Taking care of cast iron is essential to best preserve this type of material. To season cast iron pans, you need to treat them with oil or other cooking fat and reheat them in the oven. This process protects the pots and makes them easier to clean. Read below to learn how to care for cast iron.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Clean the pot
Step 1. Clean the pot
It doesn't have to be 100% metal - scrape it with a metal tool and then scrub repeatedly with small amounts of baking soda and soap until it stops lathering black.
Step 2. Rinse thoroughly and dry
Method 2 of 4: Oil the Pot
Step 1. To season the pan, use a neutral tasting cooking oil
Vegetable oils such as sunflower seeds, safflower, "light" olive and canola will be fine. These oils are ideal due to their chemical properties and high smoke point. Other cooking fats and lard are also good for greasing cast iron
Step 2. If you want, heat the pot slightly
It is important not to heat it so much that it cannot be touched. Heating the pan a little before applying oil or fat can make application easier
Step 3. Spread a thin layer of oil or fat in the pan
You can do this by putting a little oil or fat on a paper or cloth napkin and rubbing the surface of the pot. Make sure you go through all points of the pan, including the outside
Step 4. Use a clean rag or paper towel to wipe off excess grease
You will feel like you have removed all the oil. In reality, a thin layer will remain on the pot, in order to protect it
Step 5. Choose between oven treatment and stove treatment
Both methods are explained below.
Method 3 of 4: Oven Treatment
Step 1. Use aluminum foil to protect the oven
Many people protect the baking tray or bottom of the oven with aluminum foil, so that the drops of oil that fall from the pan do not land directly on the oven
Step 2. Place the pan in the oven
You can choose a temperature between 175 and 260 degrees centigrade. The perfect temperature depends on the size of the pan and how long you want to keep it in the oven
Step 3. Let the pot heat up for about half an hour
Step 4. Turn off the oven and allow the pot to cool
Step 5. Remove the pan from the oven and wipe off any excess oil or fat that may be left over after the heating process
Step 6. Return the pot to the oven but upside down
Step 7. Let it heat up again for at least an hour
Step 8. Let it cool to room temperature before taking it out of the oven
Step 9. You can repeat the operation several times
This way you will have a thicker protective layer.
Method 4 of 4: Treatment on the stove
Step 1. Cover the pot with a lid
You can use either the lid of that pot or one borrowed from, for example, a wok.
Step 2. Place the pot on an appropriately sized stove
At the beginning, keep the heat low and make sure that the pot is well placed on the stove.
Step 3. Every 5-15 minutes check for light smoke under the lid
If there is no smoke, slightly increase the flame.
Step 4. When you turn the heat up but the pot slowly stops smoking, remove it from the heat but don't turn off the stove
You have found the ideal seasoning temperature.
Step 5. After the pan has cooled, apply another thin layer of fat, cover and put it back on the stove for an hour at the ideal temperature you found earlier
Repeat this a third time.
Step 6. At the end (and from now on every time you use the pot), scrub with a plastic brush and salt
Rinse well, dry with a rag and apply a thin layer of your favorite cooking oil. The salt helps to clean and disinfect, and preserves the tempering of the metal thanks to the iodine which retains the esters of the oil.
Advice
- One of the benefits of seasoning is the creation of a non-stick layer on the surface of the pan.
- Apply the same treatment to the lid as well.
- The seasoning of the cast iron avoids the formation of rust.
- Cast iron cookware changes color naturally when treated. They will return to their black color after a few times you have used them.
Warnings
- Don't worry if the pan inside the oven starts to smoke. Reduce the temperature 10 degrees at a time until the smoke is gone (either way, it won't damage the pot).
- If you rub the pan too hard you may have to repeat the treatment. After using it, wash the pot with soap and water, rinse it and let it dry completely.
