Here's my collection of iron skillets and pans. I picked these up at auctions, garage sales, tagit sales and anywhere I see them. I love cooking in them. Fried potatoes and onions just AREN'T the same in any other pan! ;) I had one more deep sided skillet but my daughter borrowed it before I moved to NY and I forgot to get it back. So it now resides in Ohio being loved. ;)
When we first moved to this house my pans didn't make it up from the basement right away. When I finally found them in the boxes I had thought they were ruined. They were covered in rust. I had to use a sos pad to clean them up. I oiled them several times and heated them through. They came out just fine.
I know most people do not believe in washing their pans ever. I always have washed mine. I have never relished in the thought that I left food residue in my pans. So I wash them and rinse in hot water and then either set on a warm stove burner just to warm the pan through...or set in a warm oven until completely dry. I then give them a very light coat of vegetable oil. I put a paper towel between each pan and the next. I keep a paper towel inside each saucepan too. This helps keep any moisture away from your pans. I learned that tip from my Mom. I store most my pans in the bottom drawer of my stove and some on top of the stove, thus every time the oven heats up my pans will get some of that heat and dry up any moisture that might have gotten on them.
How do you treat yours....and why? What is your favorite piece? Do you see something I NEED and am missing out using? I'm always up for adding to my collection of ironware. :)
I love your collection of cast iron. I have one frying pan and I treat it with kid gloves. Never really wash it. My chef daughter says not to or it will rust. Just discovered your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! My Mom always washed her iron skillets and I have too. We just make sure they are warmed a bit then if needed a slight oiling and paper towels to absorb any moisture that might collect between them. :) I know they say not to....but I do and never have had a problem with rusting. Should I ever get a touch of rust, which is very rare, I just scour it off a bit and reoil it and heat it through again. Thank you again for your comment and stopping by. :)
ReplyDeleteKim..we are going to be fast friends...I LOVE my cast iron pans, pots, bakeware, etc., Nothing better. Your collection is gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteCome for a visit!
Blessings!
Gail
Thank you Gail! I love love love mine. If someone were to try to take them from me I'd sure be putting up a fight. ;) I'll be visiting soon! :)
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled to see this post. I love cast iron cookware and have been on a mission to build a set one piece at a time. I'm almost there. I have an expensive set of Caphalon that doesn't even compare to the cast iron once you get it seasoned.
ReplyDelete