Maybe you have picked up a cast iron skillet for a steal at a yard sale or thrift store and its been neglected, or perhaps like me you have abused yours a little bit-tossing it in the dishwasher, soaking it in the sink, letting things burn in it.
Either way your cast iron probably needs some TLC. I am going to show you the simplest way to season up your skillet and prepare it for all kinds of tasty cooking. ( Even if you have purchased a new cast iron skillet you will want to perform most of these steps to prepare it as new ones are coated in a special oil).
How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet
If you don’t have a cast iron skillet you may want to consider purchasing one, it is good for cooking in and on the oven for a wide variety of foods.
- Wash your skillet in soap and water, using steel wool and scrubbing vigorously if necessary to remove burnt on food or rust. Allow it to soak for 5 minutes.
- Dry thoroughly-air dry or with a clean towel.
- Place in a hot oven for 5 minutes to be sure there is no water left.
- Cool pan completely.
- Pour 1 Tbsp. olive oil in pan, and sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Take a paper towel and rub oil and salt all over bottom and sides of pan.
- Wipe the majority of the oil and salt away.
- Place pan into an oven preheated to 400 for an hour.
- Turn off oven and allow to cool to room temp in oven.
To maintain your cast iron-Every time you wash it, season it by repeating steps 2- 7 then you may either do 8 and 9 or season on stove top by turning on medium heat until it starts to smoke, turn off burner and allow it to completely cool before storing in the cupboard.
A few helpful tips:
Use as little soap as possible when cleaning. Most times hot water and a scrubber will be sufficient to clean your cast iron skillet.
If you find that food is sticking to your skillet, that means that it is time to re-season it. Just follow the steps above regularly to enjoy your cast iron skillet.
Here are a few more cooking basic posts to help you in the kitchen:
Pamela says
What does the Kosher salt do? I have never heard of this step and am intrigued.
Carrie says
It is what helps clean it.