A well-seasoned cast iron pan is a cook’s dream. It’s sturdy and versatile, and you can cook just about any kind of food without worrying about food sticking. But have you wondered what the best kind of spatula to use with your cast iron?
Any kind of spatula will work with cast iron, but a metal spatula is the best choice because of its durability and compatibility with the pan’s surface. Wooden and silicone spatulas are also fine to use, but it’s a good idea to stay away from cheap, plastic spatulas.
Before using a cast iron pan, you must season it by rubbing the surface with vegetable oil and baking it in an oven by itself for about an hour. Once the seasoning is complete, the nonstick surface is established and continues to improve with each use.
You might have heard that a metal spatula will harm your pan’s seasoning. That’s false. Metal spatulas will scratch or chip nonstick finishes inside stainless steel pans, but they won’t harm the finish or the seasoning on a cast iron pan.
In fact, Lodge, a leading manufacturer of cast iron pans, states you can use any type of utensil you wish because cast iron can stand up to anything.
Think back to when your grandmother used to cook in a cast iron skillet. What did she use for a spatula? Chances are, the only kinds available to her were metal or wood.
Metal spatulas, usually made from stainless steel, have stood the test of time with cast iron, and for good reason. They’re strong enough to handle anything you might cook, and they last for years.
The Best Spatulas for Cast Iron (List)
Spatulas are available in four main materials (metal, wood, silicone, and plastic), but in addition, you should also consider other factors.
When shopping for a spatula, you’ll notice they come in different lengths and widths. The handles are also different lengths. Finally, some have slots and some are solid.
The standard turner is medium width and is used to flip things over or remove them from the pan. A wider width may be used for larger pieces of food; they’re perfect for flipping pancakes.
For food that may tend to crumble or fall apart, choose a solid turner with some thickness. Slotted spatulas are useful when you want the grease to drain out, such as when you’re removing fried food from a cast iron pan.
The length of the handle can also be important. A shorter handle will give you more control over lifting heavy foods. A longer handle will give you some distance from the stove’s burner.
Let’s take a look at the best types of spatulas for cast iron, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Metal Spatula
Whatever you cook in your cast iron pan, a metal spatula can handle it. The edge of the blade is thinner than either wood or silicone. That means it can slide easily under a pancake, but it’s also sturdy enough to flip it.
A solid metal spatula is perfect for making smash burgers on your cast iron grill pan.
A unique type of metal spatula is the fish spatula, which is long, narrow, slightly concave, and generously slotted. Originally, it was designed to flip fish, but it can be used for any kind of food because of its spacious flipping surface.
Metal spatulas are typically made of stainless steel, although a few are made of carbon steel. Both metals are tough, easy to care for, and will not rust. You can scrub them or put them in the dishwasher without harm.
Metal spatulas come equipped with various kinds of handles, including solid steel, steel with plastic inserts, plastic, and wood.
Solid steel handles are strong and sturdy, but they could get slippery with greasy hands. There is also a small possibility the handles could get hot if left in the pan long enough.
Some metal spatulas have plastic handles or plastic insets in the metal handle. These provide good traction even for wet or greasy hands.
Wooden handles are also sturdy and may give you a better grip than metal handles. Just be careful not to lean them against the side of the pan. Cast iron retains heat very well, and a hot pan can leave a scorch mark on a wooden handle.
The only time you should not use a metal spatula with cast iron is with enameled cast iron, such as Le Creuset pans because of the risk of damaging the enamel. Le Creuset recommends silicone spatulas instead.
Wooden Spatula
Wooden spatulas are compatible with cast iron, but they tend to be narrower in width than spatulas made of other materials. As long as you’re not flipping large or heavy foods, they should work fine for a variety of tasks.
Wooden spatulas are sturdy and are almost always solid state, from tip to handle. This gives them great stability, but they do tend to be less flexible than other materials.
The edge of a wooden spatula can be quite thin, making them perfect for scraping the bottom of the pan or getting under delicate foods, such as crepes. However, the edge of a wooden spatula may tend to dull over time and with frequent use.
To keep wooden spatulas and other wood utensils in good condition, it’s recommended that you periodically apply mineral oil or beeswax.
Wood is absorbent and can pick up cooking odors or become discolored. Wash your spatulas by hand with soap and water, but do not soak them.
Wooden utensils should not be washed in the dishwasher because the high heat can cause them to dry and crack.
Also keep in mind that wood can scorch, burn, or even catch fire. Be careful when using a wooden spatula by an open flame, such as a gas stove, but also take care not to lay them across the burner of an electric stove while it is still hot.
Leaning the handle across the top of a cast iron frying pan can leave a scorch mark.
Silicone Spatula
Silicone spatulas can be used with just about any kind of cookware, including cast iron. Silicone spatulas are also the best choice for enameled cast iron.
The best-known use for silicone spatulas is for nonstick surfaces because it doesn’t scratch. However, as noted, that is not an issue with a well-seasoned cast iron pan. A silicon spatula is okay to use, but not necessary.
Still, if you use both cast iron and nonstick pans, a silicone spatula can serve double duty.
Spatulas made of silicone can withstand high heat without burning or melting. They’re also dishwasher safe.
Like metal spatulas, silicone spatulas come in various widths and can be solid or slotted. Handle length and flexibility also vary.
What Material Shouldn’t You Use on Cast Iron?
There’s not much that can hurt a cast iron pan, but a cast iron can hurt cooking utensils made of plastic.
Plastic spatulas should never be used with cast iron because they could be damaged by the high heat of the pan. Cast iron can be used at very high temperatures, and it retains heat very well, even after the pan is turned off. A plastic spatula could warp or start to melt.
Plastic spatulas are inexpensive—you can buy them at a dollar store—so it’s likely you may own at least one. At first glance, they may look like silicone spatulas, but there are significant differences.
Unlike silicone, plastic is not heat- or chemical-resistant. In fact, plastics are known for having BPA, or Bisphenol A, which has been linked to health problems such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, though the evidence is not conclusive.
Even BPA-free plastics have chemical problems. Some reports say that these chemicals can leach into the food you are cooking and can have a similar effect on your body as the hormone estrogen.
You may see spatulas labeled as “nylon.” Nylon is a type of plastic and should also be avoided, especially for use with cast iron. They will also melt at high heat.