Can’t get it right? Here are the best expert tips on how to use and maintain your cast iron skillet. The cast iron skillet is a timeless kitchen tool that can serve you and your family for generations.
Introduction: Are you wondering how people cooked before nonstick pans? My mom and my grandma both used cast iron pans and never switched to nonstick because they knew the trick. Plus, only a cast iron skillet can give you that perfect fried crust on your food—something you can’t get with any other type of pan. It is more versatile as well: you can use it for frying and cooking on the stove top or for baking in the oven.
What to Start with When Using Your Cast Iron Pan
If you’ve bought a new cast iron skillet, you can start cooking right away. But if your skillet is old and you haven’t used it for a long time, you’ll need to clean and season it. One of my cast iron skillets I found at the thrift store was rusty and looked old. But I knew I could make it work for me.
Step One – Cleaning
Scrub off the rust with a metal scraper, or you can use salt. Then rinse it with warm, soapy water.
Step Two – Drying
Dry the cast iron pan both inside and outside. It’s best to use a paper towel because rust can still be present.
Step Three – Seasoning
You can use any cooking oil for this. Rub the oil on both the inside and outside of the cast iron pan. Even though we don’t cook on the outside, the oil coating will prevent it from getting rusty. Place the skillet on a cooking pan to catch any oil drips and put it in a preheated oven (400°F) for an hour. The oil will seep into the tiny pores of the cast iron, filling them and creating a “nonstick” surface. My cast iron pan from the thrift store was quite old, so I had to repeat the seasoning process twice. I needed to scrub it again, wash it, apply more oil, and place it in the oven again. I think the rust had penetrated deep into the pores of my cast iron.
Step Four – Cooking
It might not have the full nonstick effect the first time you use it. But let me assure you— the more you cook on it, the better it gets. Be sure to preheat it before frying. It will give your food a nice crispy texture that no nonstick pan can match.
Step Five – Maintenance
After using it, you can wash the skillet with warm, soapy water. Some people may disagree, but I do it all the time because I don’t want my skillet to have a bad odor the next time I use it. Just avoid soaking it, and try not to wash off all the oil. Remember, it needs to be oiled. Dry it immediately, and apply a thin coat of any cooking oil on both the inside and outside. This will help prevent rust. If it becomes sticky or rusty, just re-season it. Regular use and maintenance will enhance the skillet’s nonstick properties.
Enjoy your cooking and food!
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