How do I season a cast iron skillet?

What is the best oil to season a cast iron skillet?

All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.

How many times should I season a cast iron skillet?

Remember there's no need to use your best premium brand for seasoning! How often should I season my skillet? — To get the best out of your cast iron skillet, it's recommended that you oil it after each use. However, depending on how frequently you use it, 2-3 times a year is sufficient.

Do you season cast iron every time you use it?

Every time you use your cast-iron skillet, you're wearing some of the seasoning down, and eventually it won't function as well. So season it again whenever you see dull spots. Or do what I do: season it whenever it's out and your oven is on.

How can you tell if cast iron is seasoned?

A well-seasoned skillet will have a dark, semiglossy finish and won't be sticky or greasy to the touch. It won't have any rust or any dull or dry patches. An easy way to test a skillet's seasoning is to fry an egg (heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes, then add egg).

The Easy Guide On Seasoning and Restoring Cast Iron

Is olive oil good for seasoning cast iron?

Do not use olive oil or butter to season your cast-iron pan — they're great to cook with, just not for initial seasoning. Place the pan upside down on the top rack of the oven and bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven, leaving the pan in the oven to cool completely as the oven cools down.

How long does it take to season a cast iron skillet?

Put the oiled pan in a preheated 450°F oven, and leave it there for 30 minutes. It may get a little smoky, so keep your kitchen well ventilated. It's during this time that the oil will polymerize and form the first of several hard, plastic-like coatings you'll be laying down.

What temperature do I season my cast iron?

Place the cookware in the oven upside down. Place a large baking sheet or aluminum foil on the bottom rack. Bake at 450-500 degrees F for one hour.

Why is my cast iron sticky after seasoning?

If the seasoning in your pan is sticky, this is a sign of excess oil built up on the cookware. The Fix: To remedy stickiness, place the cookware upside down on the top rack of the oven and bake at 450-500 degrees F for one hour. Allow to cool and repeat if necessary.

Do you clean cast iron after every use?

Cast iron skillets should be cleaned after each use. Some clean their cast iron skillets by wiping them with a little salt and a paper towel. Others rinse them with warm water, with or without a squirt of dishwashing liquid.

Do you wash a cast iron skillet?

Wash your cast iron cookware by hand. You can use a small amount of soap. If needed, use a pan scraper for stuck on food. For stubborn, stuck-on food, simmer a little water for 3-5 minutes, then use the scraper after the pan has cooled.

Do you put oil in a cast iron skillet when cooking?

Oil your food: whereas with other pans, like stainless steel or non-stick, you'll squirt a little oil into the base of the pan before you cook, with cast iron (especially griddled cast iron), you're much better off brushing oil onto your meat or veggies before you cook them.

Can you use PAM to season cast iron?

Do not try to use nonstick sprays like Pam to season your cast iron skillet, as they contain other ingredients that aren't good for your pan.

Do you need to season cast iron before first use?

For first time users who have no idea about what is seasoning, It is nothing but proper care for the pan at regular intervals. Regular seasoning will help the pan to protect from getting rust and give the ability to last for generations.

Is bacon grease good for seasoning cast iron?

Cast iron cookware retains heat well and cooks food evenly if cared for properly. Part of caring for your cast iron skillet is seasoning it to keep the surface smooth and to give it a non-stick sheen. Although you can use oil or shortening to season your cast iron skillet, bacon grease works just as well.

Is Crisco good for seasoning cast iron?

Any cooking fat will work, but some make more sense than others. For example, there's absolutely no reason to waste extra-virgin olive oil or other expensive oils for your cast-iron seasoning. We use Crisco shortening because it's inexpensive and easy to apply.

Should you season a new cast iron skillet?

Classic cast iron skillets need to be seasoned before you can use them. (This is what makes them nonstick!). But many cast iron skillets come “pre-seasoned” now, with the hardest part done for you. Beyond that, the key really is just using the pan.

Can you ruin a cast iron pan?

Famously durable, these pans are often passed down through generations. With proper reseasoning care, years of frequent use can actually improve the pan's “seasoning”—its natural nonstick coating. But sadly, cast iron skillets can indeed break.

How do you clean a cast iron skillet after use?

Clean cast-iron skillet after every use

Wipe interior surface of still-warm skillet with paper towels to remove any excess food and oil. Rinse under hot running water, scrubbing with nonmetal brush or nonabrasive scrub pad to remove any traces of food. (Use small amount of soap if you like; rinse well.)

Is peanut oil good for seasoning cast iron?

In almost all respects, peanut oil is a middle-range oil for seasoning cast iron. It's not overly expensive or hard to find, but it's also not the least expensive. It has a mid-to-high smoke point at 450F for refined oils, and it's very commonly used in cooking for deep frying, so you may already have some on hand.

What should you not do with cast iron?

What should you cook first in a cast iron skillet?

We recommend starting with vegetables as they are more forgiving than most proteins - they taste delicious and won't stick to your pan! Keep in mind that using a little bit of oil is necessary to help to keep food from sticking.

Can I use butter in my cast-iron pan?

Yes, you can cook with butter in your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Keep in mind that butter burns at temperatures above 350°F (177°C), so you shouldn't use high heat when you're frying foods with it. Either turn down the heat or substitute it with an oil that has a higher smoke point.