You might be wondering about boiling water to make pasta, beans, vegetables, and other dishes. Can you boil water in cast iron?

Yes, you can boil water in cast iron. To keep the layer of seasoning intact, don’t boil water for more than 10 to 15 minutes. You can heat water to a gentle boil or simmer dishes for over 15 minutes – sometimes up to an hour. Be extra careful with acidic dishes like tomato sauce. They will wear down the seasoning quickly. 

Water boils at 212º and cast iron pans without an enamel coating can withstand up to 1500°F. So boiling a little water won’t damage your pan. If you don’t season your pan well, rust can form in no time, though.

If you boil water for too long, you risk wearing down the layer of seasoning. But in most cases, the pan itself won’t be damaged. If you boil water consistently without reseasoning your pan, it will become prone to rust. 

Keep in mind that every dish is different. You can simmer thick foods like chili, stews, and cheese sauce for an hour or more since they don’t contain a lot of water. But stay away from boiling water-based dishes like soups or water alone for that long.

Older pans will have a tougher layer of polymerized oil than newer pans. So, be extra cautious when boiling water with a newly seasoned pan.

When boiling water in cast iron…

Add lukewarm water before heating up the cast iron pot.

Cast iron pans, like any other metal pans, are prone to warping or cracking. Adding cold water to a hot pan or hot water to a cold pan can cause it to crack or warp. So, make sure the water is room temperature or warmer. Add it to the pan before turning on the burner.

Don’t boil water for more than 15 minutes.

This is a good general rule to follow. Depending on the toughness of the layer of seasoning, you may be able to boil water for longer. If you notice the seasoning is coming off, all you need to do is reseason the cast iron.

Be careful with acidic dishes.

Acidic foods will break down the layer of seasoning quickly. You can boil acidic sauces or soups but just be careful not to boil them for longer than 10-15 minutes.

Feel free to deglaze the skillet to make sauces and stews.

One common practice of cooking with a skillet is called deglazing. Essentially, you add water to a pan after you’ve cooked meat, chicken, or vegetables and let it soften the baked-on food on your skillet. You can use this mixture to make a gravy or soup.

After boiling, dry your cast iron pan completely on the stove top.

Heat expands the iron in your pan which lets more water into the cookware. So it takes longer to dry completely. After you’ve dried your pan on the stove top for a few minutes, let it cool before storing it. Sitting water accelerates rust so make sure your pan is completely dry.

After boiling, store your cast iron in a dry place.

Keep your cast iron cookware in a dry environment like a pantry or cabinet. Here are a few other places you can store your cast iron pans. Humid areas cause moisture to accumulate on the pan which accelerates the rusting process.

You can boil water in cast iron for cleaning.

You may have heard that you don’t want to soak your cast iron pan in water for too long. Soaking the pan will wear down the seasoning and can cause rust to form. But, you can boil water for up to 10-15 minutes to loosen up baked-on food.

Sometimes you can even use the liquid for a sauce – as long as you don’t clean with soap! This process is called deglazing. Deglazing is often done with chicken stock or wine instead of water to give the sauce more flavor.

But if you’ve got burnt food or old, stubborn stains, just boil the water and dump it into the sink.

You can use soap to clean a cast iron pan. Just keep in mind that if the pan is new, the layer of seasoning won’t be quite as tough compared to older pans. Each time you cook with oil, you reinforce the layer of seasoning.

Don’t apply cold water to a hot pan or vice versa. It might warp the cast iron or cause it to crack.

As you boil water, if you notice your pan is getting a little rusty over time, don’t worry. Just boil the water for less time next time you cook.

Here’s a quick guide on how to remove rust in just a few minutes.

Can you boil water in enameled cast iron?

Yes, you can boil water safely in enameled cast iron. Enameled cast iron does not require seasoning, unlike traditional cast iron. The enamel coating is incredibly durable. Water boils at 212º and you can safely heat enameled cast iron to 400º to 450º. Check the manufacturer’s instructions as the exact temperature may vary.

Can you boil milk in cast iron?

Yes, you can boil milk in a cast iron pan. Don’t boil milk for longer than 15 minutes to protect the layer of seasoning. Milk is a base so it won’t dissolve the seasoning as quickly compared to acidic solutions.

Can you make soup in cast iron?

Chili, stews, and thicker soups that don’t have a lot of water and don’t require high heat are OK. Watery soups should not be made in cast iron. You might end up rusting the pot if the water sits inside for an hour or longer.

Did you find your answer to “Can you boil water in cast iron?” Boiling water for pasta is just fine as long as it takes less than about 15 minutes. Keep a close eye on the layer of seasoning on your cast iron pan. If it begins to wear down, reseason your pan before boiling water again.

It’s important to learn how to cook with cast iron before you jump right in. You want your cast iron cookware to last for years to come. Early misuse or lack of maintenance can cause headaches in the long run.

Have fun cooking! Thanks for stopping by our blog!

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