How to Season & Clean Cast Iron Cookware.

a cast iron pan is a cooks staple.

from cooking to baking to searing. 

from stove top to oven to table.

it's essential.

seasoning & cleaning cast iron is also essential. 

my twenty year old self didn't know this (my father inlaw can attest, i may have ruined his pans...) my thirty year old self is all the wiser (somebody please attest.)

seasoning cast iron.

you can buy a pre-seasoned cast iron skillet at the store, but you can also do this step at home.

if your pan is new and unseasoned.
wash the pan with soap and water.  dry thoroughly.
preheat oven to 500F.
rub the cast iron pan (inside & out) with vegetable oil and bake for 1 hour.
turn off oven and allow to cool completely before removing from oven.
check to see that the seasoning is even and repeat if necessary to ensure an even coating.



cleaning cast iron.

use a sponge or scrub brush with warm running water.  
do not use soap .
do not put in the dishwasher.
dry it very well to avoid rust.
finish it off with a wipe down with a paper towel and a few drops of vegetable oil.

if the pan requires a more through cleaning use coarse salt and vegetable oil to remove the food remnants.  rise and then dry.


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