I can't cook anything on my cast iron grill pan without it sticking horribly. Help!?!


Question: I can't cook anything on my cast iron grill pan without it sticking horribly!. Help!!?
I got a very expensive heavy grill pan a few months ago and I have only used it twice, both times with disasterous results!. I cured it as per the instructions: give it a thin coating of oil and put it in a high heat oven (I think I did 375) for 15-20 minutes!. I think I did it right, but perhaps this is the problem!. Both times I've cooked on it, I have attempted to grill turkey burgers!. I brushed it with olive oil both times, but the first time less than the second!. Both times, the burgers stuck and didn't turn out at all!. This is embarassing, because I am actually a pretty accomplished cook and usually am able to cook whatever, whenever!. Yet I am stumped!. Does anyone know what I should do!?Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
Try to re-season it again, maybe for a longer time, the oven will work fine, and 375 is a good temp!. Don't wash the pan with a soap as that removes the seasoning!. Before you cook in the pan, get it very hot before putting oil and meat in it, that will sear the meat, and make it less likely to stick!. I would advise against a spray oil, because many of them have water as an ingredient which can cause sticking!. also remember to use a natural bristle brush instead of plastic bristles to avoid the bristles melting in the pan and making the food taste bad!.
Good luckWww@FoodAQ@Com

375 isn't hot enough, you should have brought it up to at least 400!. If the pan has a good enough cure on it you won't need any oil, but since the pan is new try adding just a bit more!. NEVER put water in a cast iron pan, just wipe it out with a damp paper towel or cloth!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

You need to re-season it!. Turn on your over to 350 rub the entire pan with oil (inside) place in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes and it will be seasoned, aslo add some oil when you are cooking and make sure the pan is hot before you start!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

You cured it wrong!. Us the flame on top of your stove ,not the oven!. also turkey meat is very lean and the olive oil you used was soaked up by the turkey!. THAT is why they stuck to the pan!. Use Pam cooking spray!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Keep curing it and NEVER wash it with soap!. It removes all of the curing!. It takes a few times but I have had mine for 20 years!. It's well worth the effort!. Any roast that you makes works wonderfully!. Just keep at it!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

use pam spay!. its the best, and dosent ruin pans/ anythingWww@FoodAQ@Com

add more oilWww@FoodAQ@Com

I'd agree with Gustavo about the turkey being very lean and soaking up the olive oil!. PAM spray is a good option!.
Another thing to consider is that when you grill, you need to turn your meat ONLY ONCE! If it's sticking, often you're just trying to turn it too soon!. Once the bottom side is cooked it should come up off the pan if you do it gently!.

As for the curing of the pan though, I've only ever heard of it being done in the oven, not on the flame!. But I think usually you'd use a higher temp, maybe 450°F!. Not really sure though, I'd google it if I was about to try it myself!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Cast iron doesn't perform like non-stick pans!. Pre-heat the pan on medium high for a few minutes, but not to the point of smoking!. Take a wadded-up paper towel, dip it in vegetable oil and use tongs to wipe the oil around the pan surface!. If you're cooking a burger, don't even think of trying to flip it for at least 2 minutes!. This allows time for the meat to form a crust so that you can flip it over!. Sounds like a long time, doesn't it!? Keep this in mind when you're patting the burgers out and don't make them too thin!. Don't give up yet - if properly cared for, your cast iron skillet could last longer than your lifetime!.Www@FoodAQ@Com





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