Cast iron skillet on a ceramic hob?

[scrappy]

Cast iron was never really on my radar but, in the last year, I have bought three cast iron Dutch ovens (two Staubs and, for bread, a Lodge combo). I am head-over-heels in love with all of them. I am now thinking of adding a cast iron skillet to my collection. The Lodge skillet always seems to get glowing reviews. However, if the texture of the skillet is anything like my Lodge Dutch oven, I am concerned about it damaging my ceramic hobs.

As I’m in the UK, the price difference between Lodge and higher-end brands is not as big as it is in the US. Accordingly, I’ve been looking at brands like Finex, Smithey, Field, Lancaster, for the smoother finish. I’m just confused by some of the pans, like the Smithey, as they seem to have a raised ridge on the bottom that runs around the circumference of the pan. Wouldn’t that make them inefficient on a ceramic hob?

If anyone is using cast iron on a ceramic hob, I’d love to know if you have experienced any problems and which ironware you are using. Thank you

 

[azn_knives_4l]

Works but will absolutely scratch the cooktop. My experience is with Lodge brand.

Edit: Also don't go max heat if the pan is empty.

 

[blokey]

I would also look at Stargazer, great stuff, for smoother bottom you could also consider carbon steels like De Buyer or Darto

 

[HolyDiverScallop]

One of the few modern cast iron manufacturers that has a smooth bottom without a stupid ring is Stargazer.

 

[sumis]

the ring will not interfere with the skillet getting up to heat.

scratching the surface won't impact function of the hob.

.

 

[scrappy]

Works but will absolutely scratch the cooktop. My experience is with Lodge brand.

Edit: Also don't go max heat if the pan is empty.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Very helpful. I am wondering whether all brands are similar when it comes to scratching ceramic. Good to know about heating casting iron. I have got into a good habit with my Staubs. I only ever really heat them on medium and always some oil in them, but they are enamelled.

I would also look at Stargazer, great stuff, for smoother bottom you could also consider carbon steels like De Buyer or Darto

Thanks for the suggestions. Stargazer seems to get a lot of love. I have never considered carbon steel. De Buyer is known to me. I am not familiar with Darto. I will definitely investigate further.

One of the few modern cast iron manufacturers that has a smooth bottom without a stupid ring is Stargazer.

Thanks. The Stargazer looks great. My only reservation is the helper handle. It may make it too big for a standard UK oven.

 

[dragjp]

I use Dartos on a ceramic top induction stove, worked great for last couple of years.

 

[HolyDiverScallop]

Thanks. The Stargazer looks great. My only reservation is the helper handle. It may make it too big for a standard UK oven.

It's pretty stubby even with the helper handle. If space is a big concern, you could go with a Darto "paella" pan, which has two loop handles vs a stick handle and a loop handle. Carbon steel, not cast iron, but high quality stuff.

I have both Stargazer and Darto and both are great on induction. I've used Lodge (with the stupid ring) on that same ceramic topped induction with zero issues.

 

[scrappy]

the ring will not interfere with the skillet getting up to heat.

scratching the surface won't impact function of the hob.

.

Thanks. Ideally, I would prefer not to scratch my hobs, but good to know it won’t affect them. As for the ring, I was just thinking that the reduced contact with the surface of the hob would make the skillet slower to heat up. I guess when the manufacturer states “suitable for all hobs”, they mean it

I use Dartos on a ceramic top induction stove, worked great for last couple of years.

That is great to know. Music to my ears, in fact. Thank you!

It's pretty stubby even with the helper handle. If space is a big concern, you could go with a Darto "paella" pan, which has two loop handles vs a stick handle and a loop handle. Carbon steel, not cast iron, but high quality stuff.

I have both Stargazer and Darto and both are great on induction. I've used Lodge (with the stupid ring) on that same ceramic topped induction with zero issues.

I’m going to take another close look at Stargazer then. At the moment, I’m using a Gaggenau oven, almost anything fits in it, but I will be moving soon and I doubt I will have room for anything other than a standard oven, sadly.

Great to know that you have had zero issues. That sets my mind at rest. Now to research carbon steel. Thank you so much for the suggestions.

