Cast iron skillets

[MissPrissy]

When I first moved to VA. (Before my DH even dreamed I would have him out on a farm) one of the big hardware stores had crates of cast iron on clearance. Think Northern Va. and not too many people interested in it. They all wanted stainless steel and plenty of designer names. We bought a new set for me. We like it so well my DH went back and bought each of our daughters a set to have when they grow up and have their own home. All three crates for the girls have never been opened. They are still in the factory skin. 11 pieces each of made in the U.S.A. cast iron. Before they one by one move away I will season each set and send them on to a long and happy life with their pots and pans.

 

[gapeachy]

I still have the cast iron skillet my mom gave me when I got married in 1982....she gave me an old grisswold iron skillet and a dutch oven I also have all my dh's grandmothers skillets....I have them all packed up....I dont have any daughters and I dont think my dil's will use them....

 

[swampducks]

Quote:
This is very important so I want to highlight that. You do NOT grease with oils, you've got to use lard or crisco, hard fats. The smoking temperature of liquid oil is too low and will leave a sticky surface on a cast iron pan.

It takes a while to get a good seasoning but it will happen if you kep at it!

 

[BeckyLa]

Will bacon grease work as well as lard/Crisco? I don't keep them on hand but always have a jar of bacon grease in the frig. Now I understand why my pan is always so sticky.

 

[mamaKate]

One of my skillets is a Wal Mart special. It took awhile to season, but it's good now.

 

[swampducks]

Quote:
Bacon grease should work fine. Pretty much anything that is a solid at room temperature.

I'd like to add that after seasoning I do cook with vegetable oil and butter, it's the main seasoning or re-seasoning (should rust ever occur) where I use only lard or crisco.

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
I was in walmart one day and a rack had some Lodge cast iron on it. I paid $2.50 for 2 different pans. $2.50!

 

[sara]

My favorite griswald pan was found along the road. My DH and I were taking a walk and he spotted thrown down the bank. He put it in the coal stove to kill any germs, then cleaned and seasoned it for me. I love it!

 

[norahsmommy]

cast iron takes some getting used too, it can take awhile to get the perfect non stick surface. Then inevitably your husband washes it with soap! Food always tastes better when cooked in cast iron. I used to use olive oil to season with but butter works really well too. DONT use grape seed oil. Its a nice oil, but not to season with. One of my favorite things to do with cast iron is bake a deep dish pizza. The crust always gets so thick, crunch on the outside soft on the inside, very yummy!

 

[norahsmommy]

Quote:
I was in walmart one day and a rack had some Lodge cast iron on it. I paid $2.50 for 2 different pans. $2.50!

I know its insane how cheap cast iron can be. And it will last for generations.