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Post by ellewood on Dec 28, 2016 2:32:57 GMT
... now what? I've never had one before! It wasn't a Christmas present, just a hand-me-down. I don't know if it was "seasoned" or anything like that. How do I take care of it? What can I make in it? Everyone's always on about their cast iron skillets, I want in on the action, too! Teach me!
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smginaz Suzy
Pearl Clutcher
Je suis desole.
Posts: 2,608
Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on Dec 28, 2016 2:51:13 GMT
Pineapple upside down cake should only be made in a cast-iron skillet.
That's all I got!
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846 
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Post by georgiapea on Dec 28, 2016 2:52:59 GMT
Is it black or gray? Black is a seasoned skillet, gray means it's pretty unused and likely not seasoned. Seasoning means a coating of oil has clung to the iron.
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Post by mom on Dec 28, 2016 2:58:58 GMT
Pineapple upside down cake should only be made in a cast-iron skillet. That's all I got! Cornbread as well! Yummmm-0 |
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Post by mama2three on Dec 28, 2016 3:01:14 GMT
Hand me down cast iron is the best. It will last forever. You'll probably need to re season it by heating oil at a high temp. But it will go more quickly than starting with a brand new pan.
Don't put it in the dishwasher, don't use a lot of soap to clean it, make sure to thoroughly dry before putting away-I heat the washed pan on the stove until it is dry and then after it cools I coat the inside with a light coating of veg oil (rub on with a paper towel) just to keep it from rusting, but the oil probably is not really necessary.
We use it for lots of things, but especially love it for cornbread. Put oil or butter in the skillet. Heat the skillet in the oven on high heat while you mix the batter. Pour batter into hot skillet and bake. The corn bread gets a fabulous crunchy crust. It's great for making tomato sauce -the iron pan adds iron to the food.
We take it camping and use it over both wood and charcoal fires
You're going to love it. Enjoy
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:02:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2016 3:02:16 GMT
I found out the hard way - bought a new pre-seasoned pan and followed the instructions. But they weren't specific enough. Next time I get one if I have to wash it, not only will I dry it immediately and then put it on a hot burner to make sure any residual moisture dries quickly. I didn't do that last step and the pans rusted and the pre-seasoned coating peel off like plastic.
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Post by ellewood on Dec 28, 2016 3:02:40 GMT
Is it black or gray? Black is a seasoned skillet, gray means it's pretty unused and likely not seasoned. Seasoning means a coating of oil has clung to the iron. Oooooh it's black! That's good info to have! |
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Post by stampinchick on Dec 28, 2016 3:07:23 GMT
I love mine! To clean mine I never use soap. I sprinkle it with salt and rub it with a paper towel. This will help to remove any bits left on the skillet after cooking. I then wash it with hot water and dry it immediately.
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Post by mama2three on Dec 28, 2016 3:08:49 GMT
My skillet is old. I find I need to reseason from time to time if I've had to really scrub something off it. Usually after the kids have cooked dinner. Re seasoning restores the nonstick coating of oil. Just be prepared for the possibility that your smoke alarm might go off and the smell of the iron at high temp can be unpleasant-though nothing like seasoning new cast iron.
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Post by scrapApea on Dec 28, 2016 3:15:14 GMT
Kosher salt and a paper towel to clean it. I usually scrap it out with a spatula (pancake turner type thing - not sure the name- cuz I think it's spatula but we call the rubber things that the scrape out a bowl with a spatula) so I get the chunky stuff out first and then take the salt and scrub it around and that works slick. What can you make? What do you make in any other skillet? I fry my bacon. Fry burgers in there, ooo they are good, get a good crust on them.... I make a taco dish where you fry ground beef and onions. drain. add a can of rotel, black beans & corn sprinkle with cheese and pour a box of jiffy corn bread mix over it and back at (temp on corn bread box) for 15 to 20 min. Don't over bake the bread part. I make a rubarb upsidedown cake in there. Just whatever. Fry chicken and onions and green peppers for fajitas... Pioneer woman food.  |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:02:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2016 3:27:32 GMT
Dh got one for Christmas. He made THE BEST bacon in it. Seriously, I didn't think bacon could taste any better than it already does!
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Post by cindyupnorth on Dec 28, 2016 4:07:49 GMT
We do all our burgers and steaks in cast iron. works great.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,366
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Dec 28, 2016 4:18:16 GMT
You can make anything in cast iron! We use salt to clean ours too. I don't know that it's ever met soap TBH!
Grilled cheese- OMG!
Bacon- YES!
Burgers- HELL YES!
Carnitas- OMG YES! Especially if you use manteca with it! OMG!
The only thing I don't make in it is scrambled eggs. Those just ick me out so I make them in a nonstick pan. I'm sure they're fine in a cast iron skillet tho.
