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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Help with cast iron???
        
(Message started by: Melissa on Nov 12^th, 2007, 9:39am)

Title: Help with cast iron???
Post by Melissa on Nov 12^th, 2007, 9:39am

Ok, I bought my first rosette iron set for making those yummy rosettes for Christmas this year, but don't know the first thing about caring for them. I tried washing them, but then that "rust" comes out and gets all over my hands, so I then scrubbed them with a toothbrush, BUT, I was wondering if I need to season them like I would a cast iron pan?? Does ANYone at all know how to do that??

Sorry for the off the wall request, but I figured I'd give it a go since we're all so skilled at varied things around here. ;;D

Thanks!

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by Redd on Nov 12^th, 2007, 9:49am

Hi Mel,

Yes you will want to season them and it's quite easy.

First, clean them off very well, and then put them in a slow oven to dry quiclky without rusting. Then while still warm, give them a good rub down with a soft towel and some olive or vegitable oil, into the back crevices too, then back in the oven at 200-225 for about 2 hours. Then let them cool to room temp.

When it's time to make the goodies, follow the directions as usual.

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by Melissa on Nov 12^th, 2007, 9:55am

Oh Redd, thank you so much!!! I can't wait to use them. I've gotten my fudge & peppermint cookies done so far and am trying to make at least 2 goodies a week so I can just pull them out of the freezer before Christmas.

Both my brother-in-laws will be home this time and I'm finally meeting my future sister-in-law Irma (pronounced Yirma) from Albania!!

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by Katherinecm on Nov 12^th, 2007, 10:05am

Step 1) Go to the store/butcher and buy some lard. It should be purified and completely white. You'll also want to pick up an oven liner or some heavy-duty aluminum foil. Do not under any circumstances use vegetable oil, no matter what Martha Stewart says. It'll create such a sticky mess that you'll be tempted to throw the pans out and buy new pre-seasoned ones. You might also want to pick up one of those dish washing brushes with plastic bristles for the cleanup later.

2) walk around your home and take the batteries out of the smoke detectors in the rooms closest to your kitchen because this is going to smoke.

3) put the oven liner or aluminum foil on the bottom rack of your cool oven to prevent hours of cleanup or weeks of smoking-oven later.

4) if you have rust, scrub with steel wool or a wire brush in plain water until it is removed. Do not use soap and do not let it soak. Dry as best you can with a towel, then place on a stove burner on medium heat for 5 minutes to dry completely. Let cool.

5) Coat liberally with lard and put it into the oven. Turn the oven on and bring the temperature up to 450F then turn the oven off and cool. wipe the surface, removing any pools of lard, recoat with fresh lard, and repeat at least twice until it has a nice even black finish that signals the lard has chemically bonded to the pores of the cast iron and created a somewhat nonstick surface. Wipe down excess oil and store.

6) throw out the oven liner (if you're extra environmentally cautious I guess you could wash and reuse or recycle it).

7) replace batteries in smoke detectors.

To maintain: Do not use soap. Wash with hot water and a plastic brush or steel wool if absolutely neccesary, although generally putting some hot water, possibly some salt to scrub and a brush is more than enough. Never soak or it will rust. Dry completely, possibly over a hot stove, then coat in some oil rubbed into every surface with a paper towel to protect it from rust until the next use.

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by kcopelin on Nov 12^th, 2007, 10:58am

Ah, cast iron. Brings back such wonderful memories. My dad made his famous "glue potatoes" (hash browns) in a giant cast iron skillet and it was my job to keep it clean and seasoned. That sucker weighed 50 lbs, and I almost ruined it by washing it with soap. I ended up scouring the rust off, seasoning it for 2 hours in a low oven-don't remember what I used probably Crisco. And to this day-40 years later-if I need to scrub cast iron I use sand.

By the way Mel-you already have holiday baking started??! :o My gosh woman, have you no idea how lazy and pathetic that makes some of the rest of us look?

HoHoHo
kathy

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Nov 12^th, 2007, 11:14am

you definately have to season the pan. I do it on top of the stove and in the oven. crisco or lard are good, dont use butter.

Also, like you have found out, u cant wash these pans like other pans. No soap at all, the porous iron absorbs soap and releases it into your food.

