A trip to the local farm store yields a box of cast iron cookware. Here's how to season cast iron. Note, after watching this video, watch the newer one I made here about how to season cast iron, thx!
Seasoning cast iron is not rocket science, just watch our how to season cast iron video here and you'll get the Eric way to season cast iron. One note: I now suggest using flax oil to season cast iron, its much better than vegetable shortening for the job. You can find flax seed oil in the refrigerated section of health food stores and places like Whole Foods.
For heavily rusted cast iron, aka how to clean rusty cast iron, watch this GF TV video on removing rust from cast iron.
Next you'll want to know how to clean your cast iron. The basic rule is to avoid soap. If the cast iron is seasoned properly, just about everything will clean off with hot water and a clean sponge. i have a dish sponge just for cast iron, i took a sharpie and wrote ' cast iron' on the sponge to get the point across to everyone about that.
You'll be surprised at how easily stuff cleans off a seasoned cast iron pan. I do avoid cooking scrambled eggs in cast iron, for that I use a non-stick pan, works much better.
Let us know your cast iron seasoning suggestions below:
Ginger
Hi Eric- It should be noted that most cast iron will last forever-even if rusted. Just take some steel wool (I use SOS pads) and scrub off the rust. It may take a bit of elbow grease depending on how long it has been since it felt any real love but when you get all the rust off, just reseason it like it were new! Also, I know people who stored their cast iron in the oven broiler because of the low humidity (my mother) but this is really bad for the pans and can take the "temper" out of them. When washing the pans, rinse them with boiling water or as hot as you can muster from your faucet-this will heat the iron and any extra moisture will evaporate off without the need to put the cast-iron back on the stovetop. It could also be noted that any fat can be used to season a pan as long as (a)it is salt free which will pit the iron, and (b)contains no animal fat which will go rancid...so forego the bacon grease. The bumpies on your lid I have only found on Lodge ware, they are self-basters and are great when making chicken and homemade from scratch baked beans.
wouter
Hi!
wouter
Hi!
When i google the difference betwen flax en linseed it al says its the same but just a different name. You said "dont use linseedoil" i am confused!
thanks!
Eric Gunnar Rochow
flax oil is the food grade version of linseed oil! thx, eric.