Does the bottom of cast iron need to be seasoned?

Many manufacturers pre-season their cast iron before selling it, but it's still a good idea to know how to prepare because it's recommended maintenance two or three times a year. Without this protective coating, the combination of water, cooking, moisture, and exposure to oxygen can rust the cast iron.

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Do I season the bottom of my cast iron?

Yes, season the outside of your cast iron pan to protect it from rust. Every part of an unseasoned pan is susceptible to rust – even the outside and the bottom. So, it's important to coat the entire surface with oil.

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Should I oil the bottom of my cast iron?

When cooking in cast iron, you should add a little oil to the pan before adding your food. This helps ensure the food doesn't stick, and it helps build layers of seasoning. You can generally use whatever oil you prefer, as long as the cooking temperature is below the smoke point of the oil.

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Why do you season the bottom of a cast iron skillet?

Seasoning is just oil baked onto cast iron through a process called polymerization. It gives your cookware that classic black patina. Seasoning forms a natural, easy-release cooking surface and helps prevent your pan from rusting.

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Do you season the entire of cast iron?

Oil the entire pan.

Once the pan is clean, use a kitchen or paper towel to coat it with a thin layer of oil. Use a neutral oil, like grapeseed, canola, or vegetable oil; fats with a high smoke point work better than something more delicate, like olive oil or flaxseed oil.

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The Best Way To Clean and Season a Cast Iron Skillet | Epicurious

22 related questions found

How many layers of cast iron to season?

You're going to have to give your skillet at least six coats of oil and baking to create a hardwearing non stick base. Basically, new cast iron needs some intense TLC for the first year or so of it's life.

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How do you know if cast iron is seasoned enough?

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).

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What is the hole in the bottom of my cast iron skillet?

Pinholes are a common casting defect found in all cast iron products, including cookware. These holes are almost always visible to the human eye but don't appear on the product until after mechanical processing.

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What happens if cast iron is not seasoned?

Cooking on unseasoned cast iron can result in sticking, rusting, and a myriad of other issues (some of which are outlined above). Lucky for cast-iron newbies, most skillets sold these days come pre-seasoned. Take your store-bought seasoning a step further though and add your own before you call it good to go.

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Should you wash cast iron after every use?

Clean cast-iron skillet after every use

Wipe interior surface of still-warm skillet with paper towels to remove any excess food and oil. Rinse under hot running water, scrubbing with nonmetal brush or nonabrasive scrub pad to remove any traces of food.

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Is it bad to leave grease in cast iron?

Having a small amount of oil after cleaning is not a problem. In fact, keeping a pan from drying out is an important part of long term maintenance. Over-cleaning your cast iron pan is unnecessary and will only stand to damage your seasoning. For many meals, this will be the only necessary step to cleaning your skillet.

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Does rust on bottom of cast iron matter?

It's not really a problem (in the absence of water, it won't get any worse), but if it bugs you you can scrub it with some steel wool and put some oil on it (be careful if you use something flammable).

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Why is my cast iron brown after seasoning?

WHY IS MY SKILLET BROWN AFTER PRE-SEASONING AND NOT BLACK? Newly seasoned cast iron may have a brownish tint to it. It's not rust, it's just the initial patina baking in. It can take a few coats of seasoning and some use to get a black finish.

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Can I use olive oil to season cast iron?

Olive oil is a great option for seasoning your cast iron skillet because it is affordable and easy to find. It also has a high smoke point, which means it can withstand high temperatures without burning.

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How many times should I season my cast iron?

Many manufacturers pre-season their cast iron before selling it, but it's still a good idea to know how to prepare because it's recommended maintenance two or three times a year. Without this protective coating, the combination of water, cooking, moisture, and exposure to oxygen can rust the cast iron.

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What can damage cast iron?

6 Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Cast Iron Skillets
  • You don't allow time for the pan to heat up. ...
  • You use the same skillet for savory and sweet. ...
  • You don't clean the pan quickly enough. ...
  • You let your skillet soak. ...
  • You don't re-season the skillet. ...
  • You store the skillet while it's still wet.

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What does a bad cast iron pan look like?

A well-seasoned cast iron pan should be dark black, shiny, and smooth to the touch. Unseasoned cast iron has a rough look and feel until it is properly seasoned. Here are some sure signs of damage and misuse: It's covered in rust.

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Does vinegar remove rust from cast iron?

The vinegar solution will dissolve the rust, but once that's gone, it can penetrate further and start eating away at the original cast surface of the pan, the ultimate death sentence for your skillet. If that happens, retire it to a piece of farmhouse-chic kitchen decor.

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What kills rust on cast iron?

The easiest way to remove rust from cast iron is to soak the pan in a 1:1 vinegar and water solution. Then scrub the rust off with a scrubby sponge, scrub brush, or steel wool.

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Can I use steel wool on cast iron?

Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? No! We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue.

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Can you overcook cast iron seasoning?

When is too much too much? Although it seems odd, it is technically possible to over-season a skillet. Too much oil baked into the cast iron will cause it to polymerize unevenly and eventually will cause the surface of the skillet to flake.

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How long does it take to fully season a cast iron?

Bake the Pan for 1 Hour

Bake upside down in the oven at 350 degrees F for 1 hour (line the rack below with foil to catch any oil drips). This will protect the surface and give it an almost nonstick quality. Some people tout another seasoning method: heating the pan on the stove.

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Why is my cast iron slightly sticky after seasoning?

Sticky Surface

If the seasoning in your pan is sticky, this is a sign of excess oil built up on the cookware. The Fix: To remedy stickiness, place the cookware upside down on the top rack of the oven and bake at 450-500 degrees F for one hour. Allow to cool and repeat if necessary.

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How long to wait after seasoning cast iron?

Complete the seasoning process by baking your cookware upside down at 450 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven for one hour. Let it cool in the oven, then the skillet is ready to use.

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