Cast iron is one of the oldest and most reliable cookware materials. The impressive strength, durability, natural non-stick property, and heat retention ability make cast iron cookware extremely popular. The best cast iron cookware in India can last a lifetime and will serve you well during home use as well as commercial purposes.
You have ample options while choosing the best quality cast iron cookware with value for money in 2024. A variety of kitchenware brands offer cast iron frying pans, kadais, tawas, sauce pans, and other utensils.
However, as with any product, you need to evaluate the options carefully before purchase. We have listed different products from the best cast iron cookware brands in India, along with detailed reviews and pros cons.
Top 10 cast iron cookware in India (2024)
Best Cast Iron Cookware | Type | Size | Indian Food To Make |
---|---|---|---|
Vinod Legacy Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Kadai | Kadai | 22/ 24/ 26 cm | Curries, gravies, deep-fried foods |
Lodge Induction Base Cast Iron Grill Pan | Grill Pan | 10.5 inches | Grilled meat, fish, vegetables |
Rock Tawa Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Dosa Tawa | Dosa Tawa | 12 inches | Dosa |
Vinod Legacy Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Roti Tawa | Roti Tawa | 26 cm | Roti, chapati, paratha |
Meyer Cast Iron 2 In 1 Grill And Griddle Fry Pan | Tawa and Grill combo | 30 cm | Baked roti and grilled food |
Dynamic Cookwares Cast Iron Paniyaram Pan | Paniyaram Pan | 8 inches | Appe, paniyarams, paddus, ponganalus |
Wonderchef Forza Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Fry Pan | Frying Pan | 15/ 19/ 20/ 24/ 25/ 29 cm | Omelets, fish fry, scrambled eggs, pakoda |
Petals Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Sauce Pan | Saucepan | 15 cm | Curry, chutney, sauce, ghee |
Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven With Lid | Dutch Oven | 10 inches | Soups and stews |
Indus Valley Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware Set | Set of Kadai, Fry Pan, Tawa | 29, 38.5, 25.5 cm | Curry, fry, dosa, roti |
The Best brands for cast iron cookware
Lodge
Lodge has been around for over a century, specializing mainly in cast iron cookware. Established in 1896, this brand is still going strong with its extensive cast iron cookware collection in the Indian market. Currently, Lodge is a fifth-generation family-owned company and offers best cast iron cookware of various types. It is undoubtedly a reliable brand considering its long record of providing excellent products.
Rock Tawa
As the name indicates, Rock Tawa is a brand that specializes mainly in manufacturing tawas and has gained impressive reputation. However, they do have a wide range of other types of cookware, such as kadais, paniyaram pans, Dutch ovens, grill pans, and more. Rock Tawa uses the green sand molding technique to manufacture high-quality and durable pieces of cast iron cookware.
Wonderchef
Founded by one of India’s most reputed chefs, Sanjeev Kapoor, Wonderchef is one of the leading cookware and kitchen appliance brands. Vast would be an understatement for the range of products that Wonderchef offers, catering to the requirements of every Indian kitchen. The chances of finding what you are looking for in Wonderchef’s collection of cast iron cookware are pretty good.
Meyer
A subsidiary of Meyer International Holdings, Meyer has been offering high-quality cookware since 1951. This brand sticks to stringent quality control when it comes to material quality and, in fact, even has its own aluminum rolling mills. Cast iron cookware from Meyer is excellent, too, in terms of functionality and durability. Meyer holds a presence in more than 40 countries including India should further assure you that they are an extremely reliable cookware brand.
Indus Valley
Indus Valley stands out particularly due to its goal to offer non-toxic cookware that is perfectly safe for cooking. This is the result of a kitchen mishap with plastic cookware, which drove the company owners to focus on manufacturing cookware. In addition to other materials like copper, bronze, glass, clay, etc., the brand offers some of the finest cast iron cookware in India.
Vinod
Over the decades, Vinod has secured its place as one of the most reputed cast iron cookware brands in India, with a large customer base and an excellent track record. The practical design principles used by the brand while manufacturing cookware is the most important fact about their products. The company also has a proactive and skilled R&D team to handle the task of designing new cookware and utensils.
