Curing and Caring for a Cast Iron Skillet

Growing up, my mother always had this one black cast iron skillet that she used for frying chicken and baking cornbread.  When she pulled out that skillet, I knew something good was getting ready to happen.  But, it wasn’t until I became an adult that I really learned to appreciate the unique properties of the cast iron skillet.

Once you have a cast iron skillet in your cooking arsenal, you will never want to be without one.  Plus, you will never have to be without it, because cast iron lasts a lifetime, if cured and cared for properly.  Cast iron is great because it’s durable, non-stick, and holds heat well and evenly; less heat is needed for cooking.

I have a terrible time caring for non-stick coated skillets, because once burned the coating is damaged and the skillet is virtually useless; not so with cast iron.  Unless you drop it off of a bridge, you can’t do much damage to it, in fact, you may get fined for putting a dent in the road below.  If you burn it, just clean it well, wipe it out and move on.  

Curing Your Cast Iron Skillet

If you buy a new skillet,  you will have to cure it to create a non-stick cooking surface.  It’s really not hard to do.  Curing, also called seasoning, allows oils to be absorbed into the cast iron, causing the non-stick surface.  

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Wash your cast iron skillet with soap and water.
• Dry it thoroughly.
• Rub a thin layer of lard or vegetable shortening on the skillet. Don’t use butter; it will burn.
• Place it in the oven for one hour.
• Remove from the oven.
• Carefully, rub another layer of shortening on the skillet.
• Bake for another hour.
• Turn off the oven and allow it to cool.

Your cast iron skillet is cured and ready to use.  Many suggest, for the first few times, using it for frying or other cooking processes that require oil to further aid in the curing process.  After each use, remove food and wipe your skillet out.  You can rinse it with warm water, but, don’t use soap.  Do not use it to store food; remove food immediately after cooking and wipe out the insides; rinse and dry thoroughly.

If you run across a cast iron skillet at a yard sale, don’t pass it up because there is a little rust in it.  I bought one for $4 at a thrift store, a few months earlier, I bought a Teflon skillet for over $10 and can no long  use it cause the insides are peeling.  The cast iron will last forever.  You can cure it over and over if necessary.

Getting rid of rust in a cast iron skillet is quite easy.  Simply use a scouring pad; removing every trace of rust.  Then follow the curing instructions above.  The skillet will be just like new.

Caring for Your Cast Iron Skillet

• Once cured, never use soapy water in it.
• After each use, wipe it out, rinse it, then, dry it thoroughly.  Never allow your skillet to air dry and never put in the dishwasher.
• Do not store food in it.
• Store in a dry place, uncovered.
• If you notice it losing it’s luster, just take it through the curing process again.

Using cast iron in cooking has endless benefits, from it’s durable versatility to it’s easy care.  But, a major health benefit is that some iron is imparted to your food during the cooking process.  Treat your cast iron skillet well, and it will take care of you for ages.  

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Follow me on Twitter @mphsglo; also, enjoy reading:

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