How to Season Cast Iron Skillets

Before you cook with your new cookware, you have to season your cast iron skillet. Cooks all over the world love their cast iron skillets. Cast iron cookware is one of the best conductors of heat. It also has a very even heating surface. A good cast iron skillet will last for a very long time. Some cast iron skillets become an item that is passed down through families and can be enjoyed for generations. A cast iron skillet is very easy to take care of and will soon become your favorite piece of cookware. Cast iron skillets are also a non stick surface for cooking. In order to be able to enjoy your cookware, you have season your cast iron skillets and all other cast iron cookware before you use it.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°.

2. Use shortening, lard or canola oil to season your cast iron skillet. Dip a paper towel or clean rag into the canola oil or smear the lard or shortening on the paper towel or rag.

3. Wipe the canola oil, lard or shortening over the whole cooking surface of the cast skillet.

4. Put the cast iron skillet in the heated oven for 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours. The canola oil, shortening or lard will melt its way into the cast iron skillet cooking surface.

5. Remove the cast iron skillet from the oven and place it on top of your stove to cool to room temperature.

6. Wipe off the excess canola oil, lard or shortening with a clean, dry rag or paper towel. It is now ready to be used.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on use, your cast iron skillet will have to be seasoned again.