Buy Cast Iron Cookware Online - The Cookware that Lasts a Lifetime
Some things are made to last. A cast iron pan is one of them. It's a piece of history and tradition you can cook with every day. At Stahl, we took the best of that tradition and made it improved upon it, to make cooking with it even easier. We were India's first to make modern, lightweight cast iron. It’s the same old-world performance and legacy, without the heavy lifting. You can now get this cast iron cookware online, so you can start cooking with a new legacy to build, all your own.
The right pan for the right meal - types of cast iron cookware and their uses
A great cook knows a great tool. Here's a simple guide to our different cast iron pieces. No fuss. Just the facts.
Type
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What It Does
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Best For
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Cast Iron Kadhai
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A classic Indian cooking pot that holds heat perfectly for deep frying, sautéing, and making curries.
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Searing, stir-frying, deep frying, making traditional Indian dishes.
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Cast Iron Frypan
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A versatile pan for everything from eggs to steak. It’s the best way to get a perfect sear.
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Searing meats, frying vegetables, baking.
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Cast Iron Tawas
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A flat, round cooking surface that heats evenly and holds heat perfectly.
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Making dosas, rotis, parathas, chapatis, chilas, pancakes, and uttapams.
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Benefits of cooking with cast iron cookware
Cooking with cast iron offers a multitude of advantages that have been cherished by cooks for generations.
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Superior heat retention: Cast iron is renowned for its ability to absorb and hold heat exceptionally well. Once heated, it maintains a consistent temperature, which is ideal for searing meats to perfection, achieving crispy textures, and ensuring food stays hot for longer. This even heat distribution also helps in consistent cooking results.
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Versatility in cooking: Cast iron cookware is incredibly versatile. It can be used for a wide array of cooking methods, including frying, sautéing, searing, baking, broiling, braising, and grilling. It is suitable for use on various heat sources, including stovetops (gas, electric, induction) and in ovens.
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Durability and longevity: Cast iron cookware is exceptionally durable and built to last a lifetime, often for generations. With proper care, its performance and non-stick properties can improve over time.
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Adds iron to your diet: Cooking in cast iron, especially acidic foods, can naturally increase the iron content of your meals in trace amounts. This can be beneficial for individuals looking to augment their iron intake and contributing to the prevention of iron deficiencies.
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Non-stick properties: When properly seasoned and maintained, cast iron develops a natural, patina-induced non-stick surface. This means you can often use less oil for cooking, contributing to healthier meals. Unlike chemically coated non-stick pans, this surface is free from PFOA and improves with continued use.
How to choose the right cast iron cookware
Choosing the best cast iron cookware is a simple matter of looking at the facts. Here are the things that matter most:
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Weight: It should be light enough to lift, but heavy enough to hold heat.
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Compatibility: It should work on any stove, including induction.
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Rust Resistance: A good cast iron pan should be easy to care for.
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Handles: They should be ergonomic and easy to hold.
Stahl’s cast iron cookware has all these features. We made it that way on purpose.
Explore Stahl's cast iron cookware collection
Stahl offers a distinct series of cast iron cookware, each designed to meet specific cooking needs and preferences while upholding the brand's commitment to quality and innovation.
Blacksmith Plus Series
The Blacksmith Plus series is designed for those who appreciate traditional cooking practices enhanced by contemporary technology, particularly for heavy-duty usage.
Features:
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Lightweight: These frypans and kadais are 50% lighter than traditional cast iron, offering ease of handling without sacrificing performance.
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Nitrided surface: The cookware undergoes a nitriding process, a nitrogen-based treatment that hardens the surface. This makes it resistant to rust, scratches, and damage, ensuring longevity.
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Superior heat retention: Like all good cast iron, this series provides excellent heat retention and even heating, crucial for achieving perfect results in frying, searing, or sautéing.
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Durability and performance: Built for versatility and lasting performance, it's suitable for daily meals as well as more elaborate dishes.
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Minimal care: Thanks to its non-toxic nitrided surface, the Blacksmith Plus series requires minimal care compared to traditional, unseasoned cast iron. While it benefits from seasoning, the nitriding significantly reduces rust concerns.
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Iron infusion: Cooking with Blacksmith Plus can infuse food with iron.
Blacksmith Hybrid Series
The Blacksmith Hybrid collection combines traditional cast iron with modern hybrid technology, designed for ease of use and maintenance.
Features:
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Lightweight: This series is also up to 50% lighter than conventional cast iron cookware, making tasks like tossing and stirring vegetables effortless.
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Enameled and rust-proof: The cookware is enameled, which makes it inherently rust-proof and stick-resistant right out of the box. This means no initial seasoning is required.
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Easy to clean: The enameled surface simplifies cleaning; it doesn't require hours of scrubbing and can often be cleaned with soapy water.
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Stay-cool handles: Equipped with stainless steel handles that remain cooler during cooking, enhancing safety and comfort.
