Jason Phillips

There are several methods to choose from when seasoning a cast iron wok. Generally, when a wok is purchased, it comes with a coat of factory seasoning. This seasoning primarily protects the wok from damage during the shipping process. To season the wok for cooking purposes there are three different ways to season a cast … Read more

You can use steel wool on your cast iron so long as a few things are kept in mind. However, it is best to not use steel wool on cast iron unless you are removing rust. The biggest danger in using steel wool on cast iron is that it can strip your seasoning. Two Things … Read more

Whether you can move cast iron between the fridge (or freezer) and a hot cooking surface is a debatable question. If you do cursory research, you will find varying answers. In truth, cast iron can go from the fridge to the oven in certain circumstances but precautions are necessary. Cast iron is designed to cook … Read more

This question, like most culinary questions, is a hot-button issue in the kitchen. There are those who say that you can and those who say absolutely no way can you cook acidic food in cast iron. The common counterargument is that the tomatoes will taste “metallic” after being cooked in cast iron. I know from … Read more

Cast iron cookware is the workhorse of the kitchen. But, cast iron is much more to many people. Cast iron is generally considered a prized possession or a family heirloom. No other cookware lasts as long as cast iron, which can last generations. So, if you have your favorite skillet in your kitchen, why not … Read more

A cast iron skillet or a dutch oven is the most versatile tool in any kitchen. They are heavy and have incredible heat retention. They can be used in the oven, over a fire, or on any other cooking surface. The most important maintenance step for any cast iron cookware is the seasoning process. Seasoning … Read more

Seasoning a cast iron skillet or dutch oven is critical to ensure a nonstick finish and to add depth and flavor to the food that is cooked in it. Seasoning a cast iron also prevents rusting and flaking. Properly seasoned cast iron will have a black finish with a semigloss sheen and a smooth feel … Read more

Cast iron is the best cooking medium to deep fry food in. They are heavy, they add flavor, and they retain heat well. The key to success is to find a cast iron skillet or dutch oven deep enough for frying foods safely. Home cooks are often concerned with the frying process as it can … Read more

The culinary technique of blackening was invented in the early 1980s by the famed cajun chef, Paul Prudhomme. He wanted to replicate the flavors of a charcoal grill in a commercial kitchen. A common misconception is that it is the spices that create the flavor. In fact, the secret to perfect blackening is butter. The … Read more

Perhaps no other food brings out the best cooking properties and flavor in cast iron cookware like fried fish. Not only does the deep-frying season the cast iron well, but the cast iron also gives off the most flavor when it is used over a longer period of time at high temperatures. However, a minor … Read more

Fried fish and a cast iron skillet are a match made in heaven. Cast iron provides the right heating properties, good heat retention, and a weighted skillet. You can use these skillets on the home stove top or over a campfire. Frying fish on a cast iron skillet is also pretty simple and the clean … Read more

Cast iron skillets are the most durable and versatile pans in the kitchen. It is recommended to keep them seasoned in order to be non-stick, though this is not necessary. The question is, should you buy a preseasoned cast iron skillet or a nonseasoned skillet? The first step in answering this question is to understand … Read more