This Is When to Throw Away a Cast Iron Skillet
Updated: Jan. 28, 2022
Cast iron skillets have a reputation for being indestructible—but is there ever a time when you need to throw it out? Here's the scoop.
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Famously durable, these pans are often passed down through generations. With proper reseasoning care, years of frequent use can actually improve the pan’s “seasoning”—its natural nonstick coating. But sadly, cast iron skillets can indeed break. Here’s when to throw away a cast iron skillet.
Dealbreaker 1: A Wobbly Base
Warping can happen to all cookware, even cast iron; typically as a result of very high heat or temperature fluctuations. To test for an uneven base, set your cast iron pan on a burner and press down on the handle. If the pan wobbles, the base has warped. Slight unevenness likely won’t impact performance, though the pan will heat less evenly, so keep an eye on food and stir frequently. A dramatic wobble will make food heat very unevenly, and may actually cause food to splash or spill from the pan. In that case, it’s time to retire the pan.
Love cast iron? These fun products are for die-hard cast iron fans.
Dealbreaker 2: A Crack
If a crack appears in your cast iron pan, it’s time to ditch it. Even a hairline crack will expand and contract when heated and cooled, and ultimately the pan will split—a potentially dangerous situation if it happens during cooking! Plus, cracks are difficult to clean and may harbor bacteria and rust.
Here’s how to clean a cast iron skillet.
Dealbreaker 3: A Hole
Browsing at a vintage store? Avoid any cast iron pan with a hole in it. That often signifies that the pan was designated for a non-food use, like for holding motor oil or other harmful substances.
Probably Not a Dealbreaker: Rust
One of the most common problems with a cast iron pan is rust. If you buy a vintage pan with rust on it, or your pan gets rusty after use, it’s almost always fixable. Scrubbing a rusted cast iron with steel wool should remove all the rust; here’s a complete guide to scouring and re-seasoning.
If you find yourself in the market for a new pan, check out Taste of Home’s 12-inch cast iron skillet.
Recipes to Make in Grandma's Cast Iron Pan
I found this strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe on a box of Quaker Oats about 20 years ago. It's quick, and easier to make than pie. It's versatile, too, because you can add strawberries in spring or apples in fall. I usually pop it into the oven shortly before we sit down to eat so it's still warm for dessert! —C.E. Adams, Charlestown, New Hampshire
One-Skillet Pork Chop SupperMy husband, Clark, and I reserve this recipe for Sundays after the grandkids have gone home and we're too tired to prepare a big meal. It's comforting and quick. —Kathy Thompson, Port Orange, Florida
Gram's Fried ChickenAs a boy, I wolfed down my grandmother's fried chicken. I never knew how she made it, but my recipe using potato flakes is crispy close. —David Nelson, Lincolnton, North Carolina
Skillet Banana FrittersThis delicious banana treat is sure to be a hit in your home. They are so yummy served with ice cream on the side. For an extra special treat, add chocolate syrup!—Sharon Yonts, Scottsboro, Alabama
Sicilian Brussels SproutsI love to make this dish because the flavors jumping around in your mouth keep you coming back bite after bite. Other nuts can be used in place of the pine nuts.—Marsha Gillett, Yukon, Oklahoma
Farmhouse Pork and Apple PieI've always loved pork and apples together, and this recipe combines them nicely to create a comforting main dish. It calls for a bit of preparation, but my family and I agree the wonderful flavor is well worth the effort. —Suzanne Strocsher, Bothell, Washington
Banana Skillet Upside-Down CakeMy grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee
Fried Sweet Potato PiesWith my dad being a farmer who grew them, sweet potatoes have graced our table for as long as I can recall. This recipe, however, resulted from an experiment for a church bake sale when we had excess pastry. People couldn't get enough of these pies! —Marilyn Moseley, Toccoa, Georgia
Turkey Biscuit StewThis chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It's also a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
Blueberry Dream PieThis showstopping pie can be decorated to fit any season. I like to make hearts for Valentine's Day, flowers for spring, stars for Independence Day and even leaves for fall. Have fun with it! —Kerry Nakayama, New York, New York
Milk CakeThis is a simple recipe—and especially easy in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. The result is a deliciously light, airy cake. —Suzanne Coelman, Rabun Gap, Georgia
