by nerd
When searching for a skillet you will realize that cast iron skillets are more popular than those that are made of other materials. The major reason behind this is that cast iron provides better heat retention and distribution than other materials. Once it gets hot, it does not cool easily and this enables these skillets to cook fast. Again, this material is thicker than other materials which means that it is strong and durable. However, cast iron skillets are prone to rust which means that you need to take care of them if you expect them to give you the best performance. In this article, we shall guide you on how to cure a cast-iron skillet.
How to season a cast iron skillet
What is seasoning?
Seasoning is simply adding a layer of oil through baking on the surface of a cast-iron skillet or cookware. It involves a process known as polymerization where heat causes the fats to react to form polymers that are larger than molecules. This leads to the production of free radicals which cross-link to form a thick layer on the surface of the cookware. This process enhances the non-stick properties of the skillet to provide an easy to release finish. It also prevents the skillet from rusting because cast iron is vulnerable to rusting. This process does not affect the taste of your food.
Requirements
- Stiff brush
- Dish soap
- Aluminum foil
- Vegetable oil
- Paper towel
How to cure a cast iron skillet Alton Brown guide
- After you have assembles all the necessary items, preheat the oven up to 350 degrees.
- Clean the skillet using warm soapy water and a stiff brush.
- Rinse the skillet thoroughly after cleaning and dry it using a paper towel.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the skillet.
- Using a paper towel or a cloth, rub the coat on the surface including the outer and bottom part of the skillet.
- Bake the skillet facing upside down on the center rack of your oven. You can place a sheet of aluminum foil under the rack to absorb any drops.
- Turn off the oven and allow the skillet to cool before you remove it from the oven. Your skillet is now seasoned and ready for use.
There is no need to re-season your skillet every time you use it. Instead, you should only wipe it with oil or a Cast Iron Conditioner before you store it.
How to re-season a cast iron skillet
If your skillet becomes dull or doesn’t retain its shiny appearance after cleaning, it means that you need to re-season it again. When pre-seasoning, you should follow these steps;
- Wash the skillet and then dry it immediately using a paper towel.
- Place it on a stove burner and adjust the heat to high. Allow any water that is on the skillet to evaporate.
- Add a tablespoon of any cooking fat or oil and allow it to melt. After this, spread it on the surface and on the sides using a spatula as it heats.
- Once the cooking oil starts to take the shape of the burner beneath the skillet, you should wait until it starts to smoke.
- Immediately you see smoke, turn off the heat and allow it to cool down completely.
- You should not use it until it has cooled down completely. This process makes the pan nonstick and you can now cook different foods without sticking.
How to season a rusty cast iron skillet
Removing rust from a cast-iron skillet is very easy as long as you have the required items. You will need steel wool, mild dish soap, a sponge, and vegetable oil.
Procedure on how to cure cast iron skillet in the oven
- Scrub the surface- When you are removing rust from a cast iron skillet, you should not mind scrubbing because the seasoning is no longer there. You only need to be careful when cleaning a pre-seasoned skillet because you will scrub off the coating. To remove rust, you will need a hard abrasive tool such as the Herda Cast Iron Skillet Cleaner. Make sure the pan is wet and then add a few drops of soaps. Scrub the surface thoroughly in small circles starting with the area that is highly rusty. Keep scrubbing until the skillets start to regain their original black color. You can also dip a paper towel in oil and then use it to wipe the skillet until you have removed all the rust.
- Rinse- Now it is time to rinse the skillet in the skin. You can wipe it down using a sponge and soap to ensure that you have removed all the rusty residue.
- Dry- After you have removed all the rust, you can now dry it using a dishrag. You should not just use any cloth to prevent stains. Once it is dry, place it on a stove and then turn the heat on for a few minutes as you allow moisture to evaporate.
- Re-season- Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet and then spread it using a paper towel. Remember to oil the outer part and the handle. After this, fold a napkin and then wipe off any excess oil from the surface. Set the oven at 350 degrees and leave it for about an hour. Turn it off and then leave your skillet inside to cool down. Your skillet is now nonstick and free from rust.
How to restore a cast iron skillet
Below are the best ways to restore cast iron skillets
Requirements
- Brush
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- Large sheet pan
Steps to follow
- Start by placing your pan upside down in a sink. Add a few drops of baking soda and then sprinkle some water on it.
- Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and then use a scrub brush to remove debris and rust.
- Rinse it and dry it using a soft cloth.
- Scrubbing removes the seasoning which means that you have to re-season it again before you store it.
- Place it upside down on the large sheet pan and bake using an oven that is pre-heated at 350 degrees for about an hour.
- Turn off the oven after an hour and then leave the pan inside until it is completely cool.
