Author Topic: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?  (Read 1520 times)

Offline Shane Lewis

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I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« on: December 02, 2013, 01:30:56 AM »
 I have two pans that I inherited from my Grandma. Just a 12" unmarked Lodge, and a 10" Lodge that I believe was bought new in the 1990's.

 Anyway, both pans are visibly rough casted, but are better to cook with that the Griswold and no name pan that I bought that are smooth cast.

 Bacon leave a sticky "goop" that is a beast to get out of the smooth pans, but real easy to get out of Grandma's pans.

 I just wonder if it was what she used to season with, or the pans themselves. I've burnt the season out of the center of both Lodges doing steaks, but they seasoned right back up using the same practice I've used on all my pans.

Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2013, 01:40:53 AM »
My best guess would be the Griswold does not have proper seasoning.
You did not say whether or how that skillet has been seasoned or with what. 
The sugar content in bacon can create problems on newly seasoned pans.

Building the seasoning can take a while, depending on frequency of use, manner of use...... 
The newer Lodge, most probably had a solid factory preseasoning that was used and cared for over the years, and is more forgiving.

Offline Taylor Brogan

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Re: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« Reply #2 on: December 03, 2013, 06:39:29 PM »
She probably used old fashioned lard! I know thats what my grandma always used and her skillets have a thick seasoning on it. Its so slick you can fry an egg w/o any oil. And cornbread never sticks! I believe Lard is the secret. After trial & error I always go back to lard.

Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« Reply #3 on: December 03, 2013, 06:48:06 PM »
What my Grandma used... hmm.. probably lard because that was the only item available.  She was born in 1898.

So, depends on when your Grandma was born, and looking at the historical perspective of what was the accepted standard or practice, of that time frame. :)

Offline C. Perry Rapier

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Re: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2013, 10:51:50 AM »
From the butcher/meatcutter here. There are and were all kinds of things you could season with, chicken fat, goose fat, lard or leaf lard, tallow (from beef), fat from lamb, so different things could have been used. I'd say mostly they used whatever they had readily available.

Offline Dwayne Henson

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Re: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2013, 07:56:53 AM »
On pans from the 1990s probably Crisco was used.
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Offline Duke Gilleland

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Re: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2013, 06:28:55 AM »
Quote
On pans from the 1990s probably Crisco was used.

That would be my guess.
Nowhere But TEXAS!

Offline Shane Lewis

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Re: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2013, 09:53:48 AM »
Quote
Quote
On pans from the 1990s probably Crisco was used.

That would be my guess.
I've used Crisco, lard, and bacon grease on pans that I have since then bought, stripped, re-seasoned, and cooked in, but still can't get that jet black enamel like finish. My pans appear to stay a grey or brown color, and just kind of soak up or ??? the layers of season I try and put on them.

Offline Duke Gilleland

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Re: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2013, 11:03:56 AM »
Taking a chance making repetitive statements concerning seasoning and patina, I say, "We try to accomplish in a few days what it took our Mother & Grand Mothers decades to do by COOKING FOOD in it"! Just my take on it [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
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Offline Rick Gilley

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Re: I wonder what my Grandma used as seasoning?
« Reply #9 on: December 24, 2013, 12:10:39 AM »
My mother in law kept a big piece of pig skin on the stove to use