Meet Virginia ... Cast Iron

[Medusa]

Good Morning!

Here's the link to instructions that I followed for restoring cast iron. I did 2 days of "easy-off" oven cleaner and 5 coats of flaxseed oil. Coats 1,3,4,5 done in the gasser outside I'm sure in excess of 500 degrees and coat 2 in the kitchen oven @500.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/12/h...omments-297091

I bought Virginia about a month ago in an antique store - priced at about 1/2 - 1/3 less that what you would get today "Made in China". Really in good shape, not bad at all. I wish I had an original picture so you could see how blackened she was from years of built on seasoning. Anyway, I decided to strip her down and start from scratch. Easy-off is motherin' amazing! Was able to wash down to bare cast iron almost 99% after the 1st day.

Flaxseed oil is apparently the Holy Grail for seasoning. CI, etc., etc. recommends it. I'm hooked and that's all I'll use going forward.

Don't know what I'm going to cook first, but I know she'll easily take 2 full chickens and stuffing, ton of fries, etc., etc...

What does it mean when a guy has names for his Cast Iron? Big Bertha's in the cabinet, Bessie's ( Lodge 12" Dutch Oven ) cooling down in the oven after a coat of Flax, Virginia's wrapped up and stored..

Happy Cooking to All!

--Ed

Results...

You bet...

[Nate]

Sounds like a good find! nice restoration job there.

[Steve B]

Nice restoration. Your gonna get '@Spinaker all excited

[Marauderer]

Looks great Medusa. I can see many uses for it just looking at it.

[Huskee]

Reminds me of a Train song.

[HawkerXP]

Looks very nice. Now, about naming your cookware...........................

[Richard P]

Thanks for the info. I have several pans that I got from family and elsewhere. Some are used daily and others need some serious help. Will try to restore some of them with this info.

[Danjohnston949]

Medusa, You did a Beautful Job on Your Cast Iron Pan!
Eat Well and Prosper! From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan

[FireMan]

For all of you out there who want a smooth new Lodge or other Cast Iron, there is a you tube video that looks most interesting. I do not know how to post the link, but the title of it is : Fastest & best way to smooth cast iron skillet - YouTube . Then it lists Detroit as author. Looks fantastically simple & as advertised, fast.

[gcdmd]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGLV7fd0-fQ

He used a half-inch drill with an AvantiPro Quick-Strip disc, 4" diameter.

[FireMan]

Thanks gcdmd.

[gcdmd]

You bet, FireMan

[Mr. Bones]

Nice restoration. Your gonna get Spinaker all excited

Yeah, let's us not do that! Them CI Heads is a different breed, indeed!

[Locotech]

Nice collection Mr. Bones

[Medusa]

Nice Spatula / Turner!

[Locotech]

If you have access to a good sandblaster, it works great on cast iron. When I was still workin' we had a huge blaster and would redo any old cookware I would run across.

[BigCountryQ]

I love a good cast iron find! I have 4 different sized pans, mostly handed down to me and all of our saucepans and stock pots are enameled cast iron. They work great on our induction cooktop!!

[Spinaker]

Medusa Check out my post on striping and seasoning Cast Iron. I think you will find it interesting. Link below........
And send us some pictures of that find!
https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...ctrolysis-bath

[Locotech]

good idea Spinaker...have used that method for cleaning old truck parts, never thought of the cast iron angle.

[Spinaker]

Oh its the best for cast iron. Nothing comes close. And its so easy.