Tips & Tricks: Seasoning cast iron
Almost everyone who is fanatically involved with BBQ has a few cast iron pans or a Dutch oven in their possession. These are so sturdy and robust that they can outlive you and even your kids! You have to season this material first, to give the pan a kind of natural non-stick coating and a protective layer against rust.
But how do you actually season such a pan?
Why Seasoning?
Cast iron is fairly porous, which means that moisture penetrates the iron very easily and will cause rust spots. If rust can properly form on the iron, it is detrimental to the material. This does not mean that if there is rust on your pans, it is unusable!
How to season?
Wash
Wash the cast iron under hot water with dish soap. You do this to remove the pre-treatment so that the fat can penetrate deep into the pores during burning.
This is also the last time you can wash the pan with soap!
Pre-heat
Place the pan in an oven at 180 ° C. Leave it on for half an hour.
This ensures that the pores open up.
First layer
Remove the pan from the oven. NOTE: the pan is super hot! Use oven gloves or even welding gloves to protect yourself!
Coat the warm pan with Crisco, Linseed oil, rice oil or coconut fat. Due to the heat of the pan, the fat becomes liquid almost immediately and is absorbed well into the pores.
Remove excess fat with a paper towel.
Baking
Return the pan to the oven and bake for about an hour.
Second layer
After an hour you can take the pan back out of the oven. You will notice that the pan is already getting darker.
Remove the excess fat with a piece of kitchen roll and lubricate the pan again afterwards.
Use the same way as the first time you rubbed the pan.
Second bake
Return the pan to the oven for an hour.
Third layer
After an hour you can take the pan back out of the oven. You will notice that the pan looks a lot darker than the last time you took it out of the oven.
Remove the excess fat with a piece of kitchen roll and lubricate the pan again afterwards.
To do this, use the same way as the first time you rubbed the pan.
Third bake
Put the pan in the oven for the last time and let it bake for an hour.
Cooling down
Let the pan cool down now, it is ready to use!
Maintain cast iron
Now that your cast iron is seasoned nicely, you have to make sure that this layer remains intact.
This way you can leave the lid ajar when not in use. This way you have a constant air flow and some residual moisture can escape.
What is the best way to clean cast iron?
After use, you should NEVER wash your cast iron with detergent. This is going to break down the protective layer we just applied.
After use, it is best to follow the following steps to clean it:
Remove all food from the pan;
Fill the pan with hot water and let it soak for a while;
Take a brush, not iron !, and scrub the pan well;
Rinse the pan with hot water and dry with a towel;
Look at the color of the pan, if it is black, it is still in good condition, if it starts to turn a little gray, it is best to season it again
Hopefully these tips will help you season and maintain your cast iron! If you have any questions, you can always contact me via the contact form here on the website or by sending a DM on Instagram!