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You are here: Home / Family Living / How To Season And Care For A Cast Iron Skillet
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How To Season And Care For A Cast Iron Skillet

in Family Living on 02/29/16

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  • How To Season And Care For A Cast Iron Skillet
  • Why Use Cast Iron?
  • How To Season A Cast Iron Pan
  • How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet
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My Cast Iron skillet has seen a lot of love over the years of regular use. From sizzling steaks to homemade flour tortillas, this cast-iron pan has seen it all, but you’d never know by looking at it because all it needs is proper care.

Wanna know hot to clean and care for a cast iron skillet?  It just takes a little know how to make yours the go to pan in your kitchen.  Click through NOW to learn more...

How To Season And Care For A Cast Iron Skillet

Why? Just like your favorite risotto recipe, your Cast Iron pan needs to be well seasoned and cared for.

Unlike stainless steel, you can’t just stick the cast-iron skillet in the dishwasher or soak it in a little soap and warm water until you feel like giving it a deep scrub. You’ve got to give it some love and attention.

Wanna know hot to clean and care for a cast iron skillet?  It just takes a little know how to make yours the go to pan in your kitchen.  Click through NOW to learn more...

Yes, Cast Iron pans can be a bit more high maintenance to use, but the reward is worth it. In return, they’ll crust your steak to perfection and gently toast your tortillas as though it was a Mexican brick oven.

Wanna know hot to clean and care for a cast iron skillet?  It just takes a little know how to make yours the go to pan in your kitchen.  Click through NOW to learn more...

Why Use Cast Iron?

Cast Iron cookware is in it for the long haul. You can easily use the same brand-new pans you received at your bridal shower to cook your own granddaughter’s welcome home dinner, some 40 off years later.

Iron skillets are also versatile. It can be used on the stove top as well as in the oven. Unless you’re using an expensive dutch oven, most household pans aren’t designed for use in the oven as they can’t stand the high temperature.

Wanna know hot to clean and care for a cast iron skillet?  It just takes a little know how to make yours the go to pan in your kitchen.  Click through NOW to learn more...

Finally, say goodbye to pancakes that are undercooked on one side and charred on the other. Cast Iron provides an even heating element making it simple to cook a variety of foods which require even cooking.

How To Season A Cast Iron Pan

You MUST season your Cast Iron pan prior to first use and on the occasion when you see the seasoning coating wearing off. This creates a non stick surface or coating on the pan’s surface and prevents rusting.

To start the seasoning process of your Cast Iron pan, turn on the oven to 350 degrees. Apply a thin layer (about a teaspoon of oil) of vegetable shortening or cooking oil (vegetable or canola oil) to the Cast Iron pan and distribute evenly using your fingers or a clean paper towel. Make sure every inch of the surface of the pan is well coated, even up the sides.

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Different Types of oils you can use

  • Vegetable oil
  • Soybean oil
  • Flaxseed oil
  • Olive oil
  • Grapeseed oil
Wanna know hot to clean and care for a cast iron skillet?  It just takes a little know how to make yours the go to pan in your kitchen.  Click through NOW to learn more...

Transfer the pan to the hot oven and let “set in” for an hour. Turn off the oven and let the pan cool to room temperature. Wipe off the remaining excess oil. Your Cast Iron pan is now seasoned and ready to go!

How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet

Cast-Iron cookware takes little effort to keep clean once you know what you’re doing. Let’s start with what you don’t want to use:

  • a pan soak in soapy water
  • scrub brush
  • steel wool
  • aluminum foil
  • oven cleaner
  • abrasive scrubber
  • soap
  • pan scraper
  • vinegar solution
  • abrasive sponge

All you want to do is remove the leftover food residue without removing the pan’s seasoning. Think slow and gentle.

The best way to start is as soon as you’re done cooking and the hot pan cools, cover the pan’s surface of food particles, food bits, and debris with coarse salt such as kosher salt and a small amount and thin layer of oil. The next step would be to scrub the inside of the pan in a circular motion, using dry, clean paper towels, until the bits of food are removed. For really tough jobs use a slightly soaked paper towel (with hot water) or use metal utensils like a spatula to scrape it up.

Wanna know hot to clean and care for a cast iron skillet?  It just takes a little know how to make yours the go to pan in your kitchen.  Click through NOW to learn more...

That’s it! That’s how to shower your Cast Iron gem with love and attention. It’s easier than it sounds, but most people aren’t aware of the “rules” of owning a Cast Iron pan.

I’ll leave you with this….PLEASE use an oven mitt at all times. Cast Iron pans retain high heat for long periods and will quickly blister skin. Take it from me. It hurts…now don’t say I didn’t warn you.

essential tips and techniques for seasoning and caring for a cast iron skillet. Learn how to keep your cookware in top condition for years of delicious meals.

This article is brought to you by Darcey from FoodieandWine. Darcey is well versed in the art of creating unforgettable dishes (such as Coconut Shrimp and  Prime Rib) and overly serving brightly colored cocktails to guests! 

When she’s not soaking in the San Diego sunshine or pouting about her lack of “British royalty” roots, she’s experimenting in the kitchen to develop the next FoodieandWine recipe.

essential tips and techniques for seasoning and caring for a cast iron skillet. Learn how to keep your cookware in top condition for years of delicious meals.
essential tips and techniques for seasoning and caring for a cast iron skillet. Learn how to keep your cookware in top condition for years of delicious meals.

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Dian1

2 Comments

Comments

  1. Jackie says

    at

    Whenever I get a new cast iron piece at resale shops or yard sales I bring it home and have my husband open our pit. We put wood in the pit and start it and when it starts to go down to coals we put the pan in the pit. We then put a old hood over the pit and let the fire go until the next morning when the coals are dead and pull the pan out. Then we let the pan cool down and take it into the house and we wash it and season it with bacon fat. After this treatment they look like brand new pans. We did this when we lived in Tennessee and we do it now that we live in the desert of New Mexico. I love cast Iron pans.

    Reply
    • Dian says

      at

      Jackie,

      Wow – that sounds like a great way to do it!

      I bet in TN you could stand around and watch it – not in the desert! lol

      Thanks for sharing,
      Dian

      Reply

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Dian is a mom of four grown children, Nana to 7 beautiful grands, wife of over 30 years to an amazing husband, social influencer, and blogger. I love all things gardening, saving money, tips & tricks to make life easier, ANY cool new gadget, and feeding my Reality TV addiction (it's real y'all, you have no idea!) Dian has been featured in person, in print, and on sites like Huff Post, CBSNews, Blog Talk Radio, NBC DFW, Babble, Woman's Day, All You Magazine, Super Market News, Clark, & Pinner's Conferences. Want to know more? Check out the full bio here!

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