How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet

You don't have to buy expensive designer cookware to have non-stick skillets. Learn how to keep the age old work-horse of the kitchen, a cast iron skillet, non-stick.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• dish towel, dishrag
• small amount of dish detergent
• small amount of vegetable oil
• paper towels

1. The very first step is to purchase quality Cast Iron Cookware. Do a Google search to find a reputable brand. Visit antiques stores to find oldie but goodies. Buy from the big home department stores. You can even find enamel cast iron cookware that has great colors on the bottom in enamel and cast iron on the inside cooking surfaces.
   Check out the resources below for some quality sites.

2. Scrap out any remaining food in your dirty cast iron skillet with a kitchen scrapper or dish rag.

3. Lightly rinse out the pot or pan with water and very small amount of dish detergent using a dish rag.

4. Wipe out all water and moisture on the outside and inside of the cast iron with a paper towel or dish towels.

5. Put the skillet on your stove-top burner on the lowest heat setting.

6. Pour 1 or 2 tablespoons of any cooking oil into the skillet. Using a papertowel, thoroughly rub the oil into the bottom and sides of the skillet.

7. Leave the well-oiled skillet on the burner for 5 minutes.

8. Allow cast iron to cool, then store in a dry place where it will not come into any contact with water.

Tips & Warnings

• Water and detergents will strip away the non-stick "seasoning " on the surface of the iron, so use them very sparingly. Water will promote rusting, which is a big no-no for cast iron cookeware.
• Cook your recipes in cast iron at the lowest temperature possible. Iron is the best conductor of heat, so the pan will get hotter than others. If it gets too hot, foods will stick no matter how seasoned the pan has become.
• If you have a stubborn stuck-on foods in the pan, soak it by filling the pan with water and heating on a burner at low heat. This water will loosen the foods, and the heat will keep the seasoning intact. Never soak the pan in water and detergent in the sink.
• Be sure to use very low heat when warming the skillet on the stove-top. High heat will cause the skillet to smoke.
• Always attend your stove top when burners are in use.

Resources

• Whatscookingamerica.com
• Quality Cast Iron
• Enamel Cast Iron

[wizardofodds]

on 3/3/2009 Thanks for the information! Useful! 5*

[bar10dr98]

on 2/25/2009 A seasoned cast iron skillet is a must have for any kitchen!

[dtwelloh]

on 2/17/2009 Excellent step by step. Give it 5 stars. Well written article.