CI Seasonin..

[inkjunkie]

...of oil/lard/bacon grease etc do you folks apply after stripping a skillet? Ernestina just purchased an old Wagner Ware....looked to be in good shape prior to stripping...thats,when I found a small pinhole on the bottom....it doesn't go all the way thru...and it has a small non penetrating crack on the outside. I got it stripped as good as I could and hit it with 5 layers of Flax Seed oil....never letting the "curing" temperature of the gasser exceed 425*...

 

[bauchjw]

I'm pretty new to it with flax seed. But, I grew up watching mom and dad use bacon grease.

 

[inkjunkie]

I'm pretty new to it with flax seed. But, I grew up watching mom and dad use bacon grease.

So your folks just seasoned it as they cooked with it?

 

[bauchjw]

Yes. I've just started using CI again and my Dad gets frustrated with me using flax seed oil. He said the CI pans he has were passed down and the only seasoning has been daily bacon cooked in them. I try to explain I don't cook with Crisco and bacon grease daily and he calls me a hippie for some reason.

Anyway, sorry. I don't know if that helps. I did flax seed last fall and the occasions I use the CI I just wipe down with oil/grease I was using. I'll strip and redo flax next fall. I love it!

 

[flgatorguy87]

I exclusively use CI or Carbon pans. I just cook in it, make gravy, fry potatoes, bake in them. I cook at home a lot so they get used daily and it seems to do fine. Mine are in great shape, some old and some new.

 

[bauchjw]

I'm talking my wife into using CI and stainless exclusive. I don't trust non stick anymore. They scratch too easy and I don't know what's going into the food.

 

[inkjunkie]

I'm talking my wife into using CI and stainless exclusive. I don't trust non stick anymore. They scratch too easy and I don't know what's going into the food.

My wife used Teflon pans her whole life. Sometimes they would last a year or more...sometimes only a few months. Wonder how much of that stuff we all have consumed over the years and what it does to you?

 

[bauchjw]

Absolutely.

 

[HalfSmoked]

Teflon can't be any worst then all the smoke and char coal gas we eat but at least we'll die happy and full. My grandmother or mother never stripped the CI just kept right on using it and never washed it in water just wiped out the grease and some times wiped it out with a damp cloth.

 

[GaryHibbert]

All my gramma ever had was cast iron frying pans.  After the meal, she would wipe all the excess food off, pour a bit of oil or grease in and heat it up.  When it was good and hot, she would wipe all the oil/grease out and set it on the cook stove for the next meal.

Gary

 

[bauchjw]

:sausage: :biggrin: Teflon can't be any worst then all the smoke and char coal gas we eat but at least we'll die happy and full. My grandmother or mother never stripped the CI just kept right on using it and never washed it in water just wiped out the grease and some times wiped it out with a damp cloth.

I know you were saying it as a joke and I laugh too, but my wife gets stressed. She read some articles about grilling/smoking as really bad for you. I try to explain its not what we eat for breakfast lunch and diner, but she'll only eat it once a week. I smoke a lot, but give it to single guys and geographic bachelors where I work. 10 pound pork butt is still cheap and makes people happy! Ironically she's not as stressed about tephlon pans she uses and gets frustrated with my growing CI collection and use. Go figure!

 

[link]

I switched over to Cast Iron about a year ago and use pretty much CI only now. I am pretty particular about them (my wife thinks). After each use I wash them out (yes a little soap if necessary but not a lot). I then heat them on the stove to freaking hot (actual temperature) and then wipe them with bacon grease if i have it or Crisco. It is smoke it is hot, I let them cool wipe out any extra oil and store with paper towel between each one.

I love CI and I am always looking for more.

Link