How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet

So you've bought your cast iron skillet and you just can't wait to use it, but first you really should season it

Whether your new cast iron skillet is new or used, this is a necessary step to get the results you want from this uniquely versatile piece of cookware.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cast Iron Skillet
• Warm Soapy Water
• Paper Towels
• Canola or Soybean Oil
• Salt

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2. Wash the inside of your Cast Iron Skillet with warm soapy water. This is not a scouring, and should be done with either a sponge or a wash cloth. Steel wool or other kinds of scouring pads are not needed for this.
   
   If your Cast Iron Skillet is new, it likely has a light coating of wax which this process will remove. If it is used, and you cannot remove all residue from previous uses don't worry about it. We will address this in later steps. Just make a reasonable effort to remove what you can without scouring.

3. Dry your Cast Iron Skillet thoroughly before performing this step.
   
   Dampen a paper towel with your Canola or Soybean Oil and wipe the inside of your Cast Iron Skillet thoroughly. You are not looking to create a pool of oil in the bottom of the pan with this step. You should create a sheen on the entire interior surface.
   
   If your Cast Iron Skillet is used and still encrusted from old usage, then pour a small amount of oil into your Skillet and move around to coat interior completely. This will take more oil than you would need for a new skillet.

4. Pour enough salt into your Cast Iron Skillet to cover the bottom to a depth of about 1/2 inch. Bank the salt so that it goes as far up the sides of the inside your skillet as possible.
   
   I prefer Kosher Salt for this, but I know many people use common table salt with good results.

5. Place your Cast Iron Skillet into the 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.

6. Remove with an oven mitt (It will be very hot!) and allow to cool for at least another 30 minutes or until cool to the touch.

7. Dump salt from your Cast Iron Skillet and repeat wash with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry Skillet thoroughly.
   
   If your Skillet was used, and is still not clear of residue or encrusted matter from previous use, simply repeat Steps 3-7 until the inside of your skillet is clean.

8. Before storing your Cast Iron Skillet, be sure to give it a light coating of Canola or Soybean Oil to protect your Skillet from corrosion.

Tips & Warnings

• I prefer either Canola or Soybean Oil for this process, but any vegetable oil will work.
• I prefer Kosher Salt for most tasks in the kitchen, and really recommend that you use it here.
• Cast Iron gets extremely hot, and will burn you badly if you are not careful. This is not a reason to avoid using Cast Iron cookware, just a warning. Particularly for those with small children around.
• If you purchase older Cast Iron Skillets be sure to check the bottom of each piece of cookware for cracking and crumbling. This happens when people that don't know how to properly care for their Cast Iron Cookware leave if submerged in water for long periods of time.

Resources

• Great Deals on Cast Iron Cookware

[MariM]

on 2/1/2009 I don't have one of these but I have thought about getting one.5*recommend

[Gourmet2Go]

on 1/13/2009 I too didn't know to add salt, thanks

[chenderson00]

on 1/4/2009 Great article. I find that so many people have never even HEARD of doing this. 5*s

[Zazell]

on 1/2/2009 Great info. Thanks.

[Upon-Request]

on 12/25/2008 Good article!