QUÉ SON LOS UTENSILIOS DE HIERRO FUNDIDO

¿Qué son los utensilios de cocina de hierro fundido? 

Los utensilios de cocina de hierro fundido son utensilios de cocina resistentes que están hechos de hierro fundido y se valoran por su retención de calor, durabilidad, capacidad para usarse a temperaturas muy altas y cocción antiadherente cuando se sazona adecuadamente.

Historia de los utensilios de cocina de hierro fundido.

In Asia, particularly China, India, Korea and Japan, there is a long history of cooking with cast iron vessels. The first mention of a cast-iron kettle in English appeared in 679 or 680, though this wasn't the first use of metal vessels for cooking. The term pot came into use in 1180. Both terms referred to a vessel capable of withstanding the direct heat of a fire. Cast-iron cauldrons and cooking pots were valued as kitchen items for their durability and their ability to retain heat evenly, thus improving the quality of cooked meals.

En Europa y los Estados Unidos, antes de la introducción de la estufa de cocina a mediados del siglo XIX, las comidas se cocinaban en el hogar y las ollas y sartenes se diseñaban para usar en el hogar o para colgar dentro de él.

Cast-iron pots were made with handles to allow them to be hung over a fire, or with legs so that they could stand in the coals. In addition to Dutch ovens with three or four feet, which Abraham Darby I secured a patent in 1708 to produce, a commonly used cast-iron cooking pan called a spider had a handle and three legs allowing it to stand upright over campfires as well as in the coals and ashes of a fireplace.
Las ollas y sartenes con fondo plano y sin patas comenzaron a usarse cuando las cocinas se hicieron populares; este período de finales del siglo XIX vio la introducción de la plana
cast-iron skillet.
Los utensilios de cocina de hierro fundido fueron especialmente populares entre las amas de casa durante la primera mitad del siglo XX. Era un utensilio de cocina barato pero duradero. La mayoría de los hogares estadounidenses tenían al menos una sartén de hierro fundido.
El siglo XX también vio la introducción y popularización de los utensilios de cocina de hierro fundido recubiertos de esmalte.
Today, of the large selection of cookware that can be purchased from kitchen suppliers, cast iron comprises only a small fraction. However, the durability and reliability of cast iron as a cooking tool has ensured its survival. Cast-iron pots and pans from the 19th and 20th century continue to see daily use to the present day. They are also highly sought after by antique collectors and dealers. Cast iron has also seen a resurgence of its popularity in specialty markets. Through cooking shows, celebrity chefs have brought renewed attention to traditional cooking methods, especially the use of cast iron.

Productos esenciales
Los tipos de utensilios de cocina de hierro fundido incluyen sartenes, hornos holandeses, planchas, planchas para gofres, prensas para panini, freidoras, woks, fondu y potjies.

Beneficios de los utensilios de cocina de hierro fundido
Cast iron's ability to withstand and maintain very high cooking temperatures makes it a common choice for searing or frying, and its excellent heat retention makes it a good option for long-cooking stews or braised dishes.
Because cast-iron skillets can develop a "non-stick" surface when cared for properly, they are excellent for frying potatoes or preparing stir-fries. Some cooks consider cast iron a good choice for egg dishes, while others feel the iron adds an off-flavor to eggs. Other uses of cast-iron pans include baking, for instance for making cornbread, cobblers and cakes.
Many recipes call for the use of a cast-iron skillet or pot, especially so that the dish can be initially seared or fried on the stovetop then transferred into the oven, pan and all, to finish baking. Likewise, cast-iron skillets can double as baking dishes. This differs from many other cooking pots, which have varying components that may be damaged by the excessive temperatures of 400 °F (204 °C) or more.