Why It's Absolutely Crucial To Preheat Your Cast Iron Pans

Cast iron cookware has been used for centuries. In fact, the Chinese have been producing cast iron since the sixth century BCE. And there are many reasons why cast iron cookware has withstood the tests of time. Cast iron is sturdy, reliable, and a great vehicle for cooking almost anything, either on the stove or in the oven. While debates will never end about the best way to wash a cast iron pan, or what it actually means to season cast iron properly, it really is a great cookware material, as long as you know how to best use it.

One of the most helpful things you can do when cooking with a cast iron skillet is to preheat it, just like you would your oven. You can preheat your pans in the oven or on the stove, as long as you take the extra time to get it nice and hot before adding your ingredients. Preheating your cast iron helps the whole skillet maintain a nice, consistent temperature so there aren't spots that are cooler or hotter than others, which could lead to an uneven sear.

On top of maintaining an even temperature, preheating your cast iron skillet is also the best way to achieve the Maillard Reaction, which is associated with proper browning. Putting a cold steak or some chopped veggies on a piping hot cast iron pan creates a nice, crispy exterior that enhances the flavors and aromas of the food. Thorough browning requires patience. Make sure you're not flipping, poking, or prodding food too much before it has had the opportunity to sear on the hot pan.

Preheating your cast iron pan also helps prevent ingredients from sticking to it, which is key for an easy clean-up. However, if you're left with some remnants in the pan after you eat your perfectly browned steak, you can use a combination of coarse salt and hot water to gently scrub it clean. If you're a serious regular in the kitchen, it's definitely worth investing in a cast iron skillet – they can truly last a lifetime and can even be passed down through generations, especially if you properly take care of it. Just don't forget to preheat it before making all your favorite meals to get the tastiest finish on your dish.