In the thermal images, it’s clear that the 5-ply stainless steel pan has an edge over the competition because there’s no cold spot, while the cast iron pan has a noticeable cold spot in the middle.What is Best to Cook on: Cast Iron, Copper or Stainless Steel? In an experiment testing various types of pans, he compared the heat conductivity of cast iron, stainless steel, and carbon steel. While cast iron is known for its ability to retain heat, stainless steel pans are actually better at evenly distributing heat over a stovetop, according to chef and food writer Kenji Lopez-Alt. A fully-clad stainless steel pan, on the other hand, is much pricier, but still durable. How do cast iron and stainless steel differ in performance?Īt an inexpensive price, a good cast iron pan can last you decades with proper maintenance-and American brand names such as Lodge may also come with a lifetime warranty, meaning you’ll receive a new pan if the old one cracks. It’s significantly lighter than cast iron (so he can constantly flip the food) and capable of bringing up the heat to the optimal level (which is very high, according to Dad), guaranteeing every stir-fried dish to be crunchy and tasty. Stainless steel pans are great for stir fry.Īs the master of stir fry, my dad won’t stop raving about his stainless steel wok after he made the switch from nonstick pans. And because it distributes heat more evenly than a cast iron skillet (I’ll explain in the next section), I can sear delicate meats like scallops after I preheat the pan with a few teaspoons of oil. In my personal experience, I appreciate how convenient it is to make a pan sauce or a reduction in a stainless steel pan.

So what can you make with a stainless steel pan? Well, let’s start with the tomato dishes and wine sauces that aren’t advisable to cook in a cast iron skillet. For home cooks, its low-maintenance requirements may also make it the perfect weeknight cooking tool. While some novice home chefs may be worried about food sticking to the pan, we actually found a good way to prevent sticking through seasoning. Stainless steel pans, especially the ones with a copper core, can heat up quickly and evenly, as well as perform various cooking tasks such as searing delicate meats and sautéing. Popular in commercial kitchens, stainless steel cookware is fast, low-maintenance, and usually lighter than cast iron. The versatility of stainless steel makes the cookware popular everywhere. Despite its heftiness, it’s a great cooking vessel that retains heat exceptionally well, searing gourmet steaks with crispy, well-seasoned exteriors and tender, juicy interiors. I can’t tell you how much I love searing thick pieces of meat on a hot cast iron pan for a few minutes and then sliding them into the oven to slow cook. So how should you use your cast iron pan? It’s best for slow cooking, roasting, and otherwise preparing dishes that require being transferred between the oven and stovetop. If you’ve accidentally cooked a tomato-based pasta sauce or shakshuka in a cast iron pan, rest assured, the unpleasant flavor won’t cause any harm to your health. As cast iron is reactive with acidic ingredients, which may strip the seasoning and produce an unwanted metallic flavor, it’s best to avoid cooking acidic foods such as tomatoes and wine sauces in a cast iron pan. Cast iron can bring out the rich flavor profiles from thick cuts of meat.Īlthough we love cast iron skillets for their versatility-they can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, or even over a campfire-they also have their limits.

Cast iron vs stainless steel pan