Can cast iron with non-metal components be seasoned?

Can cast iron with non-metal components be seasoned? - Aged heating battery made of cast iron near windowsill with curtains in house

I have a cast iron mortar and pestle, but only the interior is raw cast iron - the outside and part of the handle are enameled, and the majority of the handle is covered in some kind of hard rubber. Is there a way to season something like this, maybe at a lower temperature for a long period of time?

If not, what's the best way to care for this and keep it from rusting? If I just wipe it with oil after using it, it gets gunky pretty quickly.

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Bonus question: any idea who made this? It has no brand identifier on it, and I bought it years ago.

cast-ironseasoning


Best Answer

Le Creuset say 450°F/230°C is the maximum temperature their enamelled cast-ironware will take. Other manufacturers seem to be sometimes lower, though that could be a handle/lid requirement rather than the enamel itself - see Why are most enameled cast iron dutch oven's only rated up to 400-450 F?

Your problem, assuming you season the mortar with a low-smoke-point oil is that your pestle is going to have to be carefully done over a flame. That handle is not going to survive in the oven. If it's silicone, then about 180°C is about all it can take… that's if you're certain it's silicone.

I'm gonna have to edit that apostrophe out of the linked question, it's burning a hole in my OCD ;)



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How do you carbonize cast iron?

This is done by applying a very thin coat of unsaturated oil (e.g., canola, flaxseed or grapeseed oil) to the cast iron surface and heating it in an oven until it dries. Unsaturated fats work better since they have less hydrogen's and therefore have less non-carbon components.

Can you ruin a cast iron skillet?

Famously durable, these pans are often passed down through generations. With proper reseasoning care, years of frequent use can actually improve the pan's \u201cseasoning\u201d\u2014its natural nonstick coating. But sadly, cast iron skillets can indeed break.

Can you season cast iron with coconut oil?

But can you use coconut oil to season cast iron? Yes! It's important to warm your pan before adding the coconut oil; 350 F ideally. If you're careful to make sure that your pan is seasoned well, this oil is also perfect for daily cast iron cooking.

What do you season a cast iron pan with?

How To Season Your Cast-Iron Skillet:
  • Scrub skillet well in hot soapy water.
  • Dry thoroughly.
  • Spread a thin layer of melted shortening or vegetable oil over the skillet.
  • Place it upside down on a middle oven rack at 375\xb0. (Place foil on a lower rack to catch drips.)
  • Bake 1 hour; let cool in the oven.



    • Why is My Cast Iron Sticky? And How to Fix It!



    More answers regarding can cast iron with non-metal components be seasoned?

    Answer 2

    My grandmother and I had a similar cast iron mortar and pestle. She used to use paraffin wax to preserve it if she wasn't going to use it for long times.

    I'd suggest using food grade paraffin oil or wax.

    I am not sure if this is the best method, but it seemed alright when she did it.

    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Erik Mclean, Erik Mclean, Plato Terentev, Laker

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