seasoning cast iron?

[model 70]

what exactly does it mean and how do you go about it? gonna go wild with the camping gear due to some holiday gift certificates and i forsee a 12" cast iron skillet in the mix. so, what gives?

[Mil Dot]

These days most of the cast iron skillets in the stores are preseasoned and ready to go. The main thing is to remember to go easy on the cleaning, mild detergent and light scouring. Then a light coat of oil. The best thing for cast iron is frequent use. You'll start understanding the seasoning concept if you see a pan that has been used a ton.

Old school is rock salt in the pan fill with cooking oil, place in oven @ 325 for 45 min., turn off oven till cool & repeat the cycle 2 or 3 times.

[model 70]

what does seasoning do exactly?

[larryours]

To keep order and the smell out of the kitchen, I have a gas burner, which I put a new skillet on and heat up. This burns off the protective glaze, once this is burnt off. Clean without detergent, a hand full of sand or sand paper will work, along with warm water. The seasoning opens pores in the cast iron, and a good coating of lard after each use will work well. After years and years of cooking with your cast iron skillet, it will build up a coat of non- stick coating better and healther than teflon. The food that is prepared in the cast iron skillet is fit for a king.

[Mil Dot]

Better explanations than I can give.

www.lodgemfg.com

[Tater]

I just started using bacon or sausage grease to season mine. I get some cheap bacon or flavored (maple, sage, spicy, etc) sausage and cook it and pour the grease into my other skillets leaving enough in the first one. Wipe out the excess with a paper towel and throw them in the oven, same as usual. You can't taste the bacon or sausage in whatever you cook except for just the slightest hint. The family loves it.