For new owners of cast iron cookware, here are a few tips on how to get your iron pan stove ready.
Cast iron cookware has a porous surface that trap oils. The oils create a natural non-stick cooking surface on the pan and unlike synthetic non-stick cookware, cast iron cookware actually improves with age.
Here are a few steps you should follow that will not only increase the lifespan of your ironware but improve it’s performance as well.
Wash with hot water and a brush
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How to season a cast iron pan
NB. These tips apply to traditional cast ironware with no enamel glaze.
1. Wash your cast iron pot or pan with hot water and a brush (no soap and no steel brushes or scourers).
Seasoning a cast iron pan
2. Use an oil with a high smoke point (grape seed or rice bran is a good choice) and sauté some vegetable scraps like carrot peelings.
Seasoning a cast iron pan
3. Remove vegetables and let the pan cool before repeating Step 1.
4. Follow this process 2 – 3 times.
5. After the last wash, dry inside and out with a tea towel and put on a low heat on the stove for 5 minutes to completely dry.
Your cast iron pan is now ready to use.
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Warning
Never use cast iron cookware in the microwave or you will experience unexpected fiery results!
Great tip thanks! Clever idea using vegetable scraps. Should you also only use an oil with a high smoke point for cooking?
We recommend rice bran, grape seed or canola oil