Country Potato PancakesPotato pancakes, or latkes, are really versatile. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they can be a side dish for just about any meal or the main course for a light meal. We have them often at our house. —Lydia Robotewskyj, Franklin, Wisconsin
Pinwheel Steak PotpieOn cool nights, nothing hits the spot like a steaming homemade potpie—especially one you can get on the table fast. The pinwheel crust on top has become my signature. —Kristin Shaw, Castleton, New York
Caraway Seed Rye BreadMy parents were immigrants from Czechoslovakia and my mother would pull out this rye bread recipe when guests came over for dinner. Every time I bake it, I get nostalgic for those days. —Millie Feather, Baroda, Michigan
Country Ham and PotatoesBrowned potatoes give simple ham a tasty touch. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad and dinner is done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
Apple-Honey Dutch BabyI love to make this treat on Sunday morning. It's so impressive when it's served warm right out of the oven, and the honey and apple filling is yummy. —Kathy Fleming, Lisle, Illinois
Skillet Zucchini and SausageI lived on the Oregon coast for 20 years and had plenty of guests dropping by. I often turned to this quick and easy dish, serving it up with skillet cornbread or garlic bread. Judging by the requests for the recipe, everyone loved it! —LaBelle Doster, Vancouver, Washington
Grandma Pruit's Vinegar PieThis historic pie has been in our family for many generations and is always served at our get-togethers.—Suzette Pruit, Houston, Texas
Country CorncakesAlthough we live in a suburban area, we are lucky to have plenty of farms nearby where we can purchase fresh corn. But, when it's out of season, I substitute canned or frozen corn in this favorite recipe. —Anne Frederick, New Hartford, New York
Meatball Chili with DumplingsMy family enjoys this delicious recipe—it's like a spicy meatball stew with dumplings!—Sarah Yoder, Middlebury, Indiana
Baked Peach PancakeThis dish makes for a dramatic presentation. I usually take it right from the oven to the table, fill it with peaches and sour cream and serve it with bacon or ham. Whenever I go home, my mom (the best cook I know) asks me to make this. —Nancy Wilkinson, Princeton, New Jersey
Grandma's Cornbread DressingGrowing up, we didn’t have turkey. We had chicken, chopped and baked in my grandmother’s dressing. Now we leave out the chicken and keep the cornbread dressing. —Suzanne Mohme, Bastrop, Texas
Kielbasa Cabbage SkilletSpicy kielbasa sausage and plentiful cabbage and potatoes give this dish a pleasing Old World flair. My husband never liked cabbage before I made this, but now he does! —Romaine Wetzel, Ronks, Pennsylvania
Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down CakeI often bake this beautiful cake in my large cast-iron skillet and turn it out
onto a pizza pan. —Jennifer Sergesketter, Newburgh, Indiana
Farmers BreakfastStart off your day on a hearty note! This one-dish wonder will easily keep your family satisfied until lunch. —Jeannette Westphal, Gettysburg, South Dakota
Cinnamon-Sugar Apple PieCinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York
Country-Style Scrambled EggsI added a little color and flavor to this country scrambled eggs recipe by adding some green pepper, onion and red potatoes. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio
Oven Swiss SteakI was really glad to find this recipe since it's a great way to use round steak and it picks up fabulous flavor from one of my favorite herbs—tarragon. I am a homemaker with three children and enjoy cooking tasty dinners like this one for my family.
—Lorna Dickau, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
Apples 'n' Cream PancakeThis cozy recipe is delicious for breakfast or brunch. I usually make a double batch because everyone wants more! With our own orchard, we have plenty of Delicious and Winesap apples—they make this a true midwestern meal. —Ruth Schafer, Defiance, Ohio
Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with PotatoesThis is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Herbed Rice PilafThis savory side dish has been a family favorite for years. Our 12-year-old daughter, Jennifer, is an expert with this recipe, which is a great help for a busy working mom like me. We sure enjoy this rice dish in the summer with a grilled entree. —Jeri Dobrowski, Beach, North Dakota
Mom's Fried ApplesMom often made these rich, cinnamon-sugar apples when I was growing up. It's a trip down memory lane when I make them. The recipe is very dear to me. —Margie Tappe, Prague, Oklahoma
Originally Published: November 22, 2019
