Cast Iron Cookware

[KimsJeep]

I finally got tired of buying the latest and supposedly, the greatest pans. I went and dug out my Grandmas cast iron skillet and started using that. I also cleaned up a decent skillet my hubby picked up. He collects it, I just was never into them, till now.

He found a Wagner Ware 8 skillet recently and I decided to give restoration a try. Thought I'd share my results after my first time doing it.

This is the skillet before.

After Dawn soap bath.

After first round with Easy Off soak. Soaked them for about 3 days, then cleaned them and soaked them one more day after that.

After 2nd Easy Off soak and also vinegar and water soak. Ready for seasoning.

I probably could have got all the old seasoning off if I would have noticed it. LOL But didn't see it till I had already gave it it's final soap bath and was putting oil on it for the seasoning.

After 3 rounds of seasoning.

And finally, the cookie test! It passed.

I also went thrift shopping last week and found a few more pans to do. I am in the process of gathering everything to make an E tank. It will cut the cleaning time in half. Can't wait to give that a try.

 

[Zorba]

Once I got my wife convinced to try cast iron, she won't use anything else. I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble you did, I would have used an SOS pad to get rid of the rust, fried some fatty crap meat in it for an hour or so, and called it good. It'll take awhile for it to get re-seasoned as it should be with the bare metal cleaning you performed.

 

[KennethS]

Back in high school my Mom had me bring a couple of cast iron skillets on a campout and put them in the campfire and burn off the old seasoning. They came out very clean.

 

[John Cooper]

We love cast iron cooking, and living just 7 miles from Lodge Cast iron foundry, we get good prices on factory seconds.

I would have also built a big fire and just tossed them in to clean them.

 

[Mike_H]

Cast iron is the Bomb. Love mine. I use non stick for eggs and that’s about it

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Why stop at 3?

Seasoning may be an addiction.

 

[John Cooper]

I would say 80 is ok, and like the article says it's the guy's way to unwind.

Me between 3 and 5 and I am good!!!

 

[KimsJeep]

Why stop at 3?

Seasoning may be an addiction.

LOL, I wouldn't be able to afford my gas bill if I did it 80 times.

 

[KimsJeep]

Cast iron is the Bomb. Love mine. I use non stick for eggs and that’s about it

My smaller Wagner actually does a great job with fried eggs. I don't use non stick pans at all anymore.

 

[KimsJeep]

Once I got my wife convinced to try cast iron, she won't use anything else. I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble you did, I would have used an SOS pad to get rid of the rust, fried some fatty crap meat in it for an hour or so, and called it good. It'll take awhile for it to get re-seasoned as it should be with the bare metal cleaning you performed.

Yah, that pan wasn't bad, but I'm trying to learn to strip and re season. I'm going to try to make an Etank and do this pan and a few more in it.

 

[Akitadog]

My mom was using cast iron since the 60's and I've used them after moving out on my own around 1980.
It took a bit to convince my wife cast was way better than all those cheap non-stick stuff, she uses nothing else now.

 

[cliffish]

Love using them, did this tonight Extra Cheesy CI Skillet Ranchero Enchiladas

 

[d-cannon]

So glad to see this thread. I’ve had a modern lodge for a while that we mainly used for steaks. I just discovered how cool antique cast iron is: lighter, smooth cook surface, and much more character. I think I am addicted. In the last two weeks I obtained two Griswold skillets (5&8), a Victor skillet (9), a Griswold waffle maker, and an Erie griddle (9). Most of these are more than 100 years old (the Victor is about 90). I’m restoring the #5 this week.

I hope to get a more complete set (5-10) and then replace the wife’s ceramic set that is not holding up well.

 

[Apparition]

So glad to see this thread. I’ve had a modern lodge for a while that we mainly used for steaks. I just discovered how cool antique cast iron is: lighter, smooth cook surface, and much more character. I think I am addicted. In the last two weeks I obtained two Griswold skillets (5&8), a Victor skillet (9), a Griswold waffle maker, and an Erie griddle (9). Most of these are more than 100 years old (the Victor is about 90). I’m restoring the #5 this week.

I hope to get a more complete set (5-10) and then replace the wife’s ceramic set that is not holding up well.

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[Blackjack]

Yah, that pan wasn't bad, but I'm trying to learn to strip and re season. I'm going to try to make an Etank and do this pan and a few more in it.

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Lodge are not that bad once you take an orbital to them and slick them up.

 

[John Cooper]

Lodge are not that bad once you take an orbital to them and slick them up.

Since the Lodge foundry is just 6 miles from our house, that's all we use.

 

[Mike_H]

My smaller Wagner actually does a great job with fried eggs. I don't use non stick pans at all anymore.

I use cheap non-stick mainly because I'm lazy in the morning and I want to fry an egg, rinse the pan, and not think about it until I get home from work. Can't be that careless with Cast Iron.

 

[Mike_H]

So glad to see this thread. I’ve had a modern lodge for a while that we mainly used for steaks. I just discovered how cool antique cast iron is: lighter, smooth cook surface, and much more character. I think I am addicted. In the last two weeks I obtained two Griswold skillets (5&8), a Victor skillet (9), a Griswold waffle maker, and an Erie griddle (9). Most of these are more than 100 years old (the Victor is about 90). I’m restoring the #5 this week.

I hope to get a more complete set (5-10) and then replace the wife’s ceramic set that is not holding up well.

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I'd be interested in seeing the waffle maker. I love waffles, but can't stand the large square Belgium style...which is all the makers I ever find. I have an OLD electric one, with cast iron grids in it that works pretty well, but its kinda on its last legs so I'm always on the lookout for another

 

[d-cannon]

I'd be interested in seeing the waffle maker. I love waffles, but can't stand the large square Belgium style...which is all the makers I ever find. I have an OLD electric one, with cast iron grids in it that works pretty well, but its kinda on its last legs so I'm always on the lookout for another

Here is a video of one exactly like mine in use. There are many different kinds from 100 years ago. I am partial to Griswold, but you can find cheaper prices that are equally capable.

 

[d-cannon]

Here is a video of one exactly like mine in use. There are many different kinds from 100 years ago. I am partial to Griswold, but you can find cheaper prices that are equally capable.

This is mine in as-found condition. I hope to get it back to new condition in the next few weeks.