Found the rusty old gem of a cast iron skillet? Here’s how to season a cast iron skillet so you can enjoy it on the stovetop!
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Season your cast iron skillet in 4 easy steps
I first hopped on the cast iron train over a decade ago – a big part of it was learning how to properly season a cast iron pan.
When I was a kid, I remember we had some old cast iron skillets that we didn’t use. They’re rusty things that end up being commissioned to lie next to the garage. Now, I wish I could go back in time and save them. All but two cast iron pans I own now were originally found at antique and thrift stores…then recycled through cleaning and seasoning.
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When I was younger, I never thought much about cookware other than ditching aluminum and Teflon in favor of stainless steel.I used to have some really good stainless steel pot. not anymore.Now I’m hardcore cast iron pan Users – especially frying.
Once you cook on a seasoned cast iron skillet, you’ll never want to go back to weird, non-stick surfaces and stainless roasts.
To show you how I season a cast iron pan, I made a video of how I clean and season a cast iron pan quickly and easily steel wool, oil and my oven. check it out…
Well seasoned cast iron can transform an old pan from a hard-to-cook pain to a pleasing finish.
How to Clean and Season a Cast Iron Pan
Image Source Erin Ponce from focus on
Here is a quick overview of the steps I followed to prepare the pan in the video:
Step 1 – Clean the Cast Iron
A metal brush can be used for this step, but I like the old one steel wool. I also sanded the cast iron very smooth with some sandpaper light sandpaper. The idea is just to get your pans rusted and trashy so you can start over.
Step #2 – Wash the Pot
Wash the pans of any sticky substances and metal shavings with a simple dish soap and water, then dry the pans thoroughly with a towel.
Step 3 – Oil the Pan
My favorite cast iron seasoning oil is lard and fat. I think saturated fats do a better job than vegetable oils. coconut oil That’s fine too, but if you don’t have any of these three, just use whatever cooking oil you have in your pantry.
Step #4 – Bake the Pan at 500°F
Some instructions will tell you to cure cast iron at 350°F. This has never, never worked for me. When you season a cast iron pan at 500°F, it does bake the oil coating into the iron and give the cast iron a glossy, solid black finish.
Follow these 4 steps when seasoning your cast iron pan and you’ll be transported to a new level of wok pan. (And, for more on the daily cleaning and maintenance of cast iron, check out the tips in the comments below!)
What do you think?
What is your favorite way to season a cast iron skillet? Let us know in the comments below!
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