Seasoning cast iron help for vegetarians

[aflyingbuttress]

I am trying to season a cast iron skillet DH and I found at my parents house. I'm sure it hasn't been used in many years. We are vegetarian so I looked up ways to season the skillet without using animal fat. Most things I read said use crisco but we also try to be healthy so I was still looking for an alternative. I read on livestrong.com that you can use coconut oil so I tried that.

I cleaned it with water and a hard bristled brush before attempting seasoning. I rubbed the whole thing down with food grade coconut oil and popped it in the oven. Within minutes it was smoking so much that it filled my apartment. I thought perhaps it was the dripping onto the bottom of the oven so I put some cookie sheets underneath and tried again, but it is still smoking.

I am not sure what to do at this point. Is the problem the coconut oil? Could it be I used too much oil? Any other thoughts?

Any advice is appreciated. TIA!

[Southern Momma]

Coconut oil has a lower smoke point than other oils. I would try olive oil or canola oil. What temp do you have your oven set at?

[Southern Momma]

You may already know this but I wanted to add: If the pan hasn't been used in a long time it will not be nonstick until you've used it a few times. Always use a bit of oil when cooking in it the first few times, clean with water and a stiff brush, dry and apply a thin layer of oil while still a little warm. If you get any food that sticks to the pan you can use salt and oil to scrub it off HTH

[mommypockets]

Hubby always uses olive oil.

[danner]

Flax! We seasoned ours with great success. It's quite a process. I had a thread in which I got lots of suggestions and the flax method was one. If I can find the thread I'll link you.

[mommy2colin]

We also use flax. Here's the link I used http://sherylcanter.com/wordpress/20...ing-cast-iron/

[danner]

Originally Posted by mommy2colin We also use flax. Here's the link I used http://sherylcanter.com/wordpress/20...ing-cast-iron/

Yes this is the process. I'll use this on all of my future cast iron too.

[MissyMia]

I use coconut oil because I had a whole bunch leftover from using it as diaper cream. I wash my pan with just water usually scrubbing off the food. Then I dry over medium heat on the stove. Then I wipe the oil in it and I am done. I have never seasoned it in the oven like that. I never leave the oil in the pan on the stove though because it will smoke and it takes FOREVER to get that smell out of the house.

[Erinne]

I cook eggs in a little butter pretty much every day and it keeps it nice on a day to day basis, but ours were already seasoned so idk if butter works well for starting out.

[pumkinsmommy]

Originally Posted by danner Yes this is the process. I'll use this on all of my future cast iron too.

Did you strip yours with the oven cleaner?