how to season a cast iron pan

Meta Description: Seasoning a cast iron pan helps prevent your pan from rusting. In this article, we will talk about the seasoning of an iron skillet. How and why can we do it?

How to Season a Cast Iron Pan

There are so many forums and channels that can advise you of the dos and don'ts of making your iron pan last for a long time. There are so many resources available on the internet today that one might get confused and what is right or wrong. Experts who have experienced this beforehand know that flaxseed oil is best for iron pans while other cooking oils are bad, and others swear by the canola oil.

Here, we will let you know how to season your cast iron perfectly.

A cast iron pan or skillet is something that makes our cooking much easier. But, it is made up of highly reactive metal and is also prone to rust and corrosion. If you try to cook it in a bare pan, it will start rusting and lose all its glossiness after some time. After that, your food will stick to it, making it tougher to remove.

What can you do now?

You can always season a cast iron pan. Seasoning does not mean adding salt and spices. It means putting an extra layer of protection over it so that it doesn't rust and food residue doesn't stick to it.

How can I season the cast iron pan?

Wash and dry the pan

You need to wash the pan with a little soap and water. After that, dry it using a washed cloth. If there is any water left, put it upside down on the stove to dry.

Oiling

In the second step, lightly spread a layer of oil on the pan. Do it all over, including the handle. Use any cooking oil for this—only a few drops.

Heat

Take the pan into a preheated oven. Put a sheet of aluminum under it and place the pan upside down in a microwave. Make sure that the extra oil doesn't seep out.

Repeat

Repeat this process several times. Take the pan out after almost half an hour and put it back again. Make sure to oil it before placing it inside.

Once the process is repeated at least two or three times, your pan will develop an initial layer of protection. You can cool down the pan afterward and continue cooking with it like before.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What types of lubrication can be used for casting an iron pan?

For casting an iron skillet, people can use cooking oil or any other type of fat. You can also use canola oil as a spray.

How can we cook for the first time using a pan?

To prepare the skillet for the first time, place the pan upside down. And then, cover the top portion with a cloth or aluminum foil and store it on your shelf.

How can we identify a well-seasoned skillet?

If your pan is well seasoned, it will appear glossy and have a charcoal color. There wouldn't be any stickiness or grease on the pan.

Can we use soap or dishwashing liquid to cast some iron?

People can use a little soap or dishwashing gel to clean the cast iron pan. Using a large amount of anything can decrease the greasiness or damage the iron skillet.