Table of Contents
- Can you use a glass lid on a cast-iron skillet?
- Benefits of using glass lid on cast iron skillet
- The don’ts of using a glass lid on a cast-iron skillet
- Related Questions
- Final Thoughts
Can you use a glass lid on a cast-iron skillet?
We know that cast-iron skillets are great for cooking delicate foods, but can you use a glass lid?
The answer is yes! It is fine to use a glass lid on a cast-iron skillet. Many people don’t realize that there are lids designed to fit on top of the skillet. These glass lids are not redundant, they are essential if you want to cook your food.
But there are a few things you must know before using a glass lid on a cast-iron skillet.
Benefits of using glass lid on cast iron skillet
Monitoring the food
This makes it easier to monitor your food as it cooks and also saves energy by allowing heat from the stovetop to remain inside the pan. In contrast, If you use a metal lid, the heat escapes every time you open it to check on your food. This can cause you to use more energy than necessary if the food is not properly supervised during cooking.
Keeping moisture inside
A glass lid ensures that all the steam stays in your pan. This is great for foods that are steamed, boiled, or stewed. The steam also helps to keep the food moist and tender.
Keeps the flavor inside
A glass lid can help you to preserve flavors in stews and soups. It ensures that your dish comes out with an intense flavor since all the goodness of your food remains inside the pan.
Dishwasher safe
Glass lids are also easy to clean and dishwasher safe, unlike some pans with special lids that can get damaged in a dishwasher. It means you can use and wash them safely in your dishwasher without worrying about any damage to them.
Perfect heat retention
Heat retention is essential in cooking healthy and delicious meals. You want to make sure that the food cooks as quickly as possible without any loss of flavor or nutrients.
Glass lids are perfect because they allow you to monitor your food easily without losing heat each time you lift the lid. They also prevent excess energy consumption, which ensures better heat retention.
Perfect for simmering
Glass lids support simmering stews, soups, and sauces. You do not need to stir or disturb the food as it simmers because your lid will keep the steam and aromas inside to ensure perfect results. This is because glass is a fine insulator.
Size convenience
Another benefit of using a glass lid on a skillet is that it can fit pretty much any size or brand of skillet. Glass lids come in various sizes and shapes, so you have plenty of options to pick from depending on your preferences.
Make sure you can choose the lid with the right dimensions to fit your cast-iron skillet, so you are not sacrificing performance for convenience
The don’ts of using a glass lid on a cast-iron skillet
Although it is safe to use a glass lid on a cast-iron skillet, there are some general rules you should follow before using your glass lid.
Temperature limit
First, don’t use a glass lid if the skillet is over 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The iron in the skillet simply gets too hot to handle at temperatures this high. This ultimately damages the glass lid.
Be aware of flaking
Some glass lids may begin to flake if they are not properly treated, so handle them with care and never scrub or scratch the interior of the pan while cleaning. If you use a plastic utensil it could cause scratches that might cause the glaze to flake.
Leaving the lid on the skillet
Second, don’t leave your glass lid on the skillet when it’s cooling down because it could shatter inside the pan. To avoid this, take the lid off and let it cool in a safe place.
Resuing a broken lid
Finally, if the glass lid falls to the floor and breaks, don’t use it in a cast-iron pan ever again. The shards of glass can damage your skillet. Not only this but the chemical makeup of the glass will react with the iron to give off toxic fumes.
Positioning the lid
It may seem ignorable, but where you position your glass lid on the skillet is extremely important.
If you’re trying to keep food warm, don’t cover it completely with the lid. You will trap all of the steam inside and cause soggy food.
Instead, angle the lid so that it leaves some room for steam to escape. This will help always ensure that you have centered the lid on top of the cast-iron skillet. If you do not, the lid may rattle or fall off when you are cooking.
Related Questions
Are glass lids expensive than other lids?
It depends on which material we are comparing glass with. Glass lids are usually more expensive than plastic ones, but this is mainly because they are made to be dishwasher safe.
In contrast, if we compare glass lids with steel lids, then the glass lids are cheaper because steel ones usually have a stainless steel finish or enamel coating.
What size should I choose?
The size of your glass lid must match the cast-iron skillet you have so that it sits properly on top. If it doesn’t, you will run the risk of burning yourself because the lid doesn’t fit properly.
Is a glass lid less durable than a steel lid?
Again, it depends on what material we are comparing. In general, glass is a much more durable material to use as a lid because it doesn’t rust or scratch as easily as steel can.
In contrast, stainless steel is better for cooking because it distributes heat more evenly and doesn’t break as easily as glass lids do.
Final Thoughts
Overall, glass lids are a great option if you want to use your cast-iron skillet to its full potential. They can keep food moist, store leftovers securely, and help you cook in bulk with the convenience of being able to stack them when not in use.
So, are you gonna go out and buy a glass lid for your cast-iron skillet? If yes, just remember the above-mentioned points and you’ll have a great cooking experience.
