Just bought a Tawa

[SoberRat]

They are worth having even if it's just for naan bread.

[Naga]

They are worth having even if it's just for naan bread.

Aye, I currently use a Tefal non-stick crepe pan but it's not ideal and its on its last legs with all the heat it gets from my largest burner. It won't last much longer!

[Sverige]

Thanks garp. Smells like it has a machine oil coating as supplied. Think it might be worth a quick wipe with some veggie oil after scrubbing

I gave mine a good going over with a brillo to get rid of the machine oil then seasoned it three times.  Now works a treat

By "seasoned it three times", should I take that to mean you got it smoking hot on the hob then let it cook again between each of the three times? Any further cleaning or oiling involved, or is it like a wok, you don't clean it apart from a wipe with a dry cloth?

[livo]

I've never found the need to oil to be honest mate. Had to give it a good scorching before using, to burn off any (moderated) on the surface, then a good scrub afterwards. After that.....I haven't had any issues.

What temperature removes excrement adequately to make it a suitable cooking instrument?

My experience is that steel rusts. You need to clean it, heat it up and season it with oil.  I used to do a process known as blueing of steel. Basically you heat it up and dip it in old sump oil and the surface of the steel becomes "sealed" to the ingress of moisture / oxidation. It goes a blueish colour, hence the name of the process.  I have a large wok here that has never reached adequate temperature higher up the sides and I need to spray it with oil before storing to prevent surface rust.

[chewytikka]

Hi Naga
I associate cast iron with le creuset cookware and the like, heavy and hard work
If your going to flip and hold for Naans.

I

[SoberRat]

I agree with that CT. The non stick coating doesn't stop the Naan from sticking as long as it's hot and a little water is used. The ones here in the local Asian shops are just pressed steel.

[George]

I used to do a process known as blueing of steel. Basically you heat it up and dip it in old sump oil and the surface of the steel becomes "sealed" to the ingress of moisture / oxidation.

I understand that used engine oil is somewhat dangerous stuff. Even getting it in your skin for too long is said to increase the risk of getting cancer. Is the process safe, if traces of oil are left behind and used for cooking food? Or perhaps so much is burned-off that it's quite safe.

[curryhell]

By "seasoned it three times", should I take that to mean you got it smoking hot on the hob then let it cook again between each of the three times?

Correct Sverige

Any further cleaning or oiling involved, or is it like a wok, you don't clean it apart from a wipe with a dry cloth?

Just like a wok, no further cleaning involved other than a wipe.  And i use mine for naans, chappatis and dry frying samosa rounds

[livo]

I understand that used engine oil is somewhat dangerous stuff. Even getting it in your skin for too long is said to increase the risk of getting cancer. Is the process safe, if traces of oil are left behind and used for cooking food? Or perhaps so much is burned-off that it's quite safe.

I should have made myself clearer. I used to do this in an industrial setting for tool making.  The same principal is applied to cooking steel but you don't use sump oil, rather cooking oil instead.

Update: Thread Title, me too.  I had to go with SWMBO today to the city for her eye test and the Optometrist happens to be on the same block as Raj's Corner (Indian TA / Restaurant). It has a little side shop selling Indian grocery, cookery and clothing goods.  I picked up a size 10 heavy steel Kartik Pans Tawa for Aus $10 because it had a broken handle but the guy gave me new handle parts anyway.

I also bought 2 X No 0 Karahi Pans for $8 each. See link below.
http://mittalsteelworks.com/light-weight-karahi.aspx

Preparation and Seasoning a Steel Tawa (Tava pan, Chapati pan)
http://www.theasiancookshop.co.uk/steel-tava-professional-chapati-tawa-vat-inc-10009-p.asp