When cooking at home, having the right tools is half the battle. Our stomachs are unpredictable creatures that are constantly craving different kinds of dishes. One day we’re longing for a hearty stew and the next day we’re just dying for pasta. To keep up with our unpredictable appetites, this is why every home cook should have a wide array of kitchen essentials.
Having a variety of kitchen utensils is important since it allows you to cook whatever you like at any time. This is especially true if you like cooking with cast iron since spatulas, tongs, and more will allow you to get all kinds of tasks done. But before we dive into the different utensils you should have, it’s important to determine which materials are best paired with cast iron cooking.
Wood vs. Metal vs. Silicone vs. Plastic: Which Material is Best for Cooking on Cast Iron?
When buying utensils for your kitchen, it’s important to factor in the materials that they’re made of as they may not be compatible with each other. Let’s break down the pros and cons of the following materials and how they can affect your cast iron pans.
Wood
Wooden utensils are a great option since they’re durable, non-abrasive, and cheap. They won’t scratch your pans and don’t conduct heat as effectively so you can use them for all kinds of tasks. The only downside is that they’re a bit hard to clean and may absorb odors when cooking strong smelling ingredients.
Metal
Metal utensils are strong durable materials that can help you deal with heavy or sticky ingredients. They’re the prime choice for chefs who grill regularly since they can withstand the heat of an open fire. They’re easier to clean as compared to their wooden counterparts but can be more expensive and can scratch the seasoning of a cast iron pan if misused.
Silicone
Silicone utensils are popular because of their resistance to heat and its less abrasive nature, which means that you can scrape off food from your pan without scratching its surface . Personally, this is what I use for everyday cooking. However, I don’t use them on the grill as it can get damaged by direct contact to flames.
Plastic
Plastic utensils can be good for other uses but not when cooking with cast-iron. Since they have a low melting point, harmful substances can drip down into what you’re cooking so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
10 Utensils for Cast Iron Cooking
Now that we’ve covered the different materials that kitchenware is made of, it’s time to list down all essential utensils you should have in your kitchen. Having these tools within reach will guarantee a smooth and pleasant cooking experience.
1. Spatula
A spatula is a flat, blunt, and square-shaped tool that’s placed at the end of a long handle. It’s hand-in-glove fit for cast-iron cooking since it allows chefs to flip steaks, scrape off roasted ingredients, and move ingredients with ease.
2. Turner
The turner is a kitchen tool that specializes in going under ingredients and them flipping over. Most turners are shaped similarly to a spatula, but they can come in different variations to help chefs handle large ingredients such as burgers and fish.
3. Spoon
Kitchen spoons are essentially the bigger brother of tablespoons, but for cooking duties. They are used for stirring, transferring, and tasting food while cooking. The slotted spoon is a variant of the kitchen spoon, and it specializes in draining and transferring wet ingredients like pasta and blanched vegetables.
4. Ladle
Similar to spoons, ladles are long kitchen utensils that have a dome placed at the end of the handle. The main difference here is that ladles have a deeper orientation which enables chefs to deeply scoop out liquids and stews from a Dutch oven, pot, or any large basin.
5. Tongs
Tongs are a kitchen tool with two long and conjoined arms. Tongs are a must-have since they act as clamps, enabling cooks to execute maneuvers like flipping, transferring, and holding with control and precision. They can also be used to safely lower and lift food from a Dutch oven when deep frying.
6. Strainer
Strainers are mesh-like tools that can help chefs drain out liquids from their pots. If you’re boiling pasta or vegetables, having a strainer within reach will ensure that nothing falls out.
7. Mesh Skimmer
The mesh skimmer is a spoon-like instrument with little holes in its dome. It’s commonly used for removing fat, foam, and other unwanted ingredients from the surface of soups and stews. It can also be used mesh skimmers to remove finished food from a deep fryer.
8. Brush
Brushes are utensils with fine bristles that are used to baste liquids and sauces over your food. Most brushes are used for baking and basting but can also be used to spread oil on grills and griddles.
9. Scraper
Scrapers are spatula shaped tools that are used to remove remnants of food from your cookware’s surface. It’s an essential cleaning tool since its gentle properties will clear your cast iron pan without damaging its seasoning.
10. Kitchen Thermometer
Kitchen thermometers are used to measure the internal temperature of meats. This measuring device comes with a long and sharp stick that allows users to pierce the ingredient that they’re cooking. This instrument is especially useful for cooking poultry and steaks since it can help chefs avoid issues such as undercooking.
A Complete Cast of Utensils!
Cast iron pans, griddles, and Dutch ovens are proven pieces of kitchenware that can get all types of cooking tasks done. But as you get started with your next culinary masterpiece, know that your cast iron cooking experience will be a lot smoother if you have a complete cast of cooking utensils. To learn about all things cast iron, make sure to visit the Cult of Cast Iron blog today!
Miguel is a cast iron enthusiast from Cavite, Philippines. He works in the digital marketing field as a content marketing strategist. On the side, he manages a small online bookstore and tends to his plants.
