Seven benefits from cooking in cast iron pots and pans

Photo: Food Photographer|Jennifer Pallian/Unsplash

Cooking with cast iron pans can help you create delicious and healthy meals with ease. Iron pans are great conductors of heat. They heat quickly and maintain a consistent temperature throughout the entire cooking process.

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SNS - Cooking with cast iron pans is a timeless tradition that has stood the test of time for good reason. These durable, versatile pans offer a unique set of benefits that make them a top choice for home cooks and professional chefs alike. But what makes cast iron pans so special that you should start using them?

We did thorough research, and this article will explore the many advantages of cooking with cast iron and show you why you should make this timeless kitchen tool a part of your cooking arsenal.

The biggest advantages of cooking with cast iron pans
From their exceptional durability to their ability to retain and distribute heat evenly, cast iron pans are a kitchen essential that you won't want to be without. Whether you're searing a steak or baking a pie, cast iron pans can help you create delicious and healthy meals with ease.

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Photo: Andrew Spencer/Unsplash

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But what makes cooking with cast iron pans so special? We did a thorough investigation, and here are the top seven benefits that will make you instantly want to replace all of your cookware with their cast iron substitutes.

#1 Durability
One of the biggest benefits of cast iron pans is their exceptional durability. Cast iron is a very strong, heavy metal that can withstand high temperatures and constant use without showing signs of wear and tear. Unlike other types of cookware, cast iron pans can last for decades (or even longer!). Of course, with proper care and maintenance. This makes them a great investment for any kitchen, as they'll be a reliable, long-lasting tool for all your cooking needs.

#2 Affordability
Cast iron pans are also an affordable option for cookware, especially when compared to other high-end options such as stainless steel or copper. Plus, as we already mentioned, you won't have to replace them often as they're extremely durable. Additionally, many cast iron pans are available at a reasonable price, making them accessible to most budgets.

While some specialty cast iron pans can be expensive, basic pans are often quite affordable and are great for everyday use. Furthermore, cast iron pans are also often passed down through generations, which means that they can be an affordable option for those who inherit them.

#3 Better heat retention and distribution
Cast iron is a great conductor of heat, which means it can heat up quickly and maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process. This is especially useful for tasks such as searing, frying, and baking, where precise temperature control is essential.

The pan will also retain heat long after you take it off the heat source, allowing you to keep the food hot for longer. This is particularly useful when you need to finish a dish in the oven. You can transfer the pan directly from the stovetop to the oven without the need to transfer the food to another dish.

#4 Easy to clean
Contrary to popular belief, cast iron pans are actually very easy to clean. Unlike other types of cookware, cast iron doesn't require special detergents or cleaning agents. You can easily and quickly clean it with hot water and a stiff brush, even after you've just cooked your favorite red wine braised beef short rib ragu. After cleaning, it's important to dry the pan thoroughly and then oil it to prevent rust.

With proper care and maintenance, a cast iron pan can last for decades, and it will only get better with use. Therefore, make sure to find a great place for them in your kitchen, as this will also help you keep the space tidy. After all, every productive kitchen is neat and organized, so make sure to research hacks for a tidy kitchen, as they'll help you make the most of your space.

#5 Non-stick cooking surface
When seasoned properly, cast iron pans have a naturally non-stick cooking surface that's perfect for cooking delicate foods like fish and eggs. Over time, the oils used to season the pan will polymerize and fill in any small imperfections on the surface, creating a smooth, non-stick surface that's perfect for cooking without oils or butter. Additionally, the natural non-stick surface of cast iron pans is much more durable than other types of non-stick cookware, and it won't wear off over time.

#6 Flavor-enhancing properties
One of the unique benefits of cast iron is its ability to enhance the flavor of food. Cast iron pans can add a subtle, smoky flavor to foods that are impossible to achieve with other types of cookware. This is because cast iron can reach very high temperatures quickly. This allows it to create a Maillard reaction, a chemical process that creates new flavors and aromas in food.

This is particularly useful for meats and other proteins, as it helps to create a delicious crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender. It also allows you to cook at high temperatures, which is excellent for searing and caramelizing. Your grilled jalapeno cheddar meatballs will taste more delicious than ever.

#7 Versatility
One of the best things about cast iron pans is their versatility. They can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, on the grill, and even over an open flame. This makes them perfect for a wide range of cooking tasks, from searing steaks to baking bread. They can also go from stove to oven, allowing you to sear and then finish cooking in the oven, a great way to cook a steak, for example. This versatility also makes them perfect for cooking a variety of dishes, from savory to sweet. Cast iron pans can be used for making pancakes, cornbread, frittatas, and even desserts like cakes and pies.

Another great aspect of cast iron is that it can be used for both indoor and outdoor cooking. You can take it camping, tailgating, or even use it for a backyard BBQ. The cast iron pan is also great for cooking over an open fire, which can give you that extra smoky flavor.

In conclusion
As you can see, cooking with cast iron pans comes with plenty of benefits, and they are truly timeless kitchen essentials. From preparing your favorite creamy mushroom pasta to baking bread, there isn't a thing you can't prepare in cast iron cookware. And the best part is – that they can last for decades to come, and you can even pass them on as a family heirloom. Whether you're a home cook or a professional chef, investing in a cast iron pan is a decision you won't regret.