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by sandie99 on Nov 12^th, 2007, 12:20pm

We have just waffle pan, which is easy and simple to take care of. Once waffles are done, we just wash and dry it cafefully and it's ready to be used again. :)

Mel, how much goodies are you making for Christmas? I love making lots of all kinds of yummy things, but my darn relatives stuff themselves with turkey and macaroni & cheese and salad and casseroles and fish all sorts of other foods, so once we get to the coffee and goodies, they can eat just a small ginger bread or perhaps a piece of cake! ::) I'd love to make 7-10 different kinds of cookies/cakes etc., but it's pointless now... I need a bigger family! [smiley=laugh.gif]

Sanna

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by kayarr on Nov 12^th, 2007, 12:33pm

I Love cast iron. That is pretty much all I use. Everything everyone else told you is true. It is easier to use and clean than most pans. The only down side is when the tendinitis is all flaired up it kinda hurts to put them on a burner :P

I recommend them to anyone for all your cooking needs!
Swedish pancakes anyone?

Kimberly

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by kayarr on Nov 12^th, 2007, 12:36pm

on 11/12/07 at 12:20:00, sandie99 wrote:

Sanna,

encourage them to eat diessert FiRST! IF you have control over the buffet line put the plates, forks, napkins then all your goodies:)

Good Luck!

(((Sanna)))

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by StrangeBrew on Nov 12^th, 2007, 12:37pm

on 11/12/07 at 12:20:00, sandie99 wrote:

I need a bigger family!

There is one way to do that doesn't involve any of your other relatives. Well, except one....

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by Ghost on Nov 12^th, 2007, 1:18pm

hold firmly by the handle, wait till he aint looking and cast it firmly upon his noggin! ;;D ;;D ;;D

Mike

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by LeLimey on Nov 12^th, 2007, 1:39pm

on 11/12/07 at 13:18:01, Ghost wrote:

hold firmly by the handle, wait till he aint looking and cast it firmly upon his noggin! ;;D ;;D ;;D

Mike

Alternatively smack Goatie slap, bang in the kisser so he can see it coming - that look of fear is one of life's golden moments ;)

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by Melissa on Nov 12^th, 2007, 3:16pm

Thanks for the help and entertainment! ;;D

After f*cking things up a bit, I think it's seasoned enough now. lol

Hopefully my rosettes turn out good for my first try. I'm too pooped today from shopping all day yesterday, so I'm going to try my hand at it tomorrow. Wish me luck!

I always start my holiday baking early. Got waaaaay too much going on in the weeks leading to Christmas to wait!

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by StrangeBrew on Nov 12^th, 2007, 3:49pm

on 11/12/07 at 15:16:52, Melissa wrote:

Hopefully my rosettes turn out good for my first try.

I hope so, too. And if you need help sampling them, just give a holler.

Those things (rosettes) don't really keep very long, do they? Don't they get soggy/limp after just a day or two?

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by Melissa on Nov 12^th, 2007, 4:02pm

on 11/12/07 at 15:49:46, StrangeBrew wrote:

I hope so, too. And if you need help sampling them, just give a holler.

Those things (rosettes) don't really keep very long, do they? Don't they get soggy/limp after just a day or two?

Yes, but I want to try them out before I do them just before Christmas! I want to get the recipe just right, kwim?

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by StrangeBrew on Nov 12^th, 2007, 4:04pm

on 11/12/07 at 16:02:40, Melissa wrote:

Yes, but I want to try them out before I do them just before Christmas! I want to get the recipe just right, kwim?

Y, IKWYM. [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Nov 12^th, 2007, 7:22pm

Brew IMHO, UR2FF!!!
FWIW, YMMV
LMAO

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by StrangeBrew on Nov 13^th, 2007, 1:25am

on 11/12/07 at 19:22:09, BMoneeTheMoneeMan wrote:

Brew IMHO, UR2FF!!!
FWIW, YMMV
LMAO

B$,

UR2FF2!

GFY. ;;D

Title: Re: Help with cast iron???
Post by Ghost on Nov 13^th, 2007, 8:08am

Now my head really hurts ;;D

Mike