Is bacon grease good for cast iron pans?

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Cast iron cookware retains heat well and cooks food evenly if cared for properly. Part of caring for your cast iron skillet is seasoning it to keep the surface smooth and to give it a non-stick sheen. Although you can use oil or shortening to season your cast iron skillet, bacon grease works just as well.

How do you get bacon grease out of a cast iron skillet?

Avoid using the dishwasher, soap, or steel wool, as these may strip the pan’s seasoning. Scrub off stuck-on bits: To remove stuck-on food, scrub the pan with a paste of coarse kosher salt and water. Then rinse or wipe with a paper towel. Stubborn food residue may also be loosened by boiling water in the pan.

Can you leave grease in a cast iron skillet?

It’s not a good idea to leave cooking oil in your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. The oil can go rancid if exposed to the elements for an extended period of time, and you will have to throw it away. When cooking oil becomes rancid, it reacts with the elements and bacteria in its environment.

Why did my cast iron skillet turn my food black?

First, the black specks you see coming off into your food are not harmful. They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils. Using an oil with a low smoke point will carbonize at high temperatures and cause residue from the pores of your pan to rub off onto your food.

Can you season cast iron with sausage grease?

Using Your Cast Iron Skillet For the first couple of uses, cook something greasy like bacon or sausage. This will help heat cycle and re-coat the interior surface which will make the non-stick coating better.

Can you fry bacon in a cast iron skillet?

One of the best ways to cook bacon on the stovetop is with a cast-iron skillet or frying pan. Non-stick isn’t necessary for cooking bacon on a skillet because as the bacon releases fat, it creates a slippery coating, which allows the bacon to slide around and be turned over.

Can you season a Dutch oven with bacon grease?

It sure adds good flavor but if you’re using lard or bacon grease make sure you clean your cast well after every use and you’re using your cast at least once a day, otherwise that lard can become rancid quickly. I don’t recommend seasoning Dutch ovens with lard or bacon grease.

What you should not cook in cast iron?

5 foods you should never cook in a cast iron skillet

Tomatoes.
All other highly acidic foods.
Eggs.
Delicate Fish.
Sticky Desserts (Unless your pan is very well-seasoned)

Why does black stuff keep coming off my cast iron skillet?

They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils. Using an oil with a low smoke point will carbonize at high temperatures and cause residue from the pores of your pan to rub off onto your food.