We also have a cast iron dutch oven. That makes THE BEST knead not sourdough (alton brown recipe)
AND cast iron can go into the oven from the stove top and it can go in the bbq!
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Post by workingclassdog on Dec 28, 2016 4:20:42 GMT
Ummm I need to start using mine more often!!!!!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:02:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2016 4:27:26 GMT
Silly question: we have a cast iron skillet we've had for 25 ish years but DH used it to put the dog food in for the dogs- Both dogs are no longer with us and DH put the pan in the shed. I really want a cast iron pan and was wondering if that one would still be good or should we start new with one?
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Post by ntsf on Dec 28, 2016 5:06:06 GMT
old cast iron can be used again.. there are many articles about how to restore and re-season
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mlana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,525
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Post by mlana on Dec 28, 2016 5:30:28 GMT
On Youtube, there's a channel, The Culinary Fanatic, who knows all there is to know about cast iron. He is worth watching just for the way he loves his craft.
Marcy
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,107
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Dec 28, 2016 5:46:02 GMT
Silly question: we have a cast iron skillet we've had for 25 ish years but DH used it to put the dog food in for the dogs- Both dogs are no longer with us and DH put the pan in the shed. I really want a cast iron pan and was wondering if that one would still be good or should we start new with one? Yes! Some people sandblast it, but you may be able to clean it----use a stiff grill brush or crumpled foil and salt to scrub it, then season it. If it is very pitted, you may want to start new. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Dec 28, 2016 11:41:24 GMT
... now what? I've never had one before! It wasn't a Christmas present, just a hand-me-down. I don't know if it was "seasoned" or anything like that. How do I take care of it? What can I make in it? Everyone's always on about their cast iron skillets, I want in on the action, too! Teach me! There is no such thing as 'just' a hand me down iron skillet. That's an heirloom gift.  |
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Post by anxiousmom on Dec 28, 2016 11:44:35 GMT
You can make anything in cast iron! We use salt to clean ours too. I don't know that it's ever met soap TBH! Grilled cheese- OMG! Bacon- YES! Burgers- HELL YES! Carnitas- OMG YES! Especially if you use manteca with it! OMG! The only thing I don't make in it is scrambled eggs. Those just ick me out so I make them in a nonstick pan. I'm sure they're fine in a cast iron skillet tho. We also have a cast iron dutch oven. That makes THE BEST knead not sourdough (alton brown recipe) AND cast iron can go into the oven from the stove top and it can go in the bbq! Okay, y'all don't laugh (and keep in mind that my mom is old school south so that likely has something to do with it) but my mom makes pancakes in hers. She coats the bottom of the pan with oil and literally fries her pancakes...which if you have never had them that way, prepare for the deliciousness of a fluffy pancake but with crispy edges that have been fried to golden perfection. *swoon* |
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Dec 28, 2016 11:56:54 GMT
You can make anything in cast iron! We use salt to clean ours too. I don't know that it's ever met soap TBH! Grilled cheese- OMG! Bacon- YES! Burgers- HELL YES! Carnitas- OMG YES! Especially if you use manteca with it! OMG! The only thing I don't make in it is scrambled eggs. Those just ick me out so I make them in a nonstick pan. I'm sure they're fine in a cast iron skillet tho. We also have a cast iron dutch oven. That makes THE BEST knead not sourdough (alton brown recipe) AND cast iron can go into the oven from the stove top and it can go in the bbq! Okay, y'all don't laugh (and keep in mind that my mom is old school south so that likely has something to do with it) but my mom makes pancakes in hers. She coats the bottom of the pan with oil and literally fries her pancakes...which if you have never had them that way, prepare for the deliciousness of a fluffy pancake but with crispy edges that have been fried to golden perfection. *swoon* Serious question - is there a method for making pancakes that doesn't fry them? I feel like I may have missed something in my life. |
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Post by mom on Dec 28, 2016 12:13:31 GMT
anxiousmom my mom made pancakes this same way. LOL She is from SW Lousiniana. @dalai Mama this is more fried than normal, lol. My favorite thing about pancakes this way is that the edges remind me of cheese that is crispy that has been left in a skillet. Its the same crunchy feeling. My grannie (again, from SW LA) will take biscuits that are leftover from breakfast and fry them in a cast iron....so, so good.
