Most vintage cast iron pans were ground flat, they only stopped doing that as a cost saving measure later on.
My vintage flat cast iron pan from the 30’s keeps its seasoning just as well as my modern one, and is a bit more non-stick compared to the modern ones.
What determines if a seasoning will flake off is mostly due to the type of oil used to create the seasoning. Flax seed oil will create a much harder seasoning, but it is the most prone to being chipped or flaking off.
Most other types of fat, like Crisco (don’t cook with it!) or canola oil, will produce a perfectly good and resilient seasoning on smooth or bumpy cast iron.
Update! So the new Crisco uses Intersterified fat, which this study suggests promotes weight gain, increases blood sugar levels, and stresses the liver.
It also is now mostly made of Palm oil, which means buying it inadvertently supports the burning of rainforest for palm oil plantations.
From the studies I’d read on the new formulation, the thing they’re doing to it to keep it solid at room temperature seems to also be very unhealthy, even if it no longer has trans fats.
It’s been quite a while since I read them, so I can’t recall the name of chemical or process that’s harmful (agh!)
Most vintage cast iron pans were ground flat, they only stopped doing that as a cost saving measure later on.
My vintage flat cast iron pan from the 30’s keeps its seasoning just as well as my modern one, and is a bit more non-stick compared to the modern ones.
What determines if a seasoning will flake off is mostly due to the type of oil used to create the seasoning. Flax seed oil will create a much harder seasoning, but it is the most prone to being chipped or flaking off.
Most other types of fat, like Crisco (don’t cook with it!) or canola oil, will produce a perfectly good and resilient seasoning on smooth or bumpy cast iron.
Wait, why shouldn’t I cook with Cisco?
Update! So the new Crisco uses Intersterified fat, which this study suggests promotes weight gain, increases blood sugar levels, and stresses the liver.
It also is now mostly made of Palm oil, which means buying it inadvertently supports the burning of rainforest for palm oil plantations.
Thanks!
From the studies I’d read on the new formulation, the thing they’re doing to it to keep it solid at room temperature seems to also be very unhealthy, even if it no longer has trans fats.
It’s been quite a while since I read them, so I can’t recall the name of chemical or process that’s harmful (agh!)
I’ll see if I can find it.