Can you polish cast iron to a mirror finish?

I know cast iron can be polished, probably to a mirror finish. I see mention of using 80 grit sandpaper on “unpolished” cast iron. It isn’t clear to me, however, if this sanding recommendation is to actually change the metal’s surface or just to remove anything that might coat the metal.

Is it worth polishing cast iron?

Why did they stop polishing cast iron? According to some manufacturers, the modern rough surface cast iron pots and pans helps the seasoning oils to adhere better than a smooth finish would. Smooth cast iron does not sell well commercially compared to rough iron.

How do you make cast iron shiny?

Rub a thin layer of vegetable oil on the pan, including the handle. Place the pan in an unheated oven with a layer of tin foil on the rack below to catch any drips from the oil. Turn the oven on to 350° and bake your pan for an hour. Allow the pan to cool and repeat 2 more times.

Should cast iron skillets be shiny?

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 keep cast iron shiny?

What temperature do I season my cast iron?

Place the cookware in the oven upside down. Place a large baking sheet or aluminum foil on the bottom rack. Bake at 450-500 degrees F for one hour. Allow to cool.

Do you like the surface of cast iron pans?

I really like having a smooth surface on my cast iron pans. The spatula glides across them much better and my omelets slide right out with no effort. However, when buying new cast iron pans they typically have a rough surface from the casting molds.

What kind of sanding to use on cast iron pans?

Get your dust mask or respirator and put it on. You don’t want to breath in the fine metal particles produced by your sanding efforts. We are going to use 40 grit, 60 grit, 80 grit, 120 grit and 220 grit. We will use 40 grit the most and also for the longest time.

Can a store bought cast iron pan be repaired?

Those pans may be pitted with rust, and in worse shape that a store bought cast iron pan, but will still clean up with a little elbow grease and be as good as new. Look at the rough surface on a new store bought pan. We are going to fix that today.

Can a cast iron skillet be polished to a mirror finish?

It has a made in China sticker on it. I know cast iron can be polished, probably to a mirror finish. I wondered if smoothing the interior before seasoning could lead to the skillet requiring less oil/grease for cooking.

Is it good to use rough finish on cast iron?

I also saw the post about Lodge marketing a rough finish as a way to improve the eventual non-stick qualities by providing more surface area to season. There was no information as to whether this is good or rather backwards, however.

What’s the best way to Polish cast iron?

No raised bumps or ridges, and that’s where 80 grit sandpaper comes in. Get one of those circular sanders that you put on your drill, and a few sheets of a GOOD 80 grit, and sand away. Once you get to a surface finish that looks to be half bright metal and half dark pits, you’re done.