Cast iron frying pan

[jeepr]

Yep, just wipe it out with paper towel or a dish cloth. If something sticks, just scrape it off with a spatula, and wipe.

I have fixed some old rusty pans by washing with Dawn, then taking sand paper to the inside until they are shiny, then re-seasoning them.

[slick149]

If old CI is not available, I am fond of new Lodge Brand Cast Iron. I believe they are made in the US and they season well (some come pre-seasoned).

As for cleaning, I like the hot water an Kosher Salt method. Once the pan / pot has cooled to a warm temp, wipe it out w/ a paper towel. Add warm / hot water to the pan, and then a few tablespoons of corse Kosher Salt. Move it around w/ a nakpin (tongs may be needed to hold onto the napkin if the water is too hot). Rinse. Heat the CI up to dry it, then coat w/ peanut oil. Not a heavy coating. You don't want any globs. Once cool, you're done!

Slick

[madjack]

...haved used CI skillets and DO for years and have practiced the heresy of WASHING them...that's right washing them, after washing I put them back on the stove and heat thoroughly, then take a bit of cooking oil and wiping down with paper towel...like Gage would say...it works for me
madjack

[bledsoe3]

If you can figure out how to grind them smooth let me know. Not that I would do it I just want to know the technique and how long it takes.

I used an angle grinder and Rol lock sanding disc's. It took about 5 minutes and it really smoothed out the surface. I'll post a picture soon. Jim

[cracker39]

...haved used CI skillets and DO for years and have practiced the heresy of WASHING them...that's right washing them, after washing I put them back on the stove and heat thoroughly, then take a bit of cooking oil and wiping down with paper towel...like Gage would say...it works for me
madjack

I've never had a problem with washing them either, and, like Madjack, I always heat them dry on the stove and re-oil them. I NEVER just towel dry and put them away.

[madjack]

...well Dale, it's good to see that I am not the only CI heretic here...I grew up rural poor and Gramdma and Mom did it thataway so I fugured it would be OK for me...afterall most of my cooking involves sauses and gravies and stews in which you are doing what...boiling water...that's right, boiling water so what's the diff from washing. Beside which, I really don't want left overs from 10 tears ago in tonites beans
madjack

[slick149]

I think the reason they say not to wash CI is because of the pourisness of the material. If the pan is not properly seasone, soap will seap into the metal, and ruin the tastes of food.

Just my though.

Slick

[madjack]

...ya could be right ther slick...usually a SS scrub pad and hot water are sufficient...a good rinse/heating/oiling always follows
madjack

[lee]

I wash my iron skillet with soap and water every day. Have been doing it for years just as my mother did. I always put them back in the oven where there is a pilot light It dries them out and are ready for the next time. When the outside needs a good cleaning, I spray them with oven cleaner and put inside a plastic bag. I clean them up good and heat them up, put in some vegetable oil and wipe it around with wax paper. Lee

[Laredo]

(hides head in hands)

boys, boys, boys ...

no, it's not that the soap will make the food taste bad. it's that, yes, cast iron is porous metal and yes, the surface is not perfectly slick so yes, it retains soap.

back when soap was made with hog lard and wood ashes, soap left in the pan would give you Montezuma's revenge (if you were lucky), at the least.

of course, spoilt meat grease left in the pan can give you the same symptoms. that's why nearly every cleaning regimen calls for H E A T ... it sterilizes the pan.

and by the way, altho most of it ain't made with wood ashes and meat grease, much of today's soap will still upset the balance of microbes in the intestinal track.

you'll just wish it was going to kill you....

[Nitetimes]

I've always done mine the same as madjack, I just run hot water in them and run a scrub pad around the inside then sit them on a low flame until they are dry. None of mine have been seasoned in years, they don't need it anymore.

[Roly Nelson]

The first thing that I do when I arrive at a Gathering, is to fire up the old dutch oven, prepare a super potroast and invite anyone within shouting distace, to come and enjoy a tasty meal, with all of he trimmings. Shucks, I have even gone visiting nearby camp-sites, asking fellow teardroppers, if they have any dinner plans. One time, as many as 7 hungry teardroppers, brought plates and utinsels and joined me in a wonderful potroast dinner. Now what greater pleasure is that?

This is what teardropping is all about. Some years ago. I was checking out differernt campsites, not planning on any dinner outcome, and was invited to share BBQed steaks, with all of the trimmings. This never happened in our motorhome travels. It is difficult to explain to non-teardroppers, how these fellow campers are so open to sharing their meals with strangers.

After full-timing in a motorhome for about 6 years, I can't remember anyone inviting us to share meals with them. Once again, I must remind all future teardroppers, that these follks are a special breed. As the sun starts to set, darkness accends and campfires are being stoked, what a hoot it is to wander in to the 'circle of fire enrhusiasts', to share a bit of cheese and wine, listening to all of the banter that only seems to be shared around the glow of burning coals.

Long live teardrop camping, and I hope to do it for many years.

Nowhere at home, can these thoughts and feelings be duplicated, under the millions of stars and moonlight, be experienced, like laying prone on a picnic table, watching gradually emerging stars, taking their place, slowly, in the sky. Unless you have experilenced this star-experience, you don't know what you are missing.

I just spent a quiet night in the dark Arizona wilderness, doing just that! We city dwellers often fail to check out the wonders of the sky,
that is not emblazened with city lights.

Make the drive out there, check out the night sky, enjoy the North Star and the big dipper and absorb the feelings of forgetten night skies.

Roly, just an old TD camper, enjoying nature's wonders, once again. Remeber, we just don't know how how how long our candle will burn, make the most of it while you still can!.

[madjack]

Roly...eloquently put......... .........................

[bledsoe3]

I went tent camping (for the last time) in September. As I put my daughter into the tent I looked up at the stars. I had my daughter get out of the tent to look. She's 7 and this was the first time she has seen the stars like that. It was pretty cool to see her amazement. She even talked about it around the campfire the next morning.

[bledsoe3]

If you can figure out how to grind them smooth let me know. Not that I would do it I just want to know the technique and how long it takes.

I used an angle grinder and Rol lock sanding disc's. It took about 5 minutes and it really smoothed out the surface. I'll post a picture soon. Jim

Here's the picture of the pan and tool I used to smooth it out. You can see the pad is fouled a bit, but it really worked. Now I'll clean it good and season it. If I like it when I'm done I'll do the other pan and D.O. too.