How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

Cast-iron skillets are staples in a Southern kitchen that must be treated with care. This means learning how to season a cast-iron skillet properly. When kept in good condition, this versatile tool can withstand extreme heat and cooks food evenly on its highly durable surface.

Unfortunately, if you don't make the necessary preparations to care for your cast-iron skillet, it will eventually lose its sheen and, as a result, its super non-stick powers. Bringing back its luster and protecting it from rusting is as easy as scrubbing, oiling, and baking.

Here's how to season your cast-iron skillet:

What It Means To Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

Seasoning is a protective layer of oil baked into the cookware's surface to make the equipment durable, produce heat, and prevent rust. Cast-iron and carbon steel pans require this treatment. Seasoning or curing a skillet transforms a thin layer of carbonized oil or fat to make it more water-resistant and prevents foods from sticking when frying, roasting, and baking. This protective layer increases with every use, so it's essential to care for cast iron properly.

Many manufacturers pre-season their cast iron before selling it, but it's still a good idea to know how to season cast iron because it's recommended maintenance two or three times a year. Without this protective coating, the combination of water, cooking, moisture, and exposure to oxygen can rust the cast iron.

How To Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

Follow these 5 steps for properly seasoning a cast-iron skillet:

1. Clean the skillet, using soap if needed, to ensure there is no food residue left on it. Dry thoroughly.
2. Spread a thin layer of melted shortening or vegetable oil over the skillet using a silicone pastry brush, or a lint-free cloth or paper towel.
3. Put the skillet upside down on the middle rack of a cold oven. Place foil on a lower rack to catch drips. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
4. Bake the cast iron for about an hour, and let it cool entirely in the oven.
5. If your skillet didn't come pre-seasoned, you may need to season it three or four times to get a good layer of seasoning before you start cooking with it.

Repeat this process whenever you remove a bit of seasoning, which can happen if you cook with acidic foods or at very high heat. It's also a good idea to season your pan after scouring, if rust appears, food starts to stick, or you experience a metallic taste.

How To Care For Cast Iron

Cleaning a cast-iron skillet properly requires a few steps, but it's worth the effort to maintain this universally-adored pan. The first rule about cast iron is never soak it or leave it in water—this can create rust, which renders your pan useless. It also means you should never put your skillet in the dishwasher.

Here, good tips for proper cast-iron maintenance:

Clean After Use

You want to clean cast iron immediately after use—it should still be warm. Wear protective gloves if the pan is still too hot or the water you are using is warm to the touch. To clean, use a stiff brush or plastic scrubber under running water while the cast iron is warm but cool enough to handle easily.

Add Kosher Salt

Kosher salt is also a good scrubbing agent for baked-on stains. If you struggle to remove food particles or residue, add coarse kosher salt to some water and gently scrub with a sponge to release it.

It's also completely okay to use soap on the skillet to scrub off cooked-on messes. People were taught to avoid using soap on cast-iron skillets because dish soaps used to be made with lye and vinegar, which would strip the seasoning off the pan. Luckily, that's not true of dish soap anymore.

Always Dry

Always dry a cast-iron skillet entirely with a towel, or place it over low heat, causing water to evaporate, until completely dry. Before storing in a dry place, lightly coat the skillet's surface in vegetable oil with a paper towel.

Be Careful With Acidic Foods

Never marinate food in cast iron, as acidic mixtures will damage the seasoning. You can make a tomato sauce or skillet lasagna in it, but don't store the sauce or baked pasta in the skillet.

Remove Rust

To remove rust, rub a carborundum rust eraser on the stain, and re-season the pan. Find this tool at hardware stores, bike shops, or woodworking shops.