Apart from these brands, Healthy Choices, Mr. Butler, Bergner, Manner Craft, 70’s Kitchen, Craftenka, and Bhagya cast iron cookware are also pretty good to meet the quality standards.
The Best Cast Iron Cookware From Top Brands
1. Vinod Legacy Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Kadai
Key features and Specs
How useful is Vinod Legacy Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Kadai?
If you are on the lookout for the best cast iron kadai in India, this is the ideal one for you. It is available with three different diameters suitable for various cooking requirements. Besides the durability offered by the high-grade cast iron, the unibody design of the kadai makes it less likely to suffer damages too.
This is because the unibody design significantly reduces weak points, as the kadai doesn’t have any welding joints and screws. In fact, the manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty for the Kadai, which is quite impressive and should assure you that this is a durable product indeed.
The very design of this cast iron kadai makes cooking easier and more efficient too. Its excellent heat conductivity of cast iron, together with the thickness of the base, ensures even heating all over.
Moreover, the kadai comes with a glass lid to store heat for more energy-efficient cooking. The steam hole on the lid would allow steam to escape without causing the lid to rattle.
The cookware is entirely free of toxins, with neither the inner surface nor the outer one having any synthetic coating or chemicals. This, together with the fact that cast iron cookware enhances food with iron, would ensure healthy cooking. This kadai is versatile, like most cast iron cookware types; however, it is more suitable for making curries. You can also check other kadai for Indian cooking if you are looking for specifically a kadai.
Note that cast iron is prone to rust and requires special care. To increase its longevity, treat the kadai with oil, wipe it with a tissue after every use, and avoid washing it with harsh detergents.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Why is Vinod Legacy Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Kadai worthy?
If a high-quality cast iron kadai is what you are after, this one is an excellent choice for you. Its great design, together with the long-lasting material, makes the kadai very durable. Although you can find similar products at lower prices, it’s hard to beat such quality. As with any cast iron utensil, the kadai requires seasoning. However, as it is already 3 times pre-seasoned with vegetable oils, you can start using it immediately, without having to season it before the first use.
2. Lodge Induction Base Cast Iron Grill Pan
Key features and Specs
How good is Lodge Induction Base Cast Iron Grill Pan for cooking?
If you love grilling food and need a suitable cookware for the purpose, this cast iron grill pan is perfect for you. The very design makes it excellent for grilling various meat, vegetables, and other foods. The piece of cookware is perfect for every cooking surface, including grills, induction cooktops, and gas ovens.
Its design deserves a special mention among the other features that make it one of the best cast iron cookware in India. The ribbed bottom helps to drain fat from food effectively, ensuring healthy cooking. This pattern also sears meat better and adds grill marks, giving it the look and taste of perfectly grilled food.
The material of this cast iron grill makes it perfect for home use. The heavy and high-quality cast iron offers even heating, thus grilling the food properly. It excellent heat retention properties, which helps to grill the food better and more efficiently. Do note that the cast iron’s thickness and quality make this cookware reasonably heavy. While this may make the pan a little cumbersome and hard to handle for some users, it also ensures excellent durability.
Lodge, the brand has baked vegetable oil into the cast iron cookware, making the oil seep in through the pores. This gives the pan a long-lasting easy-release finish. However, you should still season the cast iron pan before use for the best results.
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Why is Lodge cast iron cookware worthy?
This grill pan is definitely the ideal cast iron cookware for individuals who love grilled foods. From excellent grill marks to efficient grilling and searing for the tastiest meals, this pan offers everything you might be looking for.
3. Rock Tawa Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Dosa Tawa
Key features and Specs
How good is Rock Tawa cast iron cookware for Indian cooking?
Rock Tawa dosa tawa is the best cast iron cookware for making dosa at your home. You can also use it to prepare parathas, and a variety of rotis. It would definitely be a precious addition to your kitchen, servicing various purposes effectively.
It also offers a fantastic non-stick performance upon seasoning and would help to reduce oil and butter usage to a great extent. The manufacturer sells the tawa in pre-seasoned condition, saving you the hassle of seasoning it before you can start using it.
