Step 1 in getting rid of all my teflon pans.

i watched my friend over-heat a Teflon pan in the campfire and start dry heaving when he took a huff of the gas coming off the thing. so turns out it isnt great for us. i think someone read a story where a caged bird died while next to a hot gassing pan. i just bought a new cheapo Teflon pan from the restaurant supply place. my old one started flaking and food stuck. made me wonder if i ate any of the stuff.

i did some reading and bought a carbon steel pan. same size as my most used Teflon pan. 10". just got it.

heavy, smooth. almost as heavy as my vintage cast iron. not as heavy as modern cast iron. i've seen every video on seasoning the thing. looks easy. my cast iron is black as Hades, i dont think i will have trouble getting this new pan there as well. bonus, i wont be afraid to grab this to take truck camping. it is bombproof..

anyone using carbon steel pans?

 

T

 

are they non-stick? I bought a set of pans years ago that were stainless the pots I still have the pans were prob on of the worst for sticky food...I just tossed them in the trash after a few mishaps..

 

It is becoming non stick.

My carbon wok. Used it last night. Very slick. Hope my skillet gets there

 

I might have to try one just to see...I absolutely cant stand sticky pans....

 

I got this set as a gift last Christmas. They have held up great. The non-stick on these pans is amazing. Washing is a breeze and they are safe for the oven. Best set of pots/pans I've owned.

https://www.starfrit.com/en/heritage-the-rock-10-piece-cookware-set-3

I still do love cooking with cast iron though, especially over the fire while camping. I wouldn't use anything but cast iron for that.

 

Teflon isn't meant for that kind of use.

I bought carbon steel pans for my mom a few years ago and she rarely used them, handle length for home cooking is absurdly long, at least in their kitchen.

Would be great for camping.

She's switched to stainless steel.

 

hacksaw and cut the handle to the right length

 

Came within an inch of doing that, but then they'd be less functional for cooking over an open fire while camping.

 

I've switched to stainless also, we never really had teflon anyway. I have a couple Lodge pans but I find the care needs of cast iron don't mesh with my effort. I still use the cast iron when I need a huge pan and the small pan is convenient for frying some eggs, but I don't have a good season on them and probably haven't ever.

I reseasoned them a few months ago but I probably could've down a few more cycles and got a nice seasoning done, but I don't have time or patience with them.

My large pan might have a hairline crack in it somewhere, though I can't find one. Last time I used it there was a good amount of oil that mysteriously appeared underneath the pan while it was on my electric glass cook top. I never spilled any and the pan/stove was freshly cleaned before I used it.. so.. not sure.

If it's destined for the trash I doubt I'll replace it.

 

I do not like teflon either, it does emit toxic gas I believe above 450F. I am liking the new ceramic nonstick coatings and I also like cast iron a lot but it cannot be used for everything generally speaking.

In my opinion the best wedding gift is cast iron, if those noobs do not appreciate it now they will appreciate it later... And it lasts forever.

 

cast iron makes for better tasting Fried chicken and other meals IMO....

 

I use my cast iron skillet all the time, but for non-stick cast iron cooking straight from the box, enamel-coated cast iron is great. Doesn't have to be a skillet to get the benefits of cast iron... can do a lot (not all) of the same things in an enamel-coated cast iron pot like thus and so:



I use the hell out of that thing and it never backs down... deep fry, sear at extreme temp, you name it. Haven't got an enamel cast iron skillet cuz I never have had the need... may get one at some point just to have it

 

I brutalize my enamel pot.
bake bread in it and there goes the new pan look