Best Utensils for Cast Iron: The ESSENTIALS
Seasoned cast-Iron is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware that you can use in your kitchen or over a campfire. It can be used for cooking a wide variety of foods, ranging from fried eggs to deep-fried fries. After hundreds of years of using cast-iron people are looking for an answer to this question – What utensils can I use on cast iron?
Best spatula and utensils for cast iron skillets, pots, and pans are made from heavy-duty stainless steel. Beveled edges assist with easy turning and prevent food from sticking and breaking up. Wide flat edges help the utensil glide over the surface preventing damage, sturdy long handles protect the users from burns.
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Choosing the Best Utensils for Cast-Iron Cookware?
Cast-iron skillets are common amongst chefs and home cooks alike. Cast-iron pots and pans are so popular because they can be used on high heat, unlike many other cookware types.
Seasoned cast-iron cookware has a non-stick surface that is accomplished by keeping the surface area seasoned. This seasoning not only keeps the cooking area non-stick but also protects the cast-iron itself from rust and corrosion.
This means that selecting the correct utensils not only protects the cooking surface but prevents your food from sticking and burning on its surface over a longer period of time.
Consider these 4 things when choosing utensils to use on any cast-iron surface
1. Stainless Steel vs Hardened Stainless Steel
You should always choose hardened stainless steel over stainless steel when using cast iron cookware this is why. Cast-iron is not regular cookware it is harder than stainless steel. Stainless steel is too soft to be used as an everyday tool because it will damage the surface of your iron pots and pans. The surface could lose its nonstick properties as well as being open to rust and corrosion. Not to mention the damage the utensil will sustain.
2. Utensil Design
To avoid food sticking and a utensil damaging the surface of the iron a beveled flat scraping edge will give you the best chance of lifting your food cleanly every time. The utensil’s flat edge will also keep your cookwares’ surface smooth and level, thus helping you retain a non-stick undamaged cooking surface.
3. Ease of Use
You want a utensil that is not too flexible so you can cleanly manage your food is a must. You should also have a utensil that can be rested against the side of the hot pan if required. One made from hardened stainless steel with a quality wooden handle will achieve this for you.
4. Safety
Safety is important when choosing your utensil. Cast iron gets hot, so depending upon the cooking pots’ size, shape, and depth you may require long-handled utensils. A sturdy well-made utensil that can carry the weight of the food items being turned or stirred as well as a wooden handle to stop you from getting burnt is a must.
Click on each image to check out the products as well as other styles, colors, prices, and what others have to say…
Best Utensils to Use on Cast-Iron
Know you know what to look for here are my top choices for the best utensils to use with your cast-iron cookware.
Best Spatula for Cast-Iron
Mercer Culinary’s Rosewood Handle Heavy Duty Turner is made of the highest quality Japanese stainless steel. Precision ground for the perfect combination of flexibility and stiffness, this turner will not break under pressure. The handle is secured with brass compression rivets to prevent separation and provides a comfortable, natural grip. This rosewood-handled spatula protects your hands from excessive heat and has a limited lifetime warranty.
See the latest price for this heavy-duty spatula here…
This is range is not limited to this heavy-duty spatula check out the large range of utensils by visiting the exclusive Mercer Culinary Store – here…
Best Heavy Duty Spatula for Cast-Iron
The Mannkitchen spatula’s heavy-gauge steel is designed to withstand the toughest cooking tasks. The straight edge allows for even cast-iron skillet surface leveling, while the precision beveled tip releases food with ease! It can be used to flip pancakes, eggs, or burgers without breaking them apart!
It is perfectly balanced and weighted for smooth scraping and easy maneuvering, so it won’t flex when you need to scrape the bottom of a heavy cast-iron skillet or grill. Continuing the ease of use the handle is made from heat-resistant hardwood.
After years of use, cast iron skillets can develop uneven cooking surfaces that make it difficult to get an even sear on your meat or vegetables. This heavy-duty stainless steel spatula is designed with a wide surface area and perfectly flat edge to level out these cooking surfaces so you can achieve restaurant-quality sears every time!
See the latest price for the Mannkitchen heavy-duty spatula here…
Best Tongs for Cast-Iron
Universal US Grill-A-Tongs Stainless Steel BBQ Tongs are perfect for grilling, roasting, and serving. The tongs feature unique laser-cut designs including USMC Globe & Anchor, US Army, Police, Sherriff Department, Firefighter, and Camo Buck.
The heavy-duty high-quality stainless steel is accentuated with hard maple handles and durable brass rivets. Your hands are safe from excessive heat with the unique fully enclosed maple handles.
Included is a built-in bottle opener. The tongs are dishwasher safe and will not rust or peel, even after years of use.
