Cast Iron

[RBBailey]

I've got two pans, a cheapo Dutch oven, and one large griddle. The pans are fine, I use them all the time with very good results. But the griddle has so much built up stuff on it that it is no longer flat, won't hold a non-stick surface, and looks bad. There is no rust. I think it's just that I was doing the seasoning slightly wrong for a few years, then got it right with the pans later on.

So I've been boiling water in it for about five hours now, and only a small portion of the gunk has come off. I'd like to strip it completely and start over. But I can't get this stuff off. I've been scraping with a blade, and scrubbing with salt, steel mesh, and with soap, and now the boiling. Nothing is getting this stuff off.

Any ideas?

 

[Napalm00]

Oven cleaner ?

 

[WreckITFrank]

Get it blasted next time you get some wheels refinished.

 

[javelinadave]

Flap wheel is what I use when starting over on cast iron.

 

[Roverman2010]

Get it bead blasted then polish the surface like the good old days, seasoning is the manufacturers cheap way out to making them non stick.

 

[Roverman2010]

There happens to be an article in Popular Mechanics March/April issue on cast iron pans.

 

[ullur]

You could try placing it in your oven along with a small bowl of ammonia overnight. That usually softens up the really crusted on stuff.

 

[MountainD]

I’d take a blaster or flap disc to it in a heart beat and have in the recent past on the Dutch my sister gave me.

 

[RBBailey]

OK, I think maybe I'll have to get tougher! It's beginning to make me mad just trying to do a proper flapjack!

 

[javelinadave]

 

[rover4x4]

Under no circumstances should you use a grinding wheel or heavy abrasive. Just use it and season it after use. Lard, bacon grease or ghee is ideal. Bacon grease is gold, never throw it away. Stick your griddle in the over at 450 for a bit and that should help loosen the buildup. I have Griswold Iron Mountain that had so much build up I used it in my fireplace for a bit. It had so much buildup it was catch on fire. It still has a layer of crust but the cooking surface is like glass, makes the best pancakes. I only cook on cast iron, I really enjoy collecting it. There is absolutely no reason to use teflon cookware. "antique" cast iron is so much lighter and easier to handle than new stuff. I have not tried any of the boutique cast iron, I prefer the 60+ year old Griswolds and Wagners.


I have bitched and moaned enough that we are down to one Calphalon in the house. I'm not sure it has been used this year.

 

[Uncle Douglas]

My daily is a pre 1914 Wagner #9 .
Have been looking for a lid for it for a very long time. If anyone knows of one that would fit I'd be beholden.
For a griddle, have a long wide cast aluminum one that covers two burners on the gas stove. Trey cooks the pancakes and french toast around here and its seasoned perfect since he cleans nothing.
https://chefsdesign1915.com/product-category/griddles-and-grills/

https://www.castironcollector.com/wagnertm.php

 

[Uncle Douglas]

NM did a new search and scored one

 

[RBBailey]

I'm not sure why, but the griddle won't stay non-stick for more than one pancake. Steak and chicken stick to it and rip when I pick it up. There is an uneven build up of oils that leave ridges and sharp edges. My other items are fine.

 

[uc4me]

I pulled these Griswold's outta my neighbors trash last summer when painting her place.

 

[jymmiejamz]

I pulled these Griswold's outta my neighbors trash last summer when painting her place.

Those look a lot smoother than my Lodge pans.

 

[uc4me]

Ha, they certainly didn't look like that when I took possession..

 

[javelinadave]

Those look a lot smoother than my Lodge pans.

I flap disc and use a Scotchbrite wheel on my Lodge pans before I ever season or use them.They come to rough from the factory for my liking.

 

[Z.G]

I pulled these Griswold's outta my neighbors trash last summer when painting her place.

View attachment 11874

Those are mine man, check underneath for my name

For real though, I did buy a tiny Griswold 3 last year, they're awesome but totally different than the cast irons Im used to(texture vs smooth)

 

[javelinadave]