Cast Iron??

I wanna buy a couple of cast iron pans, but don't know what it means when it says "seasoned" or "pre-seasoned", and how do u care for them? Anyone knows??

Also any brand recs?

Message edited 9/23/2016 12:30:48 PM.

Cast Iron??

I believe seasoned it already oiled, this is something you would need to do anyway


my mothers love cast iron pans and uses them to make potato pudding every holiday


added: be careful, these pans get SUPER hot

Message edited 9/24/2016 9:14:15 AM.

Cast Iron??

I have Le Creuset and its amazing! I don't do anything special (am I supposed to? I hope not!) Goes in the dishwasher with everything else.

Re: Cast Iron??

Like PP said you need to season a cast iron pan so pre seasoned basically skips that step.
Once it's seasoned properly food will not stick and makes clean up easy.
You shouldn't put cast iron in the dishwasher. It strips the seasoning off and you'll have to season it again. I don't think they can be used on glass top stoves.
Le Creuset's cast iron pans are enamel coated so it is not the same as a true old time Lodge cast iron pan.

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

Thanks for the comments!! I'm planning on getting a couple of cast iron pans (non-seasoned), and squish the juice out of wallet for a Le Creuset pot cause they're not cheap

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

Cast Iron??

I'm talking about a traditional cast iron pan. One poster stated the one you have is different, in your case I don't know how to care for the pan, look at the instructions that came with it.

Traditional pans you wipe out and re-grease, no placing in water to wash, ever. Hope this helps

Message edited 9/24/2016 3:20:27 PM.

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

My sister still has the cast iron pan my grandmother used for meatballs every Sunday.

its nothing to look at but it makes the best meatballs ever!

I have one and I use it for searing and cooking steak in the oven. I plan on getting another one to start my own "meatball pan"

Not gonna lie - I still can't get over not washing it. I never do. But it skeeves me a little lol. I scrub everything !

Cast Iron??

Le Creuset is dishwasher safe. From their website:

All pans with integral cast iron, phenolic handles or stainless steel knobs can be washed in the dishwasher. However, constant dishwashing may lead to some dulling of the enamel finish. This is not harmful and will not impair performance. When using the dishwasher always allow the cycle to finish before opening the door. This will ensure the pans are dried thoroughly.

Pans with metal handles can be washed in the dishwasher, but this greatly reduces the development of a patina; as a result, grills and skillets will require oiling for a longer period. Pans with wooden handles are not dishwasher-safe.

ETA: I have the square skillet grill, which is all cast iron (no metal handles). This and the vast majority of their pans would fall under the first category.

Message edited 9/24/2016 6:28:19 PM.

Cast Iron??

Ok, I know nothing about Le Creuset pans

Cast Iron??

Le Creuset - if it is enamel coating you do not need to season.

Any other cast iron cooking surface should be seasoned with oil and wiped clean after use. You shouldn't fully submerge in water, but you can re-season if your pan gets rusty.

Re: Cast Iron??

I have a Lodge cast iron fry pan. It was not pre-seasoned, does not have an enamel coating.
Just plain old cast iron.
I seasoned it myself, then used it for cooking a variety of things to continue to season it.
Cooking bacon in cast iron is a great way to add to the seasoning.

After cooking, I wipe it out, give it a quick swish in hot hot water with a dish brush (no soap, ever) dry it well, heat it just a little bit and give it a quick wipe down with vegetable oil.

Re: Cast Iron??

I can't not wash my cast iron pan so I re-season it every once in a while. But, I never use soap on it! I take kosher salt and sprinkle it on, heavy coating (depending on how dirty) and scrub with a soft sponge and hot water. Re-seasoning is easy, there are quick FB videos on how to do it.

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

I LOVE cast iron. I have Lodge pre-seasoned ones. After you use them you just clean them out with hot water and kosher salt then wipe with oil and you're done. I also have a few enamel coated cast iron from Lodge too, they are so inexpensive and cook beautifully. Cast Iron is the best, they are indestructible and cook great! Just don't use the regular cast iron for acidic things like tomato sauce.

Message edited 9/27/2016 5:53:28 PM.

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

Re: Cast Iron??

I have Lodge, Staub, and Le Creuset.

I like Lodge the best, but it's a pain to clean up. I clean it up by putting it on the stove with water (sometimes baking soda if it's fish or meat I cooked) and let it boil for 5 minutes or so. This loosens up any stuck on bits. I dump out the water and dry and add a tiny drop of veg oil and spread that around. Lodge needs to be seasoned. I have two frying pans.

I then like Le Creuset and Staub. I have two Staub pots, one white enamel and one not (it's just grey, but it's got something on there). I prefer the non-enamel, but that could just be because it's bigger and I use it more. I then have two Le Creuet frying pans, non-enamel (something is on there, but it's not white). I prefer my Lodge frying pans to the Lodge. The Lodge seems to cook better in my opinion. Clean up is easier and I just wash it in the sink. You don't need to season these.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/11/the-truth-about-cast-iron.html

This link has a lot of myths surrounding cast iron. I don't know if you have heard of Kenji Lopez Alt, but he's really awesome and he knows his stuff!