We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Cookware How to Properly Reseason Your Cast Iron Skillet, According to Professional Chefs And yes, you can use soap to clean it. By Nick DeSimone Nick DeSimone Nick DeSimone is a pasta-obsessed vegetarian chef who spent nearly 10 years in restaurants before becoming a food writer. They review kitchen products for Food & Wine and love plant-based and Southern Italian cuisines. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on February 28, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Reviews What is seasoning on cast iron? When to know it’s time to reseason How to reseason cast iron FAQ Cast Iron Skillets We Love Our Expertise Photo: Food and Wine / Russell Kilgore It’s no secret that a cast iron skillet is a staple in any kitchen. It generates a great sear, has incredible heat retention, and will last for years. But without periodic reseasoning, it can lose its benefits. “Seasoning a cast iron pan has a few functions: to prevent rust, to ensure an even cooking surface, and to form an easy-release cooking surface, essentially minimizing the chance that food will stick to your cast iron,” says Chef John Adler, Senior Vice President of Physical Product at Blue Apron. Many people think that just wiping out the pan after cooking and leaving residual cooking oil seasons the cast iron, but this is a myth. Only carbonized oil that has undergone chemical changes can season cast iron. In fact, leaving food and grease in your pan can actually increase the likelihood of foodborne illness. If you want to keep your cast iron performing like new, consider reseasoning for that classic nonstick surface that will keep your pan going for years to come. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore What is seasoning on cast iron? Seasoning is a layer of carbonized fat that bonds to the surface of the iron and acts as a coating. (This works the same way if you season a griddle, too). A few layers of this specific coating can keep food from sticking to the pan and almost act like a conditioner for the metal. The act of seasoning is a very specific process, so not just any fat slathered on the pan will do the trick. In order for the fat to bond with the pan and not just sit on the surface, it needs to go through a process called polymerization. This only happens at ultra-high heat, and not all fats or oils are suitable at these temperatures. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore When to know it’s time to reseason The easiest way to know if your cast iron is ready to be reseasoned is if food sticks. Visually, a well-seasoned cast iron will have a slight sheen, and one that is ready for reasoning will look dull and matte. Rust is also a sign your cast iron needs reasoning. It means water has reacted with the iron, and more seasoning is needed to protect the pan. How to reseason cast iron Reseasoning a cast iron skillet doesn't take any special equipment but does require some know-how. You likely have everything you need already. Make sure you start with a clean and dry pan, then grab some vegetable oil and a few paper towels or a kitchen towel you don’t mind getting oily. Never use olive oil, as it has a much lower smoke point and is not suited to high-heat cooking. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour a small amount of oil, about the size of a quarter, into the pan and use your paper towel to rub it around the entire surface of the pan (even the bottom!) Make sure the layer of oil is very thin, using the paper towel to wipe up any excess oil. Place the pan face down on the top rack of the oven with a sheet tray on the lower racks to catch any oil drips. Bake the pan for up to one hour. Depending on how worn down the seasoning is, you may have to repeat the seasoning one or two more times to achieve a truly nonstick surface. The 5 Best Cast Iron Skillets, According to Our Tests Frequently Asked Questions What’s the best way to clean cast iron? You may have also heard the myth that cast irons can’t be cleaned with soap. This is untrue, and even Lodge Cast Iron, one of the largest manufacturers of cast iron cookware in America for the past 125 years, recommends using soap. A small amount of mild dish soap is fine to use and won’t remove the seasoning. The layers of seasoning naturally wear down with use, so it's necessary to periodically reason, but you won’t strip your pan of seasoning by using a small amount of mild dish soap. Using soap on cast iron helps keep microscopic bits of food and grease going rancid in the pan. Simply clean your pan with a small dab of dish soap, warm water, and a soft brush. The most crucial step is thoroughly drying your pan after washing — any residual water can cause rust. How do you remove rust from cast iron? If your cast iron has become rusty, don’t worry; it can be saved. It takes some determination and elbow grease, but start by scrubbing the pan thoroughly with hot, soapy water and steel wool. If the rust is very stubborn, try rubbing the most affected spots with kosher salt and an abrasive brush, followed by rewashing with steel wool and soapy water. Once the rust is removed, your cast iron’s seasoning will be extremely worn down, so it’s time to reseason. What’s the best way to remove stuck-on food? If you’ve already tried warm, soapy water with a wet sponge with a food scraper and things are still really stuck on, there’s one trick that usually helps release even the toughest messes. Fill your pan with warm water and place it back on the stove. Bring the water to a rapid simmer for a few minutes, then dump the water out and let the pan cool for a few minutes until it can be easily handled. Then, try washing with warm, soapy water again. So go ahead with your favorite cast iron recipes, even if they result in cheesy drips or oily messes. Tempting as it may be, never soak your cast iron, as this will undoubtedly result in rust. We Tested and Found the Best Cast Iron Cookware Pieces to Add to Your Kitchen Cast Iron Skillets We Love Lodge Cast Iron Skillet PHOTO: Amazon $41 $28 at Amazon $25 at Target $15 at Williams Sonoma Lodge has been making cast iron cookware for over a century and has remained one of the most popular names in cast iron during that time. We crowned it the best of the best during our tests. Lodge’s cast iron skillet was the most even and consistent when it came to heating, and it remained supremely nonstick. We loved how easy it was to use with the ergonomic helper handle, and its super slick surface made cleanup a breeze. And did we mention it also comes with an affordable price tag? Camp Chef 10-inch Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet PHOTO: Amazon $22 at Walmart View on Campchef.com $20 at Kohls.com This Camp Chef 10-inch cast iron skillet is proof that high-quality cookware isn’t always the most expensive option. During our tests, we found it the easiest to use due to the size and design of the handles. When it came to cooking, it performed well, offering even and consistent heating with the nonstick capability holding up throughout our tests with no need for extra seasoning. Our Expertise Nick DeSimone has spent nearly a decade working in professional kitchens, so they know a thing or two about cast iron cookware. Nick’s work has appeared in publications such as Allrecipes, Food & Wine, Eater, USA Today, Mashed, The Kitchn, and local Philidelphia publications. For this piece, they spoke to Chef John Adler, Senior Vice President of Physical Product at Blue Apron, and Dennis Powell, owner and designer at Butter Pat Industries. Was this page helpful? 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