What is the proper way to season a cast iron skillet?
Matthew Barrera
Updated on April 04, 2026
How To Season Your Cast-Iron Skillet:
- Scrub skillet well in hot soapy water.
- Dry thoroughly.
- Spread a thin layer of melted shortening or vegetable oil over the skillet.
- Place it upside down on a middle oven rack at 375°. (Place foil on a lower rack to catch drips.)
- Bake 1 hour; let cool in the oven.
Do you season both sides of a cast iron skillet?
Every time you cook with fat, you season your pan a little bit more. Possibly the most important part of learning how to season cast iron is learning how to clean it. The important thing is to coat the entire pan with fat, and yes, that means the exterior, bottom, and sides of the pan.
Do you need to season cast iron after every use?
Yes, and we’ll explain how often to season a cast iron. Don’t worry, re-seasoning is easy and if you maintain your skillet, then future cleanings and seasonings will be a breeze. After the skillet is clean, it’s important to do a quick re-oiling and heating before storing to get the skillet ready for its next use.
How do I know if my cast iron is seasoned?
A well-seasoned skillet will have a dark, semiglossy finish and won’t be sticky or greasy to the touch. It won’t have any rust or any dull or dry patches. An easy way to test a skillet’s seasoning is to fry an egg (heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes, then add egg).
Is olive oil OK for seasoning cast iron?
Do not use olive oil or butter to season your cast-iron pan — they’re great to cook with, just not for initial seasoning. Turn off the oven, leaving the pan in the oven to cool completely as the oven cools down.
How do I know if my cast iron pan is seasoned?
Should you season pre-seasoned cast iron?
Season it when you get it. Even pre-seasoned cast iron can do with some extra protection. To season your pan, heat it up on the stovetop until its smoking hot, then rub a little oil into it and let it cool. Repeat this process a few times and you’re good to go.
How do you clean and season a cast iron pan?
Cast iron pans and skillets should be cleaned by boiling water in them to loosen any burnt surfaces in them and then wiping them out with a cloth or paper towel. You should not use soap in them, as it can damage the “seasoning” in them.
How often should you season a cast iron?
– Season it when you get it. Even pre-seasoned cast iron can do with some extra protection. – Clean it after each use. Clean your pan thoroughly after each use by washing it with soap and water and scrubbing out any gunk or debris from the bottom. – Re-season it. – Fry and Sear in it. – Don’t let it stay wet.
How do you season and care for a cast iron pan?
Heat the pan for 10 minutes and remove. Using a cloth or paper towel, coat the pan with about 1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening, lard, or bacon grease. (Don’t use vegetable oil—it creates a coating that feels sticky.) Place the pan back in the oven for another 10 minutes. Remove and pour out any excess fat or oil.
What is the best seasoning for cast iron?
The seasoning on cast iron is formed by fat polymerization, fat polymerization is maximized with a drying oil, and flaxseed oil is the only drying oil that’s edible. From that I deduced that flaxseed oil would be the ideal oil for seasoning cast iron.
