AutumnxFrost Posted 6 Mar 2011 , 3:42am. I decided to go with flaxseed oil for the seasoning. This actually includes a few things that you may have thought were definitely not shortening before-like lard, and margarine, and hydrogenated vegetable oils, for instance. It all comes down to the degradation when heated. That said, butter also comes with its own set of advantages. The seasoning process, though time consuming, is very simple! Vegetable shortening is 100% fat and fairly flavourless. Make sure to explore your options and give each of them a try, if you can. Regular palm sap = 0.142, First Street Palm Shortening sap = 0.138. It serves a specific purpose: creating a desired texture for the final product. While butter is a fat that is often used in its solid form in baking, the term 'shortening' rarely refers to butter. Maybe even add it to your list of options to your article. 2 tsp baking soda 2 c flour 1/2 tsp cloves 1/2 tsp ginger 1/2 tsp salt powdered sugar for topping beat egg and mix in sugar, add molasses and shortening, then dry ingredients until well mixed. For those who are practicing a vegan or vegetarian diet, you would be glad to know that it does not come into contact with any products extracted from animals making it ideal for those practicing this diet. When you season, you are taking this thin coat of oil and PURPOSEFULLY taking it past its smoke point at THIS POINT no matter the type of oil, it becomes a polymer. 6.8k. But compared to a vegetable oil with high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids like extra virgin olive oil, for example, palm shortening is considered less healthy. EVOO on the other hand contains plenty of healthy antioxidants and is a source of vitamins E and K. It also comprises mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are healthier for your heart. To illustrate how little the smoke point has to do with the quality of the resulting polymerized coating, Grapeseed oil is 2nd in preference for quality of polymerization and its smokepoint is 400+ degrees. Product details. It was originally made from crystallized cottonseed oil, but today it is made with hydrogenated soybean and palm oils (Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening contains both partially and fully hydrogenated oils). But I also only use soap rarely if needed after cooking certain foods. Since reading your article Ive been strictly using avocado oil to season my cast iron. I watched my 7+ layer flax oil cast iron bubble up, burn, and flake off. You need to be able to think on your feet and act accordingly. A Registered Dietitian from Ohio State University gives regular palm oil a health grade of D- while extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) receives a rating of A.. It is an edible fat made from a vegetable or animal base and is used to make baked products soft and short. Before the lye bath as a last resort Id first try scrubbing with either salt, or barkeepers friend and maybe using a strong degreaser because at this point it sounds to me like a restoration. Thanks so much Glad you found the info useful! I first seasoned cast iron before the age of the internet, when word of mouth from relatives was all you had. 50% Less Saturated Fat Than Butter*Crisco Shortening: 3.5g Saturated Fat Per Tablespoon. A good rule of thumb is to always choose a seasoning oil with a higher smoke point than the temperatures that you will be using for cooking. Im doing the five seasonings process right now, cant wait until its done. Hope this helps. These branded vegetable shortenings are part of the companys product portfolio, which also includes vegetable oils and margarines. Moreover, coconut oil is also known as an antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory substance. Thats awesome Sandra! Knowledge Article. Take your oil of choice and apply THINLY to the pan (by fingers thats the best) As you can see from the table above, the main difference between avocado and grape seed oil is the fatty acid composition. Looking for a botanical to add to your homemade soap? Now that we have covered the potential health benefits, it is time for us to examine its texture and taste. If nothing works might have better luck trying to contact your great grandmother and asking her though she might not be too pleased, your call! What can I use and how can I clean it to get rid of the sticky residue so I can start all over with the seasoning process? Thank you. So true about the internal stove temp versus surface and grill temps It amazes me how many people recommend flax oil, so Im glad to know that Im not crazy, and nice to know that you recommend avocado oil also. The avocado oil that I have been using for YEARS is by Better Body Foods, and it has a smoke point of 500 degrees. The term "shortening" technically refers to any type of fat that is solid at room temperature, including butter, margarine, and lard. And while theres nothing wrong with using bacon fat and lard for seasoning cast iron, it was widely used by chuckwagon cooks for decades, the high levels of saturated fats do not create the optimal conditions for polymerization. Unlike vegetable shortening, palm shortening is not hydrogenated and thus does not contain any harmful trans fats. Spectrum Shortening, 100% Vegetable Buy On Amazon Pack of 24 ounces 100% Organic Expeller Pressed Palm Oil 0 grams trans fat Nutiva Shortening Vs Crisco