What's in your kitchen?

@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

United States

March 12, 2009 8:52pm CST

What type of pots and pans do you use? Cast Iron? Copper? Aluminum? Stainless steel? Nonstick with Teflon? I have a variety of them and use them all for different reasons but my favorite being the cast iron one. With a little heat, these cast iron pots and pans perform just as well as or better than Teflon options, without all the health question marks. Foods cooked in cast iron absorb valuable iron that's good for your health. Also Cast iron pans (at about $25) are a fraction of the cost of many nonstick pans (which can cost you $50 and up), and they last forever if taken care of properly. I still have one that belonged to my great grandmother that I was given 18 years ago and it is in great shape still.When seasoned properly cast iron pans are as nonstick as the usual options, but without the chemical polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a likely carcinogen according to the EPA. How do you season your cast iron pans assuming you use them..Here is a great way that works well. To initially season your cast iron pan: 1) heat it on the stove while you brush the pan's surface evenly with cooking oil; 2) bake in a 350 degree oven for an hour, then 3) let it cool in the oven. To keep your cast iron non-sticky, only use salt (or very mild soap, if you must) for washing, dry, then drizzle on some oil and wipe with a cloth. Some use Shortening. SO what do you use or prefer? Do you have any pots and pans that have been handed down to you that you still have or use?

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24 responses

@mrdos910 (455)

• United States

13 Mar 09

I usually use my non-stick pans for cooking, especially the items that are hard to clean up such as scrambled eggs, pasta dishes, etc. I have used some stainless steel pans but only if it has plenty of liquid in it while cooking.

2 people like this

@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

I would be lost without my big stainless steel cooker. But I love to fry things in my cast iron skillet best. I use the others like the none stick for eggs,pancakes and other foods that tend to stick especially if I haven't treated my iron skillet in awhile. Thanks for the response I appreciate it.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Thanks for the tips BCMike I appreciate them and will have to try them out.

1 person likes this

@craftcatcher (3699)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Most of my cookware is cast iron. I inherited it from my Grandparents who used to own a restaurant 60+ years ago. They are still in great condition and simply the best cookware ever. I have frying pans from 8" to 24". I can no longer pick up the big one by myself, just too much for my arthritis so it's in storage except for big family dinners when I can get help lifting it! I swear it weighs 40 lbs!

You have lots of good advice there!

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@rebelann (111236)

• El Paso, Texas

31 Mar 21

I can't life my cast iron fry pan anymore so now I use stainless steel mostly.

@JoyfulOne (6232)

• United States

13 Mar 09

I have a lot of cast iron ware, it really does last forever if you keep them seasoned right! One huge frying pan I have was my grandmothers, and she passed away about 40 years ago. I have a complete set of cast iron that was my grandma's and from other relatives. My Dr actually suggested once that I cook in cast iron because I could use the extra iron that leaches out. I only have one thing that is Teflon, and that is a huge frying pan that I make eggs in once in a blue moon.

1 person likes this

@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Mine and my sister in laws doctor suggested the same thing because we had low iron levels. I just got tired of buying the Teflon ones and if you didn't get the right kind the coating was coming off within a month or less. With the cast iron ones there is no worry about ingesting accidentally the small pieces of lining from the Teflon pan. Thanks for the response I appreciate it. Teflon has it's uses though but only the ones that has a good coating that doesn't peel off with a few uses.

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@rebelann (111236)

• El Paso, Texas

31 Mar 21

I hate those teflon pans, mom used them but I always told her that she should get rid of them @mtdewgurl74

@Grandmaof2 (7579)

• Canada

13 Mar 09

I have one Teflon fry pan I use to cook eggs and other than that I use stainless steel. I love my waterless cookware and it promotes healthy eating.

2 people like this

@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

I haven't tried a waterless one yet..that be good to. Thanks for the response I appreciate it.

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@maezee (41997)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Cast iron pans are really interesting, and I hear they cook very well. It's strange cleaning them, though (as I've done it a couple times), don't you think? We don't have very nice pans at my place - it's just not a priority with us; we're not that picky about how our food turns out, apparently.

.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Yes, sometimes it doesn't take much to clean them. especially if you keep them well seasoned with the oil/shortening. I usually do mine while I am cooking other stuff in the oven so it doesn't waste as much electric. My husband says food taste better in a Iron Skillet then the other pans. It fries the best chicken also.

2 people like this

@MaryLynn321 (2680)

• United States

14 Mar 09

I like to use my revere ware. It is stainless steel with copper bottoms. It takes a bit of getting use to to use them so one doesn't burn everything, and once you learn to reduce the heat, they work great and also clean up nice.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

18 Mar 09

Thanks MaryLynn, I appreciate I appreciate it.Have a good day Mylotting.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

15 Mar 09

Hey, Thanks for the response MaryLynn321, I appreciate it.

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@MaryLynn321 (2680)

• United States

16 Mar 09

You are very welcome mdtw. It was a great topic.

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@wildcat48 (779)

• United States

14 Mar 09

Ilike cast iron the best and then i like the nonstick with teflon pan to fry my eggs in .have a nice day

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

15 Mar 09

Thanks for the response wildcat48, I appreciate it.

1 person likes this

@winterose (39887)

• Canada

19 Mar 09

I have tyflon and I have stainless steel, I hate stainless steel because they stain and then it is very hard to get the stains out. I wish I still had a cast iron pot, I really love them.

