How to Clean & Cure Cast-Iron Skillets

You can cook a variety of foods in a cast-iron frying pan.

If you enjoy cooking for your family and friends, a cast-iron skillet can be a valuable addition to your kitchen. Cast iron not only lasts a lifetime when cared for, it also adds flavor to food. To keep your cast-iron skillet in optimal condition, use specific methods of cleaning. You also need to cure a cast-iron skillet, a process called "seasoning." Curing the skillet helps prevent food from sticking to the pan surface.

Things You'll Need

• Oven
• Vegetable oil
• Water
• Rag
• Dish soap
• Coarse salt
• Paper towels
• Sheet pan
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Coat the pan with vegetable oil.

2. Place the frying pan upside down on a sheet pan lined with aluminum foil, then bake it in the oven for one hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This completes the seasoning process, which you can repeat in the future, as necessary.

3. Rinse the pan with hot water immediately after using it.

4. Scrub any clinging food residue with a non-metal brush and a drop of dish soap. Add some coarse salt as an abrasive factor, if necessary.

5. Dry the pan thoroughly by wiping with paper towels or a soft rag.

6. Recoat lightly with oil before storing.

Tips & Warnings

• Scrub the pan with steel wool to remove rust or a thick, sticky film. Rinse and re-season before using again.

References

• Real Simple: Cleaning and Seasoning a Cast-Iron Skillet
• Joy the Baker: Learn to Love Your Cast Iron Skillet