u/KofCDave

Hoping you can set me straight. I stripped 2 Lodge grill pans, and have run the. Through 4 seasoning cycles. I have tried the seasoning compound from Blackstone, vegetable oil, and Crisco. I cannot seem to get a black seasoning on it. They are not light Grey like raw cast iron, but not as dark as I thought they would be. I put it on heavy, then wipe and buff it so it is dull so it doesn't look like it is oily, then place it in oven and set it to 450 degrees, and time it for an hour, then shut it off, and let them cool gradually in the oven. Am I doing something wrong?

When using a lye bath to strip a grimy pan, do you need to neutralize it first, or does washing the pan with soap and water do that?

Found 2 "Wagner's 1891" cast iron corn stick pans at Goodwill they ere tagged for $20 each. Both were over oiled, and used, evidenced by the corn bread still stuck in it. One had the original cardboard cover over it, but clearly used and placed back in it. I walked away. Should I have picked them up?