How to Clean & Season a Cast Iron Skillet

This is an easy step by step process on how to clean cast iron after use and how to season a rusty one or one that has lost it’s natural, easy-release cooking surface.

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Cleaning Cast Iron

Basically the washing of cast iron is very different from other cookware types. Care should be taken to allow the cast iron last for generations. It is however simple to clean and involves a three step process. When followed, you can actually use your cast iron to cook eggs, crepes, pancakes and so many other dishes without sticking.

How to Clean Cast Iron

Start by washing your cast iron skillet using hot water and a brush or sponge. Incase you don’ have a brush, use a sponge and warm water. Incase you have some stuck food on the cast iron, let it soak in hot or warm water for 3-5 minutes then scrape it off with the brush. You can use a little soap or salt to lift off the gunk.

Take a clean kitchen/paper towel and dry the cast iron thoroughly. Incase you notice a little black residue on your towel, it’s just seasoning and shouldn’t worry you. It’s normal. You can as well dry it on the stove top for about a minute.

Pour a teaspoon of oil then using a paper towel, coat it all around on the rims and even on the handle. Coat it very thinly then wipe off until no oil residue remains.

Then store your cast iron ready for next use.

How to Clean Cast Iron Video Tutorial:

https://youtu.be/Z1husTptOkE

Seasoning Cast Iron

Seasoning is baking oil onto cast iron. This gives the cast iron that classic black shinny coating. Seasoning forms a natural, easy-release cooking surface and helps prevent your pan from rusting. It is basically making the cast iron have a non-stick layer. This process is only necessary if the cast iron has lost it’s non-stick ability or it’s rusty.

How to Season Cast Iron

Incase you are stating with a rusty cast iron, scrab it off with steel wool or a metallic scrubber till all the rust comes off.

Next clean the cast iron with warm, soapy water. It’s okay to use soap since you’re preparing to re-season it. Rinse and dry thoroughly using a kitchen towel.

Pour a tablespoon of oil on the cast iron then using a paper towel, coat it inside and out, all around on the rims and even on the handle. Coat it very thinly and evenly then wipe off until no oil residue remains. Using too much oil can cause the cast iron to sticky after seasoning.

Place the cast iron in the oven upside down and bake at 220°C-250°C for one hour.

Allow to cool then it will be ready for next use.

How to Season Cast Iron Video Tutorial:

RECIPES MADE USING CAST IRON:

OTHER KITCHEN TIPS/HACKS THAT YOU COULD FIND USEFUL:

How to Clean and Season Cast Iron

This is an easy step by step process on how to clean cast iron after use and how to season a rusty one or one that has lost it's natural, easy-release cooking surface.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Cast iron, Cast iron cleaning, Cast iron seasoning, how to, Kitchen hack, Kitchen tips

Keyword: Cast iron, Cast iron cleaning, Cast iron seasoning, How to, How to clean cast iron, How to season cast iron, Kitchen hacks, Kitchen tips

Author: Gwen Jikoni

Materials

Cleaning the Cast Iron

Cleaning brush or sponge
Hot or warm Water
A little Salt or soap, optional
Kitchen/paper towel
Neutral cooking oil

Seasoning the Cast iron

Steel wool or a metallic scrubber, if rusty
Soap
Water
Kitchen/paper towel
Neutral cooking oil

Instructions

How to Clean Cast Iron

Start by washing your cast iron skillet using hot water and a brush or sponge. Incase you don' have a brush, use a sponge and warm water. Incase you have some stuck food on the cast iron, let it soak in hot or warm water for 3-5 minutes then scrape it off with the brush. You can use a little soap or salt to lift off the gunk.
Take a clean kitchen/paper towel and dry the cast iron thoroughly. Incase you notice a little black residue on your towel, it's just seasoning and shouldn't worry you. It's normal.
You can as well dry it on the stove top for about a minute.
Pour a teaspoon of oil then using a paper towel, coat it all around on the rims and even on the handle. Coat it very thinly then wipe off until no oil residue remains. Then store your cast iron ready for next use.

How to Season Cast Iron

Incase you are stating with a rusty cast iron, scrab it off with steel wool or a metallic scrubber till all the rust comes off.
Next clean the cast iron with warm, soapy water. It's okay to use soap since you're preparing to re-season it. Rinse and dry thoroughly using a kitchen towel.
Pour a tablespoon of oil on the cast iron then using a paper towel, coat it inside and out, all around on the rims and even on the handle. Coat it very thinly and evenly then wipe off until no oil residue remains. Using too much oil can cause the cast iron to sticky after seasoning.
Place the cast iron in the oven upside down and bake at 220°C-250°C for one hour. Allow to cool.