Yellow color from brand new Pre-Seasoned Lodge Cast Iron griddle (before seasoning or even heating). Is this normal?
I received my Lodge 10.5 inch pre-seasoned cast iron griddle today (and I'm very new to the world of Cast Iron). I washed it with water and soap and used the soft side of the sponge and on second wash I used the rough side. While waiting for the pan to dry (before I was going to start seasoning), I tried dabbing the sides with a paper towel to remove some of the moisture and I noticed a yellow stain of sorts coming off of the pan. I washed the pan again a couple of times but there still seems to be a yellow stain. Is this normal? I haven't seasoned the pan with oil or anything.
Also, I know cast iron pans aren't perfectly smooth like a nonstick Teflon pan but there's a very small grey bump on my pan. Is this acceptable?
Edit: The pan upon drying looks rusty and it appears yellow-orange like on kitchen towels if I try it rub it.
Edit 2: Thank you everyone for your comments, feedback and advice. I'm a complete newbie and I've been reading and watching as much info about cast iron usage and I, really, appreciate them. I don't own a oven so I've been using a stovetop to season the pan. After about 3 rounds of seasoning, I attempted a fried egg test with cooking canola oil(I think my pan was too hot/medium flame) but failed twice. Today (24 hours later), I attempted the fried egg test using a teaspoon of butter (preheated the pan and used a low flame) and it came off quite cleanly except for when I tried to flip it over and a bit of it got stuck. (check images 4 and 5). However, I've noticed a dark brown color tone around the pan (image 6) except at the periphery. I don't know if this is because I've seasoned it incorrectly.
Best Answer
If it’s kinda powdery, it’s likely rust.
Not quite fully polymerized oil tends to be orangeish, but you usually can’t see it unless it’s your first layer over shiny bare metal, and I wouldn’t expect it to rub off on a paper towel like that
I suspect that you’re going to need to strip and re-season your pan. You only do that first deep scrub with pans that are waxed for shipment, not for pre-seasoned pans
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Why is cast iron discolored?
You're not doing enough cast-iron cooking While seasoning does wear down with use, the more you use your cast-iron cookware, the better it performs. Every time you use it, you're also adding new molecules of polymerized oil. Over the long haul, your cast-iron will darken and grow shinier.How do I know if my cast iron is properly seasoned?
An easy way to test a skillet's seasoning is to fry an egg (heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes, then add egg). If your pan is well-seasoned, you should not experience any major sticking.What should cast iron look like before seasoning?
If you're new to cast iron cooking and used to non-stick or stainless steel pans, you may not know how your cast iron should look and feel. A well-seasoned cast iron pan should be dark black, shiny, and smooth to the touch. Unseasoned cast iron has a rough look and feel until it is properly seasoned.How do you use a Lodge cast iron skillet for the first time?
Prior to first use, rinse with hot water (do not use soap), and dry thoroughly. Before cooking, apply vegetable oil to the cooking surface of your pan and pre-heat the pan slowly (always start on low heat, increasing the temperature slowly). Once the utensil is properly pre-heated, you are ready to cook.Do I Need To Season A New Lodge Cast Iron Skillet?
More answers regarding yellow color from brand new Pre-Seasoned Lodge Cast Iron griddle (before seasoning or even heating). Is this normal?
Answer 2
We never season our pan in the oven; always in the stove. Ours has so much “seasoning, the “dimples” are pretty much gone. We don’t necessarily season our after every use anymore, just when it looks dull. We heat it up very hot over a high heat, remove it from the heat and rub, liberally, with a high smoke point vegetable oil. Let it cool and put it away. No one’s told us it’s wrong, but no one else I’ve heard of does it this way and it works.
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