How to Season a Cast Iron Pan
Follow these simple steps to season your cast iron pans on a regular basis.
Equipment
- cast iron pan
- seasoning oil (or wax) of choice
- paper towel for spreading
Instructions
- Clean your cast iron pan. If seasoning a pan for regular use, make sure all food particles have been removed and the pan is dry. If your pan needs more work, wash it with soap and water or scrub lightly with a steel wool pad to remove rust or built-up layers.
- Dry your cast iron pan. Wipe well with a paper towel or clean cloth towel and place in a warm (200-degree) oven for about 5 minutes to ensure it is completely dry (this can be done while you preheat your oven for the next step).
- Preheat your oven to 400-450 degrees (the general rule of thumb is to preheat your oven about 25 degrees above the smoke point of the oil you are using; vegetable shortening has a 360-degree smoke point whereas grapeseed oil has a smoke point of about 420 degrees).
- Apply a thin layer of your oil of choice to all surfaces of the pan (it should look shiny but not have a lot of texture; applying too much oil will lead to uneven absorption). Wipe the pan as if you are removing the oil to ensure your layer is not too thick.
- Place your pan upside down in the oven as it continues to preheat. Some people like to put their pan on a cookie sheet to catch any drips, but removing any excess oil isn't necessary; you can also place a cookie sheet on the bottom rack just in case.
- Once your oven comes to the full temp, set your timer. Bake your oiled cast iron pan for 60 minutes. A small amount of smoke may be produced; turn on your kitchen vent fan to vent this outside. Try not to open your oven during the cooking process.
- After the allotted time, turn off the oven and allow the temperature to lower naturally with the pan inside. This will continue the baking process and allow the pan to get to a temperature at which it is easily handled. It will also avoid letting a bunch of smoke into your kitchen!
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool completely before storing.
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