If you had asked me years ago what I thought about cast iron cookware, I probably would have laughed.
Everyone seemed to rave about their cast iron skillets, but all I heard was how much work they were. People talked about seasoning them, burning oil into them, never washing them with soap, worrying about rust, and following all kinds of “rules.” Honestly, it sounded intimidating.
I rebelled against the idea for years.
My modern cookware worked just fine, and I didn’t see any reason to change.
Then life had other plans.
When My Health Needed Something Different
For quite a while, I struggled with low iron levels.
I tried to improve my diet and followed my doctor’s recommendations, but my iron levels just weren’t improving the way I had hoped. Along with that came something many people with iron deficiency understand all too well—I constantly craved ice chips. I also found myself craving liver, something I had never really enjoyed eating.
Those cravings were my body’s way of telling me it needed help.
Eventually, I reached the point where I was willing to try almost anything.
That’s when I decided to give cast iron cookware a real chance.
A Small Change That Made a Big Difference
I began cooking more of our meals in a cast iron skillet.
At first, it was simply an experiment. I wasn’t expecting much.
Over time, however, something remarkable happened.
My iron levels began improving, and those strange cravings gradually disappeared. I no longer found myself chewing ice all day, and the craving for liver was gone as well.
While everyone’s health journey is different and cast iron isn’t a cure for iron deficiency, cooking with cast iron became one simple lifestyle change that made a meaningful difference for me alongside the care I was already receiving.
Today, I cook and even bake with cast iron almost every day.
It’s become one of my favorite pieces of cookware—not because someone told me I should use it, but because I experienced the benefits for myself.
The Biggest Myth About Cast Iron
Here’s the funny part.
The thing that kept me away from cast iron for years wasn’t the weight.
It wasn’t the price.
It wasn’t even learning how to cook with it.
It was the maintenance.
Words like “seasoning,” “burning oil,” and “don’t let it rust” made it sound like I needed a chemistry degree just to own one.
The truth?
It’s much easier than people make it sound.
Once you understand a few basic principles and develop a simple routine, caring for cast iron becomes second nature.
The Method We Teach at Harvest Haven
One of the questions I hear most often is:
“How do you keep your skillet from rusting?”
At our Harvest Haven Homesteading Workshops, we take the mystery out of cast iron care by teaching the exact method we use in our own kitchen.
We’ll show you:
- Which oils we use to protect and seal our cast iron skillets.
- Which salt we use to safely clean and maintain the cooking surface.
- How we dry the skillet properly so rust doesn’t have a chance to form.
- Easy daily habits that keep cast iron looking beautiful for years.
- Common mistakes that can shorten the life of your cookware—and how to avoid them.
Our goal isn’t just to teach you how to own a cast iron skillet.
We want you to feel confident using one every single day.
More Than Just Cookware
For me, cast iron represents something much bigger than a frying pan.
It reminds me that sometimes the old-fashioned ways still have something valuable to teach us.
Our grandparents didn’t use cast iron because it was trendy.
They used it because it was dependable, long-lasting, and built to serve generations of families.
Today, I understand why.
Join Us at Harvest Haven
If you’ve ever been curious about cooking with cast iron—or if you’ve been too intimidated to get started—I invite you to join us at one of our Harvest Haven Homesteading Workshops.
We’ll answer your questions, demonstrate our simple care routine, and help you discover just how enjoyable cooking with cast iron can be.
Sometimes the best lessons aren’t found in the newest gadgets.
Sometimes they’re waiting in a well-loved skillet that’s been passed down through generations.
I’d love to help you discover why cast iron has become one of my favorite tools in the kitchen.
Sandra the Goat Lady
A Note from Sandra, The Goat Lady
The experiences shared in this article are based on my personal journey. Cooking with cast iron may increase the iron content of some foods, but it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have concerns about your iron levels or overall health, please consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.