!#8# Enameled Cast Iron Cookware - Much More Than A Pretty Face

!±8± Enameled Cast Iron Cookware - Much More Than A Pretty Face

Almost no food is present, that at least one piece of cast iron cookware. Seen from the traditional fry-up, the duty for almost one hundred years of iron wok and French and Dutch ovens, cast iron has long been a welcome addition to any kitchen.

The ability to transfer heat from cast iron quickly and efficiently, while adding a special flavor to food as the Iron Age at every meal, for reasons, which is made of cast iron will remain wellcooks.

But these qualities do not come free. Using iron cookware does require some special maintenance and care. The cooking surface needs to be oiled frequently to keep it seasoned. To prevent rust the surface needs to be completely dried after a gentle washing and should never be left to soak in water. Those old rusty, crusty iron skillets found in deer hunting camps would never do in a well cared for kitchen and care must be taken not to cook foods that are acidic in iron.

In order to retain the best qualities of this cookware, iron cookware manufacturers have developed the process of coating it inside and out with colorful porcelain enamel. While the beauty of the enamel is appreciated and often times allows the homemaker to place the cookware on the table as an attractive serving vessel, the enamel ads much more to the cookware than a pretty face.

First the enamel surface does not require oiling or seasoning as it's bare counterpart does. Acidic foods can now be prepared in this cookware because the enamel does not absorb odors or flavors as the bare cookware does and you can braise, sauté, simmer, and bake in it.

The casting process allows lids to be produced which fit tightly and help to seal in moisture while the consistency of the iron allows equal heat transmission throughout the pot or skillet. Meals can be started on the stove top and then placed in the oven to finish by baking.

Although maintenance is greatly reduced due to the hard enamel surface these cooking utensils should be carefully hand washed and not placed in the dishwasher to preserve the beauty of the glossy finish.

These enameled cookware pieces with their tight fitting lids, and well designed heat safe handles not only add color and beauty to the kitchen and dinner table but make the preparation of meals so much more pleasurable. Cast iron has served well for hundreds of years and is sure to continue to be an important part of modern kitchens for years to come.