What’s the price of Nonstick Nirvana? If you’re using your old stash of Teflon cookware, the answer may be Teflon Toxicosis, which is what veterinarians call it when pet birds are killed by fumes from nonstick skillets. According to the Environmental Working Group:
When the cookware heats to more than 500 degrees, the coatings begin to break down; when temperatures climb to more than 660 degrees, the chemicals significantly decompose, emitting highly toxic fumes that are deadly to birds. Although they are imperceptible to humans at low levels, the fumes float into and through the lungs of birds, which die of scorched lungs and ruptured blood vessels.
If you’re thinking you need to ditch your nonstick stash pronto but don’t want to give up your perfect omelettes, don’t worry. Seasoned cast iron skillets work beautifully as an alternative to Teflon. You’ll wonder why you waited so long to make the switch!
Of course, they’re useful for a lot more than just making eggs. If you’re new to cooking with cast iron, here are some ideas to get you started . . .
Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
Important note: Cooking acidic foods like tomato sauce or citrus glazes in cast iron is not recommended because it can strip the seasoning from the pan and cause excess iron to transfer to the food. With that in mind, here are some cast iron skillet recipes we love . . .
Gluten-Free Stuffing – This sage & apple gluten-free stuffing recipe makes a delicious holiday alternative to traditional bread-based dishes.
Easy Quiche Recipe – This recipe can be made in a cast iron skillet from start to finish, which means there’s only one pan to clean.
Almond Flour Pancakes – These pancakes are simple enough for busy weekday mornings, but they’re great for a leisurely Saturday brunch, too.
Pepper Steak Recipe – I used to love ordering takeout, but gave it up a long time ago after having several reactions to the additives some restaurants use. This recipe for one of my old favorites is super simple to make with 100% real food ingredients. And it’s kid-approved, of course!
Gluten-Free Chicken Fried Steak Recipe – This dish is a great big southern hug with country-style gravy on top.
Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Apple, Thyme and Mustard – This rubbed pork tenderloin is delicious enough to serve for company, yet it’s quick and easy enough to prepare for any weeknight meal.
Thanks for a great giveaway! I really love cooking with cast iron, it would be great to have a Dutch oven. I would share the skillets with my sister 🙂
I love my cast iron and would love to add more pieces
Oops! I accidentally filled out the “new here” option and it won’t let me undo it!
I did too.
Me three..
Woops! Me too!
And me…
Same here :/
So excited that the cast iron set is up for grabs. Fingers crossed!
I didn’t realize the second option was for new subscribers, but then I couldn’t undo my entry. Also, how do you get the preseasoning off? I only saw info about removing rust in your post about seasoning the pans.
Let me rephrase that, I don’t think the baking soda and potato can remove the seasoning. I did that with all of my pans and nothing but rust came off. It’s my understanding that unseasoned pans are gray (I have some old ones that were unseasoned), and all of my pans stayed very black after using the baking soda.
I find the easiest way to strip cast iron down to bare metal is to put it in your oven and do a self clean cycle. Gets them nice and clean and ready to reseason.
Oops! I did the same as Ginger.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
My sis gets first dibs:) love this blog!
I’d love to give this set to my daughter. 🙂
You are still at the top of the list of my favorite, most respected bloggers!
I used to have a set of these pans and loved them until a relative, who will remain nameless, was babysitting during dinner time and thought that she should soak them after cooking in them!!! Talk about RUST. I never was able to get them properly re-seasoned and gave them to Goodwill. I would love to try again – the guilty party is no longer allowed to touch my pans!
I accidentally put my e-mail address in the 2nd entry, not realizing it was only for new, referred subscribers. I don’t mean to have all 3 entries filled out, if I’m only supposed to have the 1st and last ones. I’d undo the 2nd entry, if I knew how. ‘Hoping you can either help me with that, or that it won’t hurt my eligibility/chances.
Thanks for this great, generous giveaway!
No worries, Krystal. I can sort it out via Rafflecopter 🙂
Yay, thanks : )
me too. woops.
Tysm for the Lodge giveaway! I really like Lodge cast iron, it is well made here in the USA and is not taking jobs away from americans, but giving them jobs. The cookware is fantastic too. I could not cook without my Lodge cast iron fry pans, and baking pans.
I did the same thing on the 2nd one also! It would not let me edit it either. SORRY!
I would love for my youngest daughter to get a set of these! She just said she would like to have some.
Thank you for the chance to win them.
For those of us who live in Alaska, if we win could they be sent to an address on the mainland?
Yes 🙂
Several of my friends have Dutch ovens and their meals prepared in the ovens are SPECTACULAR so I am so praying I can get this one so I can prepare these delicious suppers. Thank you for giving all of us an option to win this. Much shalom to you my friend.
Melissa
I love cooking on cast iron but I recently came across some info that Lodge uses GMO soy on their pre-seasoned pans.
this is nice 😉
This is just the information I was looking for, thank you! In the market for new cookware, wish me luck 🙂
Well I think we can all use these pans, but please pick me LOL
Just found your blog and I LOVE it!!! I’ve always wanted cast iron but have yet to make the purchase. I keeping my fingers crossed!
My mom used cast iron for years on the old wood stove. Somehow food seemed better cooked and tasted great! It will be great gift for someone to have in their kitchen! Unfortunately, Mom’s cast iron disappeared and not in my kitchen!
So excited! I would Love to replace my old set with these safer, non-toxic cast iron ones! Thank you! <3 🙂
Heather, What a great giveaway. Thank you!
I have a cast iron skillet that I received (by my request) as a Christmas present from one of our children and his wife. It’s so easy to season and take care of. And it is more non-stick than any other type of pan I’ve used. A great ensemble like this one (especially the dutch oven!) is just what I’ve been hoping for and would happily share with a friend or daughter-in-law!
What a wonderful. Set
Just wondering if the winner was posted yet (and maybe I missed it?) or if the winner will be posted soon?
Oops! The winner was selected and I’ve already been in touch with her and the person who shared this community with her (who also gets a set). Unfortunately, I totally forgot to update this post with the announcement. Just did that – thank you for the reminder!
Thanks! Looking forward to the next giveaway. 🙂