Cast iron pans have maintained their popularity in the culinary space for decades, mostly because of their durability. With the right care, they can be a great non-stick pan option, without the chemicals and are known to get better over time with proper cleaning and seasoning. 

Many new users find the pans intimidating as they can be unforgiving if improperly cared for, unlike most other cookware. There are ongoing debates on topics like the use of dish soap and the best way to season a pan, causing confusion and fear for new users.