seasoning question

[dobyman]

i picked up this skillet and have been trying to re-season it (3 times), but there are a few spots on the pan where the seasoning will not stick. ive never had this happen before, so i'm stumped. any suggestions? i am thinking of bead blasting the inside and starting over. I am open to any suggestions! Thanks, Steve

[doug hodder]

Kinda looks like a fisheye in paint, which usually means there is some sort of contamination, don't know if that applies to iron however. Doug

[dobyman]

yeah doug, thats exactly what it reminded me of. it was pretty rough when i got it, so i washed it with soap and steel wool and a scotchbrite pad before i seasoned it, seen the spots and steel wooled it again, but same thing! gonna try a bead blaster in the next day or two, unless i hear of a better suggestion. maybe if i take it down to the bare iron i can eliminate the spots? cant hurt it!!!

[doug hodder]

It possibly could be some sort of silicone contamination that has penetrated the iron also, don't know if bead blasting will take care of that. Wonder if it was maybe something in the material when they cast? Just speculating.....Doug

[dobyman]

we will know in a few days..... i'll let ya know!
thanks doug!

[devigata]

I've heard that beadblasting can pit them. Try oven cleaner. You just spray it on liberally then put in a plastic bag for a couple of days so it doesn't dry out, then use a wire brush or steel wool.

[doug hodder]

Beads typically won't pit, sand will. Beads can eat up aluminum however. I've bead blasted all my Coleman stuff with no pitting, other than the rust that did it for me. You can also back off on the distance to the item and use lower angles for more of a stripping effect. Doug

[dobyman]

Thanks Cathy Jo, I'll try that 1st!

[dobyman]

I'll try the oven cleaner 1st, and if that dont work, the bead blaster is always a good 2nd option! One way or another, it should come clean! Thanks again!
Steve

[devigata]

Doug, I didn't know there was that big a difference. Thanks for the info.

Good luck Doby.

[Rock]

Looks like contamination to me. Cast Iron is porous so something could have soaked in deep.

Maybe put it in the oven hot (500?) with no fat on it and see what happens. If you still have stuff bubbling up to the surface then you've still got a problem. Maybe extended periods at temperature will bring it all to the surface.

Eric

[dobyman]

sounds good. i got it soaking in oven cleaner right now so when that is done, ill clean it really good and bake it for a few hours and see what happens then!
thanks again, steve

[starleen2]

Looks like contamination to me. Cast Iron is porous so something could have soaked in deep.
Maybe put it in the oven hot (500?) with no fat on it and see what happens. If you still have stuff bubbling up to the surface then you've still got a problem. Maybe extended periods at temperature will bring it all to the surface.

Eric

And so does Oven cleaner! - I used some to strip a small piece and have been tasting it for a while.

[dobyman]

well, i tried the oven cleaner, and the hi temp roasting, but its still there. next i try beadblasting. if that dont work, i'll use it as-is! Ill post with results in a few days! Thanks again for the suggestions!
Steve

[dobyman]

I did the bead blasting yesterday and spent a few hours today seasoning it........ and it looks great! whatever was in there, came off with the blasting! Thanks for all the suggestions! Ill be cooking cornbread in it this weekend! 1st trip of the year, and I CANT WAIT! Weather is supposed to be nice!
Thanks again! Steve