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Photo: Thomas Park/Unsplash

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Time is running out for free Covid vaccines, tests, and many treatment for Americans

Alexandra Koch/Pixabay

Government pandemic policies that gave free Covid vaccines and tests to the general public will disappear in two months. The medical and insurance industries are gearing up to capitalize on what looks like a voluptuous revenue stream the virus that will likely never end starting on May 11.

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by Julie Appleby
Kaiser Health News

We see a double-digit billion[-dollar] market opportunity

The White House announced this month that the national public health emergency, first declared in early 2020 in response to the pandemic, is set to expire May 11. When it ends, so will many of the policies designed to combat the virus's spread.

Take vaccines. Until now, the federal government has been purchasing covid-19 shots. It recently bought 105 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster for about $30.48 a dose, and 66 million doses of Moderna's version for $26.36 a dose. (These are among the companies that developed the first covid vaccines sold in the United States.)

People will be able to get these vaccines at low or no cost as long as the government-purchased supplies last. But even before the end date for the public emergency was set, Congress opted not to provide more money to increase the government's dwindling stockpile. As a result, Pfizer and Moderna were already planning their moves into the commercial market. Both have indicated they will raise prices, somewhere in the range of $110 to $130 per dose, though insurers and government health programs could negotiate lower rates.

"We see a double-digit billion[-dollar] market opportunity," investors were told at a JPMorgan conference in San Francisco recently by Ryan Richardson, chief strategy officer for BioNTech. The company expects a gross price — the full price before any discounts — of $110 a dose, which, Richardson said, "is more than justified from a health economics perspective."

That could translate to tens of billions of dollars in revenue for the manufacturers, even if uptake of the vaccines is slow. And consumers would foot the bill, either directly or indirectly.

If half of adults — about the same percentage as those who opt for an annual flu shot — get covid boosters at the new, higher prices, a recent KFF report estimated, insurers, employers, and other payors would shell out $12.4 billion to $14.8 billion. That's up to nearly twice as much as what it would have cost for every adult in the U.S. to get a bivalent booster at the average price paid by the federal government.

As for covid treatments, an August blog post by the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response noted that government-purchased supplies of the drug Paxlovid are expected to last through midyear before the private sector takes over. The government's bulk purchase price from manufacturer Pfizer was $530 for a course of treatment, and it isn't yet known what the companies will charge once government supplies run out.

How Much of That Pinch Will Consumers Feel?

One thing is certain: How much, if any, of the boosted costs are passed on to consumers will depend on their health coverage.

Medicare beneficiaries, those enrolled in Medicaid — the state-federal health insurance program for people with low incomes — and people with Affordable Care Act coverage will continue to get covid vaccines without cost sharing, even when the public health emergency ends and the government-purchased vaccines run out. Many people with job-based insurance will also likely not face copayments for vaccines, unless they go out of network for their vaccinations. People with limited-benefit or short-term insurance policies might have to pay for all or part of their vaccinations. And people who don't have insurance will need to either pay the full cost out-of-pocket or seek no- or low-cost vaccinations from community clinics or other providers. If they cannot find a free or low-cost option, some uninsured patients may be forced to skip vaccinations or testing.

Coming up with what could be $100 or more for vaccination will be especially hard "if you are uninsured or underinsured; that's where these price hikes could drive additional disparities," said Sean Robbins, executive vice president of external affairs for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Those increases, he said, will also affect people with insurance, as the costs "flow through to premiums."

Meanwhile, public policy experts say many private insurers will continue to cover Paxlovid, although patients may face a copayment, at least until they meet their deductible, just as they do for other medications. Medicaid will continue to cover it without cost to patients until at least 2024. But Medicare coverage will be limited until the treatment goes through the regular FDA process, which takes longer than the emergency use authorization it has been marketed under.

Another complication: The rolls of the uninsured are likely to climb over the next year, as states are poised to reinstate the process of regularly determining Medicaid eligibility, which was halted during the pandemic. Starting in April, states will begin reassessing whether Medicaid enrollees meet income and other qualifying factors.

An estimated 5 million to 14 million people nationwide might lose coverage.

"This is our No. 1 concern" right now, said John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care, the nation's largest publicly operated health plan with 2.7 million members.

"They may not realize they've lost coverage until they go to fill a prescription" or seek other medical care, including vaccinations, he said.

What About Covid Test Kits?

Rules remain in place for insurers, including Medicare and Affordable Care Act plans, to cover the cost of up to eight in-home test kits a month for each person on the plan, until the public health emergency ends.

For consumers — including those without insurance — a government website is still offering up to four test kits per household, until they run out. The Biden administration shifted funding to purchase additional kits and made them available in late December.

Starting in May, though, beneficiaries in original Medicare and many people with private, job-based insurance will have to start paying out-of-pocket for the rapid antigen test kits. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are an alternative to original Medicare, might opt to continue covering them without a copayment. Policies will vary, so check with your insurer. And Medicaid enrollees can continue to get the test kits without cost for a little over a year.

State rules also can vary, and continued coverage without cost sharing for covid tests, treatments, and vaccines after the health emergency ends might be available with some health plans.

Overall, the future of covid tests, vaccines, and treatments will reflect the complicated mix of coverage consumers already navigate for most other types of care.

"From a consumer perspective, vaccines will still be free, but for treatments and test kits, a lot of people will face cost sharing," said Jen Kates, a senior vice president at KFF. "We're taking what was universal access and now saying we're going back to how it is in the regular U.S. health system."

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KHN correspondent Darius Tahir contributed to this report.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.