How Cast Iron Went From Weapon to Skillet — How We Eat

Cast iron pots, pans, and skillets are some of the most coveted home kitchen cookware items today. But how did the material come to be so beloved? Food historian Dr. Leni Sorensen discusses the origin and evolution of Cast Iron, and why it’s still so widely used today.

Credits:
Producer/Director: McGraw Wolfman
Camera: Zach Wood, Dennis Kramer
Graphics: Faye Kahn
Editor: Lucy Morales
Stock Imagery: Getty Images/Pond 5
Special Thanks: Leni Sorensen, PH.D.

Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Development Producer: McGraw Wolfman
Supervising Producer: Stefania Orrù
Associate Director of Audience: Terri Ciccone
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[Novedrake]

Man this lady goes hard in cast iron history. Gotta love someone with real passion for a topic

[forgotn]

I am always down to listen to an expert talk about what they know and Dr. Leni was a joy to listen to.

[ArielK]

I think the cast iron pan is one of the best universal tools in the kitchen. And everyone should have at least one in their household.

[tomgio]

Discovered cast iron only a few years ago. Learned how to clean and season properly, and have never looked back. Only bought an enameled version a couple of months ago because of the whole acidity thing, where appropriate. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[PaceYourself]

Phenomenal video. Would love more like this.

[alifetomake]

Another advantage is that you can use your knives, your pointy forks on it. Cast iron doesn't care.

[sazcxieo]

7:26 were still talking about cast iron right?👁👄👁

[Khazulduhuens]

Just bought a cast iron pan its so good

[SparkzMxzXZ]

Amazing video. Food is tied inextricably to history so getting this kind of content from Eater is amazing

[Queve]

Once i cooked for the first time in one, i never looked back. Part of us every week.

[davidjones]

I have a 10 inch castiron pan on my stove right now that I've had for twenty year, half of the pans I have are castiron the other half are Cooper

[TheAmazingSpiderman]

Grew up on the grill and turkey fryer but there's a crispness and flavor that cannot be matched without a cast iron. Lamb is by far my favorite dish to throw in the pan.

[homevalueglass]

Funny, every time I see a cast iron skillet in the store, I weigh it in my hand and gauge how good it would be for home defense in a pinch

[ja.almighty]

i enjoyed this video. i needa cast iron pot what about rock pots from italy? are they natural and not toxic like teflon pots

[ilsunnylo]

Because all the new cookware gets warped over time. Only one piece cast iron pan last almost forever

[calebguthrie]

Wouldnt you wanna grill a t-bone, not use a cast iron?

[userfound]

I knew that PUBG was trying to make a point!!!

[amazon]

Wow.. cast iron in China....

I also recently found out that about Ketchup

🤯

[classicepisodesofcrimewatc]

I bought a Cast Iron pan from a crackhead a few weeks ago. Not sure it’s even Cast Iron… lol.

[RickR]

Look at good guy Thomas Jefferson over there offering an extra pot and a blanket to his slaves to encourage marrying other slaves on his slave plantation.