Cast Iron Care for Beginners: Season, Cook, Clean

Cast iron scares beginners, but it is nearly indestructible. Learn to season, cook and clean it once and you will never buy another pan. Start here.

Step 1: Season it

If the pan is bare or rusty, scrub with steel wool ↗, dry fully, coat with a thin layer of vegetable oil ↗, and bake upside down at 450F for one hour. Repeat two times.

Step 2: Cook the right things

Start with bacon ↗ or eggs with fat ↗ to build the layer. Avoid simmering tomatoes or vinegar early — they strip seasoning.

Step 3: Clean without soap fear

Rinse hot, scrub with a chainmail scrubber ↗ or salt. No long soaks. Dry on the stove, then wipe a drop of oil.

Step 4: Store dry

Keep it in a dry spot. A pan lid rack ↗ or just a paper towel inside prevents rust.

FAQ

Can I use soap? A little mild soap is fine on a well-seasoned pan.

It rusted? Scrub, re-season, and it is good as new. Cast iron is forever.