If you don't have a cast-iron cookware at home and you still haven't gotten your family's heirloom cast iron skillet yet, not to worry. We are obsessed with cast iron cookware and we'd like to believe we are somewhat of an expert when it comes to buying them, cooking in them, and taking care of them. Oh yes, taking care of your cast iron is a whole different ball game and part of adulting. In this list, we are going to cover must-have cast iron cookware pieces you need in your kitchen as well as all the tips and tricks when it comes to cast iron care.
6 Cast Iron Cookware Pieces You Must Own And How To Care For Them
How To Pick A Cast Iron Cookware
A cast iron cookware is better than non-stick cookware and far healthier. When it comes to picking the right piece there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Type: You get cast iron cookware in various designs -- skillet, griddle, grill pan, Dutch oven, wok, loaf pan, Kadai, dosa & roti tawa, and regular shallow pan. You don't have to buy all of them at one go, but get used to one or two pieces, before adding more to your collection.
Weight: Cast iron cookware can be heavy with pieces weighing anywhere between 600-900 grams and going all the way to 3-4 kilos (you will find heavier pieces too). It's best to pick up a piece that you are most comfortable with -- we find the two kilo ones are quite easy to handle.
Handles: When you are shopping for skillets, pans, tawas, and kadais it's best to pick up pieces that are easy to hold and transport. Pans, Dutch ovens and kadais come with double handles and skillets usually have a short handle, so try looking for ones that have a longer handle to reduce the strain on your wrist. Oh, and if you get a grip sleeve, nothing like it.
Cost: A good cast iron cookware starts at INR 800 and obviously depending on the brand (Le Creuset ones to be precise) you might expensive options too. We recommend for everyday use and for beginners to look for cast iron cookware pieces priced between INR 800 and INR 2,500. Dutch ovens and casseroles are usually priced INR 2,500 upwards. Sets obviously work out cheaper too.
Bare Or Enamel: You can get a lot of cast iron cookware without any coating. These need to be seasoned. Brands like Meyer for instance have bare cast iron cookware. Enamel cast iron cookware comes with an enamel coating and requires no seasoning. Brands like Le Creuset have enamel cookware.
How To Care For Your Cast Iron Cookware
Cast iron cookware needs different care when it comes to your aluminium or stainless steel cookware. This beginner's guide will help you clean and store your cast iron cookware.
Cleaning: When you are washing your cast iron cookware for the first time, use a tiny bit of liquid soap and water to rinse the utensil of any dust or residue. Rinse it well and dry it immediately with a kitchen towel.
Basic Upkeep: Since most cast iron cookware come with factory pre-seasoning, you can get to cooking right away after cleaning. The basic clean up that follows after you are done cooking is essentially rinsing with warm water and using a brush or sponge (non-metallic of course) to clean off any food bits. Gentle is the way to go about it.
Storage: Once you're done cleaning it, bone dry the cast iron with a towel and place it over the stove on low heat to remove any moisture. Coat the utensil with a thin layer of cooking oil. Let it cool and store it away from dust.
Repeat the basic upkeep and storage to ensure your cookware lasts longer.
Now that you've got a download of how to buy cast iron cookware and how to care for it, here are the 6 pieces we absolutely recommend.
Meyer Cast Iron Skillet
We have been using this skillet for a while now and it's a hero in the kitchen. From frying eggs and sausages to making fried noodles and even curries, this skillet is versatile. We love the even heat distribution and how quickly it heats up. It works on induction too. It comes pre-seasoned (with vegetable oil) and we haven't felt the need to re-season it yet. We love the elongated handle and the canvas grip they provide with it for easy handling. Oh, and the handle isn't attached to the skillet with screws, rivets or joints, it's one single unit making it more durable.
Seasoning: Pre-seasoned
Weight: 1.53 kg
Diameter: 20 cm
Price: INR 2,375
Tablecraft Mini Cast Iron Skillet
We make use of this mini cast iron skillet for fried eggs, bacon, sauteeing potatoes, and any single portion side dishes. At just 14.5 cm, it's as mini as it can get. It also sits properly on the stove stand. The skillet gets hot quickly on medium flame and provides even heat distribution.
Seasoning: Pre-seasoned
Weight: 600g
Diameter: 14.5 cm
Price: INR 1,160
Indus Valley Cast Iron Grill Pan
We've used this for making grilled salmon and chicken, and whenever we've wanted to make grilled cheese sandwiches. Even heat distribution and grill grooves get our thumbs up. Also, this heavy pan comes with double handles making it easy to move it from the stove to the dining table. While we wish the heat resistant rubber sleeve is provided with it, you can always buy or just use a thick kitchen towel to hold the handle.
Seasoning: Pre-seasoned
Weight: 3.5 kg
Diameter: 25.4 cm
Price: INR 2,500 (there are discounts going on now)
Rock Cast Iron Dosa Tawa
We have this at home and we use it to make uthappams and dosa, and on random occasions, fried eggs. The tawa evenly heats up and we love how easy it is to scoop the dosas. The double handle helps to move the tawa after you're done using it (it's a bit on the heavier side). We had to season the tawa after we got it, mainly because when it comes to dosas, you need your seasoning to be extra silky.
Seasoning: Pre-seasoned
Weight: 3.5 kg
Diameter: 25.4 cm
Price: INR 2,050
Zishta Cast Iron Kadai
While we haven't used this, we've heard great reviews about it from friends and family. It's perfect for making sabzi, curries, and sides. We hear that they use railway grade iron for the casting process. A little birdie tells us that you don't need a lot of oil when you are cooking in this kadai and it retains heat for a longer period.
Seasoning: Pre-seasoned
Weight: 1.7 kg
Diameter: 21.6 cm
Price: INR 990
Bergner Cast Iron Casserole
We've mostly used this to make biryani, mac & cheese, and mutton curry. It's one of those pieces we realised that we don't need it for everyday use, but when you have guests over, the two-litre capacity is quite good. The glass lid helps. The handles are ergonomic and come with a safety covering so you can carry it straight from the stove without having to worry about your fingers burning.
Seasoning: Pre-seasoned
Weight: 2.25 kg
Diameter: 20 cm
Price: INR 3,875
Pro-Tip
Check out this list of top cookware brands in India for more cookware options including products made from bronze, terracotta, and cast iron.