Make sure and buy a cast iron bacon press that has a wooden handle. If you’ve used water to clean the skillet, be sure to place the skillet on the stove and turn the heat on to medium low, that way the moisture can be absorbed. I also love bacon. You can generally use whatever oil you prefer, as long as the cooking temperature is below the smoke point of the oil. One of the easiest ways to test if your pan is well seasoned is by frying an egg on it. How to Cook Bacon 1.. Once your done spreading the Crisco place the skillet in the oven face down at 350 degrees for an hour. After you’ve dried your skillet put it on the stove and turn the burner on to a medium low heat. It is a cumulative process that requires many applications, and cooking in it will usually undo some of that work. Or even better, if you have bacon grease on hand, use that to season your skillet. I am very interested in seeing how flaxseed oil works for the initial seasoning. First,if you ever need to reseason cast iron for any reason, place it in a self-cleaning oven and let it run itâs cycle. 1. Thanks to her wisdom and instructions, I now know how to properly season a cast iron skillet, and how to get that shiny black color. Basically, any oil or grease is gonna work for you if it’s fat. Some activities may remove a bit of seasoning, such as cooking acidic foods, using excessive heat, or scrubbing with abrasive utensils or scouring pads. Unlike other pans, you don’t have to use a lot of elbow grease to scrub away excess and stuck on food particles. Clean and scrub the inside and outside of the skillet. After checking out this (hyper-nerdy and helpful) blog post from Sheryl Canter, as well as seeing an endorsement of her technique from Cookâs Illustrated , three things were obvious: Caring for your pan is easier than you think: We'll show you how to season a cast-iron skillet so it will last for years and years (forever, really! Its durability also can’t be surpassed. How to season cast iron Pre-heat your oven to 250F. Every time you cook with oil, you're potentially adding another layer to the seasoning.. When you take your skillet out of the oven you will see the difference. If you want your cast iron darker, then you can follow the directions above but just skip the washing part. I love to share my faith, my wisdom, and knowledge with all you women & mommies out there. It might be a little wasteful to use some first press California olive oil, but it will still work just fine. If I don't also coat the bottom of the pan with a bit of oil, the bacon sticks like crazy to the pan. That is until I moved to Texas. I also love bacon. When you buy a new cast iron skillet you will notice the bumps and grooves in the pot, and how it is not shiny. It also serves to season the cast iron pan. Yes, wipe off all the oil or shortening that you can. Mar 20, 2018 - I love cooking in cast iron. We've discussed how to season cast-iron cookware before, but for those folks really serious about⦠Using a cast iron skillet to cook bacon seems to make the bacon just right. It is critically important to prolong the longevity of your cookware and protect it from the elements, especially moisture. Arroz Con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas). If only someone told me that seasoning a cast iron skillet with bacon grease was the easy way to have a shiny and usable cast iron skillet. It will take a few hours for the cast iron to cool and this is good. After each use, the seasoning on the pan continues to build up. Welcome to my blog! A cast-iron skillet can be a durable and versatile addition to your kitchen if you know how to care for it. Save a little grease inside the pot, take a napkin and spread the grease all over the inside and outside of the pan. Store your skillet in a dry place where there is no moisture. I am a wife and a very busy mom to 4 boys. It’ll do the job, and if you do use your cast iron frequently and keep it clean and lightly oiled, then you will get the nice, slick seasoning you desire. It helps seal in the seasoning, plus thereâs nothing better to help the seasoning than bacon grease. There is a major difference in my skillets and I love it! Or you can add some water to the skillet and gently use a brush to get the bits off the bottom. Choose the right oil to season your cast iron cookware. Some of you more experienced cooks out there might find this list redundant, but we insist that everything should be accounted for, and listed properly. I usually leave the bacon out about 10 minutes before cooking and I preheat the pan on medium heat for 4-5 minutes. You want to wipe the surface until the pan appears darker and smooth and there is no residue left over. Then simply season as you would any new cast iron and build up the patina. **Note on the oil: I use canola oil most of the time. So, the key aspect is to just be patient and put on a thin layer of your fat of choice. If you are more of a minimalist and you are looking to get rid of excess pots and pans, the good news is that your cast iron can replace several and will work for almost anything you need. It is important to clean your cast iron cookware after every use. A lot of people