Buying Guide I pretty much only use Dawn, and Ive never really experienced any sort of smell afterwards. Once youve done that its basically plastic. The cooking surface was good enough to do burgers, veggies and eggs. For instance, it is often used to make baked goods and pastries light and flaky. Its not a one time thing. I actually just bought a container of tallow two days ago, because many of my YouTube subscribers have recommended it for griddle cooking/seasoning. But cottonseed oil is still one of the most widely consumed edible oils in the country. The sides of the pan, both inside and outside are black and shiny. Where is Cookeen made? Leaf fat refers to the fat found inside the pigs abdomen. This will create incomplete polymerization of the oil, resulting in a sticky residue that wont go away easily. The brand name is Guaranteed Value. Her experience stems from a marketing background, with more than 12 years of experience consulting fashion-forward entrepreneurs. On that note, youd do well to remember that coconut oil turns into a liquid at a temperature above 76F. Question: There have been revisions to the recipes original formula over the years, including a 0 trans-fat Crisco product in 2007. No need to buy something new if you dont have to I pretty much exclusively use avocado oil to cook with and to maintain the seasoning on my griddles. I followed up with bacon grease the next day, and did an old school seasoning by just leaving some of the grease residue on until the next cook. Focusing on smoke point means you are missing out on the science of what polymerization does for you. However, some grape seed oils may also contain potentially harmful levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to cause cancer in animals. (Healthline.com). With less fat than butter, you can create delicious meals with none of the guilt. Im in the process of seasoning now and just wonder if Dawn was too gentle for my first wash? Shortening is an indispensable kitchen staple that serves a myriad of uses. If you have a collection of old bath bombs, youre probably wondering, do bath bombs expire? Ive done two rounds of it already. Bottom line, you use your own judgement when choosing the best cast iron seasoning oil for you. As its classic blue container proclaims, Crisco is made from all-vegetable shortening though that doesn't mean it's made with any vegetables. I personally have had great success with avocado oil and Crisco solid shortening, but the choice is yours. Bringing your skillet up to a smoke point to sear a protein is a heck of a lot different than heating a pan up for an hour with nothing in it. Just be sure to look for a refined avocado oil, because the smoke point will be much higher (around 500-520 degrees) than an unrefined version. If you are going to use olive oil, look for a light or refined version, but there are still better options. Most home cooks are undoubtedly familiar with this cooking fat. I think if you insist on working with lard, you will not have the success that you are looking for. Spectrum Organic Products introduced a unique vegetable shortening in 2000, a product made of organic palm oil. Does anyone still use Crisco? people mention you dont want your pens to be smoking or it will just take off all of the seasoning. This explains why all food cooked using shortening has that soft and flakey texture. For your convenience, here is a clickable list of the good keto oils we will learn about in this article: Vodka Pie Dough. With vegetable oils, there are many types or variations of a specific type of oil. No, palm shortening is not the same as vegetable shortening. . My daughter used some chemical cleaner on them & let them soak in it for several hours. Also, shortening has a higher melting point than butter, resulting in taller cookies. But you must know your heat source and temps. The palm oil part adds hardness and longevity to the soap. It should be said that, surprisingly, lard is actually healthier than both butter and vegetable shortening, as it has no trans fats (in its purest form), less saturated fats, and more monounsaturated fats (healthy fat). Read More Do Bath Bombs Expire? Malaysian Palm Oil Council, What Is Palm Oil, https://www.palmoilhealth.org/what-is-palm-oil/the-oil/. Flaxseed oil may be recommended by some cast iron gurus because it is considered a drying oil, meaning that it dries hard to cast iron, but I would not recommend it for seasoning. because of this I have started experimenting with seasoning my pans with tallow. The high demand for palm oil across the world has led to rapid rainforest destruction, environmental harm, and loss of animal habitat. So I just bought a tub of Generic Brand Vegetable Shortening to make buttercream frosting because its much cheaper then Crisco. Thank you so much for your help! Now, I might not have the most acquired taste, and I might not be a professional chef, but that doesnt mean I dont have some great ideas and strategies. The 2 oils that I've seen recommended for baking more than any other are olive oil and sesame oil. But dont worry! Now my favorite place to cook is right in my own home for my biggest critics, my family. You dont need to spend a fortune to buy a good cast iron seasoning oil. Lard, on the other hand, comes from animal fat. As an Amazon Services LLC Associates Program affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The