seasoning cast iron

[soliloquy72]

Everything I've read about seasoning cast iron recommends using Crisco : . Can I use coconut oil instead? Maybe refined coconut oil?

Any shared experiences are much appreciated!

[Chicharronita]

That should be fine. I usually use palm shortening.

[artemis33]

ugh - isn't that annoying?!

I've used:
coconut oil
palm shortening
sunflower oil
bacon grease

[corafan]

Coconut oil works great. So does any animal fat.

[Rachel J.]

I think you just want to avoid veg oils (like canola or corn) because they'll make your pan sticky. Interesting that they make the pan sticky when heated, I wonder what they do inside my body (yuck)?

[gottaknit]

I use canola oil without problem. :

[Rachel J.]

Originally Posted by gottaknit

I use canola oil without problem. :

Well, that's just what I read, haven't tried it myself because I didn't want a big, sticky mess Glad to hear that it's useable that way.

[sugaree]

I've always used canola oil as well, with no stickyness. Alton Brown's cast iron methods work great for me. Heat up the oven, rub each pan down with oil inside and out, lay the pans face down on the racks (so that the oil will not pool in the botton of the pan), and heat for an hour. Then, to clean, rub with salt, using either the oil you cooked with or adding a little more. Alton recommends kosher salt for its large grains, but I've been using leftover margerita salt. No need for soap or water, and the pans are as slick as non-stick brands such as Teflon.

[desertpenguin]

i tried using olive oil once and it definitely made the pan sticky. so does too much of any oil when it's heated to a high temperature, ime. i usually use palm shortening.

[tappahannock]

I just got a Lodge dutch oven at the hardware store. When I got home I realized it was "factory-seasoned." It involves some kind of "proprietary process" where they spray it will oil and heat it. I'm a little sketched out though, because I don't know what kind of oil they used or what really went on!
Anyone else a bit weirded out by this?

[momto l&a]

I like to use beef fat.

Cristco really does work well though have use it years ago.

[erin_d_a]

bacon fat works really well too

Also try to cook fatty foods the first few times you use it. Fry up some bacon and let it cool in the pan then put it back in the oven and heat it up and let it cool until hard again. Do this three or four times and you pan will be nice and seasoned