Cleaning with a wooden handle

[Janis Berzins]

I have a couple of these I would like to put in the lye bath. Not sure how to dunk them and season. What do you folks do? Thanks in advance.

[Cheryl Watson]

Wrap the handle round and round and round with plastic wrap.

Fasten off each end with twisty ties....

Suspend in lye KEEPING the HANDLE above the surface.

(I wrap the wood up to prevent splashes and to protect from moisture).

I have been known to fashion  a temporary 'custom' size Lye Bath for just one piece, depending on the size, shape, etc.  :)

[Janis Berzins]

That sounds good. What do you do to season it? Doesn't the heat of the oven destroy it?

[Janis Berzins]

So anyone got anything about how to season with wooden handles?

[Cheryl Watson]

With a bailed pot, about the only option is stove top.

Or if it is display only, then Mineral Oil. (applied after heating on stove top)

With wood handle WI's or skillets that won't detach I use the Weber grill.
The lid has cutouts on both ends that allow the straight wooden handles to rest on the side tables.  :)

[Janis Berzins]

I don't think I will be cooking out of them, so the mineral oil should be fine. Do you get it really hot first?

[Cheryl Watson]

No... about 225°.  You do NOT want smoke with Mineral Oil, the vapors are harmful to the lungs.  Make sure you place it in a pan, brush it on (saturate well), let excess drain.  Then commence wipe down.  I start with paper towels, and once it looks dry, I switch to cotton cloths, until it doesn't feel oily at all.  :)

A little goes a long way.  Food Grade Mineral oil... I buy at the Dollar Store most times. :)

[Jim Glatthaar]

Cheryl, did you customize the lid on the Weber grill?

[Cheryl Watson]

No Jim... it is a smaller Q series... :)  But works well for most pieces.. :)

Well... I guess it is customized, but not the lid.

I add a grill grate and ceramic tiles over the burner... cause this crapola of sizzle plates, just doesn't do any thing for me on a gas grill... but that is a whole 'nother story...  ;D

[Jim Glatthaar]

That is a very clever set-up Cheryl.  I have never seen a lid which is partly detachable.  But, then again, I never look at gas grills.  I've been trying to figure out how to use my charcoal grill to season cast iron in the Summer but haven't come up with any answers yet.  Any ideas are welcome.

[Cheryl Watson]

Well.. I also have the Camp Chef combination oven with burners on the top... but it has been sitting idle for 2 years..

Only good for size 8 and lower... :)