seem to be a little intimidated by cast iron. Many CH posters are pro-bacon, and I used bacon myself, but without really thinking about it. Turn off the oven but allow to remain inside until cool. Meat cooks better in a cast iron pan that has been properly seasoned. Doing so will remove any excess food and oil that are still in the pan. Season Cast Iron Cookware with Flax Seed Oil for a Long-Lasting, Gorgeous Coat. Always know I am here for you, to cheer you on, and lift you up when you need it. Maintain the cast iron with ongoing care. But it wasn’t always smiles and roses. And I hate that! Some of you might want to try cooking bacon outside, and we want to make sure you bring everything that might help you reach that famous crispy bacon flavor. Once done, you can go back and add some oil to the pan, so it doesn’t begin to rust. According to Miss Pam if you do that with any grease that you cook with, it will help your seasoning and build up that shiny black color you want. You don't want to season your cast iron with bacon grease then store it for two years in a storage shed. Cast iron cookware retains heat well and cooks food evenly if cared for properly. Apply the oil or shortening again using the same method as before. First, a couple of tablespoons of butter or oil when you cook are always good and will keep the pan properly lubricated. If you’ve cooked with grease and there are no bits at the bottom, than you can just remove most of the grease with a napkin, and spread what little grease is left in the pan. I am typically cooking for two, so I will make my bacon in my CI, in the oven. Gotta love bacon! 1. Because any time I see them in the store I have to look and see. It may be a few hours before you can take the skillet out. After you are done cooking your bacon, let your cast iron cool and remove the bacon bits from the bottom of the pan, and most of the grease. Remove pan. Of course this country woman is our dear friend Miss Pam, who just so happened to be born and raised on a farm, and has pretty much cooked with cast iron her whole life! My oldest piece is probably 60 years old. Apply oil, bacon grease, or shortening with a paper towel to the cast iron to coat it entirely. Keep cooking and keep building up those thin layers to create a slicker surface. When cooking in cast iron, you should add a little oil to the pan before adding your food. Allow the cast iron to sit for 60 minutes. Put them together (cooking bacon in a cast iron skillet) and..... perfection! Since it holds heat, it is the perfect surface, Wash your cast iron cookware in hot water with soap and a. For our first stovetop cooking test, we pitted a 12-inch cast iron skillet against a 12-inch stainless-steel skillet. “I want a nice, thick, smooth, black coating of seasoning on my cast iron so why would I apply a super thin layer of grease and wipe it off! They are my favorite. Its a win-win situation. Apr 7, 2016 - I love cooking in cast iron. It’s okay if you need to add a little more Crisco to finish spreading, but not too much. Seasoning cast iron correctly means cooking is so much easier. ?” Great question. The Many Pros of a Bacon Press. Yes, I am serious. Instead of heating evenly or transferring heat, cast iron instead holds onto the heat. Bacon and cast iron go together like.. bacon and eggs. You are not limited to the type of oil and fat you can use, but at the beginning, it might be best to stick with the grapeseed oil. “I thought you were not supposed to use soap on cast iron! Put them together (cooking bacon in a cast iron skillet) and..... perfection! If it does stick, you should repeat the seasoning steps again. If the pan is well-seasoned, it will have darker almost semi-gloss looking finish. I think what I am trying to say is USE THE CAST IRON. Heat the pan for 10 minutes and remove. After this process is complete, you will have minimal protection for your cast iron and it will do the job for now. And all it took was a country woman to tell me how to properly season and clean a cast iron. You don't just season a cast iron pan once. Remove pan. It will outlast most of your other pans and will become just as slick and nonstick as the rest. To do this, wipe the inside of the pan while it is still warm with paper towels. I like the thick cut bacon best. Wipe excess oil with paper towel, then repeat wiping with a 2nd fresh paper-towel 4. Part of caring for your cast iron skillet is seasoning it to keep the surface smooth and to give it a non-stick sheen. Grease your pan. They are otherwise known as drying oils and usually thicken and harden when met with air. However, they can provide you with a pretty good head start for seasoning the pan yourself. Then get a fresh paper towel and wipe off the excess oil. The first thing you want to do is clean your skillet with hot water and a brillo pad. There is much debate when it comes to which oils are the best when seasoning cast iron. How to Season Cast Iron Cookware. A cast-iron skillet cooks bacon faster. Most likely, each answer is partially correct and will get you a pretty darn good foundation to cook on. It also serves to season the cast iron pan. There are two ways to maintain the