See the latest price for these Universal Grill-A-Tongs…
Utensil Sets for Cast-Iron
The Anmarko Stainless Steel Spatula Set is a must-have for every kitchen. Whether you are a professional chef or cooking amateur, this spatula set will become your favorite cooking utensil. They are made from sturdy stainless steel – it is non-reactive, hygienic, and durable. Spatula stainless steel blade thickness is 1/25 inch.
The sleek stainless steel blades glide easily through the food while an ergonomic and comfortable wooden handle provides comfortable grip and balance. The flat spatulas and stainless steel turners are very well balanced. This metal spatula set is handwash only.
These durable long-lasting utensils will make it easy to flip any pancake or grill anything and are perfect for cast iron cooking surfaces.
See the latest price for this professional utensil set…
Wooden Utensils for Cast-Iron
Wooden spoons or spatulas – These won’t hurt the surface of your iron and provided they are sturdy enough you will be able to use them to cook with as well as scrape the surface of your pan and in the groves of your cast-iron skillet.
That being said the Earlywood 10 inch handmade multi-purpose wood scraper/turner glides easily over the toughest brands of cookware like Griswald and Wagner cast iron cookware. The smooth finish of the four types of sustainable wood that are harvested responsibly right here in the USA will have even eggs sliding off it.
This wooden cooking utensil is perfect for all your cooking requirements from cast iron griddles, skillets, to dutch ovens as the design is easy to handle. Feel safe, before purchasing, in the knowledge that this Montana company offers a lifetime warranty on their wooden utensil.
See the latest price for this wooden cooking utensil…
Vintage Cast Iron Utensils
This is the traditional hand-made spatula and ladles made from iron. Moderate length and weight, size:16.5”/0.5lb for spatula and 16.5”/0.54lb for ladle. The manageable size of both the spatula and ladle makes turning and flipping easy.
The iron is made with a combination of nitrogen and metal that produces a dense nitride layer, which is rust-proof and wear-resistant and does not produce toxic substances at high temperatures.
It comes with a rosewood handle that is fixed at the end of the hollow iron handle by copper nails. It prevents liquid from entering the hollow iron handle for easier cleaning and better protection against rust.
See the latest price for this hammered iron spatula and ladle set…
Must Read – Ultimate Guide to Cast-Iron Accessories
Best Utensils to Use on Cast Iron – FAQ’s
Can I Use a Steel Spatula on Cast-Iron?
One of the most common questions I get above all others is can I use a steel spatula on my cast-iron pan. According to Lodge Cast Iron, which is among the top manufacturers of cast-iron products in the world, you can use metal utensils, among others on cast-iron cookware.
Cast iron is the most durable metal you’ll ever cook with. That means any utensil is welcome — silicone, wooden, and even metal.
Lodge
Can You Use a Metal Scraper on Cast Iron?
We are told that cast iron is durable and tough! So can you use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean your cast iron pan? No, do not! It is recommended that we use a pan scraper or a chainmail scrubber (Lodge Chainmail Scrubber) to remove any stuck-on residue. Steel wool and other abrasive materials will compromise the non-stick surface of the iron and should only be used on “unseasoned” pans which need rust removed before re-seasoning.
Cast-iron and RUST removal – read my article here
Can You Use Plastic Utensils on Cast Iron?
Avoid using plastic utensils on cast iron because even cast iron heated at a very low temperature will melt the plastic. Apart from the potential dangers, you will ruin the non-stick properties of the cookware. Cast iron is a porous material so the plastic will melt into the pores and potentially partially or fully dry; hence a massive cleanup job and a full re-season.
Can I Use Rubber or Silicone Utensils for Cast-Iron Cooking
I would say that you should not use rubber, silicone, or any other mix of similar materials on cast iron. Seasoned cast iron cookware can reach temperatures of 700° Fahrenheit.
The closest rubber or silicone/rubber blend utensil that I have found the can withstand temperatures anywhere near 700° Fahrenheit is this 600F heat-resistant rubber silicone spatula.
What Is the Best Oil to Season Cast Iron?
A good question! Many types of cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning, the best one is one that has a very high smoke point. Two oils that offer the best smoking point are Grapeseed Oil and Flaxseed oil. These oils can be expensive so you should always consider the affordability, availability, the effectiveness of the fat or oil you choose.
MUST-READ – my article with a complete breakdown of the best oils for seasoning cast-iron. Another great read is this article about “What should not be cooked in cast-iron”. Practicing the tips in this article saves the “Patina” or non-stick surface of your cast iron.
To Finish – What Utensils Can Be Used on Cast-Iron?
As we’ve learned, there are many utensils that can be used on cast iron. From wooden spatulas to metal tongs and rubber scrapers, you have a variety of options for cooking your food. Just make sure not to use anything abrasive or sharp when it comes in contact with the surface of your cookware because this will scratch the finish and may also damage its nonstick coating over time. Remember these pointers next time you’re preparing dinner!
One-Pot Cooking Rocks
Thanks for the video music – Ben Sound
