Stainless Steel vs Cast Iron: Which is Better for You?
Cooking is a great hobby and with all the new cookware out there it can be difficult to determine which you should use. Stainless steel has been dominating the market for quite some time, but is stainless steel as good as cast iron? In this article I’ll be comparing two of the most popular types of cookware: Cast iron and stainless steel.
The properties of stainless steel and cast iron cookware
Price – Stainless steel is much more expensive. If you are looking for a high-end stainless steel set, then expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $450. You can get a great cast iron set for less than half that price. Stainless steel also has the reputation to last much longer than cast iron, but in reality they both last a lifetime if properly cared for.
Maintenance needed – Stainless steel is much easier to care for than cast iron because it doesn’t rust. You can use clean it much easier, and you don’t have to worry about the bottom of the pan rusting out. Cast iron will quickly rust if not looked after properly, so it’s best to clean your cast iron by hand with hot water and mild soap and then dry it straight away, where as stainless steel can be left out to dry.
Heat retention – Cast iron pans are made of cast iron which absorbs heat much better than stainless steel pans. Stainless steel plates are made of aluminum which helps with heat retention, but is still inferior to cast iron.
Durability – If you take care of your cast iron pan correctly, then it can last a lifetime. Like all metals, cast iron gets dented and scratched over time but it won’t break easily. Stainless steel is also quite durable, but it can’t compare to the durability of cast ironm.
Versatility – If you’re someone that enjoys everything from baking to making coffee, then cast iron cookware is the perfect choice. Stainless steel isn’t as versatile, but it is much easier to use for beginners.
Seasoning – Cast iron cookware needs to be seasoned, not only to give it a non-stick surface, but to create a barrier around the cast iron that protecting it from rust. It’s not too difficult to season, however some people do run into complications such as uneven seasoning when attempting it. Stainless steel on the other hand can be seasoned, but it’s not necessary, it just creates a better non-stick surface.
Reactiveness – Cast Iron is highly reactive with acidic foods such as tomatoes, sauce, vinegar, wine and lime, the reactiveness changes the flavor in the food and in foods like tomato sauce it can make it taste metallic which isn’t nice. Stainless steel is non-reactive, which means you don’t have to worry about the foods you cook in it.
Which is better for health?
Stainless steel is not as healthy as cast iron, however not many people die from getting their intestines pierced by a fork, and the same goes for stainless steel knives. Although stainless steel will slowly corrode and dirt and food can collect around it making it more difficult to clean, you should always hand wash your cookware to avoid rust.
The important thing to remember when choosing between cast iron or stainless steel is that both cookware are great for cooking. And you shouldn’t really be comparing them for their health benefits because they aren’t any different for health purposes.
Which is better for induction stove?
In my experience stainless steel cookware is far better for induction stoves because it has a much lower resistance than cast iron. Stainless steel cookware is also more responsive to temperature changes. For the last 2 years I have been using an induction stove, and although I use both stainless steel and cast iron, I would choose stainless steel if it came down to choosing one or the other.
Which is better for searing cast iron or stainless steel?
Cast iron is the traditional choice for searing meat, but which one sears better? The answer depends on your personal preference, in terms of flavor, cast iron is much better to sear with due to the iron enhancing the flavour of meat, but stainless steel cools down and heats up quicker so you have more control if the pan gets to hot.
If you are an experienced home cook, then cast iron would be the better choice, however if you’re just starting off in the kitchen and don’t want to spend much money on your first set, then stainless steel is an excellent choice.
Which is better for the environment cast iron or stainless steel?
Cast iron and stainless steel both seem to be pretty close when it comes to environmental impacts. Stainless steel uses energy during production, but both cast iron and stainless steel are recyclable at end of life, so they aren’t too bad from a green standpoint. If you take into account that cast iron can last a lifetime then it’s actually quite green. In the end you should use what works best for your lifestyle and kitchen setup, but try not to make your decision based on which is more green.
Which is better for baking?
Cast iron is far superior for baking compared to stainless steel. Cast iron is much more heat resistant so it doesn’t react in the same way with the heat, which means you have much more control over the temperature. Cast iron also has a much higher heat retention so your pan will take longer to cool down when removing it from the oven.
Cast iron skillets are quite well known for their baking capabilities, especially when it comes to desert type foods such as cake.
If I was going to recommend any for baking, it would always be cast iron.
What type of person should buy stainless steel cookware?
The right person for stainless steel cookware would be someone that doesn’t mind spending a lot on their cookware to get some fantastic quality, someone who loves to cook and loves the versatility of being able to cook food to perfection. Someone who is wiling to invest time into their recipes. Stainless steel cookware is not only durable, but it’s incredibly versatile.
What type of person should buy cast iron cookware?
The right person for cast iron cookware would be someone who loves meat. Cast iron cookware is known for it’s ability to enhance the flavours of meat by adding iron to it and thus meat lovers adore using cast iron cookware. But it should also be someone who doesn’t mind spending some time learning about cast iron. Failure to care for cast iron will result in rust and damage, so if you love quick convenient cooking, then cast iron isn’t the right choice for you.
