished (or even unburned) cast iron pots and skillets unless you want to.
No, it won’t
While not everyone loves cooking with rustic cookware, there is one major argument against using non-stick pans made of uncoated iron. Some say that leftover bits of iron in your food can be harmful to your health.
This theory was popularized back in the 1990s when some reports stated that iron supplements could cause cancer. Since then, other studies have found no correlation between iron intake and any type of cancer.
However, even though most experts agree that raw iron is harmless, you should still use caution if you are very sensitive to metals or suffer from internal inflammation.
For more information on whether or not eating foods containing iron is safe for you, check out our article here.
It depends on the recipe you are using it for
There is a myth that if you use rust as an ingredient in your recipes, it will help to make the finished product more solid. This is not true!
Using raw iron flakes or chunks can be difficult to contain when melting down into something else. The pieces may also burn or oxidize during processing, changing the chemical composition of the mixture.
This could affect the consistency or taste of the final product. For example, adding too much raw iron to baking powder creates bubbles due to the oxidation.
It depends on the recipe you are using it for
While there have been some reports of skin irritation or inflammation in people who use rust-coated cookware, this is not an actual disease nor does it mean that your cooktop is bad.
This can be due to several things; poor cleaning practices, allergies, or acidity in the ingredients used in the recipes.
If you experience red, swollen skin around the area where the cook top contacts your skin, go back to the original recipe and check the ingredient list to see if any allergens were left over.
It doesn’t matter
There is no reason to worry about rust when baking with a seasoned cast iron skillet. Because it is an easily heated material, your baked goods will not burn or deteriorate due to acidity caused by leftover cooked foods in the pan.
Cast iron pans are very difficult and expensive to wash properly, but this isn’t something that you would normally need to do unless you were trying to remove all of the butter from the cook top.
It doesn’t matter
There is no reason to worry about rust when baking with a non-stick surface skillet. In fact, some types of stainless steel cookware are known for their easy cleanup!
Stainless steel pans do develop a thin layer of protective oxide which helps prevent sticking or burning but this isn’t considered harmful unless you overcook your food. When that happens, the iron in the pan can melt and stick to the food leaving you with stuck burnt bits of meat and metal debris.
This only occurs if you bake at very high temperatures so most people use normal oven temperatures to bake in a pan like this. Even though it’s not totally necessary, we recommend always washing dishes immediately after cooking as well because leftover grated cheese, dried up butter, and salty snacks will contribute trace amounts of acid to the pan. This could cause corrosion.
You should always use the proper tool for the job
There is one major reason why using a lighter cast iron skillet is not a good idea, and that is because it can burn very easily if heated too hot. This is especially true if you are a beginner to cooking!
Many people believe that pans with thinner coats of non-stick coating will cook more quickly, but this isn’t necessarily the case. A thin layer of fat or oil may actually prevent the pan from heating up fully due to resistance. This could result in burning or overcooking of your food.
If you have a pan that feels warm when pressed down, chances are it’s an older pan with thicker layers of non-stick material. It’s totally normal to feel nervous about leaving your stovetop unattended, so don’t worry about that.
You should always use the proper tool for the job
There is one major drawback to using a rust-covered skillet as your cookware of choice — it may not last very long! As with any type of material, iron can be melted down and resold. However if you are careful when washing your pan, then there shouldn’t be too much worry.
The most important thing when cleaning an iron pot or pan is never pour water onto it. That could cause corrosion which would definitely cost your pan some shine but that isn’t the worst thing in the world. Corrosion can actually damage the metal itself so make sure to take good care of it.
Never put water directly into the stove top area of your pan because this could start a fire! By using a soft cloth, wipe away excess moisture just like you would clean glass.
Yes, it will
While there are some claims that cast iron is healthier than non-cast iron skillets, this isn’t always the case. Because of its thicker surface layer, or oxide, rust can form in areas where food comes into contact with the pan.
When you cook with a rusty skillet, it can leach harmful metals into your foods. These include lead, cadmium, nickel, and even zinc, all of which can have serious health effects.
Because of this, some experts believe that using a lighter, less durable skillet may be better for your diet. That is why we recommend never washing your skillet unless you are cleaning it under running water and using a soap cleanser.
Instead, we suggest either baking it or heating it up until it glows red hot before wiping it down. This will remove most of the dirt without damaging the pan.