How to cure a cast iron skillet with salt
Requirements
- Cast iron skillet
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 raw potato cut into two
- Paper towels
- Spatula
Procedure
- Preheat the oven up to 400 degrees. Use a spatula to remove any stuck food from the surface. In case there is no food residue on the surface, you can just wipe it using a damp cloth.
- Sprinkle the salt on the skillet and use a flat side of the cut potato into the surface of your skillet. Moisture from the potato plus the salt helps to remove tough debris and rust from the surface.
- Using a damp paper towel, wipe all the salt from the skillet.
- After you have removed all the salt, you can now add oil to the skillet. Use a paper towel to wipe the surface of your skillet including the edges, handles, and inner sides. The surface should have a light coating of oil which means that you should wipe any excess oil from the skillet. When seasoning, you should avoid applying too much oil on the surface.
- Once you have removed all the excess oils, you can now place the skillet in the oven and then adjust the heat settings up to 400 degrees. After one hour, remove the skillet and wipe any excess oil from the surface. Your skillet is now ready for use.
How to take care of cast iron skillets
Cast iron skillets are highly durable but they require frequent maintenance to protect them from rusting. Below are some of the things you should to protect your skillet from rusting.
- Avoid soaking the skillet in water- You should never soak a cast iron skillet in water or leave it with water because they are likely to rust.
- When cleaning, you need to be careful about the type of cleaners you are using because some might scrub off the seasoning. For best results, you should always use OXO Good Grips Cast Iron Pan Brush or Herda Cast Iron Skillet Cleaner when cleaning a cast iron cookware.
- Don’s air-dry the skillet- After cleaning, you should wipe the pan using a dry towel to get rid of any excess water. To ensure that it is completely dry, you should place it on a burner to allow moisture to evaporate.
- Oil the skillet after use- Once you are done with cooking, you should apply a thin layer of vegetable oil on the skillet before you store it.
- Use the skillet frequently- If you do not use the skillet for some time, it is likely to rust.
- Avoid certain foods- Some foods such as delicate fish fillets, scrambled eggs, vinegar, and acidic food such as tomatoes can react with cast iron and this may damage the seasoning.
- Never put your cast iron skillet in a dishwasher because the detergent and moisture may damage the seasoning.
- Invest in the best seasoning oil that can provide an effective and long-lasting coat. Below are some of the best seasoning oils you should consider.
Which are the best oils for seasoning cast iron skillets?
Grapeseed oil
With a high smoking point of 420°F, Grapeseed oil is among the most effective options you should consider for seasoning your cast iron skillet. Again, you can use it to season any cookware. You will also find that it has low saturation of fats and this enhances its durability after seasoning. It also contains high polyunsaturated fats that enhance the cross-linking process and this enables it to form a thick and long-lasting coat. Grapeseed oil such as this has a neutral odor and taste which means that it doesn’t affect your cooking.
Rapeseed oil/Canola
The Canola Oil has a high smoking point of 400°F which makes it a perfect option for seasoning cast iron skillets. If you don’t use your skillet frequently, Canola Oil is the best oil you should consider. It also dries quickly to form a long-lasting and thick layer on the surface. However, it produces a pungent smell when you are applying it to the surface.
Flax Seed Oil
This oil has a low smoking point of 225 degrees but it dries quickly and naturally which makes it an ideal choice for seasoning cast iron skillets. After seasoning, it forms a durable coat on the surface and this enhances the nonstick properties of your skillet. Kuche Chef Organic Cast Iron Oil & Cast Irion Conditioner is among the best flax seed oils that will give you amazing results.
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil has a smoking point of 450°F and it doesn’t contain any synthetic coating. This means that it is very healthy and highly reliable. It is also effective in enhancing the polymerization process and this enables it to form a long lasting coat on your cast iron cookware.
Is olive oil good for seasoning?
Olive oil has a smoking point of 325 to 375°F which means that it has a lower smoking point than the soybean oil. This means that it burns slowly and it also produces an unpleasant flavor to your food. Again, when you expose a skillet that is seasoned with this oil to high heat that is beyond the smoking point, the seasoning will wear off easily and this will make the pan sticky. You can still use it for seasoning but it is not very effective.
Conclusion
Cast iron skillets are very effective when cooking. However, they are prone to rusting which means that you need to know how to cure a cast iron skillet. In order to enhance their nonstick properties, you need to season them using the procedures we have outlined in this article. You also need to ensure that you are using effective oils like those we have mentioned in this article when seasoning.
Additionally, If you are interested in knowing the differences between the skillets and frying pans, you may take a look at our in-depth content on the Difference Between Skillet and Frying Pan