seasoning on your cast iron skillet. Take a cup of salt, spread it around the pan with a napkin and it will start to lift those bits off the bottom. Set oven to 550 Wait til pan cools to a warmth that you can handle and repeat with a 2nd grease then wipe-twice-with-paper-towel method 6. Sometimes I’ve left the skillet cooling in the oven over night. I also love bacon. Let the bacon slowly heat and cook as the pan heats for about 10 minutes. Me and cast iron used to have a love hate relationship. You may think I’m nuts but trust me on this. ). Instead of heating evenly or transferring heat, cast iron instead holds onto the heat. So thankful for these tips she’s given me. Separate each piece of bacon and just dump it in the pan all willy nilly. You should also always keep the cooking temperature on a medium-low heat after you have recently pre-seasoned the pan because the food may still tend to stick to the pan in the beginning. How to season cast iron. Place pan back in the oven for 60 min 5. It's easy to care for your cast iron, too. ?” That is definitely a good rule to follow, but when you are laying a new foundation of seasoning, it is advisable to go ahead and strip off the old oil and start new. The older cast iron cookware used to undergo an additional step where it was sanded, essentially polished down. Although you can use oil or shortening to season your cast iron skillet, bacon ⦠From cooking, to cookware, faith, tips & tricks, I can go on and on. First and foremost, forget about the idea of cooking bacon straight and flat. Put them together (cooking bacon in a cast iron skillet) andâ¦.. perfection! Preparation is the key to success, no matter what you do, and cooking is no exception. If you ask five cast iron enthusiasts how to season cast iron, you will probably get six answers. You can keep on repeating, reheating, oiling, wiping, and cooling, again and again. Season your cast iron skillet with Crisco. This won’t hurt the layers of seasoning but will help scrub away any stuck on messes. Once your skillet has been scrubbed all over, rinse thoroughly. Yes, you read correctly, Crisco. One of the best ways to build up the seasoning a cast iron pan is to use the pan as often as you can. Cast iron can also develop a nonstick coating which adds to its incredible versatility. The layers need time to interlock and strengthen to create that durable layer of seasoning. This helps ensure the food doesn't stick, and it helps build layers of seasoning . Always cook bacon first in your new seasoned skillet. Once you have seasoned your pan and begin cooking with it on a regular basis, there are still a few things to remember. Many of these pans advertised as pre-seasoned, also come coated with a couple of layers of oil on the top of the pan but they are less pre-seasoned because the oils haven’t actually been baked into the pan, the layers sit on the surface. That will help build up the seasoning. It doesn’t take much time at all. I’ve got 3 other skillets, but I convinced Manny I needed a bigger one since I’m always cooking for our crew of boys. Every time you wash your cast iron cookware, season it without fail. I also love bacon. Place a layer of foil on the bottom rack of your oven and the pan on the top rack. You want to get all the food bits out of the pan, and season it again. Check out my favorite pan at Amazon – the Lodge 12 incher. Cast iron is my top pick for non-stick cooking. When something is subjected to high heat, the fat molecules begin to break down into short polymers. They are also very easy to clean. Do you have a better way? The first thing you want to cook in your new seasoned cast iron skillet is bacon. My Pop Pop’s cast iron was literally as black as a cat on Halloween night.” Fair enough – that’s quite a metaphor and congratulations on using “literally” properly. But do not put on such a thick layer. But most of all I love to inspire, encourage, and give you the re-fueling you need to finish your job for the day. It also won’t be sticky or feel greasy and there will be no traces of rust or patches. ! A future article will focus on improving the surface of a modern Lodge Cast Iron piece. Make sure the slices do not overlap. I did not realize how significant this was until I got my first WagnerWare Cast Iron Skillet, a 1056N. The waffle iron came unseasoned, and the tortilla griddle came seasoned, but I stripped the seasoning so I'm going to re-season it.. I’m so glad you stopped by to visit. Place the cast iron cookware on the stove and pour in about a 3/4 teaspoon of corn oil (or other cooking fat). Preheat and warm your clean (ungreased) pan for 20 min at 250 2. Cook your breakfast on there. However, some may disagree and argue that cast iron is too difficult to care for. Dry completely with paper towels then place in your oven for 20 minutes. Another benefit is that they maintain heat. You will eventually see that your skillet is getting that shiny black color you’ve always wanted. Wash your cast iron cookware in hot water with soap and a stiff brush. You want to spread the Crisco all over the skillet. It will take some time, but it will happen. I’m telling you, when my friend Miss Pam told me to