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Versatile use: Compatible with all cooktops, including induction, and can be used in the oven up to 220°C.
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Even heat distribution: Ensures efficient cooking performance and consistent results, ideal for deep frying, stir-frying, and curries.
Blacksmith Signature Series
The Blacksmith Signature range from Stahl blends timeless craftsmanship with modern innovation – crafted for those who seek perfection in every detail.
Features:
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100% natural and non-toxic: Pre-seasoned with 100% natural corn oil, so it's ready to use from day one, free from synthetic or harmful chemicals.
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Superior heat retention: Crafted from high-quality cast iron for precision cooking, ensuring even, consistent heat - from searing to slow cooking, bringing out deep flavours and rich textures, so every dish turns out just right.
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Acacia wood handles: Natural, ergonomic, comfortable grip that resists moisture, looks good doing it.
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Flexible and versatile: Works well with gas and induction stoves; handles metal spatulas and ladles with easy comfort.
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Non-stick for a lifetime: With regular seasoning, non-stick abilities keep getting better over its life
Why choose stahl kitchens cast iron cookware
You can find cast iron anywhere. But you can only find Stahl cast iron cookware here. We were India's first to make modern lightweight cast iron, and we’re also the pioneers of triply cookware since 2015. Our commitment to quality is uncompromising. Our products are compliant with LFGB and FDA standards for food-safe cookware, and we are also the maker of India's first BIS & ISI certified triply cookware. We make tools you can trust.
Maintenance & care tips for cast iron cookware
Proper care is essential to maintain the performance and longevity of your cast iron cookware, ensuring it lasts for generations.
Season regularly (for non-enameled cast iron):
- Seasoning creates a natural, non-stick surface and prevents rust. For pans like Stahl's Blacksmith Plus, while nitriding helps prevent rust, occasional light seasoning can enhance its properties. To season, clean and dry the pan, apply a thin layer of cooking oil all over, and heat it in the oven or on the stovetop. Stahl's Blacksmith Hybrid series is enameled and does not require seasoning.
Proper cleaning techniques:Â
- Clean after each use, ideally while it's still warm but not hot. For most cast iron, rinse with hot water and use a stiff brush or a pan scraper for stuck-on food.Â
- A small amount of mild soap is generally acceptable, especially for enameled ones like the Stahl Blacksmith Hybrid or for well-seasoned pans.Â
- Avoid harsh detergents or steel wool on seasoned (non-enameled) surfaces unless you plan to re-season immediately.
- For stubborn bits, you can simmer a little water in the pan for a few minutes to loosen them.
Dry Thoroughly and Store Properly:Â
- Rust is the enemy of cast iron. After washing, dry the cookware promptly and thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. You can also place it on a warm burner for a few minutes to ensure all moisture evaporates. Before storing, you can rub a very light layer of cooking oil onto the surface to maintain its seasoning and protect it from moisture. Store in a dry place.
Avoid Thermal Shock:Â
- Do not expose cast iron cookware to sudden, extreme temperature changes, such as putting a hot pan into cold water or vice versa. This can cause the iron to crack or warp. Allow the pan to cool down gradually before washing.
Following these tips will help keep your Stahl cast iron cookware in excellent condition for many years of cooking enjoyment.
For a detailed guide, check out our blogs on seasoning cast iron cookware and cleaning cast iron cookware.
FAQs
1. What food can be cooked in cast iron cookware?
Anything. You can sear a steak, fry an egg, bake a cake, make a stew, or roast a chicken. The cast iron pan is a master of versatility.
2. How long can cast iron cookware last?
A lifetime. And then some. With proper care and seasoning, a cast iron pan can last for generations. It’s a piece of cookware you can pass down to your children.
3. What is the heat limit for cast iron?
The simple answer is that cast iron can handle any heat your kitchen can dish out. It can be used on a stovetop, in the oven, and even on a grill.
4. What is the best cast iron frying pan?
The best cast iron frying pan is the one that's easy to handle, so you'll actually use it. It should also be rust-resistant and hold heat well. Ours are all of the above.
5. Do I need to season cast iron cookware before first use?
It depends on the pan. Our Blacksmith Hybrid series is enameled and comes ready to use right out of the box. Our other pans come pre-seasoned, but a light seasoning before the first use is a good habit.
6. Is cast iron cookware compatible with induction cooktops?
Yes. Cast iron is naturally magnetic, which makes it perfect for induction cooktops. It's a testament to its timeless design.
7. Can cast iron be used in the oven or on the grill?
Yes. Cast iron is designed for high heat, so you can use it in the oven or on the grill. Stahl’s Blacksmith Plus and Blacksmith Hybrid products are safe to use in ovens and on grills, but the Blacksmith Signature tawas are not safe for use in ovens.
8. Why is cast iron cookware a better choice compared to other materials?
Cast iron holds heat better than any other material. It's naturally non-stick when seasoned, and it’s free from harmful chemicals. It's the most durable cookware you can own, and it even adds a bit of iron to your food.