Seasoning Media Help

[CJMunnich]

My wife does not like the smell Crisco makes when I am coating my CI. I tried bacon grease last night and she liked that (who wouldn't?). The problem is that the bacon grease did not produce the dark brown, almost black coating that I like. In fact it was almost translucent.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a media that works and has a gentle smell that my wife may tolerate. She is pregnant, so her sense of smell is elevated.

Thanks

 

[Adam_R.]

Hello,

I just bought one of the Crisbee pucks to try out. Seems to season well and the smell is 90% less than Crisco (I tried the Crisbee puck because my wife complained about the smell).

The only thing I noticed with it is a tendency to get sticky a little easier than Crisco. Just make sure your coats are thin and it works well.

-Adam

 

[CJMunnich]

Hello,

I just bought one of the Crisbee pucks to try out. Seems to season well and the smell is 90% less than Crisco (I tried the Crisbee puck because my wife complained about the smell).

The only thing I noticed with it is a tendency to get sticky a little easier than Crisco. Just make sure your coats are thin and it works well.

-Adam

Thanks for the suggestion. I've heard of it, but have not found it locally. Where did you get it?

 

[EdgarLopez]

My wife does not like the smell Crisco makes when I am coating my CI. I tried bacon grease last night and she liked that (who wouldn't?). The problem is that the bacon grease did not produce the dark brown, almost black coating that I like. In fact it was almost translucent.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a media that works and has a gentle smell that my wife may tolerate. She is pregnant, so her sense of smell is elevated.

Thanks

If you have a bbq grill you can do it out doors,Probably is too cold at you location,I like the bbq because it doesn't have insulation like an oven I don't have to wait hours to let it cool down,just don't open the lid while it is hot .

 

[CJMunnich]

If you have a bbq grill you can do it out doors,Probably is too cold at you location,I like the bbq because it doesn't have insulation like an oven I don't have to wait hours to let it cool down,just don't open the lid while it is hot .

Thanks for the suggestion. Way too cold here and we just got hit with over a foot of snow.

 

[Doug D.]

Grapeseed oil might be the ticket here. I've used it more often than Crisco, and it works well. Look for "refined" on the label (higher smoke point). And you can use it for other things, like cooking. I don't think the expectation should be a shiny black pan after a few manual coats of any seasoning every time.

 

[Mark H]

Be sure you use the method that is posted on this site. The wiping with a cloth towel has made a big difference for the few I have done since I learned.

This site is full of information. I have been amazed by just the information and pictures in the gem section.

 

[Ty L.]

If it were mine, I'd do another coat of bacon grease (wipe it down real good with a cloth like Mark H said), maybe leave it in a little longer this time, and then start cooking on it and stop worrying. It'll darken. They always do.

 

[Adam_R.]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've heard of it, but have not found it locally. Where did you get it?

I couldn't find it anywhere but their website. I think it was $7 for a puck with free shipping. Shipping was pretty quick too. For the little that is needed to season it should last quite a while.

Adam

 

[JMoss]

One of our members turned me on to bees wax (honeycomb) and it works well, turns very black and smells like honey when you are seasoning the pans.

If you are interested PM me and I'll send you his contact information

Jack

 

[DSBradley]

Although I've never used it, no one has mentioned flaxseed oil or coconut oil. Do these put off a bad odor? I've read a lot of people are using this method now.

 

[JustinR]

If it were mine, I'd do another coat of bacon grease (wipe it down real good with a cloth like Mark H said), maybe leave it in a little longer this time, and then start cooking on it and stop worrying. It'll darken. They always do.

Im with him. Give it one more try then cook a pound of bacon, 2 pieces at a time. Wiping out in between. Itll darken quick

 

[JDSchneider]

Hello!
For just about as long as I have been seasoning CI, I have used white cap lard- which works amazingly (smells like hamburgers, and unlike crisco, you don't have to worry about partially hydrogenated oils).

I recently bartered some of my backyard eggs for some purified bees wax, and used it last night for the first time-- worked awesome (a bit more smoke than the lard had created), and smelled sweet, it may be my new go to!!

Find a beekeeper as they usually have wax in excess!

Thanks,
-J

 

[Stan D]

Although I've never used it, no one has mentioned flaxseed oil or coconut oil. Do these put off a bad odor? I've read a lot of people are using this method now.

Yes,on the flaxseed oil. It's what I use. And I just do it when the wife isn't around.

 

[Jason Schley]

Although I've never used it, no one has mentioned flaxseed oil or coconut oil. Do these put off a bad odor? I've read a lot of people are using this method now.

I actually use coconut oil. Some of our cast irons are designated veggies only because of a Vegetarian in the family, so I just use coconut initially on any new pans till she decides which she likes to use. The refined because of higher flash point. I love the smell and after a few cookings, I couldn't tell difference.