People with cast iron, is the pan supposed to be smooth?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I just found a cast iron skillet, but I'm not sure if it's any good. The cooking area is a smooth surface. Isn't it supposed to be kinda rough for the oil to get in and season it?

 

[thomsbrain]

they are usually smooth when you start out but get rougher over time.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
they are usually smooth when you start out but get rougher over time.

Other way around. They get smoother as the little burned bits of food fill in the pores in the inside.

 

[rancidcrabtree]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
they are usually smooth when you start out but get rougher over time.

Other way around. They get smoother as the little burned bits of food fill in the pores in the inside.

QFT


kev

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Soooo... does this mean that this cast iron skillet is already well seasoned? Is there any way to tell? It doesn't look like it has any food or oil residue on it.

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: rancidcrabtree

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
they are usually smooth when you start out but get rougher over time.

Other way around. They get smoother as the little burned bits of food fill in the pores in the inside.

QFT


kev

 

[HomeAppraiser]

They start out smooth, then develop some dents each time you smack your husband over the head with it

 

[djheater]

They start out a little rough from the casting process, and get smoother over time through use.
You should probably discard it, as there was a period of time when cast iron cookware was made with a significant lead content. Go to amazon and pick up a couple of lodge pieces.

edit I take back the statement about lead... I can't find anything to back it up.. not sure why I think that...

 

[spidey07]

Just keep cooking with it. It will become well seasoned and non-stick.

My personal favorite is to cook bacon/sausage and let the yummy pork fat do the seasoning.

 

[fitzov]

lol...we need a sticky for cast iron pans.

 

[Eos]

Imagine the surface of your skillet being 10 feet wide and completely smooth. Everything would stick to it unless it was way lubed up. Now imagine the same 10 foot Paul Bunyan skillet with 1 inch wide slightly raised bumps all over the surface. About 1/2 an inch apart. This creates a surface where the food has a tougher time sticking because there is always space under the food, unlike the completely smooth surface.

 

[Fritzo]

I have a griddle that I use every Sunday for eggs, pancakes, and bacon. Cook the pancakes first, then I put them in the oven at 150F (single layer). Then I cook the bacon with a bacon press on the pan. Finally, the eggs. The bacon grease coats the pan, so the eggs don't stick. It's a perfect process!

BTW- My "secret" pancake recipe:

Use normal instant pancake mix, make 12-14 pancake recipe
Add:
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbs cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix well. For a great fruit topping, slice fresh strawberrries, or use whole blueberries. Add to a pot and add 1/4 cup water. Cover fruit in 1 cup of powdered sugar and heat on medium heat. As it heats, it will thicken into a fruit syrup.

My kids love Sundays

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I have a griddle that I use every Sunday for eggs, pancakes, and bacon. Cook the pancakes first, then I put them in the oven at 150F (single layer). Then I cook the bacon with a bacon press on the pan. Finally, the eggs. The bacon grease coats the pan, so the eggs don't stick. It's a perfect process!

BTW- My "secret" pancake recipe:

Use normal instant pancake mix, make 12-14 pancake recipe
Add:
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbs cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix well. For a great fruit topping, slice fresh strawberrries, or use whole blueberries. Add to a pot and add 1/4 cup water. Cover fruit in 1 cup of powdered sugar and heat on medium heat. As it heats, it will thicken into a fruit syrup.

My kids love Sundays

Will you be my Sunday Dad?