The quality of the cast iron used is relatively high, making it one of the best dosa tawas. The 4.2 mm thickness increases its durability while ensuring efficient and fast heating at the same time.
The handles at the side are wide enough to offer you a good grip while handling the tawa. With three kilograms of weight, this cast iron dosa tawa is pretty heavy. However, its design ensures that using the tawa wouldn’t be a challenge.
The versatility of this cast iron cookware goes beyond the variety of foods that you could prepare on it. While you can use the tawa on both gas and electric stovetops, its flat base also makes it compatible with induction cooktops. Considering the value for money this tawa offers, it is indeed the perfect cast iron cookware for you.
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Why is Rock Tawa cast iron cookware worthy?
If you are looking for the best cast iron tawa, it is definitely great value for money. As long as you season it well, you need not worry about the tawa developing rust. The flat base of the tawa also makes it work with induction cooktops, ensuring seamless usage in modern kitchens. Furthermore, the excellent quality of the cast iron should assure you about the durability of the product.
4. Vinod Legacy Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Roti Tawa
Key features and Specs
How good is Vinod cast iron cookware for Indian cooking?
Yet another great piece of traditional cookware from Vinod, this cast iron tawa would serve you well. The unibody design of this tawa makes it incredibly sturdy besides its durable material. You can expect it to be the best roti tawa to have a long lifespan and serve you well.
This is a versatile piece of cast iron cookware that you could use to sauté, pan-fry, bake, roast, sear, or braise food. This tawa also features even heat distribution, thus helping cook food perfectly. As long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning and seasoning the tawa, you would also require less oil due to the greasy surface.
Due to the high heat retention capacity of this tawa, it would remain hot for an extended period. This helps to cook food better and more efficiently. Moreover, food cooked on this tawa would also be healthy as the utensil doesn’t carry any additional coating with chemicals that can leach into food. As with most cast iron utensils, this cast iron tawa adds dietary iron to food.
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Why is Vinod Legacy cast iron cookware worthy?
The long lifespan, efficient heat distribution, and versatility of this tawa make it a perfect choice. Moreover, it comes from the Vinod, one of the best cast iron cookware brands in India.
5. Meyer Cast Iron 2 in 1 Grill and Griddle Fry Pan
Key features and Specs
How good is Meyer 2-in-1 cast iron cookware for Indian cooking?
Are you looking for a cast iron grill pan and a tawa at the same time? Well, why spend money on both when you can buy cookware that serves both purposes?
This two-in-one grill and griddle fry pan come with two different surfaces. While one side is completely flat and could be used as a tawa, the other has a ribbed surface for grilling. Such versatility makes this piece of cookware extremely convenient in your kitchen.
Meyer has quite a good reputation and offers some of the best cast iron pans in the Indian market. Not only have they used cast iron of extremely high-quality in this piece of cookware, but they also offer a lifetime warranty. You may rest assured that this is a very durable product and would serve you well for decades.
The design of this cast iron cookware is convenient too. For instance, the ridges do an excellent job of searing and grilling tough meat. Other features like the unibody design, large handles, and the pouring lips on the grilling side make the utensil very easy to use. However, note that the raised edge around the tawa reduces the usable area a little.
Overall, this is the best quality cast iron cookware in India in terms of versatility and offers good value for money. It costs more than most of the other tawas or grill pans of its dimensions. However, its two-in-one functionality and excellent quality justify the price.
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Why is Meyer cast iron cookware worthy?
As you may have noticed, it is an ideal cast iron cookware in India regarding versatility and value for money. Except for the uneven heat distribution on the tawa side, this product should serve you well. The fantastic durability it offers makes it a long-term investment that you wouldn’t have to replace anytime soon.
6. Dynamic Cookwares Cast Iron Paniyaram Pan
Key features and Specs
How good is Dynamic Cookwares cast iron cookware for cooking?
Finding a induction compatible cast iron paniyaram pan is rather tricky, as most paniyaram pans do not have a flat base. However, if you are looking for one, this one might be perfect for your requirements.
