To season cast iron, wash and dry the pan completely, rub a very thin layer of neutral oil over every surface, wipe off the excess until it looks almost dry, and bake it upside down at about 450 to 500 °F (230 to 260 °C) for an hour. Let it cool in the oven, and repeat a few times for a stronger finish. After cooking, clean with hot water and a brush, dry on the stove and wipe on a thin film of oil.
Seasoning is a layer of oil baked onto cast iron until it bonds to the metal. It protects against rust and gives a natural nonstick surface.
Oven seasoning
- Clean: wash the pan with warm water and a little soap; scrub off any rust.
- Dry completely: towel dry, then heat on the stove for a few minutes.
- Oil thinly: rub a small amount of neutral oil over the whole pan, inside and out.
- Wipe off excess: buff until the pan looks almost dry. Too much oil turns sticky.
- Bake upside down at about 450 to 500 °F (230 to 260 °C) for one hour, with foil or a tray below.
- Cool in the oven.
- Repeat two or three times for a stronger base.
Everyday cleaning
- Clean while the pan is warm, with hot water and a brush or scraper.
- Use a little soap if needed; don’t soak.
- Dry on the stove to drive off moisture.
- Wipe on a thin film of oil while warm.
Removing rust
Scrub rust off with steel wool, wash, dry thoroughly and re-season in the oven.
Building great seasoning
The best seasoning comes from cooking: searing, shallow frying and roasting. Acidic foods like tomato sauce can wear seasoning on a new pan; save long simmers for when it’s well seasoned.
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Sticky surface | Bake again at high heat; use thinner oil layers |
| Food sticking | Preheat properly; use more fat while cooking; keep seasoning |
| Rust spots | Scrub, dry, oil and re-season |
| Flaking | Scrub loose bits off and re-season |
Common questions
What oil is best for seasoning cast iron?
Neutral oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola or grapeseed oil, or shortening, work well. The key is applying very thin layers.
Can I use soap on cast iron?
A little mild dish soap is fine on well-seasoned cast iron. Avoid soaking it and avoid the dishwasher.
Why is my cast iron sticky?
Too much oil was applied and didn't fully polymerize. Bake it again at high heat, or scrub it back and re-season with thinner layers.