Cast iron bakestones have a round flat surface with a handle on each side. Bakestones are used in cooking traditional dishes like flat breads, heavy dough, scones and biscuits either on a stove or over a fire. A bakestone needs preparing or seasoning before you use it the first time. Preparing it includes burning salt and fat into the surface to cure the cast iron and prevent foods from sticking to it when you cook.

  • Cast iron bakestones have a round flat surface with a handle on each side.
  • A bakestone needs preparing or seasoning before you use it the first time.

Turn a large burner on your stove on high and place the bakestone on it. Turn the exhaust fan above the stove on high and open the kitchen windows so the smoke will exit your home.

Mix equal parts of lard and salt in a bowl with a spoon.

Put oven gloves on both hands to protect them from the heat.

Fold a thick cotton cloth into a small size with many layers. Dip the cloth into the lard and salt mixture and wipe it onto the bakestone. Hold the bakestone handle with one hand and wipe the mixture on the top, bottom and sides of the bakestone. The bakestone will begin to smoke and start turning black.

Rub an additional teaspoon of the mixture at a time when the mixture absorbs into the bakestone. Repeat this step for about 20 minutes until the entire bakestone turns black.

  • Put oven gloves on both hands to protect them from the heat.
  • Rub an additional teaspoon of the mixture at a time when the mixture absorbs into the bakestone.

Turn the stove burner off and let the bakestone cool completely. Wash the bakestone in warm water to remove any residual salt off all surfaces.

TIP

You may prepare the bakestone on a barbecue grill or camp stove in the same manner outdoors. Wipe a small amount of cooking oil or fat on the bakestone before each use to keep foods from sticking.

WARNING

Do not clean the bakestone in soapy water after using it. Only clean it with warm water.