How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet

The Total Guide to Cast Iron Care

If I could choose one pan to cook with for the rest of my life, it would be a cast iron skillet. It is a versatile vessel that can cook almost anything, anywhere. Learning how to work with this metal will improve your cooking at home and in the field. However, cast iron is only as good as the care you put into it. Like a fine wine, a well-seasoned skillet will improve over time. One of the main advantages of cast iron is its ability to maintain...

Video: How to Season and Clean Cast Iron

Cast iron skillets are one of the most versatile kitchen tools. The key to a well-seasoned cast iron is establishing lots of layers of seasoning that will make it smooth, shiny, and non-stick. Using oil with a high smoke point in this process, like grapeseed or safflower, is key. First, use a paper towel to evenly coat the bottom of the pan with the oil. The goal of using a thin layer of oil is to polymerize the fat to the pan—using too much oil...

The Fastest Way To Season Cast Iron

The struggle to keep a cast iron pan seasoned is real, so many people simply choose not to deal with it. That’s unfortunate because caring for cookware doesn’t need to be complicated. The simplest and fastest way to season your cast iron cookware is on the stovetop. New cast iron usually comes pre-seasoned, but that isn’t the same as a good mature seasoning. The truth is, seasoning isn’t a one-time deal. A good skillet with years of use will be...