 

[aporigine]

Thanks. Ideally, I would prefer not to scratch my hobs, but good to know it won’t affect them. As for the ring, I was just thinking that the reduced contact with the surface of the hob would make the skillet slower to heat up. I guess when the manufacturer states “suitable for all hobs”, they mean it

That is great to know. Music to my ears, in fact. Thank you!

I’m going to take another close look at Stargazer then. At the moment, I’m using a Gaggenau oven, almost anything fits in it, but I will be moving soon and I doubt I will have room for anything other than a standard oven, sadly.

Great to know that you have had zero issues. That sets my mind at rest. Now to research carbon steel. Thank you so much for the suggestions.

Scratching my hobs when nobody’s looking … (hand drops below frame)

 

[sumis]

I have never considered carbon steel. De Buyer is known to me.

a de buyer is a very cheap and readily available way of finding out there are options, but not reeeally significant upgrades.
carbon steel pans do not work the same way as cast iron though, they are different, but deserves a spot in any kitchen arsenal. you might just like it.

.

 

[scrappy]

a de buyer is a very cheap and readily available way of finding out there are options, but not reeeally significant upgrades.
carbon steel pans do not work the same way as cast iron though, they are different, but deserves a spot in any kitchen arsenal. you might just like it.

.

De Buyer and cheap are two words I never thought I’d see in the same sentence. Maybe that’s because I’ve been looking at De Buyer copper sauciers recently. I just looked at the DB carbon steel and had to double take. Not expensive. I am researching carbon steel now. Intriguing. Another rabbit hole calls to me. Lol. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[scrappy]

After careful consideration, I finally ordered myself a Field #8. As I’m in the UK, it won’t be with me for nearly two weeks. It will be my first piece of non-enamel cast iron (not counting my Lodge combo, which I only use for bread). Time to order some grapeseed oil. I’m excited.

Thanks again to everyone here who made suggestions and offered advice

 

[HappyamateurDK]

I almost exclusively use cast iron on a glass induction cooktop. It is very difficult not to get some small scratches. But after 3 years of use it's only a couple of very small scratches.

If you look for an addition to your new field skillet(with is a very nice peace of iron) I would look at STUR cookware from Germany too. Really nice smooth pans.

https://sturcookware.com/pages/english?shpxid=2d360242-c536-4152-8029-508b84ea0f8e

 

[scrappy]

I almost exclusively use cast iron on a glass induction cooktop. It is very difficult not to get some small scratches. But after 3 years of use it's only a couple of very small scratches.

If you look for an addition to your new field skillet(with is a very nice peace of iron) I would look at STUR cookware from Germany too. Really nice smooth pans.

https://sturcookware.com/pages/english?shpxid=2d360242-c536-4152-8029-508b84ea0f8e

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m not too worried about scratches now. I checked my hob yesterday and it has plenty of scratches already. Haha.

It’s strange you should mention Stur. I was checking their website last night after seeing the name mentioned on Reddit. I had never heard of the brand. Sadly, the website didn’t have an English option, only German. I’ll bear Stur in mind if my Field needs company. Thank you!

 

[aporigine]

A delicious irony: Stur means stubborn; intransigent.

 

[HolyDiverScallop]

And Sturr means "polka king"

 

[HolyDiverScallop]

You, uh, sturr-ted it.

 

[scrappy]

You, uh, sturr-ted it.

Hahaha. Dad jokes are the best jokes! You must be going stur-crazy.

 

[Jovidah]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m not too worried about scratches now. I checked my hob yesterday and it has plenty of scratches already. Haha.

It’s strange you should mention Stur. I was checking their website last night after seeing the name mentioned on Reddit. I had never heard of the brand. Sadly, the website didn’t have an English option, only German. I’ll bear Stur in mind if my Field needs company. Thank you!

I think main reason you haven't heard of it is because I'm fairly certain they're new. Probably just jumped into the market after seeing the popularity of cast iron in the US and online. Cast iron was a rarity on the European market until fairly recently... if you saw bare iron it'd be in the form of carbon steel like De Buyer.

 

[sumis]

Cast iron was a rarity on the European market until fairly recently... if you saw bare iron it'd be in the form of carbon steel like De Buyer.

that would be europe south of scandinavia. french style carbon steel is relatively new thing around here, while cast iron has been the default cookware since way back in the old days.

.

