Wrought iron vs cast iron - What's the difference?

Cast iron cookware has long been cherished for its durability and 'healthier' qualities. However, wrought iron cookware is actually the superior option for those looking for non-toxic cookware and long-lasting performance. At Solidteknics, we are proud to be the only manufacturer in the world with a patented new method for creating seamless, one-piece wrought iron cookware.

Solidteknics - What makes wrought iron cookware better than cast iron?

A Solidteknics wrought iron frypan versus a generic cast iron frypan.

Solidteknics iron cookware blog - wrought iron is more durable than cast iron

When it comes to durability, wrought iron cookware stands out. Wrought iron has been mechanically 'worked' into shape, preventing cracks growth and making the iron far more malleable than cast iron. It will never crack or break if dropped or thermally shocked.
Cast iron is in a crystalline metal state, where cracks can very easily grow on crystal boundaries. This makes the iron 'hard' but very brittle, and highly likely to crack and break if dropped or thermally shocked. There are very few centuries-old cast iron pots and pans in museums that aren't cracked, though you'll easily find many wrought iron pans, all with no cracks, dating back to Roman times and even earlier.

Solidteknics iron cookware blog - wrought iron has better energy efficiency than cast iron

Wrought iron cookware also boasts better energy efficiency. Thanks to its superior conductivity, wrought iron heats up faster and distributes heat more evenly compared to cast iron. This means that wrought iron pots and pans require less energy to reach the desired temperature and cook food efficiently. Healthy cookware choices like wrought iron allow you to cook with less energy while still achieving perfect results.

For those interested in eco-friendly cookware, wrought iron offers a significant advantage over cast iron because it heats more efficiently, reducing cooking time and energy consumption.

Solidteknics iron cookware blog - wrought iron has cooler handles than cast iron

Cast iron pans typically have short, thick and stubby handles, as longer handles will almost always break during the casting production process. Being short and thick, cast iron handles hold a lot of heat when cooking, making it impossibly hot to hold while cooking.
Our AUS-ION™ wrought iron pans have long, ergonomic handles that have specially designed vents to dissipate the heat. This means the handles stay cool enough to hold and maneuver when cooking on the stovetop.

Solidteknics iron cookware blog - wrought iron has lighter weight than cast iron

Our wrought iron cookware is around half the weight of cast iron cookware. This lighter weight makes them much easier to hold and handle when cooking, and more accessible to younger and older cooks. It's important to note that lighter doesn't mean there's less searing capacity, though - our solid 3mm wrought iron pans hold their heat incredibly well, and won't drop in heat and stew when a big steak is being seared!

Solidteknics iron cookware blog - wrought iron is healthier for you than cast iron

Most cast iron cookware, particularly from offshore, is created using recycled steel (e.g. car parts with other materials attached!) and can therefore contain a mix of heavy metals, leading to contamination and leaching into foods that can have negative health impacts.
Our wrought iron cookware is made from 99.7% clean Australian iron, and is free from heavy metals, compared to the 96% contained in cast iron. This is one secret to our superior conductivity - iron is a far superior conductor than carbon, making it the best healthy, naturally non-stick cookware.

Solidteknics iron cookware blog - Wrought iron has been around for much longer than cast iron, since the dawn of the iron age (3,000+ years). It was the cookware that dominated for thousands of years, until casting iron became efficient enough to make cheaper iron cookware, not better cookware.

Want a more in-depth look at the history of iron cookware, and the differences between wrought and cast iron? Download our PDF below to hear Mark's take on it all!

Wrought iron vs cast iron - What's the difference?

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