Not everyone has a backyard and access to a traditional barbeque grill. And not everyone wants one either. But did you know that many five-star restaurants and celebrity Chef’s swear by the quality and flavors of using a cast iron skilled to pan fry burgers? Not every restaurant has the luxury of a grilling pit or table, and so they learn to improvise with the next best thing, which is the classic cast iron skillet.
Cast iron skillets have been around for a long time, and while they are not the traditional in-home cookware and higher maintenance in terms of cleaning, they provide a professional sear on any meat you choose to cook with them. In this article we’re going to share why cast-iron grills are a burger’s ‘best friend’ and how to use them at home to take your Free Graze premium grass-fed burger to the gourmet level, right on your stove top.
Non-Stick Cookware Can Be Dangerous: The New Trend is Traditional Cast Iron
When you were a child, did your mom have a lot of those frying pans and skillets that had the black coating on the inside? The miracle ‘nothing sticks’ to them coating, which after a few years, would start to wear out in patches on the frying pans? You can go into any retail store today and find twenty different varieties of non-stick cookware, and while it makes cooking faster and easier, is it really safe for our health?
Here is what you might not know about all types of non-stick cookware; they are made from a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which is a confirmed carcinogenic (cancer causing chemical). And while many people believe that non-stick cookware is safe until the coating begins to show signs of chipping or peeling, scientific tests have demonstrated that the PFOA carcinogens start emitting harmful and toxic fumes any time you cook with a non-stick pan. Even with brand new cookware. There is a lot of misinformation out there that can confuse consumers, but here are some of the facts that we’d like to share about the potential health hazards of using non-stick cookware, versus cast iron skillets.
The gas that is emitted from non-stick cookware at high temperatures, was also used in chemical warfare in World War II. It was known as PFIB and another chemical emitted by non-stick cookware phosgene, which was used as a nerve gas. So, when health researchers say that they know exactly how bad these chemicals are for all of us, it’s because they have treated tens of thousands of military personnel for exposure to them.
Polytetrafluoroethylene is another chemical commonly found in ‘higher grade’ non-stick cookware, and frequently referred to as Teflon™, which is a protected trademark name for a specific type of non-stick product line owned by a company called Chemours. Teflon was actually invented in 1938 by a man named Roy Plunkett who was working for a company named DuPont, and the substances was first used in the military. The known characteristic of releasing toxic gases when heated to high temperatures was a concern for DuPont, who hesitated for years before using it in cookware products.
That’s an important fact that we should all embrace and think carefully about; that the company who invented the non-stick coating fully recognized the potential for health risks associated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and polytetrafluoroethylene and noted their concern before launching into a large consumer marketed product line of cookware. Food for thought, when you are evaluating areas of your home and cooking methods that might be causing harm to your health.
In spite of increased research and resources that point to the health dangers of non-stick cookware, almost every American kitchen has one or more non-stick pans. In fact, during one report in 2014 researchers noted that sales of non-stick cookware amounted to over $1.45 billion dollars, which given an average price of $20 per pan, that meant up to 70 million pieces of the cookware were sold in the United States, in 2014 alone.
Why are non-stick cookware pieces so enticing for home use? They make cooking easier and have been marketed as a ‘healthy choice’ because the non-stick coating can help reduce the amount of oil, butter or fatty cooking sprays used during meal preparation. The fact that less fats are required to cook food is true, but the non-stick cookware is anything but healthy.
What makes matters worse and even more concerning, is that many people continue to use their non-stick cookware (in spite of warnings from manufacturers and public health advisories) when the coating begins to break down and show signs of wear. This adds another element of health risk, as flakes of the toxic coating can be ingested, absorbing the carcinogenic chemicals into the body.
It is important to note that all types of grilling create small levels of carcinogens, but iron plates on a grill, or other types of cast iron cookware are recognized as the safest way to cook meals. There is no coating between your food and the cast iron, it does require the use of cooking oils to reduce sticking, but it is an infinitely safer and healthier way to cook meals.
Preparing and Maintaining Your Cast-Iron Skillet
Cast iron skillets are an investment in lifelong cookware, and when you shop for a few pieces to add to your kitchen, it can be a little expensive. However, you can also rehabilitate used cast iron cookware quickly and easily, so keep an eye out at thrift stores and private sales, where you can get great bargains and high-quality vintage pieces. If you like the grill or char marks that mimic open flame grilling, look for cast iron skillets that have a raised cooking surface. By following the proper cleaning steps, you can restore a used skillet to like-new condition.
Always wash a cast iron skillet by hand with a nylon bristle scrub brush (not metal). If there are hard pieces of debris on the pan, use a plastic or wood scraper to remove the stuck-on bits. For stubborn stuck-on debris, you can add a little hot water and let it soak for about 2 minutes, before scraping and cleaning.
Immediately after washing, use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to completely dry your skillet. Never store cast iron cookware damp or wet, as it can cause oxidation or rust. Seasoning your skillet is important, and it is a simple process. Just add a small layer of cooking oil and wipe the interior cook area of the skillet, then store it in a dry place. Not only does the seasoning or oiling of your cast iron skillet help preserve the condition of your pan, but it also adds some natural non-stick properties that help the next time you are ready to use it.
When you are ready to cook your Free Graze burgers indoors, simply place our frozen premium patties on the skillet. Remember that cast iron has a higher heat ratio than other types of cookware, so you will need to lower the temperature slightly (we recommend medium heat) for best results. One of the other advantages to using a cast iron skillet, is that it helps retain the heat of the food. If you are busy preparing side dishes, you can place your skillet directly into a warm oven for a few minutes after cooking, and your burgers will be hot, juicy and ready to go. You can also use a cast iron skillet directly on an outdoor grill, to prepare burger toppings like sautéed onions and mushrooms.
If you are planning to prepare your Free Graze burgers as a stand-alone protein, along with some delicious side dishes like mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables (a healthy balanced meal), you can innovate some great meal ideas in one pan! You can also dice leftover cooked hamburger patties and create something delicious, like this recipe for Fried Potatoes and Hamburger.
One of the things we love about grilling hamburgers in a cast iron skillet, is how easy it is to melt the cheese! The radiating heat from the skillet provides excellent results, and thoroughly cooks the burger from all sides, thanks to the equal heat dispersion of the iron pan. If celebrity chefs swear by cast iron preparation for burgers and other grilled meats, it’s worth trying at home, and you’ll feel better knowing that you are choosing a healthier way to prepare foods by avoiding toxic non-stick cookware.
Do you have a favorite recipe using a cast iron skillet? We’d love to hear how you prepare your Free Graze burgers and delicious healthy side dishes. Follow us on Facebook and share your comments with us, and your topping suggestions.
