Help me love my cast iron skillet

[Chasing Amy]

Why do you think your Grandma's skillet didn't work?

If I knew the answer to this, I wouldn't be asking all of you! I'm happy with my enameled cast iron though.

[BonitaApplebum]

I'm irrationally adamant that we should be able to crack this mystery.

We should plan a CH camping trip, and we'll all try to cook on it.

[radial]

If I knew the answer to this, I wouldn't be asking all of you! I'm happy with my enameled cast iron though.

Seems like the pan had a poorly finished surface.  Some of the stuff from Taiwan is pretty rough.  So maybe that's why it didn't perform like a traditional cast iron pan.  Still, it's a mystery that it worked for your Grandma.  Maybe she used enough fat that nothing stuck to the pan because it was floating on an oil slick?  Who knows.  Anyway, glad you found something that works. 

[radial]

I'm irrationally adamant that we should be able to crack this mystery.

We should plan a CH camping trip, and we'll all try to cook on it.

Hey, Amy ship it to me and I'll resurface it like I did with my Lodge pans.  The process is kind of tedious, but it works. 

[Chasing Amy]

I'm irrationally adamant that we should be able to crack this mystery.

We should plan a CH camping trip, and we'll all try to cook on it.

I'm game!

[Chasing Amy]

Seems like the pan had a poorly finished surface.  Some of the stuff from Taiwan is pretty rough.  So maybe that's why it didn't perform like a traditional cast iron pan.  Still, it's a mystery that it worked for your Grandma.  Maybe she used enough fat that nothing stuck to the pan because it was floating on an oil slick?  Who knows.  Anyway, glad you found something that works. 

Well, she was an Italian Grandma and Italian Grandmas can do anything.

[Magic Microbe]

There is a reason mine is now relagated to pretty much only camping. I think they seemed more awesome before actual non stick pans existed.

[witchypoo]

i've been thinking about this thread (my life is a basket filled with excitement and intensity).

my cast iron cookware is all enameled le creuset, because i can't deal. 

i suspect this stems from my mother's insistence that we SCRUB her [conventional] cast iron cookware with steel wool and soap every time she used it.  if it was even remotely smeared with fat after a wash, she'd lose her mind.  why does she own any?  i have no idea.

[radial]

i've been thinking about this thread (my life is a basket filled with excitement and intensity).

my cast iron cookware is all enameled le creuset, because i can't deal. 

i suspect this stems from my mother's insistence that we SCRUB her [conventional] cast iron cookware with steel wool and soap every time she used it.  if it was even remotely smeared with fat after a wash, she'd lose her mind.  why does she own any?  i have no idea.

After about 500 years, that might produce a very slick finish. 

[BonitaApplebum]

i've been thinking about this thread (my life is a basket filled with excitement and intensity).

I think about this thread every time I use my cast iron! I am still sad we can't get to the bottom of it.

FWIW my new (to me, but it's like 60 years old) Descoware enameled cast iron skillet is possibly my favorite thing in my kitchen right now.

[DocBuzzkill]

my cast iron cookware is all enameled le creuset, because i can't deal. 

All the way with Le Creuset. 

[Chasing Amy]

I feel like you should all know that I successfully made pancakes in the cast iron.


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[ihop]

 

I thought about this thread after tossing a cast iron pan.  It worked well for years and then NOTHING worked - I couldn't get it clean without damaging the seasoning and then I couldn't ever restore the seasoning. 

[BonitaApplebum]

I feel like you should all know that I successfully made pancakes in the cast iron.


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What do you think turned the corner for you and the pan?

[Chasing Amy]

What do you think turned the corner for you and the pan?

The pan and I have negotiated a truce. I will not prepare eggs in it, it will not attract every bit of stickiness and lint within the house like a magnet.

[BonitaApplebum]

Wise! I don't usually make eggs in mine, either. Just too sticky.

[Rochey]

I just thought about this thread the other day. I have been using mine a lot more and love how meat turns out. We bought a half a beef and even just hamburgers cooked in it are amazing.

[radial]

I just seared a steak in reconditioned Lodge pan.  Cleaned up fine with just hot water.  The non-stick pans work well too.  But even the most durable of them eventually wears out so you just have to accept the need to toss them every so often.

[Rejaneration]

Love this thread. I have learned much.
I have learned that how I use my cast iron skillet would make you guys shudder. It is not properly seasoned- no time for that! My only rule is never use soap on it. I put tomatoes and other acidic stuff in it with abandon. I love it for searing.


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[BonitaApplebum]

The joy of cast iron is that it can be so many things!