Choosing Your Champion: Cast Iron vs. Stainless Steel

Cast iron cookware and stainless steel cookware are staple kitchen pans that home cooks and chefs use. These materials both have their unique benefits that make choosing between them difficult. 

This article provides a clear comparison of cast iron and stainless steel, helping cooks determine which is best for their cooking style. At de Buyer, we’re committed to designing and manufacturing cookware with quality materials and continuously refining your expertise. We believe that educational information and premier utensils are the cornerstones of good food.

Cast Iron: The Timeless Classic

Cast iron cookware has been in use for centuries. It’s created by melting iron and infusing it with a high carbon content, typically between 2 and 3.5 percent. This iron-carbon blend gives cast iron its distinctive strength and fantastic cooking performance.

The casting process leaves cast iron pans with a naturally rough, textured surface. When properly seasoned, this surface becomes naturally non-stick. Cast iron is prized for its ability to distribute heat evenly and maintain high temperatures, making it perfect for a variety of cooking techniques, including searing and baking.

Key Advantages

• Exceptional heat retention and even heating.
• Durability and longevity (heirloom quality).
• Natural non-stick properties (when seasoned).
• Versatility for searing, baking, and slow cooking.
  
  

Cooking Techniques

The non-stick surface of a cast iron skillet is exceptional at searing harder proteins like steaks without any sticking. The natural heat retention properties mean that slow-cooked dishes like stews perform well. Even breads like pizza dough turn out wonderfully crisp and well-seasoned in cast iron. 

However, there are limitations. You cannot cook highly acidic foods and sticky foods in a standard cast iron pan. These ingredients may damage the seasoning. Some enameled (enameling is a thin coating of finely ground porcelain or glass fused to the surface and can take acidity) cast iron pans can handle a moderate level of stickiness. 

Maintenance and Care

Caring for cast iron requires regular attention, but with proper care, cast iron pans can last for generations. Regular seasoning with oil helps form a protective, rust-resistant layer, and to preserve the pan’s seasoning, it should be cleaned gently, dried completely, and lightly oiled after each use. 

It’s best to store cast iron in a cabinet where it’s protected from scratches. These pans may be too heavy to easily hang on a pot rack. 

Stainless Steel: The Modern Workhorse

Most stainless steel cookware is made from a steel alloy, typically iron, chromium, and nickel, layered with aluminum for better heat conductivity. The aluminum core heats quickly, while stainless steel holds and evenly distributes that heat. The components of a stainless steel pan work together to handle incredibly high temperatures easily. 

Unlike cast iron, these pans have high corrosion resistance and are easy to maintain. Stainless steel doesn't require seasoning and is dishwasher-safe, though handwashing is preferred. The most common stainless steel options are 3-ply and 5-ply. The key difference is layering: 5-ply has three aluminum layers between two stainless steel layers, while 3-ply has one aluminum core.

Key Advantages

• Durability and resistance to corrosion.
• Non-reactive surface (ideal for acidic foods).
• Easy cleaning and maintenance.
• Versatility for various cooking techniques.
• Accessible pricing (i.e., the affordability of 3-ply).
  
  

Cooking Techniques

Stainless steel excels with sautéing, boiling, simmering, and deglazing. These pans are versatile and non-reactive, meaning they can be used to cook a wide variety of dishes. There’s no need to avoid acidic or temperamental ingredients. 

Maintenance and care

A consistent cleaning routine helps maintain your stainless steel pan’s performance and appearance. Wash it with warm water and dish soap to remove any residue or water spots. Make a paste of baking soda and water for tougher stains, and scrub gently with a soft sponge. Avoid harsh abrasives like wire brushes, which can damage the pan’s surface.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Cast Iron vs. Stainless Steel

Both stainless steel and cast iron excel at high-heat cooking and offer a plethora of benefits. Discover the ideal cooking methods and perks of each material to decide which option is best for your kitchen.

Choosing Your Cookware Champion: Which is Right for You?

Both cookware options are household names for a reason. These are reliable and durable pans that provide an exceptional vehicle for good food. However, both options come with a price, and when building out your kitchen, you should first choose the option that fits your cooking style, lifestyle, and needs.  

Consider Your Cooking Style

Do you prefer searing and slow cooking or sautéing and simmering? How often do you cook acidic foods? Are you looking for a pan that is especially suited to preparing one specific type of dish?

If you're looking for an all-around best choice, then hands down, stainless steel is your best option. If you're looking for a pot to slow-cook your weekly winter stew in, then cast iron may be your best option.   

Consider Your Lifestyle

Do you have time for seasoning and specialized care? Do you need something lightweight and easy to clean? Maintaining a cast iron pan is a labor of love. Cooks spend a significant amount of time cleaning and seasoning their cast iron pans. If you have the time to spend and a true love for the material then this may be your best option. 

However, if you want a pan that performs optimally after a simple wash and dry, stainless steel is for you.   

Consider Your Kitchen Needs

What types of dishes do you cook most often? What is your storage space like? You need to consider whether there is physical room to store a stainless steel or cast iron pan. Since cast iron is heavier, you will need to store it somewhere accessible. 

If you have to reorganize your entire kitchen to properly store your new pan, then it better be worth it. This pan needs to be exceptionally suited to cooking your more frequently prepared dishes. 

Equip Your Kitchen: Cast Iron and Stainless Steel Solutions

There's no one-size-fits-all cookware option, just the right fit for your kitchen, habits, and lifestyle. Cast iron offers unmatched heat retention and is uniquely suited to cooking select types of foods. Stainless steel, however, has ease of use, versatile performance, and is well-suited for everyday cooking.

Consider your individual needs and preferences before purchasing, and look for professional-grade cookware that elevates your culinary experience. Not all cookware companies put the same level of care and attention into their pan design and construction. At de Buyer, we put quality first, crafting stainless steel cookware with ethically sourced materials that are designed to outperform the competition.