How to season and clean cast‑iron cookware for beginners 🍳

• Cast-iron cookware requires regular seasoning to create a protective, non-stick layer and prevent rust.
• To season a pan, apply a thin layer of a high oleic oil, like grapeseed oil, and bake it in the oven.
• Properly storing cast iron with protectors or on racks helps prevent scratches and rust damage.

Like any good relationship, cast-iron cookware ownership requires lots of patience, commitment and love; owning your own cast-iron skillet or pan can be daunting at first, but with enough TLC and attention, it's a bond (read: product) that can last a lifetime—and enhance the quality of your cooking, in the process.

I speak from experience; not long ago I was anxiously Googling tips for cast-iron care and attempting to remedy my (past) cleaning mistakes. Now with a few years under my belt, and a number of now-perfected cast-iron recipes to show for it, I'm a seasoned pro—looking to invest in more cast-iron cookware and share my knowledge with new buyers along the way.

In this guide, I offer answers to all of your burning kitchen questions: How to season cast iron? What are the best ways to remove rust from cast iron? How can I protect my cast-iron cookware?

Whether you're new to owning cast-iron pans or simply want to restore the quality of a cast-iron skillet you've been using for years, below, find tips, tricks and shopping recommendations courtesy of a cooking-obsessed editor—including my picks for the best cast-iron pans and seasoning oils:

Cast‑iron care: Seasoning, cleaning and fixing common mistakes

• Cast-iron seasoning science
• Cast-iron oil choice
• Cast-iron after-cook cleanup
• Cast-iron rust removal
• Cast-iron storage

Seasoning science

Unlike other cookware that can be tossed in the dishwasher and forgotten about until its next use, cast-iron cookware requires a bit more TLC—hence the importance of seasoning your pots and pans on the regular.

Let's look at the bigger picture—why does cast iron need to be seasoned in the first place? The short answer is that cast iron is prone to rusting, especially if you try to wash it the standard way with just soap and water. Too much direct moisture can damage the skillet, thus diminishing its quality.

Seasoning your cast iron can create a baked-on layer of oil that not only polishes the surface, but creates an invisible protector so that you don't have to worry about food residue or rust in the longterm.

Below, shop a few of the best cast-iron pans and skillets to add to your kitchen inventory:

Shop top cast-iron pans and skillets

Caraway Enameled Cast Iron Large Skillet

This spacious cast-iron skillet is beloved for its heat retention capabilities, which ensure a thorough, even cook throughout. Shop at Caraway

Our Place Cast Iron Always Pan

This Our Place Always Pan has a raw cast iron design, so there's zero seasoning required; it also has a heat resistance up to 500°F without the accompanying lid. Shop at Our Place

Smithey Seasoned Cast Iron Classic Skillets

Built from the most high-performance cast iron material, this seasoned skillet is crack-resistant, so you know it's made to last. Shop at Williams-Sonoma

Made In Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

Enjoy the unique heating capabilities of a Dutch Oven, now in the sleek, easy-to-store build of a cast-iron skillet; this enameled model is induction compatible, and optimized for high-heat frying and grilling. Shop at Made In

Oil choices for seasoning cast-iron pans

So, you've got your dream cast-iron pan—now all that's left to do is season it. When it comes to seasoning your cast-iron cookware, you'll need a few essentials: dish soap, a seasoning oil (ideally a high oleic one), cloths and a sheet pan.

Start by scrubbing your skillet with warm water and soap, then dry the cookware over a stovetop burner—ensuring there's no lingering moisture. Next up, apply a thin layer of oil, coating the entirety of the cookware in the process. Once fully coated, you'll then want to wipe off all of the excess oil until the pan is dry and shows zero grease residue.

From there, simply place the cast-iron skillet upside down in your oven and on top of a sheet pan; bake at minimum 450 degrees for one hour, and let the cookware cool. For the best seasoning oils, experts recommend options like grapeseed oil or canola oil; shop top seasoning oils below:

Shop seasoning oils for cast-iron cookware

La Tourangelle Expeller-Pressed Grapeseed Oil

Enhance your everyday cooking and protect your most treasured cast-iron cookware with this top-rated grapeseed oil; it's primed for searing, grilling and so much more. Shop at Amazon

Cast Iron Seasoning Oil

Simply use one spoonful of this seasoning oil post-rinse, then scrub your cast-iron cookware under warm water until all of the oil and salt is washed away. Shop at Uncommon Goods

Lehman's Petromax Care and Seasoning Conditioner

Preserve the quality of any cast iron or wrought iron cookware with this seasoning conditioner that combines tons of natural ingredients. Shop at Lowe's

Cleaning tips for cast-iron cookware

In order to preserve the quality of your cast-iron cookware and limit stuck food, you'll want to wash it immediately after cooking.

Start by rinsing your cast iron under hot water, then use tools like a chainmail scrubber or scraper to remove stuck-on food. Dry your cast iron over a hot burner, and complete the after-cook cleanup process with a slick oil coating, making sure to wipe off any excess oil residue to ensure it's not too greasy.

Below, shop the best tools for cast-iron cleaning, including chainmail scrubbers that won't damage your cookware:

Shop chainmail scrubbers

Lodge Cast Iron Care Kit

For a comprehensive cast-iron cleaning bundle that includes all the essentials, go for this Lodge kit that comes with a scraper, seasoning spray, handle cover and more. Shop at Williams-Sonoma

Cast Iron Cleaner 316L Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber

This unique kitchen gadget is made from a stainless steel material that's rust-resistant and designed to safely clean cast-iron surfaces. Shop at Amazon

Rust removal for cast-iron cookware

Before you jump at replacing any rusted cast-iron cookware, consider removing rust from cast-iron by hand; with tools like pan scrapers and rust erasers, you can easily restore your skillet or pan, without having to invest in a new one entirely.

Below, shop the best pan scrapers for cast iron:

Shop pan scrapers

Pan Scraper Non Scratch for Cast Iron

These multifunctional scrapers will surely be the most used gadget in your kitchen; they can safely clean cast-iron products, as well as slice through dough and other dense ingredients. Shop at Amazon

Lodge Rust Eraser

Remove rust and restore even the most dirtied cast iron cookware with this Lodge eraser—it's easy to use, with more precise application than a standard chainmail scrubber. Shop at Ace Hardware

Storage tips for cast-iron cookware

Preserving the lifespan of your cast-iron cookware doesn't just involve cleaning it properly—but storing it properly, as well. Cast iron is a durable material, but it does require extra care in order to mitigate damage from rust or scratches.

As for the best way to store cast iron, consider cookware protectors that you can slip in between pans if you're storing them in a cabinet. Additionally, cast-iron rack hangers offer an effective way to store your cast-iron cookware, while also showcasing them in your kitchen and freeing up extra storage space elsewhere.

Shop cast-iron storage options

All-Clad Premium Cookware Protectors

Slip these cookware protectors in between your cast-iron skillets and pans to prevent unnecessary scratches. Shop at Amazon

Hand Forged Cast Iron Pot Skillet Rack Hanger

Limited on cabinet storage space? With this rack hanger, you can proudly showcase your cast-iron cookware collection and keep pots and pans separated to mitigate potential scratching or damage. Shop at Etsy

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