A cast iron skillet is a versatile and essential tool in any kitchen. Whether you use it for frying, baking, or even grilling, a well-seasoned cast iron skillet can provide unbeatable results. But before you can start cooking with your cast iron skillet, it is important to properly pre-season it. Pre-seasoning creates a layer of polymerized oil on the surface of the skillet, making it non-stick and preventing rust. In this article, we will guide you through the process of pre-seasoning a cast iron skillet, so you can enjoy cooking with it for years to come. The first step in pre-seasoning your cast iron skillet is to wash it thoroughly. Many people believe that cast iron skillets should never be washed with soap, but this is a misconception. It is perfectly fine to wash your skillet with warm soapy water, as long as you dry it thoroughly afterwards. Use a sponge or a brush to remove any food particles or rust from the surface of the skillet. Once the skillet is clean, rinse it with warm water and pat it dry with a clean towel. Next, it is time to apply a thin layer of oil to the skillet. Traditionally, people use vegetable oil or canola oil for seasoning cast iron skillets. However, any type of oil with a high smoke point will work. Heat the skillet on the stove over medium heat until it is hot. You can test the heat by dropping a few drops of water into the skillet - if they sizzle and evaporate quickly, the skillet is ready. Once the skillet is hot, pour a small amount of oil into it and use a paper towel to spread it evenly across the entire surface, including the sides and the handle. Be careful not to use too much oil, as it can create a sticky residue on the skillet. Once the skillet is evenly coated, turn off the heat and let it cool completely. After the skillet has cooled down, you can repeat the seasoning process. Some people recommend seasoning the skillet multiple times to achieve a better seasoning. If you choose to do this, simply repeat the steps of heating the skillet, applying a thin layer of oil, and letting it cool between each seasoning. Each time you season the skillet, it will become more non-stick and durable. Once you have pre-seasoned your cast iron skillet, you can start cooking with it. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to maintain the seasoning. Avoid using soap or harsh scrubbing pads when cleaning the skillet, as this can remove the seasoning. Instead, use a soft sponge or a brush and warm water to clean the skillet. If there are stubborn food particles, you can also use a bit of kosher salt to scrub the skillet gently. After cleaning, make sure to dry the skillet thoroughly to prevent rusting. Finally, after each use, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of oil to the skillet to maintain the seasoning. This can be done by simply rubbing a small amount of oil onto the surface with a paper towel. In conclusion, pre-seasoning a cast iron skillet is vital to its performance and longevity. By following these steps, you can ensure that your cast iron skillet is properly seasoned and ready for cooking. Remember to clean and dry the skillet thoroughly before applying a thin layer of oil, and repeat the process if desired. With proper care and maintenance, your cast iron skillet will become a cherished kitchen companion that will last for generations.

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This story is part of 12 Days of Tips, helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.Cleaning cast-iron cookware requires a different technique than washing nonstick or stainless steel pans. Cast iron is tough and able to withstand scorching heat, the trash of metal utensils and years of banging around an oven range or grill top, but this rugged cookware material has a sensitive side. Along with seasoning your cast-iron pan, cleaning it properly will ensure it has a long and productive life.Whatever you do, resist the urge to soak your dirty cast iron or run it through the dishwasher. For really stuck-on bits, a simple pantry staple will have your skillet looking better than new. Give up? It's salt.

Cleaning and seasoning cast iron can be intimidating. There is a common misconception that cast iron is delicate and easy to mess-up. The reality could not be further from the truth. Humans have been cooking on cast iron for centuries. Its durability and utility have made it a staple in kitchens around the world, from traditional Asia cooking culture to New York steak houses. After learning these simple steps to clean your cast iron skillet, you’ll be ready to tackle any meal or mess!

Noel Christmas spent 12 years as a professional cook and another 10 years as a food writer for Allrecipes.com, turning professional techniques and recipes into approachable household standards.Cleaning a cast iron pan is easy! No dishwashers! A clean, well seasoned creates a rust resistant, nonstick surface. Properly cared for, this durable skillet will just keep getting better with age. Here's how to take care of a cast iron skillet.

Seasoning refers to the hard, practically nonstick surface coating your cast iron pan. Most cast iron skillets these days come pre-seasoned, meaning they’re ready for cooking on as soon as you take them out of the box. However, over time, the seasoning erodes, and you’ll need to re-apply it by brushing the skillet with a thin layer of neutral oil and heating it until the oil bonds to the metal. You’ll know the seasoning has eroded when the surface looks dry and patchy in spots, but it’s a good practice to season your skillet every so often before the seasoning starts to break down.

With each use, your cast iron cookware will slowly develop a deep, dark patina that indicates a well-seasoned skillet. While food grease builds flavor and acts as a natural non-stick surface, it's still important to regularly clean your cast iron skillet — or else the flavor may turn rancid. "Clean cookware after every use, so food bits don't build up and cause burning, hot spots or sticking," says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab."No one wants to cook in a dirty pan," adds Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab. "Your cast iron skillet should be washed after every use, but never soaked in the sink or put in the dishwasher." To help you care for your cookware without damaging it, we're sharing how to clean a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven — including techniques using coarse salt and dish soap. Keep scrolling for some helpful cleaning pointers, and find out tips for re-seasoning.

Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer and recipe developer. She's a regular contributor to The New York Times, Time Out New York, Forbes, and many more publications. She also writes the food newsletter, Specialty.REAL SIMPLE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINESKnowing how to season and clean a cast-iron skillet could help it last for years, even generations. Traditional cast-iron skillets don't emerge from the box with a non-stick surface. Not surprisingly, unlike other types of skillets, a cast-iron skillet isn't ideal for people who embrace the set-aside-to-soak strategy—they're better off with ceramic or stainless steel frying pans. And, even if cast iron is induction compatible, you may want to get a more maintenance-free induction cookware set if you don't want to deal with seasoning.

This story is part of 12 Days of Tips, helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.Cleaning cast-iron cookware requires a different technique than washing nonstick or stainless steel pans. Cast iron is tough and able to withstand scorching heat, the trash of metal utensils and years of banging around an oven range or grill top, but this rugged cookware material has a sensitive side. Along with seasoning your cast-iron pan, cleaning it properly will ensure it has a long and productive life.Whatever you do, resist the urge to soak your dirty cast iron or run it through the dishwasher. For really stuck-on bits, a simple pantry staple will have your skillet looking better than new. Give up? It's salt.

If you own a cast-iron skillet, you know that cleaning it properly is important. Cast-iron pans need to be seasoned and can rust easily if the seasoning—the protective layer that makes it nonstick—is damaged. The good news? If you know how to care for yours, a cast-iron skillet will last a lifetime—and it'll continue to get better with age. Here's how to clean and properly season your cast-iron skillet.

Make Cast Iron Pan Version of Spa Chicken Wings

make cheese-fried chicken steak in a cast iron pan

A nonstick pan is the best tool for cooking fluffy omelets, golden pancakes, and delicate fish fillets—without the risk of food sticking to the bottom. After cooking many dozens of eggs in more than 25 pans since 2016, we still think the Tramontina Professional 10-Inch Restaurant Fry Pan offers the best value for the money. With good heat distribution and excellent maneuverability, it often outperforms pans that are more than triple the price.

cornbread made by cast iron pan

Give a new pan a glossy black nonstick coating—or bring the luster back to a family heirloom—with this 3-step process for seasoning cast iron.Cast-iron skillets are heavy-duty kitchen heroes, but they only perform at their best if properly cared for. Once you know how to season a cast-iron skillet (or Dutch oven, or griddle pan)—and how to keep that patina in good shape—you’re on your way to a lifetime of use. But before you start greasing up your grandma’s hand-me-downs, it’ll help to understand a bit of the science behind seasoning.

Knowing how to season and clean a cast-iron skillet could help it last for years, even generations. Traditional cast-iron skillets don't emerge from the box with a non-stick surface. Not surprisingly, unlike other types of skillets, a cast-iron skillet isn't ideal for people who embrace the set-aside-to-soak strategy—they're better off with ceramic or stainless steel frying pans. And, even if cast iron is induction compatible, you may want to get a more maintenance-free induction cookware set if you don't want to deal with seasoning.Cast-iron skillets take more work, but the effort doesn't go unrewarded. Learn how to give your cast-iron skillet the care it needs with our guides to seasoning and cleaning cast iron, including tips from professional chefs.

Online forums for the cooking-obsessed are a mixed blessing. On the one hand, they can be amazing resources, full of detailed information on all sorts of topics. But they can also expose just how little agreement there often is among experts when you get down to the nitty-gritty details. I've spent hours poring over cast iron cookware sites, only to see some swear that flaxseed oil is the best for seasoning, others throw down for Crisco or lard, and still others say that canola is their go-to. The oven temperatures they use are equally varied, and some advocate convoluted methods that involve repeatedly changing the oven temperature during the seasoning process.The thing is, we here at Serious Eats use our cast iron cookware all the time, and, after testing countless methods, we've found that most of the complex rules of cast iron are nothing more than superstition. Indeed, we don't do anything complicated to keep our pans in tip-top nonstick shape. Here's the short version of what you need to know: When you get a new cast iron pan, put it through one basic round of seasoning (I'll explain how below), then just...use your pan. Yeah, it really is that simple.

If you care for your cast-iron pan, seasoning it correctly, it will return the favor with a lifetime of delicious meals. These heavy, forged skillets are the workhorses of the kitchen. They're durable, affordable and perfect for a variety of cooking techniques. You can sear, fry, bake, roast, braise and more in these versatile pans! Don't own a cast-iron skillet but looking to invest in one? Check out our story, Amazon Shoppers Are Obsessed with this Cast-Iron Skillet.

Are you up-to-date on your cast-iron know-how? To be sure, not a lot has changed if you haven't brushed up on the topic in a few decades—perhaps only that many new pans come pre-seasoned.But if your cast-iron knowledge wasn't passed down along with your skillet (lucky you if you find yourself in possession of a true heirloom), we're here to enlighten. We've already uncovered the great myths surrounding our favorite cooking tool and yours, but now we're taking it a step further with the things that no self-respecting Southerner ever cooks in cast iron.