The cast-iron cookware was once an unavoidable part of our kitchens. Old generations maintained them well and kept passing it from one generation to the next. The durability and wide use of each cast iron product was really commendable. But the modern kitchens are not giving the importance a cast iron utensil deserve. The main reason for the damage of any cast iron cookware is the lack of proper maintenance. Always remember one thing, the better you maintain a cast iron cookware, the better it will last. The life span of a cast iron product is strictly dependable on the way we maintain it. Seasoning a cast iron product before its first use is too important to get what you expect from it.

Cast Iron & Rust

As we know, water & cast iron are not good friends. When water comes in contact with cast iron, the final output will be nothing other than rust. An extra layer formed on the surface by seasoning prevents the direct contact of water with cast iron and protects cookware from rusting. Seasoning is the process of creating a natural, easy-release cooking surface with some simple steps. Seasoning is just oil baked onto cast iron through a process called polymerization. It gives your cookware an enhanced non-stick feature along with that classic black patina. It may take a little extra care, but a well-seasoned cast iron cookware will last for generations.

How to season a cast Iron Utensil?

1. Rinse the cookware properly in water.
2. Wash the cookware using a mild detergent to get rid of any dust content on the surface.
3. Wipe off the water content using a clean cotton cloth or a paper tissue.
4. Place the cookware for cast iron seasoning on stove, at low flame for a minute to dry it completely.
5. Pour a minimal quantity of oil over the cookware surface and spread it over the entire surface including handle & lid, using a paper towel.
6. Adjust the flame to medium and wait until the smoke comes from the cookware.
7. Remove the cookware from the stove and allow it to cool to room temperature.
8. Repeat the steps from 5 to 7 for 3-4 times for a better result.

On the first use, the food may get stuck to the surface. No need to worry, it’s completely natural and the non-stick properties of the cast iron ­­­­ cookware will improve after each use.

Best Cast Iron seasoning Oil: It’s ok to use either Coconut oil, Palm oil, Olive oil, Canola oil or Vegetable oil for seasoning.

Best Cast Iron Seasoning Oven: It’s ok to use the Gas stove or Microwave oven for completing seasoning techniques.

Does Seasoning makes the surface sticky?

It happens only if the oil quantity used to season your cast iron is much more than desired quantity or if you haven’t heat the cookware for an enough time. No worries, it’s not a big issue! We can solve it by placing the cookware back in the oven or by heating on stove for some more time until the stickiness is eliminated.

Dishes that you should avoid cooking in a Cast Iron cookware !

A small amount of lemon or small quantity of tomato sauce/soy sauce won’t give you any trouble. But using greater amounts of very acidic foods like vinegar, tomato sauce, and citrus can damage the seasoning layer when cooked for extended periods of time. The same is applicable to foods that are extremely alkaline, like beans. It’s not recommended to cook these foods for long periods of time in new cast iron cookware. Also, it’s better to avoid acidic foods or recipes with higher liquid contents for longer periods of time until the seasoning is well established. 

Does washing affect seasoning Layer?

Basic knowledge on the cleaning and storing of a cast iron product is necessary to ensure a better life span to the product. It’s a fact that the, while cleaning cast iron cookware, there are chances of flaking off of seasoning by the regular use of detergents and scrubbers. Lose of seasoned layer may result in rust formation and also affect the non-stick properties of the cookware. But, we have to remember that rust formation in cast iron is completely normal. We can get rid of it simply, by washing off the rust and repeating the seasoning technique.

Each time after use, it will be of great advantage if a coat of oil is applied on the surface after cleaning. This is nothing but a type of cast iron seasoning after cooking. It will be much better if you could store the cookware in a dry place properly covered with a cloth or a newspaper.