You
know we all have our own ways and methods to season,
but the method below has been used by many collectors
and cooks alike and it appears to be the BEST for seasoning.
Take the extra time to actually season in the oven
as makes a world of difference in the end result.
Once a piece is fully cleaned and dried put it in the oven "naked"; no
oil of any kind and heat it to 450F. Leave it in long enough to just reach
that temperature. Be careful and remove the piece from the oven and let
it cool to where you can just handle it. This step works great for slightly
darkening the peice and giving it a uniform appearance. No one likes a spotted
or zebra stripped piece. Use Crisco shortening only and use
a cotton rag (t-shirt) to apply a thin/very light coat
on the entire piece. If there are tight nooks and crannies to fill in, use a
Q-tip.
Once completely and lightly coated (note: we stress a LIGHT coat),
put it back in the oven at 400F for 30 (use a timer) minutes and at that point turn
off the
oven and leave it in the oven till it cools on it's own.
When you
remove the piece it will have a nice dark brown uniform pantina that shines
brightly.
You
can repeat with one or more coats of Crisco, if you
like, but you'll be happy none the less.
|