How To Season & Clean A Cast Iron Pan

Cast iron pans and skillets are culinary essentials every home cook should possess. Up there with the best frying pans you can buy, cast iron is a versatile, long-lasting cookware option for cooking up delicious, evenly prepared dishes. However, their upkeep demands a certain level of care and attention.

This guide will cover everything you need to know to correctly season and clean your cast iron cookware, with tips to eliminate rust, sustain seasoning, and keep your pan in excellent condition for years.

Cast iron cookware is the kitchen workhorse that every home cook needs! Not only does it heat evenly and retain heat well, making it perfect for cooking everything from stews to steaks, but it's also incredibly durable and versatile. And the best part? You can use it on any heat source - from gas to induction hobs! Cooking with cast iron can even help increase the iron content in your food, making it a must-have for anyone with iron deficiencies.

Surprisingly, the seasoning of a cast iron pan or skillet has nothing to do with salt or spices. Instead, seasoning refers to a hard, protective coating created by melting extremely thin layers of fat on cast iron.

Seasoning is the process of building up a layer of polymerised oil on the surface of your cast iron cookware. This layer produces a non-stick surface that is easy to cook with and prevents the formation of rust. The more you use your pan, the better seasoned it will become.

But because seasoning can wear off over time, it's essential to regularly maintain your cast iron pan.

New cast iron pans and skillets will nearly always come from the factory with some degree of pre-seasoning, but we recommend adding more.

To season new cast iron cookware, you'll need the following:

•  A clean cast iron pan

•  High smoke point oil (such as vegetable oil or flaxseed oil)

•  Paper towels

Here's how to do it:

1. Give your cast iron pan or skillet a quick clean with hot water.

2. Preheat your oven to 200°C.

3. Using a paper towel, apply a thin layer of oil to the entire surface of your cast iron pan, including the handle. We recommend using neutral cooking oils like canola or vegetable oil.

Minimax Tip: Wipe away any excess oil; the oil should coat the metal without becoming sticky.

4. Place the pan upside down on the middle rack of your oven.

5. Bake the pan for 30 minutes to an hour. Keep your kitchen well-ventilated since it may become smokey as the oil 6. polymerises into the protective layer.

Turn off the oven and let the pan cool inside.

Repeating this process every few months can help you maintain your pan's seasoning. Good seasoning is made from the many thin layers of oil that build up over time.

While we never want to see a quality cast iron pan sit in the cupboard for too long, sometimes life gets in the way of good cooking. If you haven’t used your skillet in a while, or you’ve bought yourself a vintage cast iron pan, there are a few things you can do to bring it back to life before you start cooking up a storm.

1. Inspect for rust; remove corrosion you find.

2. Wipe away debris from old oil and fats.

3. Wipe the entire pan with a thin layer of oil.

4. Bake in oven at 200°C for 30 minutes to an hour minutes

5. Remove from the oven and let the pan cool inside.

Cleaning a cast iron pan is simple, but it's essential to do it correctly to avoid damaging the seasoning. Unlike cleaning stainless steel cookware, which typically requires specific cleaning solutions to polish and protect the pan, cast iron can be cleaned with hot water; no soap or cleaning solutions are needed.

Here's how to do it:

1. Allow the pan to cool slightly after cooking.

2. Add hot water to the pan and scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush or sponge.

3. Rinse the pan thoroughly with hot water.

4. Dry the pan completely with a clean towel or paper towel.

5. Apply a thin layer of oil to the pan's surface to maintain the seasoning.

Avoid using soap or dishwashers to clean your cast iron pan, as this can strip away the seasoning.

If your cast iron pan develops rust, don't worry – it can be removed.

Here's how to clean a rusty cast iron skillet:

1. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.

2. Spray the mixture onto the rusty areas of the pan.

3. Allow the mixture to sit on the pan for 10-15 minutes.

4. Use a stiff-bristled brush or sponge to scrub the rusty areas of the pan.

5. Rinse the pan thoroughly with hot water.

6. Dry the pan completely with a clean towel or paper towel.

7. Apply a thin layer of oil to the pan's surface to prevent rust from forming again.

From now on, using your cast iron pan or skillet is enough to maintain the seasoning layer. Anytime you cook with fat or oil, you’ll add extra seasoning layers to the pan, which helps maintain your cast iron cookware.

Here are some tips for maintaining your cast iron pan:

• Never leave your cast iron pan soaking in water, as this can cause rust to form.

• Store your cast iron pan in a dry place to prevent rust from forming.

• Avoid using metal utensils on your cast iron pan, as they can scratch the surface and damage the seasoning.

• Avoid cooking highly acidic foods in your cast iron pan, such as tomato sauce or citrus, as they can strip away the seasoning.

Learning to season and clean a cast iron pan is essential for any home cook. But the most important thing to remember is that a well-seasoned cast iron skillet comes with regular use and maintenance.

Following this guide's steps, you can maintain your pan's seasoning, remove rust, and keep it in top condition for years. Avoid using soap, store your pan in a dry place, and use a stiff-bristled brush or sponge to clean it.

American-made cast iron cookware loved by cooks of all calibres. From chefs to home cooks, Lodge cast iron cookware is designed for the modern kitchen. Pre-seasoned and ready to use right out of the box, you can cook almost anything using the wide variety of cast iron cookware options from Lodge.

Skillet

The amazing Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 26cm offers superior non-stick properties, incredible heat retention and an ability to withstand scorching temperatures.

Grill Pan

The Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan 27cm features a raised ridged surface that allows grease and fat to drain away from the food for healthier cooking.

Combo Cooker

The Lodge Cast Iron Combo Cooker is a deep skillet and a dutch oven all-in-one, with a lid that converts into a shallow skillet or griddle.