Lightweight cast iron. As the name suggests, this is a lighter version of traditional cast iron, which is known for its weight. But why not always choose a lightweight cast iron pan? Besides weight, there are more differences between a traditional cast iron pan and its lighter variant. Wondering which differences these are? You'll find out in this article!
How is a cast iron pan made?
Let's start at the beginning: how is a cast iron pan made? For a traditional cast iron pan, liquid cast iron is poured into a mould with the shape of a pan. For lightweight cast iron, an additional, rotating mould presses the cast iron into a thinner layer and creates lines on the surface. When you put a traditional next to a lightweight cast iron pan, you can clearly see the difference in the structure of the inner surface.
Traditional cast iron vs lightweight cast iron
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Traditional cast iron | Lightweight cast iron |
| Suitable for heat sources | Barbecue, gas, ceramic, halogen, induction, oven, open fire | Barbecue, gas, ceramic, halogen, induction, oven, open fire |
| Reaches temperature fast | ||
| Retains heat | ||
| Even heat distribution | ||
| Good resistance to acids | ||
| Type, size and weightt | Casserole Ø 28 cm - 6.3 kg Braiser Ø 31,5 cm - 5.58 kg Grill pan Ø 24 cm - 1.85 kg Grill pan Ø 28 cm - 2.9 kg Dutch mini pancakes pan Ø 28 cm - 2.4 kg | Frying pan Ø 24 cm - 1.2 kg Frying pan Ø 28 cm - 1.47 kg Wok Ø 34 cm - 2.17 kg |
| Dishwasher-safe | No | No |
| PFOA-free | Yes | Yes |
| Lifetime warranty | Yes | Yes |
| Natural non-stick | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes, twice | Yes, twice |
| Ready to use right out of the box | Yes | Yes |
| Can you season the pan? | Yes | Yes |
| Choose your pan | Casserole Cast Iron | Frying pan Cast Iron |
| Braiser Cast Iron | Wok Cast Iron | |
| Grill pan Cast Iron | ||
| Dutch mini pancakes pan Cast Iron |
Not afraid of a bit of lifting and don't mind giving your pan the necessary care? Then a traditional cast iron pan could become your best buddy in the kitchen. Curious about all the pros and cons of this pan?
Advantages
- Traditional cast iron pans are suitable for any type of heat source, even on an open flame.
- These pans have excellent heat distribution, resulting in evenly cooked dishes.
- Once at temperature, these pans retain heat like no other.
- With proper care, traditional cast iron pans will last a lifetime.
Disadvantages
- Traditional cast iron pans are often heavy and therefore require a large amount of muscle power.
- The pans take longer to reach temperature compared to lighter materials.
- Maintenance such as seasoning is required to prevent rust and preserve the non-stick coating.
- A traditional cast iron pan is not dishwasher safe.
Cast iron not liftable? A lightweight cast iron pan has all the advantages of cast iron, but in a lighter package. But: every advantage also has its disadvantage. So take a look at all the pros and cons of a lightweight cast iron pan.
Advantages
- Lightweight cast iron pans are suitable for any type of heat source, including induction and even open flame.
- The pans are less heavy than the traditional ones. Which makes them more user-friendly, especially when lifting.
- Due to the thinner edges, lightweight cast iron heats up much faster and cools down much faster.
- Although lighter, these pans are still durable and will last for years with proper use and maintenance.
Disadvantages
- The thin edges mean the pan does not retain heat as well and heat is distributed unevenly.
- The pan is more sensitive to break earlier due to the thin walls.
- They require regular maintenance such as seasoning to prevent rust and maintain the natural non-stick coating of the pan.
- A lightweight cast iron pan is not dishwasher safe.
Find your ideal cast iron pan in our collection
So. Now you know which cast iron pan best suits your needs. Are you team traditional or lightweight cast iron? Depending on your preference, you will find different types of cast iron pans in our collection.
