New cast iron skillet...

[MinnieTink]

So I'm getting a new cast iron skillet. I haven't used one before but I have read that they need to be seasoned. Exactly how do you do this? And how often? Also what about cleaning? Soap and water? Just wipe it out?

Oh and if you have any great recipes that are great in a cast iron skillet (corn bread anyone?) I would love it if you could share.

Thanks!

 

[ElGravy]

Ive always just rubbed oil on my skillet to season it. As for cleaning I never use soap, just hot water and a sponge that has never had soap on it, then when Im done washing make sure to dry and put some cooking oil on a paper towel and lightly coat the inside of the skillet.

 

[liamsaunt]

Never use soap on a cast iron skillet. Soap will strip the finish. I just use hot water and a scrub brush to clean it. If it's super messy and I need extra abrasion, I scrub the pan with kosher salt. After each use you should lightly oil the skillet and then dry it in the oven.

To season it for the first time, rub the pan well with oil and then bake in a hot oven for about 30 minutes. Repeat this process a couple of times to build up the surface. My cast iron skillets are practically non-stick after years of being treated this way. You can also spend a little more at the outset and get a pre-seasoned cast iron pan--the lodge logic line doesn't need to be treated before using it.

 

[golfgal]

For the first seasoning you should wipe with oil and put in the oven for an hour or so at 500 degrees. If you cook foods with oils, brown hamburger, etc. in the pan on a regular basis it will reseason itself but if you notice foods sticking you may have to reseason like above.

 

[camlace]

In my recent purchases...most cast iron pans are pre-seasoned. I do my own seasoning, but I have bought several pans over the last couple of years and all have been pre-seasoned.

As for cleaning NOOOOO soap! Just scrub with sponge/brush that hasn't ever had soap on it and dry right away. I have also done the Kosher salt scrub for really messy pans.

I personally have 2 of each size, I like one for savory dishes and one for sweet. No one wants an oven baked apple pancake that taste like onion rings

 

[tlbwriter]

I hate cast iron, so I don't own it or know how to care for it but I do know that after my mother washes hers, she puts it in a warm oven to dry.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I have cast iron, some Griswold even and I've always washed them thoroughly with soap and hot water.

They are seasoned periodically with oil and hot baking, and I rarely have problems with sticking.

Washing them with soap has never been a problem for me. I dry them thoroughly and be sure there are rubber liners between them when I put them away to prevent undue scratching of the surface.

I cook savory or sweet in any pan. I've never had a problem with one dish tasting like another.

 

[airhead]

Ive always just rubbed oil on my skillet to season it. As for cleaning I never use soap, just hot water and a sponge that has never had soap on it, then when Im done washing make sure to dry and put some cooking oil on a paper towel and lightly coat the inside of the skillet.

me too. Love my skillet!!

 

[mrodgers]

All I use is a single cast iron pan. I wash it with soap all the time and never season it (it is a VERY old pan.) I use it on the grill. My wife uses all the SS pans and I only use that one cast iron. I never have a problem with it. I just hand wash with soap then immediately dry it.