# Enameled vs. Bare Cast Iron: How to Choose the Right Type for Your Cooking - Made In

Enameled cast iron vs. bare cast iron—what’s the difference and which should you buy? Compare seasoning, heat tolerance, maintenance, and the best options from Made In.

Most cookware brands focus on one side of cast iron or the other: either traditional seasoned cast iron or enameled cast iron. Made In makes both, which means this decision is less about choosing a brand and more about choosing the right tool for the way you cook.

So which should you buy: enameled cast iron or bare cast iron?

At their core, both materials start the same way—molten iron poured into a mold—but the cooking experience changes dramatically depending on whether that iron is left bare and seasoned with oil or coated in porcelain enamel. Bare cast iron excels at high-heat searing, live-fire cooking, and building a naturally non stick surface over time. Enameled cast iron offers the same exceptional heat retention with a nonreactive, easy-to-clean surface that requires no seasoning and handles acidic ingredients like tomatoes, wine, and citrus without issue.

Neither is universally “better.” They simply shine in different parts of the kitchen. If you cook a lot of steaks, smash burgers, cornbread, or campfire meals, seasoned cast iron may be the better fit. If you lean toward braises, soups, stews, sauces, and long simmers, enameled cast iron often makes more sense.

Here’s the full breakdown of how enameled and bare cast iron compare—from maintenance and seasoning to heat performance and everyday cooking versatility.

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## **How Bare Cast Iron Works**

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Bare cast iron cooks differently than enameled cast iron because the cooking surface is the iron itself rather than a porcelain enamel coating. To create a naturally non stick surface, the pan is seasoned with layers of oil baked directly onto the iron through heat. Over time, that seasoning continues to build and improve with regular cooking, especially when using oil or fat.

Traditionally, bare cast iron came with a rough, pebbly cooking surface that required extensive seasoning before food released easily. Modern cast iron has evolved considerably. [Made In’s USA-made Cast Iron collection](https://madeincookware.com/collections/cast-iron) features a smooth machined cooking surface designed for better food release, easier cleanup, and more even seasoning development from the very first cook. Each piece also arrives pre-seasoned and ready to use right out of the box, eliminating much of the traditional upfront maintenance associated with cast iron cookware.

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Because there is no enamel coating separating the food from the iron, bare cast iron excels at extremely high-heat cooking applications. Made In Cast Iron is oven safe up to 900F and compatible with grills, pizza ovens, induction cooktops, and open-fire cooking, making it especially useful for searing steaks, roasting vegetables, baking cornbread, and campfire cooking.

Bare cast iron does require ongoing care to maintain its seasoning and prevent rust. The cookware should be hand washed, dried thoroughly after cleaning, and lightly oiled occasionally to keep the cooking surface performing at its best. Acidic ingredients like tomatoes, wine, and citrus can also gradually wear down seasoning over time, particularly during long simmers or braises.

For many cooks, though, that tradeoff is part of the appeal: a naturally seasoned cooking surface that improves through years of cooking and use.

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## **What Makes Enameled Cast Iron Different**

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In contrast to raw cast iron, [enameled cast iron](https://madeincookware.com/collections/enameled-cast-iron) is made by spraying a cast iron base with a layer of powdered glass, then placing the entire piece in an extremely hot oven until the glass fuses with the metal. This creates a smooth, non-porous surface not entirely unlike the seasoning on raw cast iron, effectively rendering the finished product non stick. This means that enameled cast iron is ready to use straight from the box—[no initial seasoning (or reseasoning) required](https://madeincookware.com/blogs/how-to-season-a-dutch-oven). It’s also much longer-lasting than conventional or ceramic non stick, with a natural coating that won’t degrade over high heat or flake into your food.

Another reason to love [enameled cast iron](https://madeincookware.com/collections/enameled-cast-iron)? It’s [impressively versatile](https://madeincookware.com/blogs/what-to-cook-in-dutch-oven): in addition to slow-cooked dishes like stews, soups, and casseroles, enameled cast iron is also well-suited to deep frying, baking, steaming, and more.

**Pros:**

- Natural, additive-free non stick coating made from powdered glass
- Safe to use over very high heat
- Versatile; can be used for baking, frying, sauteing, and more
- Non-reactive
- No initial seasoning or reseasoning required
- Don’t need to worry about rust or damaged seasoning
- Durable and warp-proof

**Cons:**

- Enamel scratches easily; can only be used with silicone or wood utensils
- Expensive compared to raw cast iron

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## **What About Smooth vs. Rough Bare Cast Iron?**



Not all cast iron cooking surfaces are the same. In fact, one of the biggest differences between modern cast iron cookware comes down to texture—and that texture dramatically affects seasoning, food release, cleanup, and overall cooking experience.

