{"id":977430,"date":"2019-04-18T09:48:34","date_gmt":"2019-04-18T14:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/origin-www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=977430"},"modified":"2019-04-18T09:48:34","modified_gmt":"2019-04-18T14:48:34","slug":"lightweight-cast-iron-skillet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/lightweight-cast-iron-skillet\/","title":{"rendered":"Lightweight Cast-Iron Skillets Exist. Here’s Where to Find Them."},"content":{"rendered":"My cast-iron skillet gets a lot of use in my kitchen. It's my go-to for these weeknight skillet suppers<\/a> and even some of my favorite desserts<\/a>. However as much as I love my skillet, there's one major drawback to using it: It's so darn heavy! But I've got good news for cast iron devotees (and non-body builders) like myself\u2014lightweight cast iron exists.\r\n\r\nMaster cast iron cooking with our complete guide.<\/a>\r\n

What Is Lightweight Cast Iron (and How Is It Different?)<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nI know it sounds too good to be true, but you can find lighter weight cast-iron pans. Michigan-based Marquette Castings<\/a> produces cast-iron skillets and cookware using a special casting technique that produces lighter cookware. How much lighter? Marquette Castings' ten-inch pan weighs 3.7 pounds. A traditional 10-inch cast-iron skillet weighs 5.6 pounds\u2014that's a huge difference.\r\n\r\nMarquette Castings manages to shave off that almost two pounds of weight by using an old-school, labor-intensive technique called lost-wax casting. This helps produce skillets that are a bit thinner and lighter than their sand-casted counterparts.\r\n

But How Does It Perform?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nI use my regular cast-iron skillet several times a week, but I decided to swap it out for a few days to see how the lighter option would perform in the kitchen.\r\n\r\nFirst impressions: Whoa! The\u00a0Marquette Castings skillet<\/a>\u00a0was noticeably lighter. I wouldn't think a pound or two would make such a huge difference in just lifting the pan onto the stove, but it really did. I could do it with one hand easily.\u00a0But as light as this skillet was, I knew that the real test would be how it cooked.\r\n\r\nHeavy, iron pans are known for their conductivity and ability to evenly distribute heat, but I had to wonder if a lighter iron pan could do the same. To test this out, I heated up the pan and filled it bone-in chicken thighs skin side down (these skillet-ready chicken recipes are good options, too)<\/a>. Right away I heard that familiar sizzle. After a few minutes, I flipped them over\u2014perfectly golden just like they are in my old, heavy skillet.\r\n\r\nSeeing that, I was pretty darn happy and popped the skillet in the oven to finish cooking. I used two hands this time\u2014just to be safe\u2014but it was still way easier than normal. The end result was the same as if I used my heavy pan. In terms of performance, lightweight cast iron really stacks up.\r\n

So Where Can You Get Lighter Cast-Iron Skillets?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nYou can get these lighter weight skillets (as well as other cookware) directly from Marquette Castings<\/a> or via Amazon\u2014here's their popular ten-inch skillet<\/a>. Prices start at $90. It's more than your basic cast-iron cookware but still less than some luxury brands. If you're serious about cooking with cast iron but struggle with the traditional pan, I say it's a worthwhile investment. As for your old, heavy skillet? Pass it onto your children or a strong friend. When treated well, cast-iron pans last for generations.\r\n

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Bring Out Your Skillet and Try These Recipes<\/div>\t\t\t\t
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