5 best cast iron cookware in 2022 to enhance your dining experience in UAE

Chef Silvena Rowe uses only the highest quality cast iron tools for her kitchen. The health chef and nutrigenomics expert in Dubai told Gulf News that our pots and pans are as important as the organic meals we cook them with. “Even the best ingredients can be ruined by chemicals hiding in our pots and utensils — and nonstick cookware is one of the biggest culprits,” she says.

Once thoroughly seasoned with oil, cast iron cookware forms an excellent nonstick surface compared to synthetic-coated pans. “Choose cast iron, stainless steel, and ceramic tools, and everything else, make sure it’s completely non-toxic and free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been linked to serious health risks,” advises Chef Rowe, and Point out the dangers of coating chemicals that can leach into our food.

Compared to other cookware, cast iron cookware is definitely a more expensive option and can be a hassle to maintain for the average chef. However, Chef Rowe calls it a lifetime investment: “It’s the best heat carrier, doesn’t leak anything suspicious, and it caramelizes food better than other common cookware. But the best thing about a cast iron skillet is that you You can start on the stove and move to the oven.”

Cast iron is known for searing, grilling, and caramelizing succulent meat dishes. However, its cooking range easily extends to eggs, pasta in sauces, sautéing vegetables, baking, and more.

Unseasoned cast iron pans will rust because the iron-carbon alloy reacts quickly to residual moisture. Pounding pig iron involves “brushing each corner of the cookware with oil and baking in an oven at 180°C for 30 minutes to an hour”; the oil then polymerizes to form a hard, plastic-like coating. Chef Rowe recommends seasoning once a month and drying cookware thoroughly after each wash.

If this sounds like too much work, don’t worry. You can choose from pre-seasoned or enameled cast iron skillets. Chef Rowe’s ready-to-use personal favorites are made by Le Creuset and Lodge. For more affordable price tags, she also recommends Staub and Cuisinart products. We’ve picked out a variety of cast iron cookware below to help you narrow down your options.

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The Signature Skillet from Le Creuset is a ready-to-use cast iron cookware designed for searing, sautéing and sautéing. Unlike raw cast iron, this enamel skillet requires no seasoning, and food sticks to cooking surfaces less over time. Whip up crispy mashed potatoes, roast vegetables, or bake pizza and pies with this 9-inch cooker. You can finish the cooking process in the oven as it can withstand temperatures up to 260°C. Although the skillet is dishwasher safe, the manufacturer recommends hand washing to preserve the cook film and patina. Reviews say it retains heat and dissipates heat very well, so you don’t need to turn the stove up and down to find the “perfect” temperature.

bonus: Purchase with zero installments and pay Dh58.60 for 12 months at designated banks.

Larger in diameter than our Le Creuset selection, this Lodge cookware combo comes pre-seasoned and includes a 3-liter Dutch oven and a 10.25-inch skillet. Get a super deal at an affordable price with this set – perfect for indoor and outdoor campfire use. The pan also doubles as the lid for the deep Dutch oven. Buyers leave five-star reviews of their experience using the combo, which includes making bread, charcoal curry and steak. Consistent heat distribution as mentioned, but they do note that they need to be re-seasoned with oil after washing to prevent rust.

Prepare your best stir-fries in this seasoned cast iron wok from Cuisinart. Its 10-inch cooking surface has a nonstick surface so you can start grilling or cooking in no time. A cast iron wok is great for cooking food in its sauces and juices because it retains heat at a lower temperature. Reviews mention using this wok to make dal (beans), biryani, spiced scrambled eggs, and more, even on a gas stove. Some people have tested frying in it and returned with positive reviews. Always remember to season after cleaning, and the manufacturer recommends cleaning with coarse salt and warm water rather than soap.

Grilling Pans You Can Trust For BBQ Nights – STAUB Cast Iron Grilling Pans are enameled so they don’t need to be seasoned. While it works on all countertops, it works better than charcoal and in the oven, cooking steaks, burgers, corn, fish, and other grilling essentials. The surface has grill grooves that collect excess fat from food. Reviewers noted that it was also just the right size at 23cm, neither too big to handle nor enough food for two. And, the pan helps keep the grill hot when the food is on the table.

Warranty: The manufacturer backs home products with a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship and materials.

If you’re not ready for a steeper brand, start your cast iron journey with Lodge’s versatile pan. It comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil and measures 10.25 inches in diameter for any type of cooking in the kitchen. Whether you’re sautéing, frying, baking, frying or roasting – this is your go-to pan. Unlike other options on this list, this Lodge skillet comes with silicone handle holders to protect your hands from burns. Reviews say the size can prepare food for up to four people, and it’s powerful enough to replace their nonstick pans.

Our recommendations are independently selected by Gulf News editors. We may earn affiliate commissions starting at noon if you decide to shop through links on our site.