How to season a cast iron skillet and how often you should do it

How to season a bandage iron skillet and how often yous should do it

A cast iron skillet surrounded by ginger, garlic and rosemary (Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you lot love to cook with bandage iron, then you demand to know how to season a cast iron skillet. Cast iron is ideal for cooking considering information technology holds oestrus really well — which makes it great for searing meat. However, if not routinely seasoned, food will cling to the surface and it will become more difficult to clean. Without this protective layer, bandage iron is too more vulnerable to stains and rust.

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What you will need

Washing detergent

Sponge or stiff brush

Cooking oil

Dry fabric or paper towels

Aluminium foil

This is why seasoning is then important; without it, your skillet will degrade quickly. The proficient news is, seasoning a cast iron skillet is actually very unproblematic and piece of cake. Here, nosotros will guide y'all through the process including how often you should be doing information technology.

How to season a cast fe skillet

1. Preheat your oven — Get-go you need to preheat your oven at a temperature of 350°F in training for your seasoned skillet.

Cast iron skillet on oven hob (Image credit: Future)

2. Add a picayune oil and rub in to coat — Next upwardly, get your chosen oil and cascade a tablespoon or 2 into the skillet. Be mindful not to pour also much, as you'll only need a thin coat of oil to season. Then with a clean dry cloth or a paper towel, rub the oil around to glaze the unabridged skillet. Once you've oiled the inside, don't forget to do the same for the outside and the bottom of the skillet.

Cast iron skillet being seasoned with oil (Image credit: Future)

3. Put the skillet in the oven to broil — The central is to place the skillet upside down on the centre shelf of the oven to bake for an 60 minutes (yes, ane hour). It's always a good idea to identify aluminium foil merely underneath it, to grab any drips of oil. In any instance, you tin e'er read our tips for how to clean an oven to keep it grease-complimentary and spotless.

Cast iron skillet baking in oven — Bandage fe skillet baking in oven (Prototype credit: Future)

iv. Let the skillet cool down before storing — Once your skillet is broiled, go out it to completely cool down before taking it out of the oven.

You should notice a smoothen, shiny surface on your skillet, meaning it's ready to go for your next cooking session! Before storing in your closet, it'south recommended to line the skillet with a paper towel to give information technology extra protection from rust. But y'all can eliminate this with proper care if you follow our steps on how to clean your skillet and remove rust.

More tips when seasoning your cast iron skillet

What oil should I utilise to season my skillet? — Generally, you can utilize whatsoever oil in your cupboard. Yet, vegetable oil, melted butter or canola oil are popular choices. Recall there's no need to use your best premium brand for seasoning!
How often should I flavor my skillet? — To become the all-time out of your cast fe skillet, it's recommended that y'all oil it after each utilise. However, depending on how frequently you use it, ii-3 times a year is sufficient.
How tin I tell when my skillet is seasoned properly? — A well-seasoned skillet will be noticeably dark with a shiny, semi-gloss finish. Best of all, it won't accept any rusty patches and volition wait revived again!

Cynthia Lawrence specialises in Homes ecommerce, covering all things homes and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial feel testing the latest, 'must-accept' home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy 'how to' features.

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Domicile, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amidst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design weblog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that ataxia!). When she'south not testing cool products, she'll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce upwards her family home or looking for a corking bargain!