Maintaining Your Cast Iron Cookware

Cast iron cookware is one of the most useful and durable items you can have in your kitchen. However, in order for it to last you a lifetime you will have to maintain it since iron is susceptible to rust. To prevent your cast iron from rusting, you will have to know how to season it. Lodge Co. describes seasoning to:

“Simply oil baked onto the iron that prevents rust and provides a natural, easy-release finish that continues to improve with use. Seasoning can refer to both the initial finish of the cookware as well as the ongoing process of maintaining that finish.” (All About Seasoning, ¶1).

By following these steps and procedures you will be able to learn how to season your cast iron cookware.

Materials

-Cast Iron cookware

-oven

-soap

-towel or rag

-oven mittens

-vegetable oil

-gloves

Steps to Seasoning

Wash your cookware with warm water. Make sure to remove any food particles that are left in your cookware. You may scrubb it out with a sponge or a brush and make sure not to use a lot soap.
After washing your cookware, towel dry thoroughly until it is completely dry.
Use a towel or a clean rag to lather the oil of your preference (although, it is suggested to use vegetable oil) on the cookware
If your pan is still sticky from the oil make sure to place your cookware upside down inside an oven at the top of rack. Then bake it at 400 degrees for an hour. After that take it out and allow it cool.

Reference:

All About Seasoning. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2018, from http://www.lodgemfg.com/use-and-care/what-is-seasoning