Cast Iron and Ceramic Oven to Tableware Buying Guide
Cast Iron
Cast iron is a traditional style of serve-ware and there are lots of reasons to have it in your kitchen. Firstly it is an attractive way of presenting food straight from the oven. It is also strong, tough and durable but does need more care than ceramic and other materials as it is prone to rust over time. It is important to season them before use but once this is done, they become “non-stick”. They are also inexpensive and (almost) indestructible so they will give you years of excellent use provided you do take care of them when cleaning these up. They hold heat really well, better than most materials, excellent for stews and soups there is less likelihood of burning food using cast iron, additionally, they are suitable for use in the oven and on top of the hob. You will find the following items within the Alliance website pages, all made out of cast iron:
- Skillets (for quick cooking/shallow frying).
- Griddle (pancakes, shallow frying etc.).
- Casserole (stews, casseroles).
- Round saucepans (general cooking).
- Dishes (ovenware).
- Gratin dishes.
- Sizzle platters (for beautiful presentation and sizzling dishes).
- Roasting dishes.
Ceramic
Ceramic cookware has many benefits and is a popular choice for restauranteurs. It is notoriously durable and practical, very easy to clean and many pieces can be served straight from the oven. It also comes in a variety of colours so you can mix and match if you prefer or choose one colour to suit the look of your restaurant. It cooks well at all temperatures including low temperatures because it is well insulated. While it can manage very high temperatures it is not for use on the hob (whereas cast iron is suitable for both). On the Alliance website you will find a number of ceramic pieces to complement your kitchen:
- Skillet pans.
- Casserole dishes.
- Le Creuset dishes.
For further information on cast iron and ceramic oven to tableware visit the Cookware pages or contact the Alliance customer care team.