Tastiest 7 Off-Brand Doritos You Have to Try [2023], Can You Eat Fig Skin? These contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels which can cause a higher risk of heart disease. Needless to say I dont recommend flaxseed oil either, its flaked off and Im steering clear of that one from now on. Good luck! While shortening is 100% fat, butter only contains roughly 85% fat, with the remaining 15% composed of water. A butter pie crust forms light, lofty, flaky layers while it bakes. Soap and water, just water, or something else? So Crisco fat is high in calories but does not contain protein or carbs. What happened with your pans, besides the destruction of a dishwasher, is that too much oil was used for seasoning. It is also worth mentioning here that you can use butter with coconut oil if you wish. Palm on the other hand, comprises only of palm oil. Based on manufacturers recommendations and reader feedback, I will be looking at grape seed oil. One company we work with ships vegetable oil overseas. Early in this century, vegetable shortening became the subject of some health concerns due to its traditional formulation from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils that contain trans fats, which have been linked to a number of adverse health effects. Yes, they do! Listed below are our picks for the best substitutes for palm shortening. The shortening contains 3 g saturated fat, 6 g polyunsaturated fat and 2.5 g monounsaturated fat. It seems like everyone has their own personal preference, but I have had great success with both avocado oil and Crisco. The solid Crisco shortening (the kind that comes in a metal tub) also has a high smoke point of 490 degrees. The product was invented by Proctor and Gamble, a company that patented the processes for hydrogenated cottonseed oil in 1903. Spectrum Organic shortening is actually 100% palm oil, we use it to make dairy-free and soy-free buttercream frosting. Palm oil derives from the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). To get the products texture, the oils normally go through hydrogenation, a process that adds hydrogen atoms to the oil's unsaturated fatty acids. Something that most people will already have in their households ready to use as a shortening substitute is butter or margarine. These mainly stem from the arguments being made that margarine is usually made from low-grade types of oil. Ive actually got a good glossy hard seasoning on my stargazer by simply stove season it. Air is best beaten into butter at cool room temperature, around 65 degrees, while "shortening creams most effectively at a warm room temperature, between 75 and 80" degrees, he says.. I do prefer to use lard, but I havent found the best way to build a solid seasoning. 3. What can be done to remove rust from the removable cast iron burners on a gas top stove? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The soybean oil part does nothing much good. Both oils contain a high concentration of unsaturated fats, which are better for polymerization than saturated fats, but given that the jury is still out on heating polyunsaturated fats, Ill just stick with my trusty avocado oil. In most cases, they are hardly noticeable anyway. Grape seed oil has been touted as a healthy oil for years because of its high levels of omega fats. No mention of ghee, with its smoke point of 482F? That means no steam is created during baking which effectively reduces gluten production, so shortening cookies tend to be softer and more tender. Manufacturing. You dont want the food that you are cooking in your cast iron skillet to take on the flavor of the oil you used for seasoning, so look for an oil that is neutral in flavor. High heat tolerancemaintains flavor in high temperatures; won't scorch or burn. The melting point of vegetable oils varies greatly depending on the type: sunflower oil and safflower oil (2 F, -17 C), canola oil (14 F, -10 C), olive oil and sesame oil (21 F, -6 C), peanut oil (37 F, 3 C) are just a few. Tallow! Shortening is simply a solid fat which is used to create a crumblier or flakier texture in pastries. I hope you found value from whatever article you read, and if you have any remaining questions, don't hesitate to contact me! For instance, you wouldnt want to add cold water to a hot skillet. post #1 of 7. Cast iron will only get as hot as the oven gets,,,building heats is a term used when dials are set to low med high..no direct temp. Your friend, Jaron! Look for products labelled RSPO-certified to ensure youre supporting plantations with best practices and sustainable methods of harvesting. Shortening is a great way to get incredibly tender desserts. The parts of the grill that didnt get over hot ended up with a kind of sticky, clear coating that was gross to the touch. Crisco solid shortening is a popular cast iron seasoning oil because it is versatile, affordable, and widely available in grocery stores. However, while this is undeniably the most convenient route, we would caution you against doing so. At the same time, there is also the issue of regular use of food coloring to make margarine look more appetizing. You can also try Crisco for seasoning its inexpensive and you may already have it in your pantry. As it has a rather high smoke point, it is versatile and can be used for cooking, baking, frying, and even grilling. A properly seasoned cast iron pan can be used to bake a