It works well on gas stoves, electrical cookers, and induction cooktops alike, thereby offering a great deal of flexibility on how you may use this pan. The manufacturer has put a great deal of work into the design, experimenting with various design principles.
With 12 cavities, this pan would serve you exceptionally well while cooking appe for the whole family. After all, the more, the higher the number of cavities, the lesser would be the number of batches you need to cook.
The evenly curved pits would allow you to make perfectly round appe, paniyarams, paddus, ponganalus, and other items. Hence, you may stay assured that this cast iron paniyaram pan would serve the intended purpose perfectly.
The pan comes with a heavy cooking base, yet another factor that makes it worth buying. The heavy base with a reasonable thickness makes this cookware more durable with better heat retention. This would allow you to cook the food much better. The ergonomically designed handles also make this cookware easy to use.
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Why is Dynamic Cookwares cast iron cookware worthy?
Considering that very few paniyaram pans are induction-friendly, this is definitely the best cast iron cookware for making appe, paniyaram, paddu, ponganalu, etc. The thick cast iron base makes the cookware durable and facilitates even heating and excellent heat retention. Together with the versatility of this cast iron paniyaram pan, all these features make it worth your money in 2024.
7. Wonderchef Forza Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Fry Pan
Key features and Specs
How good is Wonderchef cast iron frying pan for Indian cooking?
The Forza range of cookware from Wonderchef consists of highly durable cast iron material. Wonderchef offers a 25-year warranty against cracks, breakage, and manufacturing defects for this entire set.
If you are looking for a cast iron fry pan that would last long and serve you well, this one would be a perfect addition to your kitchen. The heavy cast iron base retains heat quite well and distributes it evenly for efficient and traditional slow cooking.
The flat base of the frying pan makes it compatible with all induction cooktops, besides conventional gas stoves. The cast iron fry pan is also safe to use in grills, freezers, and ovens, thus giving you a great deal of flexibility in terms of usage. This, together with the variety of dishes that you could cook, makes this fry pan an excellent choice.
The manufacturer has ensured a smooth finish, eliminating every rough edge. This results from superior engineering and is generally hard to achieve. However, remember not to drag the pan while cooking on a ceramic or glass cooktop, as it may scratch the surface.
The quality build and the high-grade cast iron also add to the pan’s strength and ensure that it would last long. If you are looking for the best cast iron cookware in India and need a frying pan, you can definitely buy this one.
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Why is Wonderchef Forza cast iron cookware worthy?
The quality of this product is one of the most significant factors that qualifies it as the top-rated cast iron cookware among fry pans. You may rest assured that this pan is durable enough to last a lifetime. Its design would prove to be highly convenient while cooking various items. The heat retention and distribution, in particular, are perfect for traditional Indian cooking.
8. Petals Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Sauce Pan
Key features and Specs
How good is Petals cast iron cookware for Indian cooking?
If you are searching for heavy-duty cast iron cookware, this saucepan is an excellent choice for you. Made from high-quality cast iron, the thick body of this pan is very durable. You may use this saucepan on a gas stove, an induction cooktop, an electric grill, and even an OTG oven or electric oven.
However, the temperature should not exceed 220 degrees Celsius while using the pan. Also, make sure never to place this cookware inside a microwave oven as it might break due to thermal stress.
The build style and the ergonomics of this cast iron pan are of great convenience. The saucepan is quite deep, making it perfect for its intended purposes of making curries, chutney, porridge, or even ghee. Furthermore, its long handle makes it easier to hold, even if you’re wearing thick oven mitts. The weight is ideal for easy handing, ensuring that the saucepan is neither too light nor too heavy.
However, do note that this cast iron cookware isn’t dishwasher safe, and you would have to clean it manually. Also, like in the case of any other cast iron cookware, you need to season the saucepan to keep it from rusting. Aside from these, it is the best cast iron saucepan for buyers looking for a cast iron cookware.
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Why is Petals cast iron saucepan worthy?
If you seek the best cookware made of cast iron in terms of strength and durability, this saucepan is easily an excellent choice. Considering the quality of the cast iron used and the saucepan’s build quality, you may stay assured entirely that it’ll have a long lifespan. This, together with the versatility of this cookware, makes it absolutely worth your money. This saucepan would serve you well whether you plan to use the cookware on a gas oven or induction cooktop.
9. Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven With Lid
Key features and Specs
How good is Lodge cast iron cookware for Indian cooking?
This excellent Dutch oven can be a great addition to a kitchen, thanks to the versatility of this cookware. While Dutch ovens aren’t the most common cookware in Indian kitchens, if you are looking for a perfect way for making stew or soup, this is the best cast iron cookware in India for you.
The manufacturer has cast the cookware traditionally from molten iron in individual sand molds. They have further coated the Dutch oven with porcelain enamel, giving the cookware a beautiful look.
The design principles of this 4-quart Dutch oven greatly enhance its functional value. While the cast iron base is sturdy, the enamel coating gives it a non-stick finish that doesn’t need seasoning.
Moreover, it ensures excellent heat retention and distribution, ultimately ensuring better cooking at lower energy usage. The lid fits tightly, securing moisture inside the cookware. In addition to that, the stainless steel knob provides a good grip and would allow you to remove the lid with ease.
You may use this versatile Dutch oven for many purposes aside from cooking, such as refrigerating, freezing, and marinating. This cookware is compatible with gas, ovens, and cooktops made of glass or ceramic.
However, please do not use it on a campfire or any other open flame. If you generally use a dishwasher to clean utensils, rest assured that this cast iron Dutch oven is dishwasher safe. The manufacturer, though, advises handwashing it to help preserve its finish.
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Why is Lodge cast iron Dutch oven worthy?
This is one of the best cast iron Dutch ovens in the market in every aspect. It’s sufficiently large, with excellent heat retention, even heat distribution, and a tight lid to hold steam. A critical element that makes this one of the most desired cast iron cookware is its stylish yet functional finish. Unlike most cast iron utensils, it is permanently non-stick, even without seasoning.
10. Indus Valley Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware Set
Key features and Specs
How good is Indus Valley cast iron cookware set for cooking?
If your kitchen needs multiple cast iron utensils, this cookware set is excellent value for money. It consists of three essential cookware pieces – a kadai, a skillet (fry pan), and a tawa. This all-rounder cast iron cookware set is suitable for cooking a diverse range of dishes and hence, an excellent addition to most kitchens.
However, before buying this cookware set, note that the kadai isn’t compatible with induction cooktops. As long as you use a gas oven in your kitchen, this is one of the best cast iron cookware sets in India for you.
The durable and robust cast iron used in every cookware in this set makes it perfect for cooking at high heat for an extended period. Even if you use the cookware regularly, they should last quite along. Moreover, you wouldn’t even have to worry about harmful material leaching into food while cooking.
All three cookware pieces are of high-quality, making this cookware set worth buying. The manufacturer has provided detailed instructions on seasoning the utensils and taking proper care of them. This should help protect the cookware set from rusting and ensure a long lifespan.
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Disadvantages
Why is Indus Valley cast iron cookware set worthy?
The cookware set offers three pieces of tawa, kadai and fry pan at a reasonable price. Quality shouldn’t be a concern either, as all three are durable and made from high-grade cast iron. If you are looking for the best cast iron cookware in India and need multiple utensils, this cookware set is an excellent option.
How have we picked, and why do we recommend these cast iron cookware?
Of course, one cannot randomly choose a perfect cast iron cookware in India by just taking a quick look at different products. It is necessary to weigh your options based on various parameters and see which one is the best for you. We have taken a comprehensive approach while preparing the list above. Here are the aspects that we took into consideration-
Different types of cast iron cookware
As you might guess, the most crucial factor to consider is the type of cookware you are looking for. While someone looking for a tawa might want to go for the Rock Tawa Dosa Tawa, you should go for Vinod Legacy Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Kadai if a kadai is what you need. This is why we have listed a variety of cookware, picking the best ones from every category. Some of the most popular types of cast iron cookware are-
Regardless of what you are looking for, the chances are high that you would find something suitable. Other common types of cast iron cookware include cast iron appam pan and cast iron saute pan.