Most traditional mass-market cast iron has a rough, pebbly cooking surface created directly from the sand-casting process. That textured surface works perfectly well, but it typically requires more rounds of seasoning and more regular cooking before food begins releasing easily. Eggs and delicate foods, in particular, can be challenging on newer rough-textured cast iron.

Smooth or machined cast iron takes a different approach. After casting, the cooking surface is polished down to create a smoother interior with a more refined feel. Made In’s USA-made Cast Iron collection uses a smooth machined cooking surface designed to improve food release, simplify cleanup, and promote more even seasoning buildup from the very first cook. The smoother finish also creates more direct surface contact with food, which can help produce more consistent browning and searing.

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Then there’s enameled cast iron, which replaces seasoning entirely with a porcelain enamel coating fused to the iron beneath it. Instead of building seasoning over time, the enamel creates a smooth, nonreactive cooking surface immediately. No seasoning is required, and acidic ingredients like tomatoes, wine, and citrus can be cooked without affecting the surface.

For many cooks, this is the biggest shift in how modern bare cast iron feels to cook with. The rough, heavy skillet many people picture when they think of cast iron is no longer the only option. Smooth machined cast iron offers a more refined cooking experience while still preserving the high-heat performance, durability, and naturally seasoned cooking surface that make bare cast iron so appealing in the first place.

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## **Side-by-Side Comparison**

**Raw Cast Iron:**

Raw cast iron’s impressive heat retention and high heat tolerance makes it a versatile pick for everything from roasting to deep frying. It’s also extremely durable, with a heavy, warp-proof construction and a naturally non stick cooking surface once seasoned that’s easy to restore when damaged. On the other hand, cast iron is also reactive, making it less than ideal for slow-cooked tomato sauces and other acidic dishes. It also needs to be carefully seasoned and maintained to prevent rust spots and to keep food from sticking.

**Enameled Cast Iron:**

[Enameled cast iron](https://madeincookware.com/collections/enameled-cast-iron) offers all the benefits of unfinished cast iron, with a naturally non stick cooking surface that’s ready to use straight from the box. The heavy, thick-walled cast iron core provides excellent heat retention and prevents warping, while the smooth, stain-resistant enamel surface cuts down on cleaning and maintenance. It also makes an elegant serving piece, with attractive color options and a classic design.

## **When to Use Each Type**

**Reach for enameled cast iron when you’re:**  
- Braising short ribs, making stew, or cooking anything with tomatoes, wine, or citrus  
- Baking sourdough bread  
- Making a one-pot meal you’ll serve from the table  
- Wanting zero-maintenance cooking with no seasoning upkeep

**Reach for bare cast iron when you’re:**  
- Searing steak, pork chops, or chicken thighs at maximum heat  
- Cooking over a campfire or on the grill (900F tolerance)  
- Building a naturally non-stick surface that improves every time you cook  
- Making smash burgers, pan-fried eggs, or cornbread with a perfect crust  
- Looking for heirloom cookware that’ll last generations

**If you cook both types of meals?** That’s the whole point. Get both.

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## **Why Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron?**

With a thick, hand-poured cast iron core, stain resistant enamel interior, and unbeatable heat retention, [Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron cookware](https://madeincookware.com/collections/enameled-cast-iron) is equal parts versatile, elegant, and easy to maintain. Perfect for searing steaks and chops, our Enameled Cast Iron is also oven safe up to 580F, making it a superb option for [roasting, baking, and oven braising](https://madeincookware.com/blogs/what-is-a-cast-iron-skillet-used-for).

We’re also huge fans of the proprietary Cloud Cover lid, designed with pea-sized dimples that help evenly circulate steam for even cooking, as well as the ergonomic loop handles that make stove-to-oven and stove-to-table transfer a breeze. You can also pick from three different finishes—Harbor Blue, Made In Red, and Antique White—to suit your kitchen aesthetic.

Each piece is backed by a lifetime warranty, guaranteed to hold up to thousands of your messiest home-cooked meals. One customer describes the Enameled Cast iron Frying Pan as “My favourite pan for everything from shakshuka to short ribs—no seasoning required.”

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Elegant, low-maintenance, and hardy enough to stand up to your messiest meals, [Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron](https://madeincookware.com/collections/enameled-cast-iron) has long been one of our top-rated collections. Available in three proprietary colors and a range of different styles and sizes, we think you’ll find the perfect match.

## The Bottom Line

Every kitchen benefits from both types of cast iron — and Made In is the only brand that makes both at a professional level. Start with the [10” Cast Iron Skillet](https://madeincookware.com/products/cast-iron-fry-pan) for searing and everyday cooking, or the [Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven](/products/oval-dutch-oven/ruby-red) for braises and one-pot meals. For the full toolkit, pair both—the smooth machined skillet handles the high-heat work, and the enameled Dutch Oven handles everything acidic and low-and-slow.

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---
URL: https://madeincookware.com/blogs/difference-between-enameled-and-unfinished-cast-iron