This Ain't Your Grandma's Cast Iron Cookware
Cast Iron Cookware Is Back In the Kitchen
If you would have told me a few years ago that I'd be cooking with cast iron cookware, I would have laughed till it hurt. After all, why would I use old-fashioned cast iron when Teflon is all the rage? But then Teflon-related health issues started to arise and we got a few exotic birds (who can't be around hot Teflon pans due to the fumes) and I began looking for alternatives. Cast iron cookware wasn't looking so bad anymore.
It Just Wasn't Worth It
I will admit it, I liked the fact that cast iron cookware was "all natural" but I really didn't like the idea of seasoning the pan. After all, my grandmother had a whole big, long ritual to season hers. I don't exactly have hours to spare to prepare my pots and pans for cooking.
And then there was the whole cooking thing. It took me forever to learn to saute, fry and brown. I'd have to relearn everything since cast iron works a bit differently than those lightweight Teflon products. However, when a friend told me pre-seasoned cast iron cookware was available, my interest was piqued.
Welcome to the New World of Cast Iron Cookware
So there I was on a Saturday afternoon looking at a set of pre-seasoned cast iron cookware. All of the benefits of cast iron without the lengthly seasoning process. It was enticing -- a cookware set that would last for generations (somewhat of an heirloom) at a very reasonable price. I took the bait.
So there I was at home with my new cast iron cookware and I decided to make some French toast. I preheated the pan (yes, cast iron cookware requires some preheating) and began to cook. Surprisingly, cooking with the cast iron cookware was no harder than cooking with my Teflon and cleanup, using the special scrub brush I had bought, really didn't take long at all.
If you're looking for new pots and pans, I highly suggest looking at the newer cast iron cookware options. You can get quality cast iron cookware at reasonable prices and, in my opinion, food cooked in cast iron cookware even tastes better.