So if you have followed my advice and purchased a used cast iron pancake griddle from a garage sale you need to know how to season it. So how exactly are you supposed to season a cast iron griddle? Well if you ask 20 grandmas this question you’ll like get roughly the same answer with a little variation. However, I know this method works because I’ve done it myself:
1) Wash your cast iron griddle with warm soap and water
2) Make sure you dry the pan thoroughly by letting it air dry
3) Then place the griddle in a 200 degree oven for just 10 minutes to finish the drying process and to ensure that all moisture is out
4) Rub lard generously around the griddle. Don’t be shy on this step make sure you really pile the lard on!
5) Place the pan face down on your oven rack and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Of course you are going to have a mess in your oven so make sure you place some tin foil at the bottom of your oven to catch as much falling grease as possible
6) Once out of the oven allow the pan to cure for 24 hours before washing
7) Wash and dry your pan with warm sudsy water
Enjoy your newly seasoned griddle as it is now a family heirloom
I have used this process on at least 25 pancake griddles in my day. I have a huge family and have become quite the expert to the point that every family member brings their pan to me for seasoning. Good thing I’m a stay at home mom!