In a time when everyone’s starting to be smart about their purchases, durable and long-lasting products are a top priority. This applies to everything including kitchenware that will be used every single day. So before you dive into your shopping game, let’s run through the pros and cons and a few product suggestions to make your shopping experience hassle-free.

What is Cast Iron Cookware?

Cast Iron Cookware is a type of kitchenware that is heavy-duty and valued for its impressive heat retention and resistance, durable build that could last a lifetime, and non-stick surface when properly seasoned. Even better, it resists nicks, dents, and scratches that other types of pans are prone to. It’s best used for searing, deep frying and can do just about anything.

Why Consider Cast Iron

Too expensive? Too high maintenance? Regardless of what some folks would have made you believe, Cast Iron cookware are long-term investments that could be worth every cent spent. Allow us to walk you through the reasons why splurging on Cast Iron cookware could be your next best choice:

• Non-Stick - With proper pre-seasoning and maintenance, Cast Iron becomes non-stick. Its Non Stick capabilities get better with every use.
• It Handles The Heat - Cast Iron can handle temperatures far above what is used in even some of the most extreme cooking methods. It easily transitions from the stovetop right into the oven.
• Even-Heat Distribution - Say goodbye to hot spots, cold spots and never-ending flipping of your food ‘cause Cast Iron can evenly distribute heat throughout the entire piece.
• Durable - With proper care and maintenance, Cast Iron cookware can last a lifetime! It can be passed down generation after generation in the family.
• Healthy Cooking - Less oil is needed when cooking and no chemical/toxins are absorbed from its iron-coated surface.
• It’s Versatile - Cast Iron can handle more dishes than any other cookware; from sauces, steaks to mac and cheese, eggs to fried chicken, even one Cast Iron skillet can handle it all! 

Prolonging Your Cast Iron’s Life

Keeping a Cast Iron cookware in its pristine state requires effort and knowledge, but don’t worry! This guide is here to help you get the most out of your investment. Proper care begins right after purchasing your Cast Iron cookware.

Caring For Your New Pan

For your recently purchased Cast Iron cookware, pre-seasoning is essential before putting it to use. It’s easy and can be done in five steps!

1. First, peel off or remove any labels. 
2. Clean cookware with hot water (no soap), and dry it well. 
3. Prepare the interior before using it to cook by coating the surface with vegetable oil. 
4. Bake CI cookware at 450F for 30 minutes (IMPORTANT: Place your pan upside down on the middle rack. On the lower rack, place an aluminium lined baking sheet to catch any drips). 
5. Let it cool completely on the stovetop afterwards.  

Now you’re ready to enjoy your new cookware! It’s also recommended that you skip using Cast Iron cookware with acidic meals/sauces during the first week. Use it with oily products such as bacon, fatty meat, and more to lock in oil on its surface.

Properly Cleaning and Storing Your Pan

Proper cleaning is essential for making your Cast Iron kitchenware last. It will be a waste if you don’t get to enjoy its durability just because of mishandling! Here are some dos and don’ts you need to take note of:

Dos

• Clean cookware while it’s still warm by hand washing with hot water and adish brush
• Use coarse salt and hot soapy water to remove residue that won’t scrub away
• Dry it thoroughly with a towel
• Coat with oil to prevent rusting

Don'ts

• Don’t let cookware cool after use with sticky food
• Don’t use hard metal scrub to remove residue
• Don’t store food in any Cast Iron cookware
• Don’t store kitchenware wet or partially wet 

Dealing with Rust

Even if you do everything right, it’s important to know that a bit of rust on a cast iron pan doesn’t render it useless. If unfortunately your cookware rusts, you can follow these steps to give them a new life:

1. Submerge and soak your cookware in a mix of equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water. After an hour, check if rust easily flakes away and pull it out. If the rust is still stuck, let it soak for another hour. Dry the pan thoroughly when done.
2. Place your pan on the stovetop and coat with vegetable oil (submerge caked-on pieces of food or rust with oil). Turn on the heat and let the oil begin to warm up the residue.
3. Addcoarse saltto the cookware (depending on its size) then mix it thoroughly with the oil using adish brush or a handful of paper towels held withbbq tongs. Once the majority of residue and rust loosened from the pan, wipe it down and dispose of the paper towels. 
4. Rinse the pan, now free of grease and rust in the sink under hot water. Scrub it again if needed, then dry thoroughly. Repeat until it’s free of rust or food residue.
5. Re-season your pan to restore it to its pristine state.

After cleaning your Cast Iron kitchenware, make sure to keep up with its daily maintenance to fully enjoy your trusty cast iron companion.

Making the Right Choice

Decided to start your own cast iron cookware collection? Explore a wide variety of cookware options at Joejis! To help you decide, here’s a list of our CI collection and reasons why you’ll love them:

25cm Cast Iron Pan Skillet

Our cast-iron skillet can be used to create those delicious meals especially when frying and grilling. Smooth finish and furnace-like cooking action distribute heat evenly throughout your food.

More reasons to love it:

• Can go from hob to oven
• Includes silicone cover
• Built-in hanging hole
• Works on induction burners

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Chicken Oven Roaster Stand

Our Oven Roaster Stand is suitable as a spit roast, kebab rotisserie, and skewer stand. It has a flat base that sits on most grill and BBQ tops, it can catch bbq drips that will be handy to make sauces. 

More reasons to love it:

• Can be used for baking and rotisserie
• Base as oil catcher for sauce making
• Centre spike to evenly cook chicken from the inside
• Essential for BBQ days

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Tortilla Press

Evenly distributed weight quickly and easily presses dough. Simply place pre-made dough between parchment paper layers, press, then place in the oven. The roti maker chapati maker machine smooth surface cleans easily.

More reasons to love it:

• Easy to use design
• Flat surface to press evenly
• Free parchment papers
• Better than a rolling pin
• Can be used as a tortilla warmer

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Burger Press

Our burger/steak press has a ridged surface to make beautiful char marks on your sausage patties, burgers, sandwiches, bacon, & other grill favourites. It can also be used to squeeze excess grease from fattier cuts without drying out or compromising meat's flavours.

More reasons to love it:

• Food-safe enamel coating to minimise iron transfer
• With cool-touch handles
• Heat and press to ensure even cooking

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Cast Iron Wok

Our 31cm large wok with lid has a broader bottom to provide plenty of high-heat room for searing meat & vegetables while still offering enough space for tossing. This induction wok's design keeps it sturdy on all cooktops & ovens.

More reasons to love it:

• Safe and ergonomic handle
• Perfect forlow-fat cooking
• Convenient lid for locking in moisture and flavour
• Includes free oven mitts

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Cast Iron Casserole

Our 2.7L casserole with lid is compatible with most cooktops and ovens. Best used when cooking for 3 to 4 people, this casserole works well to braise, bake, fry, sear, stew, slow cook, & more.

More reasons to love it:

• With enamel coating
• Safe and comfortable handle
• Self-basting lid with innerdripping rings
• Perfect size for small to big families

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Ready to invest in high-quality Cast Iron cookware? Add to cart and check out now! 

Don’t worry about not knowing enough to properly care for your Cast Iron cookware since, besides this article, all our Cast Iron products come with easy to follow manual for use and maintenance. If you have any questions regarding our products, send us an email at support@joejis.com