Cast Iron quality and durability
Cast iron cookware can be incredibly durable as long as you buy the right product. Shopping from the best cast iron cookware brands should help you get high-quality products. While cookware made from better quality cast iron may cost you a little more, it would last much longer and save you the cost of replacing it. The thickness and the weight of a piece of cookware are indicators of its durability too.
Pre-seasoned condition
As adding a Teflon non-stick coating on cast iron isn’t possible, you need to season cast iron cookware with oil to give it non-stick properties. The seasoning would work even better over time as you use the cookware. You would, however, have to season your cast iron cookware once in a while when the coating of oil starts wearing off. Most of the leading brands offer pre-season cast iron cookware. Buying one of these utensils would save you the hassle of seasoning the cookware before you can start using it.
Enameled and coating-free cast iron
While cast iron cookware is usually coating-free, some of these utensils come with an enamel coating. The Lodge Cast Iron Dutch oven is a perfect example of enameled cast iron cookware. If you seek a good-quality cast iron cookware in India, you might wonder which is a better option. Well, here is a comparison between enameled and coating-free cast iron cookware, based on several aspects-
Hence, food safety shouldn’t be an issue as both types of cast iron cookware are non-toxic. However, enameled cast iron is the most efficient among the tested materials. The key differences lie in their looks, durability, energy efficiency, and your cooking experience.
Size, Dimension, Capacity
Any cookware is available in a variety of sizes and dimensions. Narrow down your options based on the size you are looking for. Naturally, you would have trouble cooking on a frying pan that is too oversized for your oven. Certain utensils, such as a kadai, also pay attention to the capacity. In case a kadai is too small, you may not be able to cook enough food in it for your family.
Thickness and Weight
While cast iron is typically a heavy metal, so are utensils made of it. However, the weight can still vary, depending on the thickness of the cookware. So, should you buy a thicker and heavier piece of cookware or a lighter one?
While more lightweight cookware heats up faster, a heavy one like the Lodge induction base cast iron grill pan retains heat better. This helps to cook better and is also a necessary factor for certain dishes that require slow cooking.
Lid and handles
When buying any cookware, pay attention to the durability and quality its lid and handles. A lid can be extremely helpful in trapping heat for kadais, saucepans, Dutch ovens, and other utensils where you do not need to stir the food constantly. As for the handles should be large enough, easy to grip well, and be heat resistant. The handles of the Rock Tawa Dosa Tawa 12 Inch pre-seasoned cast iron skillet, for example, are pretty easy to grab.
Compatibility with different stoves
Before you buy a cast iron cookware, make sure that you can actually use it on you cooktop. Not every cookware is compatible with every cooktop, hob or stove. The Meyer Cast Iron 2 in 1 Grill and Griddle Fry Pan is suitable for a kitchen that uses induction cookers, while the round-bottomed kadai from Indus Valley isn’t. We have picked cast iron cookware with varying compatibility with different cooktops.
Price and affordability
You should check the price of a cast iron cookware and make sure that you can afford to spend money on it. While choosing one of the best cast iron cookware brands, you might notice that we have selected items of different prices. This should help you find something within your budget without compromising on quality. While the 2 in 1 Grill and Griddle Fry Pan from Meyer is pricier than the other products, it saves you the cost of buying a tawa and a grill pan.
Cast iron cookware alternatives
While cast iron is beneficial for cooking, it does have certain limitations. Even the best cast iron cookware would require you to season it regularly unless it is enamel-coated. In case you are looking for alternatives, the following are your ideal options-
Stainless steel cookware
Cookware made of stainless steel is a decent alternative for someone seeking budget-friendly cookware. This material is usually dishwasher safe, durable, and offers excellent heat retention and distribution. However, cooking highly acidic foods for extended periods can cause the cookware to leach harmful metals into the food. You might also like to take note that, stainless steel cookware is not non-stick in nature.
Non-stick cookware
If the need to season cast iron cookware is what deters you from buying them, go for non-stick cookware. As the name suggests, these utensils have non-stick surfaces, thanks to protective coatings. However, their lifespan is usually far shorter cast iron cookware, as the non-stick coating can wear off over time if mishandled at high temperature. The best hard anodized cookware are also non-stick in nature.
