Cast iron pots and pans are not recommended for long-term food storage. While they are excellent for cooking, they are porous and can retain flavors and odors, which may affect the taste of stored food. Additionally, cast iron can rust if not properly dried and maintained, which can contaminate food. For long-term storage, it's better to use airtight, non-reactive containers like glass jars or food-grade plastic containers that are designed for food storage.