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Post by llinin on Dec 28, 2016 12:24:31 GMT
Silly question: we have a cast iron skillet we've had for 25 ish years but DH used it to put the dog food in for the dogs- Both dogs are no longer with us and DH put the pan in the shed. I really want a cast iron pan and was wondering if that one would still be good or should we start new with one? I would not use this for human food. Probably harmless, but I wouldn't be able to eat from the dog food bowl. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Dec 28, 2016 12:32:49 GMT
Okay, y'all don't laugh (and keep in mind that my mom is old school south so that likely has something to do with it) but my mom makes pancakes in hers. She coats the bottom of the pan with oil and literally fries her pancakes...which if you have never had them that way, prepare for the deliciousness of a fluffy pancake but with crispy edges that have been fried to golden perfection. *swoon* Serious question - is there a method for making pancakes that doesn't fry them? I feel like I may have missed something in my life. Like mom said, it is actually frying them. When I make pancakes, I generally use a non stick pan and don't coat the pan with anything prior to pouring the batter into the pan. When my mom makes them in the iron skillet, she puts enough oil in the bottom that it more than coats it-more like an eighth of an inch of oil so that she pours the batter into hot oil. It makes the edges crispy, and the pancakes fluffy. I am not sure if I am explaining it well, and it is a pretty old school way of making them that people don't do anymore. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Dec 28, 2016 12:34:17 GMT
anxiousmom my mom made pancakes this same way. LOL She is from SW Lousiniana. @dalai Mama this is more fried than normal, lol. My favorite thing about pancakes this way is that the edges remind me of cheese that is crispy that has been left in a skillet. Its the same crunchy feeling. My grannie (again, from SW LA) will take biscuits that are leftover from breakfast and fry them in a cast iron....so, so good. My grandmother's mother was from Louisiana too. Maybe that is where it started. |
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Dec 28, 2016 12:53:44 GMT
Serious question - is there a method for making pancakes that doesn't fry them? I feel like I may have missed something in my life. Like mom said, it is actually frying them. When I make pancakes, I generally use a non stick pan and don't coat the pan with anything prior to pouring the batter into the pan. When my mom makes them in the iron skillet, she puts enough oil in the bottom that it more than coats it-more like an eighth of an inch of oil so that she pours the batter into hot oil. It makes the edges crispy, and the pancakes fluffy. I am not sure if I am explaining it well, and it is a pretty old school way of making them that people don't do anymore. I'm definitely old-school then. I don't own a non-stick pan and they are fried crispy.  |
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Post by KelleeM on Dec 28, 2016 13:57:33 GMT
Do you like steak? If you do heat your oven to 500 degrees, put the skillet in there to heat it, then move to a burner on high heat and add a pat of butter and a bit of olive oil, sear your steak for a minute or so on each side then transfer to the oven. You can Google cook times...they come out SO good! You can do thick cut pork chops the same way.
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030
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Post by schizo319 on Dec 28, 2016 14:23:14 GMT
NEVER EVER EVER EVER put your cast iron in the dishwasher - NEVER!!! A friend's husband did this once and it came out completely orange from rust!  She was able to salvage it, but it took ages to scrub all of the rust off before she could re-season it. Meat gets a fantastic crust with cast iron. I also saw a tip once where they did chicken breasts in cast iron and weighted them down with a foil covered brick (I just use a second cast iron skillet set on top) - chicken cooks faster and more evenly and it really sears in the juice. Completely changes the texture of the meat - this is the only way I cook chicken breasts anymore. Silly question: we have a cast iron skillet we've had for 25 ish years but DH used it to put the dog food in for the dogs- Both dogs are no longer with us and DH put the pan in the shed. I really want a cast iron pan and was wondering if that one would still be good or should we start new with one? I can't think of anything that would actually RUIN a cast iron skillet. Scrub it down with steel wool (I'd probably also scrub it really good with baking soda and a little dishwashing soap then rinse it in boiling water) and then re-season it and it should be fine. |
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Post by librarylady on Dec 28, 2016 14:34:42 GMT
Regarding the pan that was once the dog food dish....I'd scrub with hot water, clean the heck out of it (violating rules of care of the pan), then pour boiling water on it for awhile (germ killer) and the reseason it.
If it has rust, you can scrub that off with steel bristle brushes. reseason.
Caution: If your stove has a ceramic top, BEWARE. If you use the cast iron on the ceramic top, it will damage the too of the stove.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Dec 28, 2016 14:52:24 GMT
Silly question: we have a cast iron skillet we've had for 25 ish years but DH used it to put the dog food in for the dogs- Both dogs are no longer with us and DH put the pan in the shed. I really want a cast iron pan and was wondering if that one would still be good or should we start new with one? Do you have a self-cleaning oven? I would "start over" with this skillet. Put it in the oven during self-cleaning mode. This will basically cook off anything that is on it, and you'll have an unseasoned skillet. After it cools, scrub off any residue. Then, put a layer of oil all over the pan and bake it for an hour (I'd do 350...maybe even a little hotter). Let it cool then repeat the oil-bake cycle a few times until you have a good coat on the pan. |
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She was able to salvage it, but it took ages to scrub all of the rust off before she could re-season it. 
