The entire concept of seasoning cast iron, which acts as a leveling agent so the proteins won't adhere to the pan, was a result of home cooks trying to fill in this new, rougher surface. The roughness that you feel on much modern cast iron is sand, which used to be removed during the cast iron production process.14 Jan 2020
Can I use sandpaper on cast iron?
What you'll need to clean a rusty cast iron skillet. You'll want to use a really tough sandpaper. Yes, it's gonna scratch the surface of your skillet a bit, but it's going to be fine.6 Mar 2018
Should cast iron be smooth or rough?
Rough cast-iron is better. Not only does it retain heat better, but it sears meat better. Smooth cast iron is easier to clean and lighter, but in terms of cooking, rough cast iron wins. You would buy vintage cast iron for its appearance rather than cooking ability.24 Jun 2021
What is the texture of cast iron?
On a microscopic level, cast iron has a jagged, uneven surface. This texture provides more surface area for the seasoning to bond and adhere to the iron. As the layers build up, the oils and fats will fill in the texture, creating a smooth, naturally nonstick cooking surface that will last for generations.
What should cast iron feel like?
If you're new to cast iron cooking and used to non-stick or stainless steel pans, you may not know how your cast iron should look and feel. A well-seasoned cast iron pan should be dark black, shiny, and smooth to the touch. Unseasoned cast iron has a rough look and feel until it is properly seasoned.
How do you smooth out a cast?
If you want an even smoother result, move up to a higher grit sandpaper and lightly sand the surface. Wash the pan with soap to remove any dust or iron debris and dry thoroughly. Your pan's seasoning has been completely removed from this process. Season thoroughly like you would a brand new pan.
Are cast iron pans supposed to be smooth?
According to some manufacturers, the modern rough surface cast iron pots and pans helps the seasoning oils to adhere better than a smooth finish would. Smooth cast iron does not sell well commercially compared to rough iron. Your old cast iron may have even started out rough and smoothed naturally.
Why do some cast iron pans have ridges?
It's worth waiting, however, as your steak will cook evenly and quickly if you do so. As for the ridges, cast iron pans tend to offer higher ridges than nonstick. This is because nonstick pans are normally made of a sheet of a single aluminum sheet, which can tear or deform if the ridges are too high.28 Jan 2020
Why are cast iron pans the best?
The main advantage of cast iron is that it has very high volumetric heat capacity, which means that once it's hot, it stays hot. This is vitally important when searing meat. To really heat cast iron evenly, place it over a burner and let it preheat for at least 10 minutes or so, rotating it every once in a while.