sf wrote:

> On Sat, 04 Sep 2004 17:04:07 -0400, "Bob (this one)"
> > wrote:
>
>>> iquill is right that sitting in grease won't ruin a cast iron
>>> pan...
>>
>> I didn't dispute that directly, but it does depend on the sort of
>> grease we're discussing. Culinary grease wouldn't damage it
>> because residual flavors would be acceptable. I doubt it would be
>> good to sit it full of lithium grease.
>>
>>> you're right that water damage can't be repaired, but you're
>>> living in a world of extremes if you've actually had experience
>>> with a cast iron pan warping or cracking due to heating and
>>> cooling,
>>
>> Dunno how extreme it is. We used to serve various dishes in cast
>> iron skillets in my restaurants, ranging from blackened foods to
>> slower-cooked items. They were used every day, rather
>> intensively. Occasionally they warped or cracked. We usually had
>> 50-60 of them on hand at any given moment. We had to buy maybe 10
>> a year.
>
>
> Oh, come on... I have no idea how your fancy schmancy pans compare
> to home style (I think they are thinner),

<LOL> Come on, indeed. We used Lodge pans from the housewares store.
But I admire your theorizing with no information about the skillets we
used. <LOL> Fancy schmancy pans. Love it. Right. We got the "Special
Fancy Schmancy" thinner ones so it could document your "theory." <LOL>

> but if you're going to compare your restaurant use to someones home
> use... isn't that going over the edge?

Well, no. Same temperature from the stove. Same handling (maybe even
more gently because they needed to look good on the table), same
cleaning. What do you think we did with them, bat rocks out of the
parking lot?

> As I said before, my kitchen cast iron pans have been through the
> oven cleaning cycle with no problem,

Yes, and...

> and you just illustrated that you live in a world of extremes.

Not really. I just said we used them more often although we handled
them gently to preserve their appearance. Cleaned with water and a
scouring pad. Rinsed and dried. Stored in one of the unheated ovens
for quick access to cook and serve in.

Pastorio