How To Season A Cast Iron Skillet
Seasoning doesn’t only apply to spicing up meals. In fact, one of the most vital ways to take care of cast iron products is by “seasoning” them, or by coating the surface with oil. Oil helps give cast iron products their iconic black/gray sheen, and the oil is essential towards creating a coating for the skillet that is non-stick and rust resistant.
Each time you cook with a cast iron skillet, food grease piles up on top of the oil, effectively burying it and diminishing it’s helpful properties. Excessive heat and constant scrubbing and washing can also work to remove the coat of seasoning oil, so it’s pretty important to make sure that it’s being replenished.
While seasoning a skillet isn’t a complicated process, it does take some extra time. Don’t let this deter you! A proper seasoned skillet retains the best qualities of cast iron, and though it’s best practice to season your skillet after each cleaning, that’s not always realistic. Once food starts to stick excessively to the skillet after cooking or the color begins to dull, it’s time to re-season. When that time comes, here’s how to do it:
How To Season Cast Iron
- After properly cleaning and completely drying the cast iron skillet, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Pour a tablespoon of vegetable or finishing oil into the skillet. There is also a specialized seasoning spray that can be used.
- Take a paper towel and rub the oil all over the surface and underside of the skillet (add another tablespoon to the bottom).
- Place the skillet directly in the oven, and allow to heat for around an hour.
- Allow the skillet to dry, and that’s it!
Best Oils For Seasoning
Depending on who you ask each person has a preference for what is best to season with. Here are the oils we like that offer a great nonstick surface.
Prices last updated on 2023-05-10
Additional Items To Help You Season
While these items are not necessary they can definitely help in seasoning process. We especially like the scrubber that can allow you to clean your pan without damaging it and getting it ready for a fresh coat of seasoning.
Prices last updated on 2023-05-06
If you’ve completed the above steps you should be all set to use your cast iron skillet. While you won’t need to re season often (if you take care of your pan) it’s always a good way to reset your pan and bring it back to new.
