Should I oil my cast iron after washing?

Dry your cast iron completely every time
After rinsing, dry your cast iron well with a clean cloth and then place it on the stovetop over low heat. Allow to dry for a few minutes, then use a cloth or paper towel to rub it with a thin layer of shortening, lard, bacon grease, or a neutral high-heat cooking oil.

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Do you oil a cast iron after cleaning?

Dry thoroughly right after you clean—do not let your cast iron air dry. Set on the stove over medium heat to evaporate any remaining water. Rub with a thin coat of vegetable oil (about a ½ teaspoon for a 10 inch skillet) until evenly coated and shiny. Let cool completely and store in a dry place.

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Do I need to season my cast iron after every wash?

Every time you use your cast-iron skillet, you're wearing some of the seasoning down, and eventually it won't function as well. So season it again whenever you see dull spots. Or do what I do: season it whenever it's out and your oven is on.

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Can I use olive oil on cast iron after cleaning?

The answer is yes! Using olive oil to season your cast iron skillet is a simple and effective way to season your pan.

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Does cast iron need to be oiled?

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

24 related questions found

Do you oil cast iron hot or cold?

First, it's important to always heat up the pan prior to adding any oil, butter, or fat. When cooking on cast iron, when it comes to fat, less is not always more. It's better to err on the side of too much fat, and then simply drain any excess after cooking.

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How often should you oil cast iron?

Generally, we recommend seasoning your cast iron about once per month, but after every time you use it works as well if you find that it could use some seasoning. What type of oil is best for seasoning a cast iron skillet? Canola, vegetable, or coconut oil are best.

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What oils should not be used on cast iron?

What Oils Not To Use When Seasoning Cast Iron Cookware
  • Coconut Oil: smoke point too low, can be expensive.
  • Butter: low smoke point, it will burn, add fat when cooking with butter to ensure your skillet seasoning holds up.
  • Olive oil: smoke point not high enough, can leave a smoky taste, unsaturated fat too high.

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What oil to use after cleaning cast iron?

Dry your cast iron completely every time

After rinsing, dry your cast iron well with a clean cloth and then place it on the stovetop over low heat. Allow to dry for a few minutes, then use a cloth or paper towel to rub it with a thin layer of shortening, lard, bacon grease, or a neutral high-heat cooking oil.

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How do I know if my cast iron needs seasoning?

Over the lifetime of a cast-iron skillet, you'll usually just maintain or touch up its seasoning. But if the seasoning becomes very dull or damaged (seasoning flakes off) or if it badly rusts (can't be scrubbed away), you'll need to give it an overhaul by stripping and reseasoning the surface.

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Can I let my cast iron air dry?

Dry it off: It is important to rinse and dry your cast iron skillet immediately after cleaning. We recommend using a lint-free towel. NEVER allow cast iron to air-dry as this can allow rust to build. This is particularly important if you have just used soap.

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What is the most efficient way to clean cast iron?

Cast Iron Skillet Cleaning Method: Salt and Paper Towel

The method: Pour 1 cup coarse kosher salt into the still-warm skillet. Use a folded kitchen towel to scour. Discard the salt and rinse the skillet with hot water.

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Do I let my cast iron cool before cleaning?

To clean a cast iron skillet, wait for it to cool down and then run hot water over it in the sink. Do not let the pan soak in water.

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Can you let water sit in cast iron?

If the food is really cooked on, you can always let the pan soak for a bit. But don't let cast iron sit in water too long or it will start to rust. Now, if you wash your cast iron with water, it is imperative that you dry it as soon as possible. Otherwise it will rust, especially if it's a newer pan.

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Why does my cast iron look rusty after washing?

The Cause:

Rust forms when the cookware is exposed to moisture for extended periods of time and is not harmful in any way. If cast iron is left in the sink to soak, put in the dishwasher, or allowed to air dry, it will rust.

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Can you leave water sitting in cast iron?

Truthfully, leaving your cast iron to soak in the sink is worse for it than any tomato sauce or soap will every be. Cast iron is porous, meaning that long exposure to water can cause it to soak up the moisture and eventually rust.

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What not to do when cleaning cast iron?

Avoid using the dishwasher, soap, or steel wool, as these may strip the pan's seasoning. Scrub off stuck-on bits: To remove stuck-on food, scrub the pan with a paste of coarse kosher salt and water. Then rinse or wipe with a paper towel. Stubborn food residue may also be loosened by boiling water in the pan.

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What is the black stuff when cleaning cast iron?

The black residue in your cast iron skillet is not dangerous. It is leftover burnt food and oil. However, it is unsightly, and it can change the flavor of your food a bit. Removing the residue and then re-seasoning will help.

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Can I use olive oil to season cast iron?

You can use olive oil to season cast iron, but you need to choose a high quality extra virgin olive oil, which should have a smoke point close to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Can you put too much oil on cast iron?

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. Adding too much oil when seasoning will also cause your pan to become sticky, notes Lodge.

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How many coats of oil on cast iron?

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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What is the biggest problem with cast iron?

Cast iron pans can leach a sizeable amount of iron into your food, exceeding dietary intake in some cases. Acidic foods will contribute to much more leaching while an old, heavily-seasoned pan will leach much less iron than a newer one.

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