How to Cook With Enamel Cast Iron

Many people prefer enameled cast iron to non-enameled because of the many color options available and the easier cleanup. A possible health benefit of any type of cast iron, including enameled, is the added iron content in the food. This cookware also has superior heat distribution when compared to other types, and is incredibly durable. To get the most out of your enameled cast iron, you need to understand how to properly cook with it.

Things You'll Need

• Olive oil, vegetable oil or cooking spray
• Wood, plastic or silicone utensils
• Pot holder

Instructions

1. Choose a burner on your stove top that is the same size or larger than the pan you intend to use. Avoid using a burner smaller than the pan, because the edges of the pan will fail to get hot enough. This will result in uneven cooking.

2. Coat the inside of your pan with cooking spray, butter, vegetable oil or olive oil. This will prevent your food from sticking, and it will make it much easier to clean up afterward.

3. Place your food or mixture of prepared ingredients inside the pan and turn the heat to either low or medium. Avoid using a very high heat setting.

4. Use wood, plastic or silicone utensils to stir or turn food while cooking. Metal utensils are a bad idea because they could scratch up the pan.

5. Turn off the heat when the food is done, and move the pan off the hot burner and onto an unheated one. Don't place the hot pan on a counter top or table without first placing something between the pan and surface, such as a board or pot holders.

Tips & Warnings

• Never handle a hot enameled cast iron pan without protecting your hands with an oven mitt. When heated, the entire pan, including the handles, gets hot.

• Never use enameled cast iron in the microwave.

References

• Lodge Cast Iron: Using Your Lodge Enamel Cast Iron
• Your Cookware Helper: Cast Iron Cookware
• Cooking Issues: Heavy Metal, The Science of Cast Iron Cooking