otae.com

How do I properly season a cast iron skillet

Sure! Here are nine different ways to season a cast iron skillet:

**Basic Oil Method**: Start by cleaning your skillet with hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Then, apply a thin layer of vegetable oil or flaxseed oil all over the skillet, inside and out. Bake it upside down in the oven at 450°F for an hour. Let it cool, and you’re good to go!

**Salt Scrub**: First, scrub the skillet with coarse salt and a little water to remove any stuck-on bits. Rinse and dry, then coat with oil and bake it like the first method. The salt helps clean and prep the surface!

**Lard Love**: If you have lard, it’s a great option! Just follow the same steps: clean, dry, and apply a thin layer of lard before baking. It gives a nice, natural seasoning.

**Shortening Shortcut**: Instead of oil, you can use shortening. Just rub a thin layer on, bake it upside down, and you’ll have a well-seasoned skillet in no time!

**Repeated Use**: If you use your skillet regularly, just cooking with it can build up the seasoning. After cooking, wipe it out with a paper towel and occasionally add a little oil to maintain it.

**High Smoke Point Oils**: Use oils with high smoke points like grapeseed or avocado oil. Apply a thin layer and bake it, just like the others. They can create a really strong seasoning.

**Oven-Free Method**: If you don’t want to use the oven, you can heat the skillet on the stove over low heat after applying oil. Just keep it on low for about 30 minutes to help the oil bond.

**Crispy Coating**: For an extra crispy finish, you can sprinkle a little cornmeal on the skillet after oiling it