I love to cook - Maintaining Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

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I love to cook - Maintaining Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Maintaining Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

Cast iron cookware is something that can last for generations. Some families have been making roux, biscuits, and pancakes in the same pan for over one hundred years. But at the same time, look in any antique store or yard sale, and you are likely to find a poor rusted pan that no one took care of.

Some of these old pieces are Lodge cast iron cookware. The company has been around for decades and makes good quality iron in lots of forms. Whether your piece is new or vintage, follow a few simple maintenance steps, and it will last indefinitely.

First Seasoning

The process of preparing a piece of iron cookware for use is called seasoning. With a new piece of Lodge cast iron cookware, first, scour all surfaces gently with soap and water to remove any shipping dust and dry thoroughly. Next, coat every surface of the pan and lid, including the handles and base with cooking oil. You can use any liquid oil or melted butter. Finally, put the empty pots into a 350 degree oven and cook for one hour.

After the Lodge cast iron cookware cools in the oven, it will have a slight shine and patina. Now it is ready for cooking and protected from rust. If you miss a spot, you can repeat the process. You should also repeat this maintenance about once a year. The inside of the pan will get slicker and build up more patina over the years.

Everyday Cleaning

Lodge cast iron cookware should not be cleaned with harsh detergents as they can wear off the seasoning. Instead, after cooking, wipe out the pan with hot water and a soft sponge. Only use soap or a scouring pad if there is a stubborn stain. After that, remember to dry Lodge cast iron cookware immediately to prevent rust, and then rub the cooking surfaces with a little oil dabbed on a paper towel.

Revitalizing a Vintage Piece

Now, back to the rusty pan if the damage is not too severe, a rusted pan can be brought back into use. The first step is thoroughly cleaning off the rust. Use a file or metal sanding pad, available at home improvement stores, to remove all visible signs of rust, and a little more for safety. Then proceed with seasoning the pot like it was new. If your food tastes slightly metallic, repeat the process. If the odd taste is still present, it is better to use your nicely seasoned piece just for decoration.

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