I got my 1st iron skillet in 1979 my grandma taught me how to maintain it. I never fear using soap when it needs a good scrub. I would suggest maybe using less grease when seasoning your cast iron. The less you use the better it will bond to the iron and create a polymer which is the seasoning. Although like you said if it's working out good for you then keep doing it that way. I just think it was too thick and maybe didn't create a great bonding. I do 3 to 5 thin layers and then i babysit it for the 1st few cooks doing things like cornbread roasted vegetables or just potatoes even deep frying. But if you start searing steaks and pork chops right away that can fight your seasoning in the beginning. You probably were handed down some really nice pieces of iron.

@sarahslittlefarmhouse2121

3 ай бұрын

This is good to know on the level of grease on them. I will try less. Yes these were all seasoned well 6 years ago when we had to put them all in storage, so it’s not taking much to get them back into shape! Thank you for commenting! I am learning new things all the time!❤

We use soap all the time. Soap is bad when it has lye in it and nowdays that is not a problem. Agree with the comment up above... about the oil when Seasoning thin layer on then put in oven upside down do couple different times. My husband is a big cast iron guy. What a blessing to have your father in laws cast iron....the best kind are the ones passed down. Thanks for sharing. Stop by and check out our cast iron playlist .. .he has a couple on using an E tank as well. Subbed by the way.

@sarahslittlefarmhouse2121

3 ай бұрын

Hi! Thanks for subscribing, trying to grow a channel is hard. I’ll definitely check out your videos. We talked about an E tank since we have so many to restore.

I have done it just about the same way, for over 20 years, the only difference being I was using dawn dish soap, not the spray. I will have to try the spray stuff, thank you. You are right, every one says no, you can't do that. But I have never heard them suggest anything better!

@sarahslittlefarmhouse2121

4 ай бұрын

Yes! Before the powerwash I used regular dawn soap, works well- the powerwash takes some of the elbow grease out of it 😊

I use old t shirts to dry them (after restoration, not after each use) other then that I see nothing wrong, nicely done 🍳

@sarahslittlefarmhouse2121

3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

My comment isn't to critique your seasoning process because there are millions of suggested ways to go about it, But try drying it a little more before you take it to the stove, Try oven drying @ 225°F instead of stove top for even heat distribution for 20 minutes. Then add the oil and move the heat up. I dry my unseasoned iron with an slightly oily rag to prevent flash rust. Another suggestion is don't use soap until you've built up seasoning for a few good cooks. I wouldn't suggest using Power wash on seasoned cast iron. It penetrates differently than dish soap, Great video BTW,

@sarahslittlefarmhouse2121

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for the suggestions, like I said I am no expert so learning new things all the time! ❤

Nice video. I don't usually use soap, but I always like to hear that people use soap and it's not the end of the world. People can be rigid with that rule to the point of absurdity. Thank you.

There is nothing wrong with using soap. I usually take them down to bare metal, but for a user, you did great. When seasoning, i use two rags, one soaked with oil to coat it, then one that is dry. I wipe it down like oiling it was an accident. It will look nearly dry but leaves a micro film of oil. I pop it in the oven for an hour. After three rounds, they look amazing.

If you are simply trying to preserve and prevent future rusting (vs cooking with it)they just need some oil and not real seasoning. I also have about 50 and never use more than 2-3 of them

The OLD rule of not using dish soap on cast iron goes way back when lye was an ingredient in dish soap. Dishwashing detergent manufacturers stopped using lye many many years ago but the written in stone rule of not washing cast iron in dish soap never went away. But as more people are educating themselves about the fact the rule was because of lye and lye is no longer used, then it's ok to use dishwashing detergent now. That hard and fast rule is slowly going away. Very slowly going away! LOL Modern day dishwashing detergent will not harm cast iron in any way. 😊

@iridios6127

24 күн бұрын

Where is no way of any dishwasher compound can harm cast iron. No matter which component is contained.

You should wipe the oil off more before putting it in the oven.. too thick will make the pan sticky. I imagine that pan already is very sticky and will be rancid after a couple months.

@iridios6127

24 күн бұрын

It will became uniform during the cooking process.

Since you are re-seasoning them every time you wash them, I don't see any harm in using soap. For removing rust, it's fine, since you are going to season them after. The soap is hard on the seasoning, not the pan itself. Shoot - I used vinegar to remove rust on a gifted cast iron skillet!

@sarahslittlefarmhouse2121

4 ай бұрын

Exactly!! 😊. I never thought about using vinegar and I’m not sure why- it’s what my husband used to clean old tools - lol

To much oil wipe down to look dry before seasoning then put in oven

+60 years using cast iron here, I use stainless steel scouring pads, looks like small ribbons of metal. I think they work quicker and last longer than SOS. I clean built up crud from my cast iron with a small fire, just big enough to burn the crud off, if it doesn't work the first time, you can try again. I put the piece on top of sticks, light the sticks and leave it until it is completely cool. I don't season in the oven, ever, never. You are right to avoid following the advice of the "experts". If I had to do what they say, I would have switched to Teflon decades ago.

The thing is rusty and gross, you have to use soap and steal wool. I didn’t really think the drying process was best. Dry it with a towel and set it in the 225 oven. Then oil it like you did. Wipe oil off like you made a mistake. Upside down in the oven at 450 for an hour. Let it cool off a bit. Oil it, wipe it off, 450 for an hour. Do that about 3 or 4 times and you’re good. Your pan shouldn’t look wet when your seasoning it I. The oven because it will gum up on you and become a sticky pan not a smooth nonstick pan. Regardless, the way you did it would prevent rust, but maybe not so pleasant to cook with. Depends on what you cook I guess. You want to build up many thin layers. Not one big layer all at once.

@marksieber4626

3 ай бұрын

I use grape seed oil for its high smoke point. Wipe your oiled pan with a lint free cloth so there’s just a light covering. Less is better. You’ll make a mess of your oven with dripping oil and smoke

@iridios6127

24 күн бұрын

What's wrong with you? You try overpollute the planet with waisted towels ? Drying on the top of the stove is totally fine.

@user-dq7vd1mf3j

24 күн бұрын

@@iridios6127 yes, that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. My wish is that every towel on the planet is used once and then thrown out. The best part is I think of you when I do it. Sure I alone could solve the environmental problems because I alone cause them. But why would I do that when it bothers you so much? Also, your way is wrong and here’s why. Tap water has BS in it. Magnesium, Calsium, Fluoride, Chlorine, and other industrial toxic pollutants including those from BIG pharma which are peed out of people and into your tap water. The bigger the city upstream from you the more pollution you’ll have in your “clean and safe to drink” tap water. When you dry your wet pan on the stove alone the hydrogen and oxygen evaporate leaving the pan dry, but the chemicals remain. Your pan may have white spots on it you can see before you oil it. The oil is then mixed with the chemicals on your pan and you eat them in your next meal. But most importantly, by not whipping it dry using a towel, you get the pleasure of thinking you’re an environmental type. You did it, you saved the planet.