1 person likes this

@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

19 Mar 09

Thanks for responding to my discussion winterose I appreciate it. Maybe someday you will get lucky and find some to get that isn't to costly.

1 person likes this

@Celanith (2327)

• United States

13 Mar 09

I grew up with using cast iron, tried teflon but did not like it and went back to soley using cast iron skillets. As to pots I use stainless steel some have copper bottoms. I got most my cast iron years ago and sometimes I get a pan in a yard sale that just needs seasoned for a couple of bucks. I have a lot of cast iron and stainless steel pots I use all the time.

1 person likes this

@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Thanks for the response it is appreciated. I would like to find some cast iron pots and pans in a yard sale because I would buy them because they are great.

1 person likes this

@MsTickle (25180)

• Australia

15 Mar 09

I use mainly stainless steel but also use Teflon and I have some enamelware which is rarely used. Don't you find the cast iron too heavy? I have to be careful as my wrists are a bit dodgy these days.

1 person likes this

@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

15 Mar 09

My mom has wrist problems. I usually use both hands when handling the cast iron skillets. It is heavy but I feel it is that heaviness that makes it better. Thanks for the response.

1 person likes this

@mymytri (2030)

• India

15 Mar 09

I too have variety of them and use them according to receipes i made.I have many stianless steel vessels and non stick pans.I use them for cooking many time.I use non stick pans especially for dosa's(break fast).I too use aluminum but not frequently.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

15 Mar 09

Thanks mymytri for your response. The nonstick one seems to be popular for breakfast time. Have a good day.

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@ersmommy1 (12588)

• United States

13 Jun 09

I have 2 cast iron skillets. On large, one small. I also have a non stick skillet. I think it depends what you cook for which you use. I have seasoned my cast irons with veggie oil. I have also used a bit of olive oil. I just use what is handy.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Jun 09

Thanks for responding to my discussion ersmommy1 I appreciate it. I have not used the veggie oil but canola and I haven't used the Olive oil but I would try it.

@irishidid (8687)

• United States

13 Mar 09

I have a cast iron skillet that was the same one my mom used for years. It has seen just about every kind of food imaginable. It is my preferred for anything from steaks to peach cobbler. I wash mine was mild soap, rinse well, heat to hot on the stove and wipe shortening on with a paper towel. I also have a Revere Ware saucepan that I inherited. One of those heavy solid old fashioned ones. Absolutely love it.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

15 Mar 09

Cool, Thanks for your response..I appreciate it.

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chantalgiardina

@chantalgiardina (2523)

• United States

14 Mar 09

i prefer stainless steel but i need to update all my kitchen pans and that..

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

15 Mar 09

Thanks for the response.

1 person likes this

• United States

13 Mar 09

My cookware is a collection of hand-me-downs, cast offs, and curbside treasures along side a couple of actual purchased new pieces. I have a couple of really old cast iron skillets that hardly ever get cold for long so keeping them seasoned is easy. My husband and I received a full set of cast iron pots as a wedding gift but I could never get them to fully season right. Something about the surface of the pots was just not right. Something about some of the newer cast iron.... give me a 50 year old pan even if it is all rusted up and it will clean up and season just fine. I did just that for a few pieces recently for a friend. One or two pieces were old enough to have seen a covered wagon and they cleaned up great. Even baked corn bread that turned out of the pan nicely. Most of my other pots are stainless steel with copper bottoms that have all but been scrubbed off over the years. I have a few T-Fal "non stick" pans... non stick only if you never ever burn something greasy in them ... at least the coating doesn't come off... One T-Fal pan might get to see the light of day once or twice a year for holiday cooking when everything else is in use and I need another pan.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Thanks for your response. That is cool to find some that are that old with so much history..

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@parvezjs (422)

• India

13 Mar 09

Hmm in my kitchen as everyone is having utensils.We prefer using stainless steel for gas and glass utensils for oven.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Thanks for the response to my discussion it is appreciated.

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@p1kef1sh (45681)

•

13 Mar 09

We have stainless steel pots and pans and some Le Creuset cast iron with a non stick surface. The casserole pot was a wedding present and we must have had it nearly 23 years therefore. It's a great pot and would cost a fortune to replace. We stick them all in the dishwasher and, touch wood, they seem to come out OK.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Hey P1ke, thanks for responding to my discussion I appreciate it.

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• United States

13 Mar 09

i kinda wonder the same question. i bought some from walmart and everytime i cook the metal comes off the bottom and gets into my food. could make the kids sick

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

You would think if it does they wouldn't be able to sell it because of the harm it could cause, and people can't just afford to keep running out and buying them every time they start to fleck off, so I am hoping that it doesn't cause to many health issues since alot of people use them.

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@roxa19 (115)

• Romania

13 Mar 09

in my kitchen i have litlle pots and pans, i have it all in a room next to the kitchen.in the kitchen, i have three pots with salt, pepper and paprika, one frying pan and one glass pan. so, when i will fill my kitchen with pans and pots, i will tell you.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Thanks for the response I appreciate it.

1 person likes this

• Indonesia

13 Mar 09

very good guide....i will try your guide. Thanks for the guide. i only use teflon and cast iron in my apartment sometimes to make fried rice or fried egg.

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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)

• United States

13 Mar 09

Thanks for the response.

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