@cast_iron_chris: These drive me nuts: “Just throw it in a fire pit.” No thanks. Right around 900°-1,000°F is where you run a very good risk at damaging your cast iron. Extreme temperatures can cause a piece of cast iron to warp or crack. It can even damage the pans microstructure and cause scaling, where the iron starts flaking off. Vintage/antique cast iron is typically much thinner than modern pieces so this kind of damage probably happens at temperatures even lower than 900°. And I don’t want to hear “I’ve done it this way and have never had a problem.” That’s called ‘survivorship bias’- just because something hasn’t happened to you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. And the one that probably annoys me even worse: “What about all the chemicals?” “I can restore it without all the chemicals.” EVERYTHING ON THIS EARTH IS MADE OF CHEMICALS. Oxygen is a chemical. You can’t just say ‘something has or uses chemicals’ because no sh*t- everything IS chemicals. Oh, but they probably mean ‘dangerous chemicals.’ Water can kill you. Oxygen can kill you. Every chemical can kill you but the dose makes the poison. Sure, lye can burn your skin. It can be used as a drain cleaner. Sound dangerous? But it’s also used to make foods, soaps, etc. on. Not so dangerous. Chemicals can serve many different purpose. 1. don’t throw your cast iron in a fire pit 2. chemicals ≠ bad/dangerous These drive me nuts: “Just throw it in a fire pit.” No thanks. Right around 900°–1,000°F is where you run a very good risk of damaging your cast iron. Extreme temperatures can warp or crack a piece of cast iron. They can even damage the pan’s microstructure and cause scaling, where the iron literally starts flaking off. Vintage/antique cast iron is usually much thinner than modern pieces, so this kind of damage can happen at even lower temperatures. And I don’t want to hear “I’ve done it this way and never had a problem.” That’s called survivorship bias- just because something hasn’t happened to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. And the one that probably annoys me even more: “What about all the chemicals?” “I can restore it without chemicals.” EVERYTHING on this earth is made of chemicals. Oxygen is a chemical. You can’t just say something “has chemicals” because…no sh*t- everything is chemicals. Oh, but they probably mean “dangerous chemicals.” Water can kill you. Oxygen can kill you. Every chemical can kill you, but the dose makes the poison. Sure, lye can burn your skin. It can be used as a drain cleaner. Sounds dangerous, right? But it’s also used to make foods, soaps, etc. Not so dangerous. The same chemical can serve different purposes. If you didn’t get it by now: 1. Don’t throw your cast iron in a fire pit. 2. Chemicals ≠ bad/dangerous.

Chris :

I did the self clean cycle on the oven with my first old skillet. Worked like a charm but stank up the whole house and was apparently a fire hazard so I wouldn't do it again 😂

Carson 🇨🇦 :

it'll also completely burn the seasoning off... ask me how I know

user6148787249983 :

What’s your opinion on the mirror like polished finish on cast iron?

Little T :

Been done for years fella ain’t nothing better you have to know how

JudgeSmails :

i put mine in the oven during a clean cycle

Ledbetter :

My grate grandma burnt hers out my grandma burnt hers out and I still use the same skillets every day

cody_Fisher :

I put mine in the BBQ on high. 600-700 will turn anything stuck into it into ash and a wire brush or wire wheel will get it off.

Duck1509 :

I’ve been doing this for a long time and never had a problem

brandiii :

what is the lye to water ratio?)

John Smith ❌ :

user898680865316 :

Watched my grandfather do it every winter put ot on the wood stove and I still use them today.

white Feather :

that how people used to clean them all the time. people are just scared of fire nowadays. to citified

italipinalivin :

So glad I saw this video! I need to get some melted plastic off my cast iron and everyone is telling me to toss it in a bonfire.

user9639037314632 :

I don’t have the capability to do electrolysis

Henrik 🇺🇦 :

Been doing this one a year with my pan and nothing happens. It's super easy and works great.

Mstrofpain :

Found out if u put the electrode backwards. Will mess it up. Just saying from a friend 😉

Burn ‘em & Turn ‘em :

@thanks for the info 🔥🔥

lesterschatz :

I've done skillets on open fires from quite a few years.It's like baby sitting process, but it can be done.And it's not really all that hard, but you do it your way.I do it my way.

street_truck_tommy :

I put a crusted up skillet on a bed of coals after doing some carne Asada. came out the next morning to the cleanest skillet ive ever seen. no warp, no crust, just clean, rust free iron.

cleb077 :

Fired my cast iron for years, not has happened

user4371589259274 :

Noooooo, you will destroy your skillet

Dan Richards :

I always use a fire pit to cure my cast iron it’s the best way

mattykbrewery :

1000°F campfire seems “harsh” 😂

ChunkTok :

Yes CI will warp or crack with extreme heat. Not getting it too hot and not letting your CI cool off quick is key. I enjoy your content and your operation is sweet. Most people don't have the space or the information, so fire is the easy option. I'll keep using fire to remove the oil build up on my fryer pan. Soap and HOT water just don't cut.

Ernest Pierre :

😁