 

[scrappy]

I think main reason you haven't heard of it is because I'm fairly certain they're new. Probably just jumped into the market after seeing the popularity of cast iron in the US and online. Cast iron was a rarity on the European market until fairly recently... if you saw bare iron it'd be in the form of carbon steel like De Buyer.

That makes sense. While researching cast iron skillets, all the popular brands seemed to be American: Lodge, Stargazer, Field, Lancaster, Smithey, Finex, Butter Pat. It struck me as strange that Europe was not competitive in the market. There’s LeCreuset and Staub, of course, but their offerings are enamelled. And then there’s Netherton Foundry in the UK, but all their skillets seem to have wooden handles or rivets.

I have to say, after recommendations in this thread, I am very curious about carbon steel. I may well have to pick up a De Buyer at some point. Although, I really should be getting rid of utensils, not accumulating them! #cookwarehoarder

 

[stringer]

There's also different polish compounds that you can use to help a bit with the scratches. But it's sort of like trying to restore the mirror polish on a knife that has deep scratches without addressing the deep scratches. This range is about four years old and gets used every day with cast iron.

Here is after cleaning but before applying the chemical (Scotchbrite Rejuvenating Glass Cooktop Polish)

And after polishing it

 

[scrappy]

There's also different polish compounds that you can use to help a bit with the scratches. But it's sort of like trying to restore the mirror polish on a knife that has deep scratches without addressing the deep scratches. This range is about four years old and gets used every day with cast iron.

Here is after cleaning but before applying the chemical (Scotchbrite Rejuvenating Glass Cooktop Polish)

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And after polishing it

View attachment 336602

That is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much! Truth be told, I’m at a point where I’m gonna embrace the scratches rather than deny myself the enjoyment of my cast iron. I’ll definitely pick up some Rejuvenating Polish, though

 

[Michi]

That is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much! Truth be told, I’m at a point where I’m gonna embrace the scratches rather than deny myself enjoyment of cast iron. I’ll definitely pick up some Rejuvenating Polish, though

I just ordered a bottle as well. Will report back once I’ve tried it.

 

[stringer]

My wife bought me this Lodge Sportsman camping casserole thing years ago. I have never used the casserole part. But the lid is a combination French grill/griddle. I have used it a ton over the years on all kinds of cooking surfaces including glass top. It is a little finicky to figure out the temperature control. And you want to keep your griddle very clean and have good exhaust so you don't smoke the place out preheating it. But it works surprisingly well.

 

[aporigine]

My wife bought me this Lodge Sportsman camping casserole thing years ago. I have never used the casserole part. But the lid is a combination French grill/griddle. I have used it a ton over the years on all kinds of cooking surfaces including glass top. It is a little finicky to figure out the temperature control. And you want to keep your griddle very clean and have good exhaust so you don't smoke the place out preheating it. But it works surprisingly well.

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Those are perfect pancakes.

 

[scrappy]

My wife bought me this Lodge Sportsman camping casserole thing years ago. I have never used the casserole part. But the lid is a combination French grill/griddle. I have used it a ton over the years on all kinds of cooking surfaces including glass top. It is a little finicky to figure out the temperature control. And you want to keep your griddle very clean and have good exhaust so you don't smoke the place out preheating it. But it works surprisingly well.

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Just looking at those pancakes is making me hungry. Damn. Delicious. Interesting pan. Not sure I’d find any use for the casserole part either. That said, the griddle part looks like it might work for smashburgers. Can’t tell if it’s wide enough from the pic. If it is, it would be great for doing multiple patties. I have yet to discover how many my field will hold. I suspect only one, sadly.

 

[stringer]

Just looking at those pancakes is making me hungry. Damn. Delicious. Interesting pan. Not sure I’d find any use for the casserole part either. That said, the griddle part looks like it might work for smashburgers. Can’t tell if it’s wide enough from the pic. If it is, it would be great for doing multiple patties. I have yet to discover how many my field will hold. I suspect only one, sadly.

You could do two at a time for sure. But if I was wanting to do more than two at a time I would get one like this

 

[scrappy]

You could do two at a time for sure. But if I was wanting to do more than two at a time I would get one like this
View attachment 337448

Thanks for the link. That looks ideal. I’m moving in about six months from a rural area to the city. I will have much less space. If I have the room, I will pick one up. Lodge stuff is reasonably priced, even here in the UK