topic Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear in Kitchen

Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

KentuckyWoman — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 02:55:00 GMT

I really want to purchase a few pieces of cast iron enameled cookware. I can't afford Le Creuset so I researched other brands. I saw a segment on America's Test Kitchen that tested various brands. They said for the money, Tramontina cast iron cookware performed beautifully and was a good value.

I have decided to try this brand but I am concerned about using it on a glass top stove. It is described as being suitable for glass top stoves but I am concerned. I read an article online that suggested one use spacers between the pans and surface of the stove. Have any of you who use this type of cookware experienced any problems using it on a glass top stove? Thanks in advance for any input or opinions.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

CamilleP — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 03:20:27 GMT

KentuckyWoman, I've used my LeCreuset on my glass stove top many, many times, and it works just fine. However, glass is glass and cast iron is heavy. You have to set the pans down evenly and gently, if you drop a cast iron pan on edge on a glass cooktop, odds are significant that it will crack and break the glass. I''ve never, ever heard of using "spacers", that would be a total waste, and whatever you used would have to conduct the heat up to the pan, meaning you'd have hot spots, and those spacers would be like molten metal by the time you were done! I strongly suggest you do not use such things!

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

Jtdmum — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 09:43:08 GMT

I've used cast iron on my glass top stove for decades. Don't slide the pan accross the top of the stove and as the last poster stated, make sure you put the pan down carefully. I've never used a spacer, i would think that would scratch the stovetop moreso than the pan.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

goldensrbest — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 10:56:13 GMT

I am a fan of lodge.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

CinNC — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 13:49:17 GMT

I finally got a Le Cruset dutch oven w/my credit card points in December. Maybe it's because I don't have a lot of use for a dutch oven, but I hate it.

Stove top cooking, I've found that you really have to watch the temperature or else things will burn. And it's really too heavy for me to manage. I have one piece of ScanPan CTQ and the heating is very even and I find have to stir things less often.

I won a contest back in May and one of the prizes was lodge cookware which is being deliverd tomorrow. I'm not sure what item I'm getting but am hoping a fry pan. Have to see how that works out.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

novamc1 — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 13:37:05 GMT

@KentuckyWoman

Before moving to my new home, I used enameled cast iron pots of all sizes on my glasstop stove and in my oven that had stainless steel (or some sort of silver metal) shelves. No damage done to the stove, oven or my expensive pots.

Moved to new home with gas range and a GE Profile oven with dark-colored metal shelves............now my formerly perfect LeCreuset pots are scratched on the bottom from using them on these rough surfaces.

I truly want my glasstop cooktop and smooth oven shelving back again, and intend to get them again if I live here long enough to remodel.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

novamc1 — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 13:40:42 GMT

@CinNC

When using enameled cast iron, you never need to use high heat that will burn the pan or the food. Medium-high is OK to get things started, but medium to low is the norm for continued cooking in this kind of pan or pot.

Cast Iron gets much hotter on its own, doesn't need much help from your stove or oven.

Even when preheating it before putting in the food or oil/butter, you should use a gentle temperature.

And do always preheat the pan before inserting anything, or things will indeed stick and/or burn.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

Sooner — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 16:21:29 GMT

@novamc1 wrote:
@CinNC

When using enameled cast iron, you never need to use high heat that will burn the pan or the food. Medium-high is OK to get things started, but medium to low is the norm for continued cooking in this kind of pan or pot.
Cast Iron gets much hotter on its own, doesn't need much help from your stove or oven.

Even when preheating it before putting in the food or oil/butter, you should use a gentle temperature.

And do always preheat the pan before inserting anything, or things will indeed stick and/or burn.

What she said is exactly what you should do! Cast iron and stainless steel are great to cook with, but you should read about them and learn what to do to be successful with these.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

Colinka — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 18:45:54 GMT

Love my Le Creuset on my glass top stove. Don't need high temperature, as previous posters have warned against.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

chickenbutt — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 18:58:56 GMT

I have a large number lf LC pots and they are great quality. I know the cost is prohibitive for you at this time, but I'm pretty big on paying for quality.

The biggest thing I'd say about buying other brands is to watch for 'made in China' brands because those don't tend to be made nearly as well. So many of them, especially celeb chef/cook brands, have had problems with explosively releasing the enamel coating, as well as cracking and chipping problems.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

Sooner — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 01:43:09 GMT

@KentuckyWoman Staub makes beautiful cookware too, and it is made in France. You can often find pieces on sale at good prices at Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma too. And don't forget the Le Creuset outlets! They ship and have wonderful 50 off sales, and not all their things are seconds either.

