How Do I Condition Cast Iron Cookware?

Season a cast-iron grill pan before using it.

Cast-iron pans and griddles provide a versatile addition to any kitchen, and campfire cooks can prepare a variety of dishes in a cast-iron Dutch oven. To create the characteristic shiny black non-stick surface on your cast-iron cookware, you must condition -- or season -- the cookware before using it. Old cast-iron cookware must also be re-seasoned occasionally so that it will retain the non-stick surface.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Steel wool
• Vegetable oil or shortening
• Paper towels
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Wash the cast-iron cookware with warm water and dish soap. Scrub with steel wool to remove any stuck-on food or rust spots from used cast iron. Dry the cast iron completely.

3. Use paper towels to rub oil or shortening onto the cast iron. Rub fat everywhere except the bottom of the pan where it will touch a cooking surface.

4. Place the cookware in the oven upside down. Put aluminum foil or a baking sheet on the shelf under the cookware to catch any dripping grease.

5. Heat the cast iron for an hour, then turn off the oven and allow it to cool in the oven.

6. Remove the cookware from the oven and wipe out any excess grease with a paper towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Cook greasy foods the first time or two you use your newly seasoned cast iron to add to the nonstick coating.

• Do not wash cast iron in the dishwasher. If it does go through the dishwasher, it will need to be reconditioned.

References

• University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Go Dutch!
• University of Missouri Extension: Seasoning a Cast-Iron Pan
• Iowa State University Extension: How Can I Season a Cast Iron Skillet?