Cast Iron Griddle Pan

zippychick

Here's an older thread which has loads of ideas and discussion about them.

Ill merge this later

Zip:)

lilbert

This thread is really confusing. i didnt know there were so many rules regarding griddle pans.

Anyhow, I bought a heavy cast iron griddle pan from Ikea. Ive griddled, chicken breast, veggies, steak and lots more. I just wash it like the rest of my washing up. Its always come put just like new

calisto

lilbert wrote: »

This thread is really confusing. i didnt know there were so many rules regarding griddle pans.

Anyhow, I bought a heavy cast iron griddle pan from Ikea. Ive griddled, chicken breast, veggies, steak and lots more. I just wash it like the rest of my washing up. Its always come put just like new

I agree - I've got a very heavy cast iron griddle I got dirt cheap in Netto for about £7.99... have used it for ages and whenever it has been caked in crud from steaks etc, I wash in detergent and warm water.

However, I then rinse in cold and boil the water dry on the stove as I don't want any rust.

I do the same with my steel wok, which I also spray a bit of oil on and heat to smoking point then wipe down after it has cooled.

I will keep them "seasoned" as need be, but it's no effort to "re-season" them if getting rid of all the grimy crud and cobwebs is more important. Especially if you have been cooking fish on the thing!

I guess it's kind of like some people who are obsessed with never cleaning out their teapots as they believe all the tannin crud build up, and odd spider or fly remains makes a better cup of tea. I prefer a spotless mug and pot myself. Indeed the only thing I hated about the old 70s Goblin Teasmaid (other than the alarm that would wake the dead) was how fekkin hard it was to clean out the tiny pot and kettle!

redlady_1

I have the Ikea one. It is a total piece of poo and everything sticks to it. I must be doing something wrong.

calisto

redlady_1 wrote: »

I have the Ikea one. It is a total piece of poo and everything sticks to it. I must be doing something wrong.

I don't know about the Ikea one, but if it's cast iron then it's cast iron...

Give it a clean, then make sure you get rid of all the water by cooking it dry, then either spray some high temp oil like sunflower all over it, or else pour it on and wipe so you can make sure all the griddle surfaces are coated on oil. Cook until smoking.

Finally, pour off excess oil and let it cool. Use kitchen paper to wipe off any further oil.

Store the pan upside down so dust doesn't fall into it when not in use!

That's it - nothing should stick to it after that. Of course you need to oil your steaks, etc, before griddling them. But you shouldn't need to oil the pan.

germish_se

redlady_1 wrote: »

I have the Ikea one. It is a total piece of poo and everything sticks to it. I must be doing something wrong.

Season it like calisto said.
After using it just clean it with hot water and a washing up brush, dry it off on residual heat on the hob.
No detergents, no wiping, this is the way to stop things sticking when cooking, the more you use it the better it gets. I have had mine for 20 years and it is great.

pigeonpie

couldn't find this thread, then worked out how the 'search' button works

with a gas hob, once it's clean, do you just put it on for a few minutes on a low heat to 'dry' it or must it start smoking? We have super sensitive and ear splitting smoke alarms in these flats.

calisto

pigeonpie wrote: »

couldn't find this thread, then worked out how the 'search' button works

with a gas hob, once it's clean, do you just put it on for a few minutes on a low heat to 'dry' it or must it start smoking? We have super sensitive and ear splitting smoke alarms in these flats.

You dry it on the hob to get rid of the water so there is no oil spatter later. When all the water has boiled off, add a small amount of oil and ensure all the surfaces are covered. You do want the oil to get to smoking temperature - just open some windows and be prepared to press the buttons on the smoke alarms.

When it cools down pour off excess oil and wipe down with kitchen paper - but do this before it gets too cold because then it turns into a tacky grease and takes the paper fibres with it and sticks hard!

It's pretty obvious once you do it. Oh, and always store the pan upsided down when not in use! top tip!

pigeonpie

well....I had to wash the IKEA one as everything stuck and I mean stuck. I had just oiled the chicken, not the pan (and hadn't washed it etc..IKEA have you prepare your pan with boiled milk btw????) Anyhow it's a bit tricky as in these flats we have such sensitive smoke alarms that are centrally linked. I had all the windows open and the extractor on 4 and my prayers were answered, but it seems it wasn't the best buy in the world. I can't see that it's a lot different from pan frying?
I've not tried that new spray on oil (flora?) - would that work? I need low cholesterol food (says she who just ate chocolate) :-O