How to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet with Olive Oil

When you cook with cast iron, you have the benefit of sturdy cookware that will last for generations. You must use and clean cast iron cookware carefully to ensure cooking success. Before you use a cast iron skillet for the first time, season it with olive oil. The seasoning process helps prevent rust and creates a natural nonstick surface on the interior of the skillet.

Things You'll Need

• Olive oil
• Paper towels
• Aluminum foil
• Oven mitt

Instructions

1. Saturate one or two paper towels with olive oil and place the crumpled paper towels into the skillet.

2. Rub the saturated paper towels over the entire interior of the skillet, coating the surface generously with a thick layer of olive oil.

3. Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom rack of the oven to catch any olive oil drips that may occur during the seasoning process. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

4. Place the skillet into the oven upside down on the upper rack over the aluminum foil and leave it to bake for one hour.

5. Remove the cast iron skillet with an oven mitt after the hour elapses. Let the skillet cool.

Tips & Warnings

• Some cooks repeat the seasoning process two to three times to create a thick seasoning layer on the cast iron.

• Using olive oil to season the cast iron will impart a distinctive olive oil taste to your cooked foods. Cooks who regularly cook with olive oil may particularly enjoy this enhancement to their cooking.

References

• How to Clean Things: How to Clean Cast iron
• Real Simple: Seasoning a Cast Iron Skillet