steel spatula on cast iron

[Paul Wheaton]

A new lodge cast iron skillet has a .... texture ... on the cooking surface. While it is getting better over time, the first year of use hasn't been as good as a much older skillet.

I've used nothing but soft plastic spatulas on it, but now I'm thinking that this process would go a lot faster if I used a steel spatula. Wouldn't the steel spatula help to smooth the cooking surface?

[Cabin Fever]

I've always used steel spatulas on cast iron right from the start. But, as far as smoothness goes, it mainly comes from the buildup of burnt oils and grease. The grease and oils won't buildup with time, if you wash the cast iron with dishwashing detergent.

[raymilosh]

I have wondered the same thing about cast iron things. My old stuff has a smooth cooking surface. My newer stuff has a texture. I have wondered if the texture has worn off the old stuff or if the old stuff was given a smoother finish by the manufacturer.
Anyhow, I use steel utensils on cast iron and plastic or wood on teflon.
It seems that the new cast iron pieces of mine are slowly smoothing with time, but most of mine are only 5 to 15 years old. I imagine it takes a generation or more to really get worn in...
It's funny to see myself writing that last sentence.
I have a set of cast iron pots and pans and griddles. It took me a while to get used to them and it takes a while to get a new one to work right, but now that i have what i need...I am done buying pots and pans for this life. That set will last who knows how many generations of people. Now that's good stuff. Cheap, too. And non stick. and easy to clean. Gosh, i never really gave it that much thought before.

[Ruby]

I no longer use the plastic and nylon on mine. I noticed they were melting and I didn't want that in my food. I noticed in the Lehman's catelog that they sell both the "finished inside" and the "unfinished inside" cast iron. (At least they use to, I haven't gotten one of thier catelogs in several years.)

[Paranoid]

i use steel.

[Jeff54321]

Originally Posted by Paranoid

i use steel.

Me too.

[lonelyfarmgirl]

I was given an iron skillet as a gift (a new one), I is wenzel brand from sams club, and it was smooth from the start. Ive never seen one with an inside texture. All my old ones are smooth too.