How to Properly Season a Cast Iron Pan

Old cast-iron pans may be re-seasoned to regain their cooking potential.

Cast-Iron pans and skillets provide you with easy-to-clean cookware that lasts a lifetime and will cook evenly every time you make a meal. Every time you cook with your cast-iron skillet, you are seasoning it, but if you receive a piece of cast-iron cookware that was not properly seasoned to begin with, it will not cook as evenly and provide your meal with as much flavor and consistency. By seasoning your pan, you are creating a piece of cookware that can be passed down for many years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Scouring pad
• Paper towels
• Lard
• Oven

Instructions

1. Clean the pan with hot water and a scouring pad if you are re-seasoning an old cast-iron pan. Dry off with paper towels once it has been cleaned.

2. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and coat the inside of the pan with lard or bacon grease. Other types of oils or grease (such as vegetable oil) are not recommended for seasoning cast-iron pans.

3. Place the pan in the oven and remove after 15 minutes. Drain the excess grease and return the pan to the oven for two hours.

4. Remove the pan after it has baked for two hours and repeat the process two or three more times to hold in the seasoning process.

References

• What's Cooking America: The Irreplaceable Cast Iron Pans
• Kitchen Emporium.com: Seasoning Cast Iron