cast iron cookware care

[TomSeller]

Isn't bead blasting awful rough on a nice piece of cast iron cookware? I bought a small Wagner skillet on EBay that I did not notice was sand blasted until I got it. It cooks just fine, it is just that some of the logo work on the back was not as nice.

 

[caver]

I've had good luck with a smaller cast iron skillet made in china and bought at Big Lots. It hasn't failed me yet and is used for camping. I have a larger mystery brand bought at an antique mall for the house. That thing weighs a ton compared to other vintage skillets.

 

[sailorman]

Using the electrolysis method is it ok to use a 12V charger ? Or must a 6V be used ?

Side note : Used to backpack when I was young . Did a week long medium to hard trail backpack in Arkansas . During a rest break, I was shocked to see a group of 4 come up the trail and passed me packing cast iron gear hanging on their packs . Must have been 30 -40 lbs. worth on each guy . Can 't imagine what they were plannin' on cooking in it or where they were gonna get it . It was 15 miles to the designated camp site . They must have loved CI .

 

[SPIKER]

Isn't bead blasting awful rough on a nice piece of cast iron cookware? I bought a small Wagner skillet on EBay that I did not notice was sand blasted until I got it. It cooks just fine, it is just that some of the logo work on the back was not as nice.

Nope just use a bit finer bead size and as I noted few posts back was done by myself a few times when revising old cast.

Using the electrolysis method is it ok to use a 12V charger ? Or must a 6V be used ?
...
They must have loved CI .

Yes 12 volt is ok to use for electrolysis it is more to do with AMPERAGE than voltage as the higher the current the faster it works to a point.

 

[RobertN]

My Uncle was an avid Scouter all his life. Did lots of 50 milers when he was a Scoutmaster. He ALWAYS carried a cast iron pan to cook in. And, fresh eggs. He kept them in a coffee can wrapped with paper towel. He'd use the paper towel for fire started, and the coffee can to boil water.

I took a 10" DO on a 5 mile backpack trip once. Fit in my pack, along with all the fixin's for a chocolate cherry surprise. The Grump(adult) patrol ate good that night...
Byron's Dutch Oven Recipes - Cherry Chocolate Surprise Cake

Side note : Used to backpack when I was young . Did a week long medium to hard trail backpack in Arkansas . During a rest break, I was shocked to see a group of 4 come up the trail and passed me packing cast iron gear hanging on their packs . Must have been 30 -40 lbs. worth on each guy . Can 't imagine what they were plannin' on cooking in it or where they were gonna get it . It was 15 miles to the designated camp site . They must have loved CI .

 

[TomSeller]

Well I bought a #12 Griswold large block logo skillet on eBay from the 1920s. I can't wait to get it, clean it up, season it and start cooking with it. My largest cast iron skillet was a #10 before.

 

[Gunny]

We've got a # 12 and a # 13 Griswold skillets. The 13 has never had anything other than chicken fried in it since we've had it, and that's all the wife will use it for!

We were lucky enough that we got a lid with the # 12, it took a lot of searching and a lot of time before we managed to find a lid for the # 13

 

[TomSeller]

We've got a # 12 and a # 13 Griswold skillets. The 13 has never had anything other than chicken fried in it since we've had it, and that's all the wife will use it for!

We were lucky enough that we got a lid with the # 12, it took a lot of searching and a lot of time before we managed to find a lid for the # 13

I have never seen a #13. I have seen a #14, quite large. I have a number of Griswold cast lids for show but tend to cook with glass lids I match up at Goodwill.

 

[cartod]

I just love the old griswolds!

 

[forgeblast]

""I don't use soap much but if the polymerized oil (seasoning) is done right, soap should not bother it.Note that flaxseed oil turns rancid for those storing it...""

I have never had flaxseed go rancid. I buy organic cold pressed oil by the gallon. Flaxseed will turn into a polymer, flax also goes by linseed oil, the flax was grown for the fiber, linseed for the oil. Its used in oil paints and I use it on all my wooden wares to provide a great protection. I recommend it over mineral oil, since mineral oil never completely dries out.

 

[gsganzer]

I recently started seasoning my cast iron with coconut oil. I think it might be just the ticket. My pans continue to get better and better with each use.

 

[tcreeley]

We have cooked on cast iron all of my life. Some of the frying pans have been in steady use since we got them 40 years ago. Our large frying pan I grew with my mother using it. We have always cooked on gas. As for seasoning- I fry with butter, olive oil. and bacon when we have it. Generally I just wipe it out between uses, but my wife loves to soak the pans, put them into the dishwasher. I worried about the seasoning - but not anymore. I just add oil/butter and fry. They work great.
I have a dutch oven I use for bread. My wife leaves that one alone and I season it with butter. I'll wipe crumbs out with a damp cloth and rub with a little butter if it needs it, prior to baking.

I don't think that these pans are as "delicate" as we fear they are!

 

[TomSeller]

Flaxseed will turn into a polymer, flax also goes by linseed oil, the flax was grown for the fiber, linseed for the oil. Its used in oil paints and I use it on all my wooden wares to provide a great protection. I recommend it over mineral oil, since mineral oil never completely dries out.

i have a number of kitchen knives with wood handles that I noticed are drying out a bit. Have you used flaxseed oil on handles? I do not put them in the dishwasher.

 

[forgeblast]

Tom I use flax on them(knife handles) when they are drying out too, my cutting boards, wooden bowls, spoons, etc. Its great!
what is the best oil for treating wood? - Robin Wood

 

[wolftree]

I have started passing along the magic of cast iron cookware by giving a cast iron griddle as wedding, anniversary and other occasion gifts. I counted the number of times I used a griddle, skillet or pan for a week and it was the griddle that was the most used by far. I purchased my griddle two wives and forty years ago. Both wives tried latch onto MY griddle without success.

 

[tcreeley]

I've been reading lately that pure neatsfoot oil (made from cows' shin bones and feet) is good for wood (besides leather). The non-pure stuff has petroleum based stuff added (that rots the thread in harness and boots). I am using Fiebings pure neatsfoot oil on my canes. When I did some research online, its use on cutting boards and handles was recommended. Another use was as a moisturizer for human use!
It is an all-animal product.

 

[SPIKER]

I had used bacon grease and or other greases & oils over time including ghe sprays out of a can. Best seems to be pure old lard... wash clean anything and add a small half tea spoon full after washing during heat drying and leave it on... It has gotten better since I took over the cast iron care, now not even fried taters stick...

M

 

[sseelhoff]

Gotta try the coconut oil for seasoning. Up to now, I have been using Canola oil. Thanks for the tip.

 

[TomSeller]

Gotta try the coconut oil for seasoning. Up to now, I have been using Canola oil. Thanks for the tip.

The best oil for seasoning is flaxseed oil. I use coconut oil to store the pans with since it is anti fungal, anti bacterial and anti septic.

 

[TomSeller]

Tom I use flax on them(knife handles) when they are drying out too, my cutting boards, wooden bowls, spoons, etc. Its great!
what is the best oil for treating wood? - Robin Wood

Thank you. I will give it a try.