The Right Way to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

Whether you're a home cook or an experienced chef, one of the best tools to keep on hand in the kitchen is a cast-iron skillet. Cast iron is known for conducting heat consistently, meaning your food comes out evenly cooked every time. What's more, if cast iron is seasoned and maintained properly, it becomes naturally nonstick. While some brands pre-season their products, this is often a task the home cook tackles on their own. Knowing how to season your cast-iron skillet properly will ensure it lasts for years (and even generations) to come.

What Is Seasoning?

Seasoning is a layer of oil that's baked onto cast iron in the oven to make the cookware easier to use. "Seasoning forms a natural, easy-release cooking surface and helps prevent your cookware from rusting," says Kris Stubblefield, a chef at Lodge Cast Iron.

How to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

If your cast-iron skillet didn't come pre-seasoned, you will need to do so yourself by following the steps outlined by Stubblefield below.

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Wash the skillet with warm soapy water. Dry it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.
3. Apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the surface of your cookware (inside and out, including the handles).
4. Bake your cookware upside down at 450 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven for one hour.
5. Allow the pan to cool down completely, and repeat three more times.

When to Re-Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

Whether you seasoned your own cast-iron pan or bought one that came pre-seasoned, eventually you will need to re-season the pan. "You'll be able to tell if it's losing its seasoning because the glossy surface will turn matte and food will start stick, rust can also appear," says Herve Malivert, director of culinary affairs at the Institute of Culinary Education.

How to Maintain a Cast-Iron Skillet

These maintenance tips will keep your cast-iron skillet nonstick and rust-free for longer.

• The best way to maintain seasoning on a cast-iron skillet is to use the pan regularly. "When oil is heated in cast iron, it bonds with the metal through a process called polymerization, which creates a layer of seasoning," says Stubblefield.
• When you first obtain your skillet, use it for cooking ingredients with fat (eggs, bacon, etc.), which helps strengthen the seasoning.
• Avoid cooking acidic foods in cast iron, as they can erode the seasoning.
• After cleaning your cast iron, be sure to dry it completely, says Malivert. This prevents rust from building up on the pan.