Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Vs Stainless Steel – Which Is Better

Which is superior in the contest between porcelain-coated cast iron vs stainless steel? Some people prefer porcelain-coated cast iron, while others prefer stainless steel. Porcelain-coated cast iron vs stainless steel, which one is good?

 

Stainless steel heats up more quickly and uniformly. Cast iron heats up more slowly but keeps the heat longer. Choose stainless steel if you’re making a meal that needs precise temperature control. But in the end, it all goes down to what best suits what you are cooking.

 

This article outlines the differences between porcelain-coated cast iron vs stainless steel, how to properly clean and maintain each, and when each material is best used. It would help if you ultimately decided for yourself.

 

Porcelain Coated Cast Iron 

Cast iron has been used as a cooking surface for thousands of years. Pure iron, however, is comparatively soft. It can be easily cut through with a knife and some effort. Cast iron has carbon added to it, making it exceedingly hard and robust but also prone to brittleness. There are several types of cast iron;

 

• Cast iron that hasn’t been coated is porous, dark, and has a rough texture.

• Cast iron which has Porcelain enamel applied to it. This kind can be any color and has a smooth finish.

 

A cast iron is porous if it is not enamel-coated. It becomes seasoned as it takes on the oils and fats of the things you cook. Cast iron’s non-stick characteristics are due to the oils filling the pores. There are no additional chemicals in the substance that could contaminate your food.

 

Cast iron that has been coated with enamel will have better non-stick properties than cast iron that has not been coated. If you drop the cast iron grate, the coating can fracture. Over time, cleaning and scraping grates with enamel coatings might result in hairline cracks. Cast iron that is not coated won’t experience this.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Porcelain Coated Iron

Advantages

• Porcelain Coated Cast Iron is excellent at retaining heat once the grill grates are heated. Even when you gradually extinguish your fire, this element enables you to continue properly cooking your food.

• Good heat transfer – Cast iron grates have good thermal conductivity. Here, food will be well-seared and produce considerably more pronounced sear marks.

• Non-stick – Your cast iron barbecue grate may be already seasoned. You’ll need to oil the cast iron grill every time you want to cook to retain its non-stick surface. This process will guarantee that your cast iron grill grate will stay non-stick for many years.

• Long lifespan – If you take care of your cast iron grill, you can use it for years. They might be more expensive, but they can last for years.

Disadvantages

• Cast iron grill grate weight is high. As a result, shifting them around becomes challenging and plain annoying, especially when they become greasy and warm.

• Slower heat-up – Even though cast iron grills are renowned for their incredible heat retention and transfer, they do take some time to warm up at first.

• Quick to rust – The speed at which cast iron grill grates rust is a worry for many. In humid, wet weather, your grates will start to oxidize if you fail to bring them inside. If you’re not using your grill grates, always bring them inside and oil them frequently.

• More maintenance- You’ll need to take a few extra precautions to maintain cast iron grates because they are prone to rust. Every time you cook meat over cast iron grill grates, the seasoning is burned off because of the grill’s repeated exposure to high temperatures. It would be best if you always seasoned your grill before using it to prevent rust.

Stainless Steel

First, be aware that a grate is not necessarily composed of stainless steel just because it is silver. One of the cheapest types of grates is simply normal steel that has been coated. Regular steel and plated versions won’t survive long when subjected to the heat of your grill, the abuse of tool use, and the cleaning process.

 

The surface may become chipped and nicked over time, leaving it vulnerable to rust and making food stick. However, genuine stainless steel has a smoother surface that is much more stick-resistant. Additionally, it will endure a lot longer because it corrodes much more slowly than conventional steel.

 

However, it is a fallacy that stainless steel is fully corrosion resistant. Even though it can persist for a very long time, iron corrodes and degrades with time.

 

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Stainless Steel

Advantages

• Grilling with a stainless steel grate can be ideal if you don’t have time to wait around for your grill to heat up. Usually, the grate needs to heat up for 10 minutes before your meat is ready to be cooked.

• Lightweight – Thanks to the metals in stainless steel, grates are substantially lighter. When the grate is still hot and greasy, they are much easier to shift.

• Rust-resistant – Because stainless steel grill grates are less prone to corrosion and rust, you won’t need to season them as frequently.

• Simple maintenance – Because the cooking grates are simple to clean, they require little maintenance. All you need is a fast grill brush to get going.

Disadvantages

• Although you may be relieved that stainless steel warms up quickly, it is not good at holding heat. Your stainless steel grates will immediately cool off after the heat source has been turned off.

• Quality depreciates over time – You pay for what you receive. Even stainless steel of the best quality, nevertheless, eventually wears out. The material will start to erode and turn discolored with time.

• Warping – Over time, it’s not uncommon for stainless steel grill grates to flex and warp, leaving an uneven top.

Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Vs Stainless Steel Maintenance And Cleaning

Cast Iron

Cast iron grill grates are best cleaned immediately after use, much like stainless steel grates. Clean your grates by brushing off any food residue first. After that, apply thin coats of oil, ideally one with a high smoke point and is safe for food to them, using a natural bristle brush. All of the pores will be sealed by the grill’s residual heat. One warning is to avoid using nylon brush because it will melt.

 

Put your grates in a container in case they start to rust. One bottle of white vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda should be added. Leave it like that for a few hours or overnight if you have the time. The following day, use steel wool to remove any rust that may still be present. It will also be good If you have a drill with various wire brushes.

 

That will greatly speed up the entire procedure. Rinse the grates after everything has been removed, then reposition them on a hot grill. Depending on the rust’s bad, this will take 4 hours or longer. Once the grates are returned to their former splendor, meaning jet black and gleaming, you can start cooking on them again.

 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel grates are less difficult to clean than cast iron ones, as I already explained. Despite this, you still need to take good care of your grates to make sure they endure a long time after cooking is the best time to clean your stainless steel grates.

 

After removing the food, clean the grill of leftover food particles using your best barbecue brush. Then secure the cover and allow the entire mixture to cool. Unlike cast iron, stainless steel does not require any oil to be applied before cleaning. However, I’d advise scrubbing the grill grate with a lemon half to clean it and eliminate any grill bristles that might become lodged there.

 

On occasion, you should also give your grates a good cleaning. Please put them in a big container—scrubbing with a scouring pad after adding some dish soap. After that, rinse the grates and let them air dry before using them for cooking again.

 

Is Cast Iron With A Porcelain Coating Good?

Cast iron or steel that has been porcelain-coated is a decent option, but the coating does have a bad habit of chipping away. As a result, the metal underneath could become wet and eventually develop a rusty surface. Although coated steel can also experience issues, coated cast iron is especially susceptible to them.

 

Conclusion On Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Vs Stainless Steel

Even though cast iron is nearly indestructible, it will rust if left outside for an extended period without being properly maintained. Corrosive cast irongr can be restored to its former beauty by reversing the condition. If you’ve let your cast iron go, it’s merely tiresome to squeeze into every nook and cranny.

 

Stainless steel becomes more resilient when exposed to heat, moisture, and the sun. You could prefer a stainless-steel grate over a cast-iron one if you don’t protect your barbecue or live in a humid environment. Even with this, it’s still hard to conclude the best between porcelain-coated cast iron and stainless steel. It is about personal opinion if you buy any of these two things.