Cracked Skillet

[JeromeG]

Ok so I attempted to restore a cast iron skillet. This skillet was my grandmothers and she had it prior to my 1950ish. I was able to get the old seasoning and rust off. My first seasoning was successful. 200 degree oven for 15 mins, wipe on flaxseed oil, then dry. Back in the oven at 300 for 15 mins, wipe off any excess oil. then back in the oven at 450 for 2 hours then let cool for at least 2 hours. when i changed the temps, i let the skillet preheat with it. On my second round of the same process the skillet cracked..hairline. I am so upset. What did i do wrong? I couldn't even take a picture of it because it was so thin. What did i do wrong? was the temp too high?



The pan is cracked in this one. Camera could not pick it up, but i though the seasoning looked nice.

 

[Doug D.]

In 500+ pans I have never had one crack during seasoning at normal oven temperatures. It either had to be cracked beforehand and you didn't notice, or was a one in a million occurrence. You didn't do anything wrong.

 

[JeromeG]

I babied the pan, it wasn't cracked. Im borderline depressed, just because it was so old. What happens when you continue to cook with a cracked pan aways? What else can i do with it?

 

[RickC]

I babied the pan, it wasn't cracked. Im borderline depressed, just because it was so old. What happens when you continue to cook with a cracked pan aways? What else can i do with it?

I don't have nearly as many under my belt as Doug, but I've never had a piece crack while seasoning. Yours might have had a very small crack that you didn't notice that got larger with heat...??

Once cracked, the crack can only do one thing. Get bigger. Depending on where the crack is, you could still use it, just be careful. If the crack is anywhere near the handle, I wouldn't use the handle to lift it anymore. You could also have it welded and have the weld ground smooth. That way you don't have to worry, and you can still use your Grandmother's skillet.

 

[Jeffrey R.]

I am nearing Doug's numbers, and also have never cracked a piece.

I have purchased a few pieces that passed all the test, and could not see or hear a crack. But showed its face after cleaning. The heat will open it a little.

Try not to blame yourself, it very well could have been there under layers of seasoning.

 

[KenK]

don't feel too bad it just sometimes happens I was putting the first seasoning on a never used Lodge #8 yesterday and when I pulled it out of the oven saw the crack bummer it was part of a never used set with a Lodge chef skillet and #5 all with a milled finish

 

[Rick Hunter]

Jerome... I love to buy really rusted and "nasty" skillets that cover up the letters and marks. My philosophy is that sometimes you find gold under the pan and sometimes you find out the the iron is damaged beyond worth. Depending on the price you paid...it's all in the fun of digging under the rust to find a treasure!!

 

[JimR]

I see it the same way, too, Rick. If they're cheap enough it's well worth the risk. I'm all set up now with a 30 gallon electrolysis barrel, two lye tanks - one long and one deep, and two vinegar tanks - one long and one deep and a very aggressive side wheel cup grinder. There doesn't appear to be much of anything I can't clean up.