We asked a culinary instructor about foods that damage cast iron and how to avoid ruining your favorite pots and pans.

Cooking with cast iron pans allowed me to level up my culinary experiences. From baking to stews, my enamelled cast iron pots ...

Cast iron has a 2% to 3.5% carbon content, while carbon steel has less than 2%. This subtle difference results in two pieces ...

The best way to clean your cast iron skillet is with something you already have in your kitchen.

Cast iron is not naturally non-stick, but a light oil coat before cooking builds a slick surface. This makes your pan better with every use. Tomatoes, vinegar, and citrus can break down the seasoning ...

I’ll spare you the science and say that when oil reaches its smoke point some of it bonds to the pan and creates a protective layer of seasoning. On the surface of the pan, that happens just about ...

This pan scraper from Epicurean is made of the same ... and the material is gentle on cooking surfaces. Now that my cast iron skillets have built up a nonstick patina, it’s important to clean ...

This 10-inch enameled cast iron skillet by Crock-Pot is ideal for frying ... so it’s safe to use in the oven. Plus, it has a large helper handle for easy maneuvering and two spouts for pouring ...

But all pans can be nonstick—if you know how to use them. Cast-iron pans have existed for hundreds of years, and scores of decades-old pans are still being used regularly. Carbon-steel pans are ...

With the hot water having loosened food from the pan's surface, it's time to use a wooden spoon or soft brush to remove whatever's left. I like this $11 Oxo cast-iron brush for cast iron.