I've spent years testing and collecting my favorite Staub and Le Creuset pieces, but I recently discovered that there are many more cast iron cookware uses, that extend well beyond the stovetop. No, I won’t be reaching for the best cast iron cookware to cook with this summer – it’s far too hot to be standing over the stove. But, instead of gathering dust in my cupboards, these pots and pans are taking center stage as the cooling stars of my table decorations for 4th of July.
But it's not just aesthetic – there's a scientific reason for trying this hack, too: high-quality cast iron retains cold just as well as it holds heat. That means your favorite Dutch oven or braiser can double as an elegant ice bucket, oyster platter, or even a chilled punch bowl.
