As far as cookware goes, there’s arguably no better investment than a cast iron or carbon steel skillet ... But because the world is expensive and kitchen storage is at a premium, the question ...

Cast iron has a 2% to 3.5% carbon content, while carbon steel has less than 2%. This subtle difference results in two pieces of cookware that can both be an asset to your kitchen in different ways.

Popular among chefs and home cooks alike because of their sheer versatility, cast iron skillets are considered by many to be a necessary part of the kitchen ... a stainless steel chain scrubber ...

“It’s the first cast-iron pan I ever owned," says home and kitchen editor Kelly O’Sullivan ... for it more than the copper and stainless steel frying pan I owned before,” says baby ...

The cast-iron skillet is the powerhouse of all kitchen equipment. Its non-stick surface is free of synthetic chemicals and will eventually require less oil than aluminum or stainless-steel pans.

If you're anxious about using your cast-iron pans ... rubbing in a light layer of cooking oil. To get rid of existing rust buildup, if it doesn't come off with a quick rinse, steel wool should ...

The answer, often yes, comes from an unlikely source: Smithey Ironware in North Charleston, South Carolina, a company better known for its high-end line of cast-iron and carbon-steel cookware.