Cast Iron Restorations

17/11/2018

We will be at the Forest Farmer’s Market today until noon!

30/10/2018

The most common questions I get are about how to clean cast iron pans after use. I put together a quick list of tips for anyone wanting to get a smooth, shiny black finish on their pans.

*There are many different opinions on how to care for cast iron. These are mine*

- Avoid cooking tomato or acidic foods in cast iron until you have used your pan many times. It can eat away at the seasoning in cast iron that doesn’t have enough seasoning built up.
- Bring your pan up to temperature slowly. If you heat it too quickly it can warp or crack.

Cleaning:

DO NOT PUT IN DISHWASHER
- let the pan cool to touch before washing. Running water in a hot pan can cause it to warp or crack.
- Use a plastic scraper to scrape off any stuck on food particles and grease and then use a stiff plastic brush, plastic sponge, or cast iron chain to scrub off anything left over. Do not use a sponge that could have dish detergent on it. The dish detergent can clean the seasoning off and cause the pan to rust.
- Dry off with a paper towel or dish dowel and put on the stove at low heat until it is hot. This will evaporate any leftover moisture.
- Put a thin layer of shortening (I use crisco) on with a paper towel (I recommend blue shop towels because they don’t shred as easily) or cotton rag. Be sure to put it on all surfaces, not just the cooking surface. Wipe as much of the shortening off as possible with another, clean towel. Not wiping the shortening off will result in a sticky or gummy seasoning.
- Let the pan cool and then store.

I highly recommend Lodge brand pan scrapers and some sort of pan handle mitt.

02/07/2018

We had a great time at the Forest Farmers Market this weekend. We sold some restored pans and were given some pans that customers need restored.

We plan on going back to the Forest Farmers Market later this month or early August, but in the meantime feel free to contact us here on Facebook and we will continue to post newly restored pans when they are ready to sell.

28/06/2018

*Sold* Griswold #8 pan made between 1939 and 1944. Great restored condition.

27/06/2018

Stop by and feel free to ask us any cast iron questions you may have!

NEW VENDOR THIS WEEKEND! Cast Iron Restorations. Stop by and talk with James about his beautiful work.

26/06/2018

When I decided to switch to cast iron cookware over teflon coated I found the look and feel of the "classic" cast iron preferable to the newer Lodge and Chinese made pieces. I spent a lot of time looking for pans in good condition at flea markets, antique stores, and eBay only to find tons of crusty and rusty pans.

Not discouraged, I did much research and decided to restore pans to use. That way the pans will start in a like-new condition and I wouldn’t have to worry about the condition of the old seasoning.

I restored a set of pans to use at home and kept going. It became a rewarding hobby. I ended up giving pans to my parents, friends, and others as presents for the holidays and birthdays.

I haven't stopped restoring these cast iron pieces and now have enough available to sell. I will periodically post pictures of pans I have finished and are for sale.

Also, if you have an heirloom piece of cast iron that it old and crusty, or has gotten rusty over time, I can restore the pan for you for a fee corresponding to the size of the pan.

Thanks for visiting Cast Iron Restorations!

26/06/2018

I will be at the Forest Farmer's Market this Saturday from 8 till noon. Stop by and check out all of the cast iron available!

26/06/2018

*Sold* Unmarked Wagner #8 pan.

26/06/2018

Birmingham Stove and Range #3 made between the mid 60's and mid 70's. One coat of seasoning and ready to cook! You can still see the mill marks from production on the cooking surface.

26/06/2018

*Sold* Wagner Ware #6 pan from the 1940-60's. Seasoned and ready for cooking!

26/06/2018

Lodge #8 chicken fryer. Seasoned and ready to go!

26/06/2018

Unmarked #7 pan. Seasoned and ready to cook.