alfresco
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I strip it down to the bare iron first.
If there's carbon build-up from improper seasoning and burnt on food, I use a lye bath. Be careful with lye as it can cause severe chemical burns. But you can leave cast iron in a lye bath for as long as needed. I'll have pieces soaking for a week.
If it's rust, you break the oxide bond with acetic acid. That's table vinegar. I only soak for an hour because vinegar will eat through the iron.
Anything still stuck, I scrape. I dig out all the lettering with nail.
Electrolysis addresses both at the same time. But you need to do that in a ventilated location because it releases hydrogen.
To reseason, I use crisco. I wipe it on and wipe it completely off. 400°. An hour. Repeat about 6 times. I don't worry about eating off the vegetable oil. It's carbonized. You won't get oxidized fat in your food.
td, you are one serious dude. I never ever went to that much trouble and that is probably
why yours look so beautiful. I could tell you took real pride in your restoration.
I used flaxseed oil at the same temp and time but not 6 times, less. Took me several days
to do them, 8?
I am looking at my favorite skillet now . . . it is an old 20, Le Creuset Enamel, made in France.
Really needs to be cleaned / restored but there is nothing like a used, worn skillet that could
tell so many stories just by looking at it. I really don't think I have the heart to take away its
personality, not this one at least.