Granite and ceramic cookware
Granite and ceramic are good options if you are trying to add elegant and non-toxic cookware to your kitchen. Both of them look excellent, with a naturally glossy and stylish finish. They also offer a non-stick surface, saving you the hassle of seasoning the utensils. However, ceramic and granite cookware are far more prone to damage and can chip or even get smashed if you drop them.
Copper and brass cookware
Brass/copper utensils offer excellent health benefits according to Ayurveda, making them great alternatives to cast iron if you focus on healthy cooking. Copper cookware is very expensive and typically finds its place in upscale French restaurants.
While copper offers extraordinary heat conductivity, durability, and an elegant finish, it is also reactive with acidic foods. You will have to buy coated copper cookware if you plan to cook such items. Similarly, brass cookware requires a coating to prevent zinc overexposure to the food. However, brass is cheaper than cast iron.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The term cast iron cookware refers to utensils manufactured by pouring a mix of molten iron and steel into a sand mold. Once the metal cools down, the sand mold would be broken to extract the cookware.
While cast iron is made by smelting iron with other metal alloys, ordinary iron cookware consists of pure iron manufactured by other methods. Between the two, pure iron cookware is more durable, malleable, and conducts heat faster. On the other hand, cast iron is lighter, non-stick, easier to maintain, less likely to rust, and retains heat better.
The perks of a cast iron cookware include- high durability, non-toxic and healthy cooking, naturally non-stick, better taste, and high heat retention. Cast iron cookware may be expensive, but it’s worth the money.
Cast iron does have its fair share of problems too, such as- cast iron cookware is molded from a single piece of metal. As a result, the handle is directly connected to the body and can get painfully hot. Unless you maintain your cast iron cookware well, it would be prone to rust. Storing acidic food in cast iron cookware can cause the acid to break down the seasoning and start corroding the metal. As long as you take the necessary precautions, a cast iron cookware should serve you well.
Rather often, the best cast iron cookware brands like Lodge season their cookware through a process called polymerization before selling it. This saves you the trouble of seasoning the cookware before its first use.
Every time you cook with oil, your cast iron cookware receives a layer of seasoning. However, in case it loses coating breaks down, follow these steps to season the cookware again. First, clean the pan and dry it completely. Apply a layer of cooking oil on both sides and spread it well. Either place the cookware on an oven and bake it at 450-500 degrees F for an hour, or, heat the pan on a high flame for about 15 minutes and repeat the process two to three times. This will add the necessary layer of seasoning to the cookware.
If it is a pre-seasoned pan, you may start using it right after unpacking, like any other cookware. However, you would have first to season an unseasoned cast iron cookware before use.
While some pieces of cast iron cookware are dishwasher safe, others aren’t. Regardless, it is not advisable to use a dishwasher to clean your cast iron cookware, as it may break down the layer of seasoning.
You need to clean a cast iron cookware carefully without any abrasive materials to prevent it from rusting or wearing out the seasoning. Clean the cookware using warm water and a soft sponge. Once done, wash out any remnants of food using a dishwashing liquid.
Non-stick cookware requires less maintenance and is typically lighter. However, cast iron cookware has a longer lifespan, much higher heat tolerance, and is safer to cook on.
So, which is the best cast iron cookware in India?
Cast iron cookware can be totally worth your money, provided that you buy the right products and can maintain them well. All the products we listed in this article as the best cast iron cookware in India are excellent options in 2024.
For instance, the Kadai from Vinod, the grill pan from Lodge, and the dosa tawa from Rock Tawa would all be great additions to your kitchen. However, so would any other product we listed, as long as they are compatible with the stove, oven, or cooktop you use.
We picked the above products only after conducting detailed research, analysis, and testing. Hence, you may rest assured that you will be making an informed decision if you buy any of these utensils after reading the reviews. As you can see, every product has its pros and cons. Even if you are purchasing a utensil from a reputed cast iron cookware brand, check these out to make sure you are making a purchase you won’t regret later.