What is That Gray Stuff on My Paper Towels?

[RobHerrington]

Not all, but some of my pans that have been de-rusted and cured in oven are still yielding a gray colored residue, carbon presumably, when I rub them with cloth or towel after rinsing. I saw some of it on some eggs that I fried. What is it, and what can I do about it?

Thanks.

 

[Niko_D]

Not all, but some of my pans that have been de-rusted and cured in oven are still yielding a gray colored residue, carbon presumably, when I rub them with cloth or towel after rinsing. I saw some of it on some eggs that I fried. What is it, and what can I do about it?

Thanks.

In my experience, this occurs whenever I scour a pan to remove the old seasoning, for reseasoning. I learned to then keep on cleaning the pan with oil and paper towels until the towels no longer turn gray; then I start the reseasoning process.

I also know the same discoloration of eggs though, from my french carbon steel pan, when it won't keep it's seasoning. Sometimes part of the seasoning won't stick to the pan (carbon steel pans are very smooth compared to even vintage cast iron). I would fix this by coating that pan lightly with oil, and by then letting that oil smoke off (under medium high heat). A few quick wipes with an oiled paper towel of the cooled pan would solve that problem, too. At least until it "sheds" its seasoning again.

So yeah, my advice is to wipe your pan with oiled paper towels, again and again and again, until they no longer show any discoloration.

Hope that helps!

 

[RobHerrington]

It does help, thank you!