Cast iron is great for getting a dark sear on foods, evenly cooking baked goods, and even slow-cooking different meats. It retains heat well, so if you want a deep, brown crust on your seared steak, ...

Cast iron skillet and oil on a table - Bruce Peter Morin/Getty Images Cast iron is the cookware workhorse in the kitchen. It can turn tough pieces of meat into succulent bites, create crispy skillet ...