DU chefs... when will my iron skillet be seasoned enough not to stick?

[henslee]

I've been following instructions that came with it as well as other online tips but stuff keeps sticking. I use wesson veg. oil. I dont use soap. I dont overscour. Grrrr.

[asthmaticeog]

1. Don't scour at all.

Let it cool, clean the excess grease out with salt, then brush it with a little oil. What's left won't go rancid and will help season the pan.

If something's REALLY stuck, pour in a little salt and vinegar and boil it off. Then brush with oil, etc. etc.

I got some cast-iron for Channukah and it was beautifully seasoned within a week and a half. (I used it for every meal during that period.)

[henslee]

2. Ahhh..... thank you. Mazel tov y good yuntif.

[supernova]

3. Yep, he's correct

Except I just boil some water in it if there's crud that won't come off with wiping. Oh and lubriate with more cooking oil after you do this. Vinegar is too stinky for me. :P

I have an 80 year old pan that I use every day and love it! :D

[asthmaticeog]

5. Yeah, it's true, the vinegar smell IS really unpleasant.

But the handle isn't quite darkened yet, and I fear to get water anywhere near the thing until there's just NO WAY I'm risking rust formation.

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. I'm with asthmaticeog - as soon as you stop scrubbing the seasoning off

it will be seasoned.

:-)

[Lars39]

6. Ahem...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=236&topic_id=17413&mesg_id=17413

[henslee]

11. Uhhh.

:eyes:

[Lars39]

12. What?

Did I jump into a joke thread with a serious answer again? :yoiks:

[henslee]

13. No way. I was just expressing the fact that here I am asking a question

that was already discussed in detail previously. Thanks for the link, pardner.

[Lars39]

14. Heck, everybody forgets about the cooking forum.

:hi:

[Thtwudbeme]

7. Did you cover it with grease

and stick it in the oven for a couple of hours?

Mine are all about 100 years old---way past "seasoned." I would kill the clown who would THINK of using soap on them!

[GOPisEvil]

9. Or a scouring pad!

Just wipe it out, and schmear on some oil.

If something is stuck to the bottom, boil some water, scrape the crud off, THEN wipe it out and schmear on some oil.

I bought mine at a re-sale shop, and it's like a heavy oil slick.

[Left Is Write]

15. I bought my favorite cast iron pan at a garage sale.

It's quite large, and the couple I bought it from had been using it for 40+ years. The man told me he wished they weren't selling it ("It makes great bacon!"), but they were getting rid of a ton of stuff, selling their house, and going on the road with the RV.

Anyway...he only charged my $2. Best two bucks I ever spent.

[bertha katzenengel]

8. You have to brain 10-12 would-be robbers before stuff stops

sticking. That gray matter's a bitch, ain't it?

;)

Seriously: don't wash it. Dry-scrub whatever's in it w/ paper towels or whatever is NOT abrasive. Don't scrub with water, and don't use scotch-bright pads or brillo or anything else of the like.

Good luck!

[Ptah]

10. Don't neglect some seasonings,

I add garlic and pepper to any process involving
my beloved cast iron.

:hi: