How to Care For Cast Iron

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Caring for cast iron isn't difficult, but the cleaning and maintenance process is different from other cookware. But taking care of your skillet is well worth the effort, because cast iron that’s properly cared for will last for decades. The key to cast iron care is seasoning the pan, as this process will give the skillet a non-stick coating and make it easier to cook with and clean.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Seasoning Cast Iron

1
Preheat your oven. Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) and let it heat up. The process of seasoning cast iron involves coating it with a layer of oil and baking it. Seasoning, or curing, the pan will cover it with a non-stick surface, make the pan easier to clean, and protect it from rust.
- Most new cast iron pans come pre-seasoned, but you'll have to season any that haven't been cured by the manufacturer.^{[1]
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- You can still season a new pan if it comes pre-seasoned, and you should definitely season an old or second-hand cast iron pan before using it.
2
Wash and dry the skillet.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.} Fill a sink with a small amount of hot, soapy water. Immerse a clean sponge in the soapy water, then wash the cast iron pan. Rinse the pan under hot water and dry it completely with a clean towel.^{[3]
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- You can also use a dish brush with stiff bristles to clean the pan.
- Most people recommend not washing cast iron with soap once it has been seasoned, because the soap can slowly remove the seasoning. However, because you're about to season the pan, use soap now to make sure the pan is clean.
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3
Coat the skillet with shortening. Dip a clean cloth or paper towel into some vegetable shortening. Rub the shortening over the inside and outside of the skillet to coat the pan with a thin and even layer.^{[4]
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- It’s best to use a small amount of solid shortening for seasoning, because too much shortening or using liquid oil can leave a sticky residue on the pan.
4
Bake the skillet. Place a cookie sheet or piece of foil on the bottom rack of the oven. Then place the skillet upside down on the middle rack. Bake the empty skillet for an hour.^{[5]
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Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
- The baking sheet is important because it will catch any shortening that melts and drips off the pan.
5
Cool and clean the skillet. After an hour, turn off the oven. Leave the skillet in the oven as it cools, about one to two hours. Remove the pan from the oven once it’s cool. Buff the pan by rubbing it with a paper towel or clean cloth to remove excess shortening.^{[6]
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- When you're finished, the pan should be a smooth and shiny black.
6
Repeat as necessary. Over time, this non-stick layer may wear away, especially if you use the pan to cook non-fatty foods. Repeat the seasoning process every few months, or when:
- The pan loses its luster and becomes dull
- The color changes from black to dark gray
- Food starts sticking to the pan

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cleaning Cast Iron

1
Rinse the pan with hot water. Clean your pan as soon as possible after cooking with it. The longer food cools in the pan, the harder it will be to clean. After cooking with your cast iron pan, hold it under hot running water. While the water is running, wipe the pan out with a clean cloth to remove food particles.^{[7]
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- For mildly soiled and well-seasoned pans, this may be all you need to clean your cast iron.
- If you're worried about bacteria because you aren't using soap, just make sure to preheat your cast iron before adding food. Cast iron heats up very quickly, and even over medium heat the pan will quickly reach temperatures high enough to kill any bacteria.
2
Scour with salt if necessary. For food that’s still stuck on your pan or baked-on leftovers, sprinkle the inside of a warm pan with a generous layer of coarse salt. Scrub the surface of the pan with a damp dish cloth to remove the stuck-on food.
- When the food has been removed, discard the salt and scraps and rinse the pan out with hot water.^{[8]
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3
Dry the pan immediately. Remove excess water from the pan by drying it with a towel immediately after cleaning it. Return the pan to the stove and warm it over low heat until all the water has evaporated, about two minutes.^{[9]
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- Never let cast iron cookware air dry, as this will cause the iron to rust.
4
Oil the pan. With the pan still on low heat, coat it with an additional layer of vegetable shortening, using a cloth or paper towel to spread the shortening evenly over the pan. Leave the pan on the heat for another 10 minutes.^{[10]
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- After 10 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool. Before putting it away, wipe out any excess shortening with a cloth or paper towel.
- Fully seasoning a pan is a process that happens over time. As you add more oil to the pan and cook fatty foods in the cast iron, the surface will become more protected and more non-stick.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Keeping Cast Iron in Top Shape

1
Remove rust. Iron is highly susceptible to rust, which can be caused when the metal is exposed to air and water. Seasoning your cast iron pan regularly will help prevent it from rusting. It’s important to remove rust spots immediately if they do begin to form, otherwise they will quickly spread.
- Wet a mildly abrasive sponge or scrub pad with soapy water and scrub the rusted spots on the pan. To remove tough rust spots, try a bit of vinegar on the sponge.^{[11]
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  Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}^{[12]
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- Rinse the pan under hot water.
- Re-season the pan by coating it in vegetable shortening and baking it in the oven for an hour.
2
Prevent rust from forming. There are a few things you can do to a cast iron pan that will virtually guarantee rust. To prevent rust from forming, avoid exposing the metal to moisture as much as possible:
- Never immerse cast iron directly in water. Clean the pan by running water over, rather than submerging it in a full sink.
- Always dry cast iron cookware fully after using and washing.
- Store the pans in cupboards or from hooks with the lids off. Lids can trap air and moisture against the surface of the pan, and this will cause the metal to rust.^{[13]
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3
Avoid long-simmering acidic foods. The seasoning layer will protect your cast iron from small amounts of acid, so it’s ok to cook mildly acidic foods in your pan for short periods of time. But acidic foods that require long simmering times, such as tomato sauce, should be cooked in other cookware.^{[14]
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- With a long-simmering acidic food, the acid can find weak spots in the seasoning layer, and this can eat away at the seasoning and start to corrode the metal.
- Be sure to remove acidic foods from your cast iron as soon as they're cooked, and wash the pan immediately.^{[15]
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4
Avoid cleaning methods that can cause damage. Always wash your cast iron by hand, and never put it in the dishwasher. The dishwasher will expose the pan to too much moisture, and this can lead to rust.
- You should also avoid metal scouring pads on the cast iron, as these can damage the seasoning layer.
- Harsh soaps and detergents can also remove the seasoning, so avoid them unless you plan to re-season the pan right away.
5
Use hot water to clean hot pans. Never pour cold water into a hot cast iron pan, as this can lead to cracking and warping. If your pan is still hot from cooking, only use hot water to clean it.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I get rust off of cast iron?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If there's only a little rust, then use a sponge soaked with vinegar to scrub it off. Otherwise, soak the entire skilled in vinegar for 1 hour to remove tough rust.
Question

I have a cast iron bacon press with a wooden handle. Can this be put in the oven to season it?

Community Answer

Find a way to remove the wooden handle first. You should probably be safe to put it in the oven at that point. There are videos that will show you how to remove handles like that on YouTube.
Question

Can cast iron be used on a glass cooktop?

Community Answer

Yes, it can. Cast iron is stovetop-, oven- and grill-safe.