Kitchn and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. I came to cast iron reluctantly, as a sacrifice for the planet and my health on par with my decision to use mediocre laundry detergent and pasty sunscreen. I was too crunchy for nonstick, so I bought a heavy pan that I couldn’t wash, like the environmental martyr I aspired to be. Fast forward years later, and I’m basically obsessed with cast iron.