But I have bought seconds from them sometimes, not finding really anything wrong!

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

peachesncream — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 05:14:13 GMT

You don't need to worry about using enameled cast iron on a glass cooktop. I've been doing it for over 20 years and never had a problem.

My enameled cast iron is by Staub and I really like that brand. But any brand should be fine.

Plain cast iron, without enamel coating, can scratch glass cooktops, if it's dragged across the glass or banged on the surface. But with enameled cast iron, there is no iron showing; the surface is smooth because of the enamel layer.

When I bought my first glass cooktop, the instructions that came with the stove said "don't use iron cookware"! I called the manufacturer. They said that only applies to plain, bare cast iron. Enameled cast iron is perfectly safe to use.

Enameled cast iron is great for slow cooking stews and casseroles, baked beans, etc. I wouldn't be without my Dutch oven.

I wouldn't go out and buy a bunch of enameled cast iron pieces, though. It's heavy, it's expensive, and you don't know if you're going to love using it. I'd start with one piece, and see what you think of it.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

KentuckyWoman — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 11:56:29 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@KentuckyWoman Staub makes beautiful cookware too, and it is made in France. You can often find pieces on sale at good prices at Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma too. And don't forget the Le Creuset outlets! They ship and have wonderful 50 off sales, and not all their things are seconds either.

But I have bought seconds from them sometimes, not finding really anything wrong!

Thank you @Sooner. I never thought about the outlets. I 'll check them out.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

KentuckyWoman — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 12:01:14 GMT

Thank you @peachesncream. I only want two or three pieces. A dutch oven for sure and maybe a skillet with a lid. I know they are extremely heavy but they cook beautifully. I would like to have a saucier and a 2.5 qt. saucepan as well.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

RollTide2008 — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 13:18:37 GMT

For enameled cast iron on a budget, check out the Martha Stewart line at Macy’s. For my needs, it’s been perfectly adequate. It comes in lots of pretty colors, but many of them are only available online.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

novamc1 — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 14:15:08 GMT

I agree with @RollTide2008 that the Martha Stewart enameled cast iron at Macy's always seems to be a good buy.

After already mentioning in a prior post that my expensive LeCreuset has gotten scratches from being used on top of an iron-grated gas cooktop rather than the glasstop I used to have, I would purchase cheaper brands of enameled cast iron if I needed it.

The cast iron aspect will still work for you even if the enamel on the bottom gets scratched somehow. Might want to try some of it out. Macy's usually offers free shipping, too.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

aroc3435 — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:04:26 GMT

Macy's does have a minimum for shipping unless you are of a particular "star" level and/or card holder. But if you add one beauty/fragrance/makeup item in an order you will get free shipping for the entire order. They have a pretty good sale going on right now that I think runs through the fifteenth.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

mimomof4 — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:21:59 GMT

I started with a le Creuset skillet with lid and fell in love. It stays on my stove and is used all the time. I stopped using my stainless steel pans except for cooking pasta. Never had anything burn but I always cook on a lower than expected heat.

Now I have 5 different Le Creuset pans. I have a large family so I can take full advantage of the large dutch ovens. The outlet is Great!!

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

chickenbutt — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 17:07:02 GMT

Great ideas by Sooner & Mimom about the LC outlets. I had forgotten about that. I have one piece from the outlet in Gilroy and it's perfect. It cost considerably less.

ETA - BTW, they also ship, if you're ok with one of the people at the outlet choosing your piece for you. That's the closest outlet to me, and I had been in the store before, so I knew what a great bunch they were.

Re: Question About Cast Iron Enameled Cookwear

Sooner — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 18:13:43 GMT

@chickenbutt @KentuckyWoman I have had wonderful luck calling outlets and talking with the sales associates there. We have a great outlet in Oklahoma City and the people there are great. I go there pretty often.

I also recommend the big outlet in Yemassee South Carolina. Very often the outlets have free shipping and they also have a lot of colors on sale at various times, or certain pieces, so call and find out what the hot deal is! Ha ha! I have actually had them on the line talking to me and checking out second pieces to see if the lid fits, color is good, etc.