Using a cast iron kettle became popular in the 1700s during the industrial revolution when Abraham Darby discovered how to make them thinner and cheaper so that everyone could afford to own one. Its sturdiness and health benefits continue to make the cast iron kettle popular today, and many people choose to make their tea in cast iron for the added health benefits.
Cast iron is usually made of iron mixed with small amounts of nickel, carbon, silicon, sulfur and manganese. Using the combination of metals makes a cast iron kettle tough, hard, durable and strong. The combination also helps cast iron items to heat more evenly and gives them their unique ability to retain heat. Quality cast iron can be distinguished from low quality cast iron by its color: a quality cast iron kettle is uniformly gray, with no unevenness in color from area to area.
Enamel coated cast iron tea kettles are also available, but they do not have the health benefits of uncoated cast iron. While they are easier to clean, they may crack and chip and will then become unusable.
Health Benefits of the Cast Iron Kettle
Cast iron pots and kettles are known to release small amounts of iron into food and liquids that are cooked in them. Most people do not consume enough iron in their diet, and cooking in cast iron can help people to get more iron. A 1986 study showed that up to 7mg of iron per serving of food can be added, just by using cast iron, depending on the food.
Extra iron can be bad for some people, especially people who already get enough iron from food and those that have other health problems, such as hemochromatosis (iron overload). Anyone concerned about their blood iron levels can have them checked by their health care provider.
Cast Iron Kettle Tips
Cast iron needs to be seasoned before use. A cast iron kettle will often come pre-seasoned, and will not need re-seasoning unless rust develops. Seasoning can be easily accomplished by directions given by the manufacturer. Seasoning usually involves using cooking grade oil on the cooking surface of the kettle and baking it at a low temperature in the oven for several hours.
A cast iron kettle should never be put into a dish washer. Instead, clean the kettle with a stiff nylon brush and hot water. Avoid using detergents on the kettle.
Rust and corrosion may occur, especially if the kettle is placed in a dishwasher, and the kettle will need to be re-seasoned if a dishwasher is used. Rust spots that form can be sandpapered off or removed with steel wool. Any rust spots should be removed before re-seasoning the cast iron kettle.
More Cast Iron Kettle Tips
Use a pot holder when handling the cast iron kettle. The kettle may remain hot for sometime after boiling liquids within it.
Don’t put cold liquids into a hot kettle or it will immediately crack. Wait for the cast iron kettle to cool off before attempting any cleaning.
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