Cast Iron Cookware & Supplies

Cast Iron Cookware for Sale: What You Need to Know

Cast iron cooking equipment is a popular choice in professional kitchens for the same reasons home chefs have invested in them for generations. Many of the professional cast iron cookware options available here are the same pieces available for residential kitchens. However, some are only sold by the dozen or half-dozen, and certain types of commercial cast iron cookware, such as fajita platters and oversized braising pots, aren't always needed outside of restaurants.

Common Questions About Cast Iron Cookware

Is cast iron a type of nonstick cookware?

Although it's in demand because it provides a nonstick cooking surface, cast iron cookware builds this seasoning up naturally during use. Other types of cookware, such as those made of aluminum and stainless steel, may be given a nonstick coating, which can eventually peel and chip over time. It's important to ensure your cast iron cookware is sufficiently seasoned before using it with the expectation that it will provide nonstick performance, but preseasoned pieces are also available.

What can I cook with cast iron?

Cast iron cookware can be used to cook several types of foods through a variety of methods: baking, grilling, sautéing, searing, and roasting, to name a few. For many chefs, one major benefit of heavy-duty cast iron cookware is its ability to go directly from the rangetop to the oven; this versatility streamlines the cooking process for dishes that are prepared, combined, and then baked.

• Skillets: A go-to piece for nearly any kitchen, these come in a number of designs, with options including pour spouts, a long handle on one side, and dual handles for a secure grip with two hands. Cast iron cookware can be particularly heavy, especially when filled with food, and handles help prevent spills.
• Griddles and grill pans: Bacon, eggs, hamburgers, sandwiches, and more favorites can be cooked on this type of cast iron cooking equipment. Griddles are flat and smooth, while grill pans have a lined surface to add distinct grill marks to whatever is being cooked.
• Dutch oven: Also called braising pots, these cast iron cooking supplies come with a lid and are used to make stews, roasts, and other slow-cooked menu items.
• Enamel-coated cookware: Great for open kitchens, cooking displays, and catered events, cast iron cookware with an enameled exterior make great showpieces.
• Bakeware: Oven and rectangular options with and without lids make it possible to bake bread, cobblers, pot pies, and other menu items.
• Fajita platters: Popular in family dining concepts and Mexican restaurants, these platters are paired with a wooden underliner to transport sizzling food to the table.
• Serving pieces: Smaller versions of cast iron cookware are designed to serve individual or shared portions of desserts, appetizers, and sides at the table, going seamlessly from the oven to the table.

In addition to the above cookware, cast iron cooking supplies include a variety of lids and accessories, including lid stands and lifters, hot handle holders, and basting brushes.