How to Care Cast iron Kitchenware

How to Care Cast iron Kitchenware

Cast iron or cast iron is a ferrous alloy rich in carbon that also usually contains silicon or nickel, these materials give cast iron a corrosion resistance similar to that of steel.

Once the alloy is melted, it is poured into a mold in the shape of the desired ware. After a cooling process, the pieces are demolded and are subjected to a polishing process to remove burrs and other casting defects, then a layer of matte enamel is applied on the inside and an enamel coating on the outside. This is how the cast iron cookware manufactured by MAGEFESA is obtained.

Advantages of tableware made of enameled cast iron

Great physical and mechanical resistance:
The different materials that accompany the iron in the alloy, confer to the pieces manufactured in cast iron a resistance to corrosion similar to that of steel and make them unalterable to shocks, friction and scratches.

Thermal:
Cast iron is one of the materials that best conserves heat in addition to distributing it homogeneously throughout the piece.

Gastronomic and healthy:
It is a material that is totally unalterable to food acids, so there is no possibility of any transfer between the cookware and the ingredients used.
The pieces made of cast iron allow a uniform cooking of food while maintaining all its nutritional properties. The models with lids are especially suitable for the preparation of stews and casseroles.
Cast iron cookware is free of PFOA and PTFE.

Economical:
MAGEFESA cast iron cookware allows us to cook at medium – low temperatures with which we will be saving energy from the first steps of cooking.

Versatility:
Cast iron cookware is suitable for all types of stoves, gas, electric, vitroceramic and induction. Likewise, it is especially recommended for direct cooking in the oven.

Ecological:
Cast iron is a 100% recyclable material.

Care of enameled cast iron cookware

When acquiring MAGEFESA kitchenware made of enameled cast iron, we are choosing a product that will have a long useful life, resistant to corrosion, scratches, thermal changes, etc. and with a great visual appeal in terms of colors or brightness, which will remain unalterable over time.

However, improper use or poor cleaning of its parts can end up damaging the surface, drastically reducing its effectiveness in the kitchen. In order to guarantee a long life for your MAGEFESA enameled cast iron products, we recommend following these simple tips for use, cleaning and maintenance.

Before the first use

Remove the stickers before placing the cookware on the heat source. These vinyls or stickers are easy to remove without the use of knives or sharp objects that can scratch surfaces. If adhesive residue remains, it can be removed with a cloth or paper soaked in alcohol.
Wash the part thoroughly with neutral soap and warm water, using a soft sponge or cloth to remove any remaining oils, lubricants and manufacturing compounds.
Wipe thoroughly with a dry cloth to remove moisture.
Heat a pool of vegetable oil over low heat for a couple of minutes, allow the part to cool completely and discard the oil.
Wash the piece again as described in the second and third point.
You can now start cooking with your MAGEFESA enameled cast iron cookware.

During use

Choose the size of the heat source that best fits the diameter of the cookware, especially if you work on gas stoves. In addition to obtaining better results, this will make subsequent cleaning of the cookware much easier.
We recommend you to start cooking with medium-low heat powers, especially if you work on induction stoves, after a few minutes you can increase the temperature, although the material makes it unnecessary to use maximum heat powers. In this way you will be better preserving the nutritional properties of the food.
If the heat source to be used has a glass plate, do not slide the cookware across this surface, otherwise you may damage the glass surface.
When you want to move or lift the cookware placed on glass plates, do it with caution to avoid knocks. Place the pieces gently on delicate surfaces.
Place the piece on a heat source that matches its diameter.
In gas stoves, avoid that the flame protrudes from the sides of the piece, in this way the heat distribution will be more efficient and will avoid overheating and the deterioration of the sides and handles of the cookware.

When cooking in the oven, place the piece on the oven rack, avoiding sliding on it. Do not place cast iron cookware directly on the oven base.
Try to use only wooden or silicone utensils, this will keep the interior matte enamel layer in optimal conditions for a longer period of time.
Avoid chopping or cutting food with knives or sharp objects directly on the inside of your enameled cast iron cookware, or hitting or holding the edges of the piece with metal utensils.
When handling hot items, protect your hands with mittens or thick, dry kitchen towels. Be sure to hold them firmly.
With frequent use, the inner layer of matte enamel will gain non-stick properties. As the pieces are used, an inner patina will develop, which we advise not to remove as it increases the efficiency of the pieces.
The design and weight of the lids of Magefesa cast iron cookware favors the condensation of steam inside the pots, so we can cook incorporating less water, favoring the concentration of flavors and natural juices of the ingredients.

Cleaning and maintenance

Although MAGEFESA enameled cast iron cookware is suitable for cleaning in a dishwasher, you should be aware of some details why we recommend cleaning by hand:

The soaps used in dishwashers contain highly corrosive chemical products, and given the diversity of soaps on the market, we cannot guarantee that any of them will not damage our kitchenware.
Vibrations and friction between parts that occur inside the machine during washing, eventually cause the enameled cast iron cookware to lose its shine and original appearance.
After each use, allow the piece to cool before cleaning.
Wash the piece well with neutral soap and warm water, using a soft sponge or cloth. Avoid using abrasive metallic sponges that can damage the interior matte enamel.
Wipe thoroughly with a dry cloth to remove moisture.

In case food sticks or burns, do not use scrapers, sharp utensils, brushes or metallic sponges that can scratch the interior matte enamel. Pour warm water on the piece and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the residue begins to flake off.
Then wash the piece as recommended in points 4 and 5 of this section.
Never use bleach or products containing chlorine or soda, such as oven cleaners, as they can damage both the matte enamel coating and the gloss of the exterior enamel glaze.
Carefully and properly store the pieces avoiding direct contact with metal or sharp objects and place the lids upwards to avoid the accumulation of odors inside.

Good use and proper maintenance of your cookware will ensure the durability and quality of its performance for many years due to the enduring nature of cast iron and the strength of the additional enamel.