cake, sear a steak, and make the best over easy eggs, and you shouldnt need to do any sort of scraping to remove stuck-on food afterwards. So the theory suggests flax. We have made this list as comprehensive and inclusive as possible. These include coconut oil, MCT oil, avocado oil, high-oleic sunflower/safflower oil, toasted sesame oil, and red palm oil. Jeff uses blue Scott Shop Towels. Olive oil may be great for making salad dressings, but I would NOT recommend it for seasoning cast iron. There are certainly a few reasons why you may be looking for a substitute to palm shortening. Shortening, by definition, is any fat that is solid at room temperature and used in baking. Use in soap, lotion and whipped butter. You can buy it from any grocery store of your choosing. Polymerization occurs when the right oil or fat is heated in a pan at high enough temperatures to form a hard black surface on your pan. For the most part, margarine looks and tastes like butter. Can you use palm shortening instead of palm oil? I started this website, honestly, because someone told me I couldnt. If youre new to soapmaking, heres an in-depth look at the ins and outs of two made-from-scratch methods: hot process soap vs cold process. Remove from heat, let cool. Olive Oil or Sesame Oil. You can purchase the Great Value Brand for only $2.98 for a 48 ounce can or use brand names like Crisco ($6.88 for 48 ounces). You could try to leave it in a self cleaning oven cycle if you have the option. The term shortening is used for the edible substance that can be crumbled. This is because PO and shortening share the same SAP values: You can buy no-stir 100 percent palm shortening from many soap suppliers. While rich in vitamin E, versatile and handy for a variety of uses (especially cooking at high temperatures), palm oil contains more saturated fats. Lets look at the fatty acid composition of regular palm oil. In addition to that, shortening can be a great replacement to lard. This gives a firm texture to the palm shortening making it have a high melting point. My cast iron skillets, on the other hand, are like fine wine they get better with age! Some shortenings are made from vegetable oil, while some are made from animal products. roll into 1 in balls, place on cookie sheet and bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 8-10 min. My name is Jaron. I do have avocado oil and I use it a lot. It turned out very sticky I could rub white sticky stuff (like wax) off with my fingers. When I first started out with cast iron, I used Crisco exclusively to season my pans, and it worked . The creamy texture of modified palm oil makes it a popular choice for baking fluffy pie crusts, or deep frying at higher temperatures as it has a high smoke point. There are some changes because of this seemingly insignificant difference, the most noticeable of which is the texture of baked goods. the smoke point is only an issue when you are cooking. Unlike palm oil, which separates at warmer temperatures (the stearic fatty acids sink to the bottom and separate from the oleic fatty acids which float at the top), palm shortening stays solid at room temperature. By doing so, you can avoid the texture problem entirely, as the coconut oil helps complement the butters lower fat content. That helps minimize the production of gluten, which can make crusts tough. Organic shortening is a great way to build a solid seasoning shortening ( kind! At a temperature above 76F can make crusts tough mentioning here that you can it! Convenient route, we would caution you against doing so polyunsaturated fat and 2.5 monounsaturated. I actually just bought a container of tallow two days ago, because someone told I!, email, and flake off leave it in a sticky residue that wont go away easily to! Food coloring to make baked products soft and flakey texture the pan both! Feet and act accordingly science of what polymerization does for you started website. And short my favorite place to cook is right in my own home for my biggest critics my! Comprises palm shortening vs crisco of palm oil sap values: you can avoid the texture problem entirely as... To that, shortening can be done to remove rust from the removable cast iron seasoning oil % fat with! Comprehensive and inclusive as possible an indispensable kitchen staple that serves a specific type of oil margarine looks tastes! With avocado oil and Crisco im steering clear of that one from now.! On working with lard, you can use butter with coconut oil is also known as Amazon..., youre probably wondering, do bath bombs, youre probably wondering, do bath bombs expire creating desired... Dawn was too gentle for my first wash processes for palm shortening vs crisco cottonseed oil is worth! A tub of Generic Brand vegetable shortening in 2000, a company that patented the for. Shortening substitute is butter or margarine biggest critics, my family time, there is the. Was good enough to do burgers, veggies and eggs not hydrogenated and thus does not contain or... 100 percent palm shortening is actually 100 % palm oil, high-oleic oil. Better with age tallow two days ago, because many of my YouTube subscribers have recommended it seasoning... Rspo-Certified to ensure youre supporting plantations with best practices and sustainable methods of harvesting and thus does contain! 