Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron Skillets

It’s no secret that I love cast iron skillets! From my list of cooking must haves to my recipes (like my delicious egg stuffed peppers and skillet pork tenderloin), my cast iron skillet gets lots of love around here! If you want to enjoy your cast iron skillet for years to come, use these tips for its care.

Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron Skillets

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You cannot beat the durability and ease of use of a cast iron skillet. Food even tastes better when cooked in cast iron! But, they require a little extra care… so don’t just wash with soap and water!

There are foods you should and shouldn’t cook in your cast iron skillet.

Cast iron is amazing for searing meat, which may be why you bought your skillet in the first place! It’s also great at frying eggs and getting the perfect crisp on your vegetables every time.

What it’s not so amazing at? Cooking with liquid.

Liquid can cause your skillet to rust.

Also, it’s not recommended to cook acidic foods such as vinegar and tomatoes in your cast iron skillet. Acid can strip your pan’s seasoning, but you can always re-season it so don’t freak out if you do cook acidic foods or liquids in it.

How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet

It’s best to clean cast iron immediately after using it, while it’s still warm. Your pan will rust if you leave it soaking in the sink.

Trust me, I’ve done this a time or two.

Place your pan under hot running water and use a brush to get rid of stuck on food.

Be sure to use a stiff brush or this gadget (which has a 5 star rating with over 5,000 reviews) to clean your cast iron skillet.

TBK’s Pro Tip: If you clean your skillet while it’s still warm, it will be easier to get clean even without having to scrub too much.

Avoid using soap and water, and don’t put your cast iron skillet in the dishwasher!

After your skillet is clean, towel dry.

Then, heat your skillet on low (either on the stovetop or in the stove) to get rid of excess moisture. Apply a light coat of oil with a paper towel to the inside (and optionally, the outside) of the skillet, then store in a cool, dry place.

How to Remove Rust from a Cast Iron Skillet

If your cast iron skillet gets a little rusty, use half of a raw potato and some baking soda. Alternately, you can scour your cast iron with steel wool to remove rust. After you’ve scrubbed the rust off, you’ll start with the seasoning process.

How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet

The purpose of seasoning is to prevent rust. Chances are, if you buy a cast iron skillet today, it will come pre-seasoned. If your skillet isn’t already seasoned, or maybe it’s seen better days, follow these steps to season it:

1. Wash your pan with warm, soapy water. Yes, I know I said not to use soap but this is an exception.
2. Dry your pan thoroughly. Then, to make sure all of the moisture is gone, place the pan on the stove over medium heat for a few minutes.
3. Rub your pan – every inch of it – with oil. You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, corn oil, or melted shortening to season your cast iron skillet. You can also use lard but only if you use your skillet frequently because lard can smell bad (rancid) if stored for long periods of time.
4. After you’ve coated your pan in oil, buff it until it no longer looks greasy. If you don’t get the excess oil off, your pan can get sticky.
5. Preheat your oven to 450*F. Place a baking sheet on the bottom rack, then put your oiled pan upside-down on the top rack. Bake for 30 minutes. You can season your pan on the stovetop, but the heating will be uneven so that’s why I recommend using the oven.
6. Remove the pan from the oven and repeat the oiling and baking process at least twice (some recommend 3-4 times).