How to Cure Used Cast Iron Cookware
Ideally, used cast iron cookware will have a thick layer of seasoning, or cooked-on oil, which gives it a smooth, non-stick finish and makes it a pleasure to cook with. Cast iron cookware can last for generations, and you can find used pieces at yard sales, flea markets and online sales for bargain prices. If the cookware has not been cared for properly, you will need to cure or season it before you start using it in the kitchen.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Dish detergent
- Scrub brush
- Steel wool
- Scraper
- Oil, lard or shortening
- Paper towels
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1
Wash the cookware in hot soapy water and use a scrub brush to remove as much of the old seasoning and grime as possible. Use steel wool to remove any rust spots on the cast iron.
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2
Place the cookware on the stove over medium heat and let it cook for about 20 minutes to burn off the old finish. It will smoke, so turn on the exhaust fan. Turn off the heat and let the cookware cool. Scrape the cookware and scour it with steel wool to remove the remaining bits of old finish. Rinse the cookware and dry it with paper towels.
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3
Use paper towels or a soft cloth to spread oil, shortening or lard all over the inside and outside of the cookware. Place the cookware in an oven. Place it on the top shelf and turn it upside down. Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and place it under the cookware to catch drips. Bake the cast iron cookware for one hour at 350 degrees F. Leave the cookware in the oven for another hour to allow it to cool completely.
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4
Use the pan to cook oily or greasy foods such as bacon or fried chicken the first few times you cook with it, after the initial oven cure. Every time you cook oily foods in your cast iron cookware, you will add more layers to the finish, and the cookware will become smoother and more like a non-stick pan.
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5
Never use soap on your cast iron cookware. It will remove the finish and you will have to cure it again. Clean the cookware while it is still warm with hot water, scraping it with a spatula or kitchen scraper, and then wipe it dry with paper towels. Never soak cast iron cookware or leave it in a damp area; prolonged contact with moisture will cause it to rust.
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