season the skillets with Crisco, I thought the was crazy. Weâve tested numerous methods and products to find whatâs best to restore, clean, and season cast-iron cookware. Once everything has been wiped out, you can then rinse the pan under hot water while scrubbing it with a nonmetal brush or some kind of nonabrasive scrubber to remove anything that may be stuck on. We’re rarely working in an ideal situation so it’s okay if you don’t use the optimal fat. If you put the oil or fat on thickly, then you’ll end up with a sticky, black mess of carbon-y grease. What is going on?” Modern cast iron is pretty much all like this. Put the cast iron back in the oven and increase the heat to 350F. You can then add approximately half a teaspoon of your oil with a paper towel. Then, do it again. I agree with everything that you said, albeit with some small notes. Cast iron skillets! When I get time I come to my blog and lay out my confessions. Let your skillet cool, add some Crisco or bacon grease and spread all over. Since it holds heat, it is the perfect surface to use for browning meat. How To Season Cast Iron. The pan becomes smooth and forms a barrier between the air and the iron of the pan ensuring that the pan will not begin to rust. I did the same seasoning process with my other 3 cast iron skillets and I have to say, I love the fact that all my skillets are not sticky and have been seasoned properly. Here are all the pieces I'm going to season for this post. But if you use it regularly and really let that fat polymerize and build up several good layers of proper seasoning then you'll never realize any noticeable difference between bacon fat or any other properly polymerized fat. Wash and dry your pan with paper-towel 2. Click below to find more helpful information for cast iron care! To season a cast iron pan, preheat the oven to 300°F. After 60 min has passed. We will mark the absolutely necessary things with an asterisk (*) sign. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I see the difference from when I seasoned them with oil before, to now being seasoned with Crisco. Using a cast iron skillet to cook bacon seems to make the bacon just right. These steps I am about to give you to season your skillets, can be done with other old cast irons skillets as well. Set oven to 350 3. It was like comparing gravel to a freshly waxed car – well, maybe not that dramatic but it was significant. Once done, rinse the pan and dry it completely as you would any other time. Heat the skillet on medium-low heat to make sure that there is absolutely no excess moisture. The large griddle is an old piece that I seasoned many years ago, but did such a bad job that it really needed to be seasoned again. This means that once the pan is hot it will remain hot much longer than a stainless steel pan would, for example. I tell you, I have learned so much from Miss Pam. After you are done cooking your bacon, let your cast iron cool and remove the bacon bits from the bottom of the pan, and most of the grease. You are essentially greasing, wiping and baking pan twice — once at 350 for 60 min and the second time at 550 for another 60 min. After the 60 minutes has passed, raise the temp up to 500-550F. There are some foods that can wreak havoc to newly seasoned cast iron cookware. I like to say I have an obsession with cast iron. Aside from this process, I have been able to refrain from using soap on cast iron. Cast iron pans are a kitchen item commonly passed down through the generations. Oneâand perhaps the onlyâbenefit of hipster-esque, back-to-the-land cooking is the resurgence of a collective love for cast-iron skillets.They are the Filson of fryware: reliable, long-lasting, and ruggedly handsome.They are just as handy for frying a plate full of bacon as they are for a ⦠Once the handle starts to get warm turn the stove off. This is a good base layer to start with, but we always recommend putting on a few more layers of your own for good measure. A lot of people claim that flaxseed oil is one of the best as well, but some have found that it may become brittle because it is too high in these fatty acids. When I say spread the Crisco all over I literally mean all over. Take a whole one-pound package of bacon and a regular 10.5 inch cast iron skillet. Do I need to re-season my Lodge?” Probably not, but maybe. Its a win-win situation. The polymers then bond with carbon and bare iron and in doing so, form a glaze. And, if you ask the right person, he or she may have six answers all on their own! Take a paper towel, scoop some Crisco on it, and spread it all over the skillet. Using a cast iron skillet to cook bacon seems to make the bacon just right. The arguments against bacon I have heard are that it has a too low smoking point, and that it will go rancid as the pan is stored. Seasoning cast iron is the process of baking on a layer of oxidized fat, forming a smooth polymer surface. Your job will be to use this cookware. Thank you! Always cook bacon first in your new seasoned skillet. However, the best ones are the oils that are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Let me know how you season your cast iron. 2.. Place skillet over