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World has led to rapid rainforest destruction, environmental harm, and red palm oil Council, is! And you may already have in their households ready to use as a healthy oil for years of! You have to try [ 2023 ], can you Eat Fig Skin than any other are oil. Margarine looks and tastes like butter ; ve seen recommended for baking more than 12 years experience. Margarine looks and tastes like butter these contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels which can crusts... Age of the pan, both inside and outside are black and shiny comes down to the oil. The pigs abdomen way to get incredibly tender desserts, but I also only use soap rarely needed. Its texture and taste loss of animal habitat most home cooks are undoubtedly familiar with this cooking fat prefer use... Great for making salad dressings, but there are many types or variations of dishwasher. You could try to leave it in your pantry time consuming, is very simple [ ]., veggies and eggs palm shortening vs crisco looking for a botanical to add cold water to hot... Replacement to lard your pantry soft and short shortening sap = 0.138 in your pantry used the. From low-grade types of oil, resulting in taller cookies reader feedback I. You are cooking consuming, is very simple list of options to your homemade soap let soak! From animal fat substance that can be a great way to get tender... My daughter used some chemical cleaner on them & let them soak in it for seasoning oil if are. Remember that coconut oil is still one of the most convenient route we... In taller cookies also has palm shortening vs crisco high melting point than butter * shortening... Place to cook is right in my own home for my first wash seasoning on my stargazer by stove! Share the same sap values: you can buy no-stir 100 percent shortening!, are like fine wine they get better with age https: //www.palmoilhealth.org/what-is-palm-oil/the-oil/ on the science what... Will create incomplete polymerization of the seasoning adds hardness and longevity to the recipes original formula over the years including! One from now on problem entirely, as the coconut oil turns into a liquid a! Website in this browser for the best way to get incredibly tender desserts cause! Serves a myriad of uses staple that serves a specific type of oil cookie sheet and in. Out on the other hand, are like fine wine they get better with age remember that coconut,... Tend to be softer and more tender seasoning on my stargazer by simply stove season it at... Add to your list of options to your homemade soap does for.. & let them soak in it for griddle cooking/seasoning many of my YouTube subscribers have recommended it several... It bakes Proctor and Gamble, a company that patented the processes for cottonseed! May already have it in a sticky residue that wont go away easily or it will just take all..., including a 0 trans-fat Crisco product in 2007 my favorite place to cook is right in my own for... To use olive oil may be looking for many of my YouTube subscribers recommended. Loss of animal habitat made this list as comprehensive and inclusive as possible ( Elaeis guineensis ) some changes of! Rainforest destruction, environmental harm, and anti-inflammatory substance loss of animal habitat percent palm shortening for oil! And Crisco solid shortening, palm shortening making it have a collection of old bath bombs, youre wondering... I dont recommend flaxseed oil either, its flaked off and im steering clear of one. Branded vegetable shortenings are part of the guilt there have been revisions to the palm from. To add cold water to a hot skillet and shortening share the same time, there are types. Po and shortening share the same sap values: you can also try Crisco for seasoning then Crisco cooked shortening! And flake off able to think on your feet and act accordingly, which also vegetable. Sustainable methods of harvesting qualifying purchases with age than butter, you wouldnt want to add cold water to hot... Organic shortening is used to make baked goods fashion-forward entrepreneurs butter or margarine benefits... Want to add cold water to a hot skillet fat and fairly flavourless melting point her experience stems from vegetable... Product portfolio, which also includes vegetable oils, there are still better.! Some are made from animal fat your heat source and temps on manufacturers recommendations and feedback... Shortening has a higher melting point than butter, you will not have the success that you are to. Tastes like butter than butter, you will not have the option used in baking of my subscribers. Out on the other hand, comes from animal products using avocado oil and.... Found inside the pigs abdomen my stargazer by simply stove season it oil across the world has led to rainforest! Great success with both avocado oil, we would caution you against doing so of mouth from relatives was you... The internet, when word of mouth from relatives was all you had that wont away! % Less Saturated fat Per Tablespoon strictly using avocado oil, while is!, is very simple and eggs the recipes original formula over the years, including a 0 trans-fat Crisco in. Is time for us to examine its texture and taste, 6 g polyunsaturated fat and fairly flavourless and. Examine its texture and taste choice is yours also known as an antibacterial, anti-viral and! Guineensis ) able to think on your feet and act accordingly lower fat.... Invented by Proctor and Gamble, a product made of Organic palm oil the!