Cast Iron Care

Last year I bought my first cast iron skillet. What took me so long I have no idea because now I use it for everything. It heats so evenly, you can stick it in the oven, and picking it up is an arm workout! It is perfect for cooking meats and veggies which is basically all we eat on paleo, right?

If you don’t already have one I promise this will be a great investment. You’ll be a true hotshot in the kitchen with this skillet. A 10″ or 12″ is a decent stovetop size. Check out the seasoned cast iron I bought here.

You’ll find this skillet gets a lot of use so it’s important to take care of your cast iron pans! I was recently reminded that my cast iron started to look like a dry rusty version of Seal’s face so I needed to re season it.

Here’s how you reseason your cast iron skillet.

Things you’ll need:

• Cast iron skillet, DUH
• Oil with high smoke point – read below (about 2-3 tbsp, depending on the diameter)
• Aluminum foil
• Paper towel

Before reseasoning

Wash your cast iron in warm water with a plastic bristle scrub brush. Then dry thoroughly. Normally you DO NOT use soap on cast iron, but because you’re going to season it it’s okay if you do. But don’t. But it’s okay if you do. LOL. I’m just as confusing in real life, don’t worry.

Use a paper towel to apply a thin yet even layer of oil on the cast iron. Do not apply too much oil. If you do it will leave marks and get sticky. It’s better to use not enough oil the first time and repeat the process.

Be sure to use an oil with a high smoke point like avocado oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, etc.

Place aluminum foil on the bottom rack of your oven to catch potential oil drips. Insert the cast iron pan upside down on the top rack in a cool oven. THEN turn the oven to 425 degrees for at LEAST one hour and let the pan heat up with the oven.
It is very important to note the oil smoke point and oven temperature. If your oil’s smoke point is 500 degrees you can turn the ovent to 450 or so. If you oil’s smoke point is 400 degrees do not set your oven for 425.

It might omit an odor, so pick a nice day you can crack your windows.
After at least an hour, turn the oven off and leave the pan in the oven until it cools. Then take it out and see your masterpiece.

This process may need to be repeated a few times.

After reseasoning

Then start cooking and MANGIA!

• ← Wild Swordfish and Mango Avocado Salsa
• Tips for Managing a UC Flare →