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Three cast iron skillets of varying sizes are arranged on a white surface. Two have handles on one side, while the largest has two handles. Each skillet shows signs of use, revealing how to properly season a cast iron pan for lasting performance.
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How to Season Cast Iron Pans

Karen Tedesco
Step-by-step instructions for seasoning and caring for your cast iron pans.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • Cast iron pan
  • Clean paper towels and kitchen towels
  • Refined oil for high-heat cooking, such as peanut or grapeseed oil

Equipment

Instructions
 

  1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
  2. Clean the pan thoroughly with warm water and a scrubby pad. Wipe the pan dry with a towel.
  3. Place the pan in the oven for 10 minutes.
  4. Take the pan out of the oven and increase the temperature to 300 degrees.
  5. Pour 1 teaspoon oil into the pan. Rub the oil around the inside and outside of the pan with a towel, then wipe off all excess oil.. Add another teaspoon or so of oil if needed, depending on the size of your pan.
  6. Return the pan to the oven for 10 minutes.
  7. Turn the pan upside down on the oven rack and increase the temperature to 400 degrees. Leave the pan in the oven for 1 hour.
  8. Turn off the oven. Allow the pan to cool in the oven for an additional 30 - 60 minutes.

Notes

  • To oven-season cast iron, follow the steps. Repeat as needed and use the pan often to get a beautiful jet-black finish over time.
  • To clean your pan after cooking, scrub with a non-metallic scouring sponge in very warm water, with little or no soap.
  • To release any stubborn bits, apply a cleanser like Bon Ami. Dry the pan on the stovetop over medium heat and rub with a small amount of oil before storing.

Nutrition facts are calculated by third-party software. If you have specific dietary needs, please refer to your favorite calculator.

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