You won’t go wrong cooking with cast iron cookware; its one of the very best materials for cooking outdoors. So why is this?

1. Cast iron cookware is inexpensive when compared to its alternatives, given the length of time it will be in use. Most well cared for cast iron will last a family for generations and in of itself it becomes an heirloom;

2. Cast iron cookware is a superb cooking medium to cook with outdoors. With its ideal heat conduction as well as heat retention and its lack of hot spots its an outside cooks dream tool;

3. You can cook nearly all types of food in, or on, cast iron cookware;

4. It is really very healthy to cook with cast iron because you can cook fat free! This arises because properly seasoned cast iron cookware is ’stick-free’ and so requires no oil when cooking. [Note: Seasoning is done by filling the cracks small cavities in the pan with grease in a very hot oven. The grease gets baked in and gives an almost perfectly smooth surface on which to cook;

5. Food slides easily and freely in a cast iron cookware.

6. You can use your cast iron pans & skillets freely be it in the oven or on the grill, indoors or out so it can be used for grilling and for baking.

7. The pan is seemingly bomb proof, very tough under most conditionsand doesn’t warp; and

8. Cast iron is really easy to clean.

Every outdoor chef should own a set of cast iron pans and at least one skillet. You won’t have second thoughts about your purchase if you’ve bought quality cast iron, undoubtedly they’re well worth the money; especially as they’re for your great grandchildren in the goodness of time.

Now some simple guidelines on how to best use your cast iron cookware.

1. If you find that food sticks when cooking with cast iron cookware the cookware hasn’t been seasoned properly. Therefor you need to re-season it; this will stop the food sticking.

2. What size of skillet should I buy? Most customers go for the 10″ skillet unless they are cooking regualry for larger groups.

3. Never use your cast iron pot for simply boiling water.

4. Cast iron cookware performs great as a Dutch Oven, which is an ancient form of cooking, because of the cookware’s even spread heat which is devoid of hot spots.

5. You can use your dutch oven first on the stove then it can go straight into the oven, such is its versatility.

6. You should always preheat your cast iron cookware before cooking with it. The temperature’s right when drips of water sizzle then jump around;if its too hot water turns to steam immediately; if its too cold little or nothing happens.

7. Never run cold water into a very warm skillet or pan or you risk it shattering.

8. Remember to have a sturdy pair of oven gloves handy when cooking with cast iron stove ware as the handles get really hot;

9. To keep your cast iron cookware really clean try to keep it properly seasoned as then it cleans up really well.

10. To clean your cast iron cookware:

* once its cooled, simply use normal dish washing liquid, then rinse with water & dry with a paper towel;

* always was your cookware properly, never just wipe it out; this isn’t hygienic and will lead to sticking;

* never put cast-iron cookware in the dishwasher;

* when washed place your cast iron cookware back onto the stove to completely dry it out. Then before its cooled lightly oil it using vegetable oil; then leave it on the stove for a few minutes before removing it and wiping away any excess oil;

* after drying your cookware never store it with its lid on. This will avoid rusting due to the build up of moisture. It can also help if you put a paper towel inside to absorb moisture; and

* if you do experience rust, scour with steel wool, until the rust is gone, wash and re-season.

Thats it, take care of your cookware, heed this guidance and you will have the perfect outdoor cooking cookware.

Enjoy your cast iron cookware for a lifetime.