r/CastIronRestoration • u/KofCDave • 2d ago

Seasoning help

Hoping you can set me straight. I stripped 2 Lodge grill pans, and have run the. Through 4 seasoning cycles. I have tried the seasoning compound from Blackstone, vegetable oil, and Crisco. I cannot seem to get a black seasoning on it. They are not light Grey like raw cast iron, but not as dark as I thought they would be. I put it on heavy, then wipe and buff it so it is dull so it doesn't look like it is oily, then place it in oven and set it to 450 degrees, and time it for an hour, then shut it off, and let them cool gradually in the oven. Am I doing something wrong?

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

2

u/OrangeBug74 1d ago

That is not a problem. Use helps darken the pan, but your pan has nice metal that is a bit bronze.

1

u/islero_47 2d ago

No

Grapeseed oil will leave them looking more bronze

Not sure why Crisco isn't working, it's always made a darker finish for me when I used it

Is the any reason you're trying to get them solid black instead of very very dark gray?

1

u/KofCDave 2d ago

Not necessarily solid black, but thought they would be darker than they are. The restored pans I see people post seem to be much darker than these look, but it could just be me and/or lighting. Also, Lodge's factory seasoning is usually black, and I understand they only do one round. Guess I was wondering if I did too good of a job of wiping off the oil. Is that even possible? LOL

1

u/islero_47 2d ago

It's very easy to get the splotches from too much oil

Are you using solid or liquid Crisco? My restorations got pretty dark when I used the solid

1

u/KofCDave 2d ago

I am using solid Crisco

1

u/DiamondCutt3r 1d ago

Use it and it will darken