Whether you are looking to sear a beautiful cut of meat in the kitchen or take your culinary adventures camping, cast iron and its ability to create and retain high volumes of heat is a must in any chef’s cookware lineup. To keep your cast iron in great condition, Lakehouse Executive Chef Travis explains the art of ‘seasoning’ your pan.

LODGE CHEF SKILLET 10.25"

What is seasoning?

Chef: Seasoning is a fancy term for baking oil onto your pan.

Why should I season?

Chef: Seasoning coats the pan to prevent it from oxidizing and rusting. It also fills any imperfections making for a smoother cooking surface and coats the bottom of the pan creating a non-stick surface.

CARON & DOUCET CAST IRON SOAP	LODGE NYLON BRUSH	CARON & DOUCET CAST IRON OIL

How often should I season?

Chef: Your pan should always remain seasoned. You can maintain the seasoning on it by not scrubbing it off when cleaning as well as applying a thin layer of oil on the pan after it is cleaned and dry.

Seasoning Method

Step 1 : Scrub you pan - Scrub the pan with warm, soapy water. It's okay to use soap since you are preparing to re-season the cookware. Rinse and hand dry thoroughly.

Step 2 : Apply Oil - Apply a very thin, even layer of cooking oil to the cookware (inside and out). If you use too much oil, your cookware may become sticky.

Step 3: Bake for 1 Hour - Place the cookware in the oven upside down. Place a large baking sheet or aluminum foil on the bottom rack. Bake at 400 degrees F for one hour. Allow to cool.

Note: New cast iron always comes pre-seasoned.

Cleaning and Maintaining your Seasoning

Step 1: Wash your cast iron cookware by hand. You can use a small amount of soap. If needed, use a pan scraper for stuck on food. For extra sticky situations, simmer in a little water for 1 minute, then use the scraper after the pan has cooled. The Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Care Kit has everything you need to wash and care for cast iron the right way.

Step 2: Dry promptly and thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. If you notice a little black residue on your towel, it is just seasoning and is perfectly normal.

Step 3: Rub a very light layer of cooking oil or seasoning spray onto the surface of your cookware. Use a paper towel to wipe the surface until no oil residue remains.