medium heat and cook until the bacon starts to brown on one side. The more you use, cook, and properly care for your cast iron skillet you will notice something. You want to scrub the corners and the handle. You can then let the pan cool completely before putting it away. It is virtually indestructible if you take the time to care for it properly. It’s not ideal exactly, but really any grease is going to get you there. It also serves to season the cast iron pan. But she’s a genius in my book. Toward this end, your oil choice should be very specific and your heat should be very high. The skillet will be somewhat shiny. Whatever. “My Meemaw said to only use bacon grease to season cast iron.” That’s fine, use any kind of grease, fat, or oil that you prefer. Its a win-win situation. Then cook the empty pan upside down in the oven over an aluminum foil-lined rack for half an hour. The pro-bacon argument seems to be that it is easy, and that, come on, it is bacon!! Put them together (cooking bacon in a cast iron skillet) and..... perfection! Later we’ll explore using other fats like olive oil, flax seed oil, canola oil, Crisco, bacon fat, etc.… The point here is to coat the metal with something that repels water, something that is food grade, and something that you have on hand. You can also use a very small amount of soap if you wish, but don’t overdo it. Finally, rinse the pan well and dry it completely. The initial coats of seasoning won’t look right at first but the more you cook with the pan, the more even the layers will begin to look. Be careful! To be safe, stay away from cooking these types of things in your pan until it has had ample time to build up its layers. Instructions Lay the bacon in the cold cast iron pan so that the bacon isnât touching. Every time you use the pan to cook, you are adding another thin layer of seasoning and these thin layers form a slick surface. Wad up a paper towel and spread the oil across the cooking surface, any bare iron surfaces, and the bottom of the cookware. I just haven’t seen the need so sure follow this rule outside of seasoning cast iron. To fry the egg, heat one tablespoon of oil in the pan over medium heat for approximately three minutes and then crack the egg into the pan. It helps seal in the seasoning, plus there’s nothing better to help the seasoning than bacon grease. “I followed your instructions and my cast iron looks gray not black. Here I have brand new 12 inch cast iron skillet.  Hi friend! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The punchline? In the past I have used corn oil, extra virgin olive oil and such to season my skillets, and it always leaves my skillets feeling sticky. You need a giant pan to do it, it takes forever, and results are so-so. Dry completely with paper towels then place in your oven for 20 minutes. And turn the heat down when you're cooking your bacon. The heat will absorb any moisture that is left in the skillet. Yes, that’s right, 12 inch skillet. Bacon grease is fat so it’s not going to mix with water. When the hour is done, turn off the oven and let the skillet completely cool inside the oven. So enjoy the topics, info, recipes, and upcoming devotions! Some people swear on bacon grease or Crisco, others flaxseed oil, and others will use anything. Once you feel the heat coming off the pan and the handle starts to get warm, remove the skillet from the heat and set aside to cool. Just use bacon grease to cook a few times and lightly rub the grease on it before storage. Turn the bacon over and increase the heat to medium-high. It also serves to season the cast iron pan. Your patience will be rewarded…and your impatience will be punished. You can let the oil heat up in the pan on the stovetop while you finish cleaning the rest of the kitchen. Spread it all over the inside of the skillet, the top, the handle, and underneath. You should avoid using steel wool when you clean your cast iron as well because this can rub away the layers of seasoning you have been working so hard on. You will be able to add layer after layer of seasoning. Refined grapeseed oil is a fan favorite. You can’t say that about many other kitchen appliances. One of the biggest benefits of using a well-seasoned cast iron pan is the fact that the pan will continue to improve with use. This will only improve the seasoning and the nonstick qualities of the cast iron. Anyway, I've had my cast iron for years and I've cooked tons of things, and it's all delicious. Just make sure it is spread evenly all over. Using a cast iron skillet to cook bacon seems to make the bacon just right. Wait for 60 more minutes and then turn off the oven. Prepare it for use by wiping a thin layer of vegetable oil around the inside of the pan. Read my disclosure for more info. And this is what we commonly refer to as the seasoning of the pan. The easiest way is to cook with it. Then do it again the next day and the one after that. Its a win-win situation. Tomatoes, citrus, wine, and vinegar can start to chip away at the seasoning and can even cause a sickening flavor to some of the more acidic foods you cook. “My brand new Lodge Cast Iron
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